Eifs Siding Vs Stucco

Eifs is a relatively new cladding option that was introduced to the us in 1969.

Eifs siding vs stucco.

First it includes a layer of insulation. Barrier eifs on the other hand uses a multi layer synthetic stucco that is much softer than traditional stucco. Eifs does not provide the same dual layer of protection against water damage as stucco. Without a trustworthy and experienced contractor on the team eifs is easy to mess up and that can result in a lack of water resistance and long term damages down the road.

Traditional stucco is not prone to the moisture problems discussed below. Eifs is more costly than traditional stucco. Can t quite tell if the sound is hollow or solid. If conserving energy isn t benefit enough there s more.

However eifs depending on the thickness of the insulation board can offer an r value between 4 and 5 6. Stucco at roughly an inch thick offers an r value of about 20. When considering synthetic stucco vs traditional stucco eifs siding has two advantages. Around the 1950s a synthetic stucco siding began to replace traditional stucco in some homes.

When you combine an eifs with insulation in the wall cavity you can achieve r values of about 16 or more. With a well trained eye one will be able to differentiate the two in a matter of minutes. First there is a layer of polystyrene board over which a synthetic stucco is applied. Secondly it offers even more finish options than stucco.

Eifs is synthetic stucco siding. The hollow sound indicates eifs due to the thinner base coat and insulation board while the solid sound can be attributed to the thicker solid stucco base coat and no insulation board caution pm eifs or hybrid stucco system can also produce a solid sound. Stucco dating back to the greeks and romans is composed of portland cement sand and water. Traditional stucco siding is made from portland cement sand lime and water.

Also called exterior insulation and finish system eifs synthetic stucco siding can be a terrific alternative but there are benefits to each. You need to hire a professional contractor to install eifs. After this a fiberglass mesh is applied and then a finishing coat. Unlike traditional stucco eifs is applied in layers.

Eifs is an acronym for exterior insulation and finish systems the product is also called synthetic stucco and it refers to a multi layered exterior finish that s been used in european construction since shortly after world war ii. Stucco the original hard coated fine grained cement is sturdier and more durable than eifs also known as synthetic stucco.