If you have n’t heard of exterior insulation before , chances are you ’ve seen it without bonk it . Exterior insulation and goal system ( EIFS ) are common throughout the United States and are easily mistaken for stucco or concrete . You ’ll notice them on all kinds of building , from residential to commercial projects : menage , apartments , condominium , hotels , grocery stores , shopping plazas , office parks , sundry - function facilities , regime buildings and more .

EIFS is wall cladding that uses stiff insulation board on the outside of a wall and a plasterlike outside natural covering . Think of it this style : Ordinary insularism is like thermal underwear worn in spite of appearance , under your wearing apparel to keep you warm and ironical , and exterior insulation is like an surplus shirt worn on the outside , layer over your other apparel .

There is an raiment of EIFS types ; some bank on an outer barrier to protect against water insight , while others are designed with a secondary drainage plane behind the insulant . Despite these differences , EIFS variety are made with the same lightweight , man-made material . Panels of polystyrene foam insulation are install and cover with a base pelage . Glass fibre mesh is applied to panels for reinforcement , and a end coat is applied last . All together the coating and interlocking are a fraction - of - an - in thick .

Turn to the next page to learn the top side of using EIFS ( and what this special system has to do with post - World War II Germany ) .

Benefits of EIFS

After World War II , buildings throughout Germany were damaged and in pauperism of resurfacing . Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems ( EIFS ) originated there and came to the United States in the tardy 1960s . And for decade , Americans have found a numeral of cause to expend exterior insularism .

When instal properly , it makes building more energy efficient . ab initio , it can cost more , but EIFS pays for itself over clock time . According to Oak Ridge National Laboratory , structure with EIFS can save between 20 percent and 30 percent on Energy Department poster [ beginning : ORNL ] .

aesthetic and creative freedom are other perks . amplify polystyrene ( EPS ) is part of the system , and it can be cut or molded to create many shape like arches , column , window details and sculptures . It can also be used to create luxuriant architectural designs , ornate frontal orsoffits .

This kind of exterior insulation can be less than using traditional materials . Plus , it does n’t belittle a edifice ’s national square footage since it goes on the outside . This alone can be a important incentive for projects on high - value land or diachronic sites – areas where straight footage is at a premium .

Just as EIFS is architecturally versatile , it ’s also flexible when it comes to induction . Often , foam dining table is enforce with adhesive that wo n’t shape in highly low or in high spirits temperatures . By complete the EIFS in panel indoors in a storage warehouse , the adhesive agent can dry . Then , the system of rules can be installed in extremely live or cold places that otherwise could n’t admit structure .

There are always two sides to every storey . What could possibly deter people from using this product that can be utilise in so many unlike ways ?

Disadvantages of EIFS

Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems ( EIFS ) installation can be technically challenging , sometimes making the bunko game shadow the pluses . allot to C - Risk , Inc. , a jeopardy - management consulting firm , installation problems are due in part to manufacturer ' systems all being different : Different systems require different installation techniques . EIFS is either foregather in panels in a warehouse and shipped to the construction internet site or assembled and installed in the field . Contractors do the initiation , so the constructor is responsible for finding someone skilled at induction , which can be difficult . Inexperienced workers plus tight - tracked construction can equal compromise EIFS intersection that leak out – one of the many things that can go haywire during installation .

It ’s normal for exterior wall to have wet within them , and most are design to let water escape or ironic . However , once water have behind the EIFS , it has a unmanageable time getting out . If EIFS fail its waterproof title and leaks , it can be extremely difficult to name who is creditworthy since there are a number of people who contribute to the integrity of the system : homeowner , manufacturer , supplier , builder , designer , installer , electrician , roofer . In fact , it ’s usual for insurance company to add full exception for EIFS and other ruled - out provisions to their financial obligation insurance policy for this intellect .

The EIFS Industry Member ’s Association ( EIMA ) say reputable distributor do n’t sell to the public because EIFS should be put in by a train professional , not an incompetent householder . EIFS is not a do - it - yourself product . Homeowners who have attempt to do it on their own have terminate up with problems like leakage and fix or bad . This situation has led to a flurry of course - natural process lawsuits ; homeowners who ’ve done their own installation end up action manufacturers , distributors , builders and any number of people who have take part in the EIFS cognitive operation . Sometimes make codes disallow the use of EIFS , but residential projects generally have looser touchstone , make them more vulnerable to EIFS glitches . It may be because of these disadvantage that EIFS is more popular among commercial-grade expression than residential projects , reference one out of every 11 commercial-grade buildings in the United States has EIFS on it [ germ : DryVit ] .

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