EIFS Facade Systems

EIFS Facade Systems

An Exterior Insulation Finishing System (EIFS) is a type of cladding system that provides exterior walls with an insulated finished surface and waterproofing in an integrated composite material system.

Put another way, an Exterior Insulation Finishing System can be defined as an ideal energy-efficient thermal wrapping or facade insulation applied to the exterior surfaces of a building which is then finished with a long-life, decorative and protective wall coating that can be installed on any type of construction.

Since the 1990s, the majority of wood-framed buildings have used EIFS. The recommended system now includes a drainage plane to let water drain down and out from behind the cladding; this is in response to historical water infiltration problems that caused damage to buildings and resulted in costly legal cases.

EIFS facade systems have many componenets, some of which are listed below.

While giving the appearance of stucco (or conventional rendered plaster), EIFS is actually a multi-layered wall system that consists of the following components:

  • Adhesive – Used to “glue” the insulation board to the exterior wall surface.
  • Insulation Board – Made of polystyrene or mineral wool which is secured to the exterior wall surface.
  • Mechanical Fasteners – Used to fasten the Insulation Board to the exterior wall surface.
  • Base Coat – Applied on top of the insulation and reinforced with EIFS glass fibre mesh.
  • Finish Coat – Applied on top of the primed base coat giving a decorative, durable, crack-resistant finish.

Types of EIFS Facade Systems

Barrier Wall Systems

Barrier EIFS wall systems rely primarily on the base coat portion of the exterior skin to resist water penetration. Therefore, all other components of the exterior wall must either be barrier type systems or be properly sealed and flashed to prevent water from migrating behind the EIFS and into the underlying walls or interiors.

Wall Drainage System

Wall drainage EIFS systems are similar to cavity walls; they are installed over a weather barrier behind the insulation that acts as a secondary drainage plane. The weather barrier must be properly flashed and coordinated with all other portions of the exterior wall to prevent water from migrating into the underlying walls or interiors.

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