Three things to know about EIFS terminations

Website design By BotEap.comEIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finishing System) is a unique product with a complex application process. One aspect of the process that is commonly overlooked is where the product ends up. There are a few things you should know about synthetic stucco finishes.

Website design By BotEap.comOne: There are a number of ways to finish the product, however the most common include the use of underlayment foam board, a starter track, or a waffle strip. Using a pre-underlaid foam board gets the job done, but there is a problem. Because underlayment board is already cemented, it is very stiff and won’t conform to the existing wall, making it almost impossible to get the job done right. Usually, after you lay down the foam board, you sand the foam flat. Primer foam board cannot be sanded and therefore I do not recommend its use. The opening track is my personal favorite of the three. The track is installed and the foam fits on it. However, it still has some drawbacks. The bottom corner (1 inch) can’t be sanded yet, but at least it’s somewhat flexible. The main drawback of the track is that the front part to which the cement layer is applied does not allow the cement to adhere very well. It’s much better as long as the fiberglass mesh is carried all the way to the back of the court, but the fact is that plastic is not a great surface for cement to adhere to. The waffle strip is a good option and is definitely the cheapest of the three.

Website design By BotEap.comTwo: It is important to follow the manufacturer’s specifications when it comes to the distance from the ground level where the product should be installed. When installing synthetic stucco, it is important not to bring it all the way down to the ground. Other siding often goes all the way down to the ground, which is why I’ve found that people just assume the Exterior Insulation & Finish System does too. During the EIFS repair, the finished product will not look the same as the original, as the synthetic stucco may have reached the ground and the newly repaired area has not. This becomes an aesthetic problem for the client.

Website design By BotEap.comThree: The reason the product is not supposed to be installed too close to ground level is because the foam is known to absorb moisture. Moisture is known to cause mold and even rot. It also promotes insects like termites. When the product is installed too close to the slope where there is cement, the Exterior Insulation and Finish System may sag in cold weather due to lifting of the cement. It’s also important to keep the synthetic stucco two inches from the roof on a rake to let the rain run off.

Website design By BotEap.comIn conclusion, most people are not familiar with this product, so even many builders and inspectors are not aware of the specifications. A builder or inspector can usually control the contractor by pointing out things that cannot be done correctly. In the case of this product, this is rarely the case. In turn, things get overlooked and no one knows until a problem arises years later.