The reinforcing mesh that is used in the lamina of an EIFS is an essential component. Without it, the EIFS simply will not work. It’s worth reviewing why the mesh is there, as misconceptions are common about its importance and function. Going through this review of mesh is worth doing to understand what can be done, and not be done, with reinforcing mesh.
EIFS reinforcing mesh is made of glass. Why glass? Glass is used because it does not stretch much. The technical term is that it has a “high modulus.” The modulus of a material is how much it stretches in relation to the “pull” applied to it. A related characteristic that applies to mesh is brittleness. Being brittle means that when a material does break, it does so all of a sudden. For example, a piece of soft steel will stretch and eventually break but its does not “snap.” Glass, on the other hand, breaks instantaneously, and with little warning: it shatters. If you ponder why beer bottles smash to bits when you tip one over, that’s why. Compare a brittle, glass beer bottle to one of those elastic, plastic two-liter cola bottles and you’ll see the difference. The fact that a material is brittle is OK, as long as you keep that characteristic in mind when you’re using it.