Stucco,
EIFS and Direct Applied Systems are all good claddings, yet none of
them are perfect for every building, climate or usage. This is
particularly true of ceiling or soffit construction.
Cement
plaster, also called stucco, is the oldest cladding and has been applied
to ceilings for more than 100 years. Most often, a type of rib lath was
used. EIFS is a good cladding, but for ceiling and soffit applications,
we prefer to remove the foam and this becomes a DAS (EIFS without foam
plastic). Some call it DEFS, but by either name, it is excellent for
exterior ceilings and soffits in all climates. DAS is fast, economical
and can even be a fire-rated ceiling. The only drawback would be abuse
resistance. However, how abuse-resistant does a ceiling or soffit have
to be?