This is the first of a two-part series about common EIFS questions. My Web site www.eifs.com generates a lot of e-mail and phone inquiries. Usually they are basic questions from people looking to learn more about EIFS. Over the last 30 years of working with EIFS I’ve seen or heard of almost anything that can be done with EIFS.
In
multi-story wood frame residential construction, the various floor levels are
usually constructed as a series of platforms, one at a time, on top of each
other. The horizontal framing at the floor line has its grain running parallel
to the ground.
An
EIFS finish coat is a textured, paint-like material. It’s usually made with
acrylic resins or a blend of acrylic resins and other resins, such as silicones.
The hardness of the coating and its textured surface make it susceptible to
getting dirty.
There are two basic ways of terminating the edge of an EIFS. One is by using the EIFS materials themselves, and the other is using some type of non-EIFS trim product, such as preformed plastic or metal pieces.
Large
rust stain streaks can be created by an almost invisibly small piece of iron,
located in the EIFS finish. They can become amazingly big and very noticeable.
In the midst of a huge blank EIFS wall, such streaks can really standout, which
can result in irate building owners who want you to redo the whole façade. That
level of repair is hardly necessary and the following information on rust
streaks on EIFS can help you fix the problem and keep the owner calm.
For a change of pace, I’ve decided to periodically write about contracting and field issues, including case studies of interesting projects. The idea is to offer insights that will help readers deal with aspects of EIFS in their work.
This month’s column gives you a checklist of things to keep in mind if someone wants an alternate price or prefers the other cladding. This list will be handy if you are working with a designer or owner who needs guidance when making a switch.
Lately I’ve been working with some cast stone products and have found that product to be a good complement to EIFS in terms of dealing with the damage-susceptible edges of EIFS. This month’s column gives some examples of how cast stone can be used with EIFS.
First, you can go to New Orleans right now and have a good time, at least in the popular tourist areas, which look like nothing ever happened. But if you drive a little way from those restored areas, it's a different story. There are blocks and blocks of abandoned single-story houses and there are shopping areas that look fine, except a lot are not open. These buildings are in the areas that were flooded and stayed submerged.
Over the years, I've had a number of companies as clients that make and install signs. Most of the signs are used for commercial applications (stores and hotels) and they are usually made of metal and plastic but occasionally they'll even make one out of EIFS. Either way, they sometimes ask me how to attach their signs to EIFS walls. If you've ever purchased a custom sign, they are not cheap, so it's not a dumb question. Here are some guidelines on how to deal with signs. These notes relate to design considerations, as well as installation issues.
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