What is Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems, (EIFS)?
Sometimes called “synthetic stucco,” EIFS is a multi-layered exterior barrier-type system designed to prevent moisture intrusion into exterior walls. The system consists of four main components: 1) Panels of expanded polystyrene foam insulation installed with adhesive or mechanically fastened to the substrate, usually plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). 2) A base coat that is troweled over the foam insulation panels. 3) A glass fiber reinforcing mesh is laid over the polystyrene insulation panels and fully imbedded in the base coat. 4) A finishing coat is then troweled over the base coat and the reinforcing mesh. The base coat, mesh, and finishing coat are usually approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inches thick. EIFS systems were originally invented in Europe in 1947 and were introduced into the U.S. commercial market in 1969. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, EIFS systems in the U.S. were primarily targeted as commercial projects where the architect and engineer involvement was not only in th
