What Is Synthetic Stucco?
Synthetic stucco is a multi-layered exterior wall system that is used on both commercial buildings and homes. This type of exterior system is also referred to as an Exterior Insulation & Finish System or EIFS. The multiple layers consist of an inner layer of foam insulation board that is secured to the exterior wall surface. This is followed by a middle layer of a polymer and cement base that is reinforced with a glass fiber mesh. The outer layer consists of a textured finish coat. EIFS layers bond together to form a covering that doesn’t breathe. EIFS must be correctly installed and maintained if they are to perform properly. Otherwise, moisture can get behind the systems and cause damage, just as it can with other cladding products. This is referred to as water intrusion. Why are water intrusion inspections recommended? Water intrusion damage on synthetic stucco structures typically has been traced to the use of poor quality windows and/or improper flashing and sealing. Periodic main
Over the past year or so, concerns have been raised about Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (“EIFS”), commonly referred to as “synthetic stucco.” Traditional stucco, used for centuries in Europe and in the United States without a problem, is a cement-like substance. Traditional stucco consists of 3/8″ to 1/2″ of cement base troweled onto a metal lath which is fixed onto the exterior wall. An exterior finish coat is applied to the cement. EIFS, the synthetic stucco, is a multi-layered exterior wall system. The layers of EIFS typically consist of: The layers of EIFS typically consist of: (1) an insulation board made of polystyrene or polyisocyanurate foam fastened to the exterior wall surface with an adhesive and/or mechanically; (2) a water-resistant base coat applied over the insulation and then reinforced with fiberglass mesh; and (3) a hard and durable top coat. The final product is attractive and strikingly similar in appearance to traditional stucco. In fact someone unfamiliar
Unlike traditional stucco, which is non-insulating and typically comprised of Portland Cement, sand, and water, synthetic stucco is really not stucco at all. Synthetic stucco generally refers to a type of Exterior Insulation Finishing System (EIFS), a insulating wall coating that may consist of more than one synthetic layer and foam insulation. It is often used as a facade on a building’s exterior walls in place of cement stucco because it may be more quickly and easily applied. One example is known as one-coat stucco, a synthetic stucco applied as one coat or layer, where traditional stucco is usually applied in three layers. Synthetic stucco may suit a wide range of function and design for both structural and decorative needs. The installation of this EIFS may be an on-site renovation overseen by plaster professionals, or the synthetic stucco may be pre-fabricated into panels and then shipped to the installation site. With the use of adhesives, the synthetic stucco is then applied to
Synthetic stucco installation begins with attaching 2’ X 4’ EPS foam panels to the plywood sheathing of the structure. A fiberglass mesh is attached to the foam. The stucco, which is an acrylic, rubber based product, is applied in one or two coats, and the final product is typically 1/16th to 1/8th inch thick. In comparison, hardcoat stucco installed over wood strips, known as lath, or over metal lath, does not have the foam underlayment, and is usually 3/4″ to 1 inch thick.
