Exterior Insulation Finish Systems Eifs

Exterior insulation & finish systems (EIFS) are products for cladding exterior walls that integrate insulation with a stucco-like covering. EIFS incorporate insulation board, a base coat with reinforcement, surface finish adhered to the base coat, and other parts such as joint treatments, drainage accessories, and seals. The purpose of this guide is to provide an understanding of EIFS, provide recommendations for EIFS best practices to promote satisfactory performance & durability, and to develop a framework for functional construction details & specifications that generally illustrates best design & construction practice. The introduction reviews the advantages & limitations of EIFS, problems experienced with EIFS deterioration, and aspects of cladding design. Chapter 2 describes selection of an EIFS system based on fire safety characteristics, rainwater penetration resistance, and impact resistance. Chapter 3 covers cladding design issues including substrate, air & vapour control, movement joints & crack control, interfaces, joint seals, and other durability considerations. Chapter 4 outlines factors to be addressed when using EIFS in retrofitting existing buildings. The last chapter contains construction details that exemplify best practices in EIFS applications. Appendices include a glossary and background technical information.

Papers presented at a symposium held October 5-6, 2014, in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The symposium was sponsored by ASTM International E06 on Performance of Buildings and Subcommittee E06.58 on Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems.

This report outlines testing conducted on exterior insulation finish system joints to evaluate bond strength and water resistance of a number of different joint designs when exposed to accelerated aging conditions and simulated joint movement. The investigators also tested the exterior insulation finish system lamina to evaluate its water vapor permeance, thermal coefficient of expansion, and dry shrinkage. A number of major suppliers submitted materials for testing which were felt to be representative of good quality exterior insulation. Qualified tradespeople laid up the test samples in accordance with manufacturer specifications, and all samples were cured 28 days before testing or subjected to a combination of drying cycles with exposure to ultraviolet light and wetting using simulated rain. Results presented include bond strength before and after aging, elongation, ultimate strength, and failure mode.