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EIFS Stucco Systems

Alan Ruiz

Updated: May 30, 2024

EIFS Stucco Systems

Exterior insulation and finishing system (EIFS) is a general class of non-load bearing building cladding systems that provides exterior walls with an insulated, water-resistant, finished surface in an integrated composite material system.


Brick, limestone, metal, and granite are just a few of the decorative or specialty finishes EIFS manufacturers can provide, usually at less cost than masonry or architectural metal. The potential for lower expense can help projects meet or come in under budget, while also offering energy benefits unique to EIFS.


Although often called "synthetic stucco", EIFS is not stucco. Traditional stucco is a centuries-old material which consists of aggregate, a binder, and water, and is a hard, dense, thick, non-insulating material. EIFS is a lightweight synthetic wall cladding that includes foam plastic insulation and thin synthetic coatings. There are also specialty stuccos that use synthetic materials but no insulation, and these are also not EIFS. A common example is what is called one-coat stucco, which is a thick, synthetic stucco applied in a single layer (traditional stucco is applied in 3 layers). There is also an EIFS-like product called a direct-applied finish system (or DAFS), which is essentially an EIFS but without the insulation, and has quite different characteristics.

 
 
 

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