26th Nov 2021

What is External Insulation & Finish System(EIFS)? Why use coverlink’s cork spray as the final finish in EIFS?

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exterior_insulation_finishing_system

External Insulation and Finish System (EIFS) is an insulation system that is installed on the exterior walls from outside. In EIFS the insulation layer is continuous and allows the designers with flexibility and aesthetics of the building while confirming to the energy codes.

The American Society for Testing and Materials and the International Building Code define EIFS as a non load bearing, exterior wall cladding system that consists of an insulation board attached either with mechanical fasteners and/or adhesives to the substrate; an integrally reinforced base coat and the final finish that is textured and protects the base layers.

Now-a-days EIFS needs to also have a drainage plane in between the substrate and the inner wall structure. This change in the system design allows the efficient drainage of any moisture and water before it can enter into the cavity of the wall.

History of EIFS:

It was introduced in the United States in late 1960s and was used on commercial buildings initially. Subsequently it was also used on homes.

A typical EIFS consists of following components:

EIFS as a cladding system has been developed long time ago hence is well researched and one of the most tested cladding systems in the construction industry, making it widely accepted, used and best performing cladding systems when it come to thermal and moisture control.

EIFS is also recognized as a system that is in full compliance with modern building with greater emphasis on energy conservation.

Benefits of EIFS:

With superior energy efficiency and limitless design possibilities, EIFS offers many benefits over any other siding or cladding systems.

Energy Efficiency:

Reduce air infiltration
Adds R-value to the walls
Helps reduction in heating and cooling loads in
the building
Achieve Continuous insulation
Reduce 45% of energy use.

Durability:

Rarely needs painting
Maintains the original appearance for a long time
Color is integral to the finial finish.
Excellent resistance to dirt, mildew, and mold.
EIFS can absorb building movements
EIFS is also resistant to hurricane weather.

EIFS is durable, resilient and sustainable. High impact resistance in EIFS can be achieved through good design, sound specifications, use of proper materials, and construction techniques.

Aesthetics:

Rich appearance
Versatile
Unlimited color options
Textures
Adapts any shape and design
Unlimited creativity – cornices, arches, columns,
keystones, cornerstones, moldings and accents
Striking and distinctive exteriors

Moisture Resistant

Fire Resistant

No ignition at radiant heat exposure

Flame spread resistance

Problems in Top Coat / Final Finish

Needs to be applied by a trained and certified professional

Made from Portland cement – A Green House Gas intensive material

Improper installation can lead to failures

Failure to allow curing time for inner layers can be detrimental

Stucco (the final finish / Top coat) will shrink over time and crack, just like concrete.

It is porous and hence fails to keep the rain out in case of prolonged exposure to rain.

The water leakage can find its way into the wooden structure inside and cause mold and rot.

The synthetic acrylic polymer based top coats are designed to be completely waterproof and do not breathe at all, which means if the water finds its way behind the top layers, it won’t have any way to escape, unless it can weep out from the bottom of the wall.

Calls for additional attention to the windows and doors with high quality caulking and proper flashing.

Water can get trapped behind the synthetic stucco systems.

Problems in Top Coat / Final Finish

Cork Spray confirms to all the important requirements of the exterior walls as mentioned in the Building Codes as per the National Research Council of Canada.

The principal requirements of an exterior wall include:

1) Control Heat Flow – Cork being naturally Heat resistant is the best in class material and has unmatched Thermal Conductivity compared to Stucco or any other siding material.

2) Control air flow – Cork Spray does not promote
any flow of air from outside towards the inside of
the house. Stucco on the other hand is highly
porous and can allow greater degree of air flow
compared to Cork Spray

3) Control water vapour flow – One of the most important properties / features of Cork Spray is the breathability. Cork Spray allows the water vapour to escape through the coating, however it does not allow and vapour to penetrate through the coating from outside to inside.

4) Control Rain penetration – Cork Spray is the only architectural finish that is completely waterproof on walls. It does not allow any seepage of water into the wall from outside.

5) Control light, solar and other radiation – With a very high resistance to UV
and solar radiation Cork Spray offers a great solutions to the common fading
problems that can be found in the stucco.

6) Control noise – Another most exemplary feature of Cork Spray is its acoustic insulation property. Using Cork Spray on the walls can reduce the sound reflections, absorption and transmission.

7) Control Fire – The most important property of Cork Spray is its ability to withstand direct flame and is not combustible. Cork Spray made by Coverlink offers a Euroclass B

8) Provide strength and rigidity – Strength and rigidity of a wall depends on the performance of the outermost layer of the facade. If the top coat of the facade cannot withstand any one of the natural forces as expected then it can compromise the overall strength of the walls. Cork Spray being infinitely versatile and having capabilities to endure harsh conditions (in many cases much better than stucco) is the choice of engineers and building professionals due to its tenacity.

9) Be durable – Cork Spray is at least twice as durable as the stucco. Currently Coverlink’s Cork spray offers 10 years warranty, however soon the warranty will be bumped up by additional 5 more years.

10) Be aesthetically pleasing – Aesthetics play an important role in the final finish of the building. Cork Spray being able to withstand all the forces of nature much better than stucco will as a result offer a long lease to the aesthetics of your building. It also comes in choice of many colours and the options are unlimited.

11) Be economical – When it comes to economics of a material it is important to square up all the benefits offered by the material, its life, its rigidity and durability. Cork Spray as a result of its properties works out to be an excellent choice for its cost. When compared to stucco, Cork Spray is at par and when compared to other popular siding materials, it can even be less expensive.

One of the important features offered by Cork Spray is its resistance to Salt penetration. This property is not required by the Building Codes for exterior walls, however it is important to note that all the popular siding materials including stucco are less resistant to salt than Spray Cork.