WHAT IS EIFS?

           This home has an EIFS exterior. EIFS is different from a traditional hard coat stucco system that is more common on the west coast in drier climates. You will often here people call it Dryvit but that is simply a brand name that became popular in 1999.

A traditional hard-coat stucco exterior system is extremely strong and durable because it essentially covers your home with a layer of rock. This cement stucco is made of sand, a small quantity of lime, Portland cement and water. Basically, it is a fine-grained concrete that is attached to your house using a waterproof barrier paper, galvanized wire mesh and metal flashings. This system is often ridden with cracks due to the thick surface and inability to move.  

EIFS, on the other hand, is comprised of a base coat and finish coat applied over an EPS board that is attached directly to the sheathing using fasteners or an adhesive.

According to the definitions of the International Building Code and ASTM International, an Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS) is a non-load bearing, exterior wall cladding system that consists of an insulation board attached either with adhesive or mechanically, or both, to the substrate; an integrally reinforced base coat; and a textured protective finish coat.