Conventional Plastering

Traditional stucco is a cement mixture combined with inert materials such as sand and lime. Usually, wooden walls are covered with tar paper or another type of secondary weather barrier and self-furring galvanized metal lath. This framework is then covered with the stucco mixture, and a finish coat is applied.

The finish coat can either be cement based or acrylic.

Typical Stucco Components

• Tar paper or another type of weather-resistive material
• Galvanized metal lath.
• Scratch coat of Portland cement and sand.
• Brown coat of cement and sand
• Finish coat

Benefits

• Water resistant
• Variety of finish styles and textures
• Performance in a variety of climates, enduring wet/dry and freeze/thaw cycles.
• Fire-resistive qualities
• High abuse and impact resistance
• Acrylic finishes can be applied to the cement brown coat
• Foam shapes may be used to provide desired architectural elements such as quoins, keystones, arches, cornices, and decorative bands.

Installation

Stucco work is done by specialty contractors called lath and plastering contractors. Lathing and plastering are highly specialized trades. Stucco work should only be done by those with proper training and understanding of plaster systems.

Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) are multi-layered exterior wall systems that are used on both commercial buildings and homes. They provide energy efficiency and design flexibility.

Typical EIFS Components:

• Insulation board, made of expanded polystyrene (EPS), which is secured to the exterior wall surface with a specially formulated adhesive and/or mechanical fasteners.
• A durable, water-resistant base coat which is applied on top of the insulation board and reinforced with fiberglass mesh for added strength.
• An attractive and durable finish coat, which is colorfast and crack- resistant.

Maintenance

• Unlike wood, stucco and other siding materials, EIFS rarely need painting.
• EIFS have excellent resistance to dirt, mildew and mold. Should the surface ever become soiled, it can usually be cleaned by hosing it down.
• The systems are designed to be very flexible, which makes them highly crack resistant.
• Periodic maintenance should include thorough checking of the flashing and caulking to ensure that the building envelope remains watertight.

Energy Efficiency

• EIFS reduces air infiltration, stabilize the interior environment and reduce energy consumption.
• EIFS adds to the “R-value” of a home or building. Most EIFS use insulation board with an R-value of R-4 to R-5.6 per inch of EPS.

Design Flexibility

• EIFS come in virtually limitless colors and a wide variety of textures, and can be fashioned into virtually any shape or design.
• Skilled applicators can create all sorts of architectural detailing that would often be cost-prohibitive using conventional construction— cornices, arches, columns, keystones, quoins, special moldings, and decorative accents.

Installation

• EIFS are definitely not do-it-yourself wall claddings. They should be installed by experienced applicators who have completed an EIFS manufacturer’s training program.
• EIMA (EIFS industry member’s association) offers training manuals And training programs to applicators. The best way to ensure a high Quality EIFS job is to rely on members of the EIMA.

Most interior plaster is in the form of gypsum plaster and a lime finish coat. It has been used for centuries, and there is a wide range of systems varying from simple and functional to aesthetic and ornamental.

Typical Interior Plaster Components

• Gypsum plaster
• Lime finish coats
• Gypsum veneer baseboard
• Expanded metal lath

Benefits

• The plaster membrane provides fire protection
• Gypsum plaster provides the ultimate in interior wall and ceiling finishes for long-term performance, durability and a truly monolithic surface
• Gypsum plaster is suitable for all interior plastering uses except where the surfaces are exposed to free water or severe moisture conditions
• Molds, cornices and other decorative trims can be made out of plaster. the traditional method of ornamental plastering is to run molds on the job site with a casting or molding plaster