A Brief History About EIFS - Part 1

In the last entry I talked about what  can happen to EIFS (Exterior Insulating Finishing System) if critical details are missing such as caulking or flashings.  If these details are required (which they are by every EIFS manufacture), why are they sometimes not installed properly or completely missing altogether?

The truth is there are many reasons why these details are not done properly or completely missing.  EIFS, generally speaking, is a newer cladding system when compared to brick, siding, etc…  EIFS was devoloped in Europe after WWII and became popular in the 1970’s.  EIFS was initially used almost exclusively on commercial buildings but as costs came down it became more widespread in residential construction.

It was during the 1980’s when moisture intrusion problems where discovered in EIFS-clad buildings.  Controversy & lawsuits followed as the attention was turned to the EIFS manufactures and claims were made that they were producing a cladding system that allowed water to enter, collect & cause significant damage.  EIFS manufactures claimed that if the EIFS was installed properly according to the manufactures directions there should not be any moisture intrusion problems.