Tag Archives: basecoat

EIFS/Stucco On ICF

Posted by Admin on October 27, 2010 None comments

With rising concerns over global warming and energy efficiency, construction materials like EIFS (“stucco”) and ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) have become increasingly popular. Both incorporate varying thicknesses of insulation to decrease the amount of heat lost (during the winter) or gained (during the summer), thereby lowering the amount of heat that needs to be generated/removed. This not only means less fossil fuels are used, but that what you pay to heat and cool your home is decreased. While EIFS is seen in both new construction and renovations, ICF is primarily new construction, but the two products are not mutually exclusively. Actually, one of the larger EPS manufacturers in Toronto supplies the insulation for both products.

EIFS being applied on ICF

EIFS has been around for decades in various forms, while ICF has really only begun to take off in the last 10 years or so. EIFS newest form incorporates a weather barrier with drainage which has been shown to be the most effective at managing moisture, compared with any other cladding. ICF lacks the weather barrier and drainage channels to properly accommodate moisture that will at some point get into the wall.

So what is the correct method of applying EIFS to ICF? All joints in the ICF should be taped with EIFS mesh, and a full cementitious weather barrier applied. This surface should serve as the base of which to apply a full EIFS system including the insulation and vertical channels of adhesive. This provides a drainage layer to ensure the insulation will last as long as possible. ICF being styrofoam itself, one could even groove out vertical channels into the ICF forms through which moisture could drain out when placing your EPS board layer on top.

Adding another layer of insulation will increase the R-value, though typically not to an appreciable degree. ICF walls themselves provide more-than-adequate resistance to thermal transmission through walls. Ensuring that areas such as the roof is properly insulated, and windows are properly sealed would be an intelligent idea, as they would likely be the weak points on a home.

More often than not, what is typically done is to simply apply the mesh, basecoat and finish coat directly over top of the outer layer of insulation in the ICF. While the styrofoam used in the ICF is suitable to apply EIFS over, contractors should make sure it is free from dust, dirt and grease (it’s not uncommon to have dirty ICF forms). Doing this turns the EIFS into a barrier system as opposed to a Dual-Barrier, it will entirely lack a drainage layer which is the key to ensuring walls last as long as possible.

From a design standpoint, it would be simple to add stucco reveals right into the ICF itself as a unique architectural feature.

Parex Adhesive Reformulation – 121 Optimum Basecoat

Posted by Admin on July 3, 2009 None comments

Parex Launches 121 Optimum Base Coat and Adhesive in Response to Applicator Requests

07/02/2009

ParexLahabra, the parent company of leading building material brands; Parex, LaHabra , El Rey Stucco, Teifs, Mer-Krete and Mer-Ko, today announced the launch of Parex 121 Optimum Base Coat and Adhesive.

Parex 121 Optimum was specifically designed with applicators in mind. Applicators in the market were surveyed to better understand what they wanted out of a bagged base coat and adhesive product.  Based on this feedback, the proprietary 121 Optimum formula was developed to be easier for applicators to apply and handle on the wall.  ”The product was developed to have a creamier consistency to help reduce arm fatigue”, said Quenton Roehricht, Parex Brand Manager. “We have also improved the working time of the product allowing applicators to make corrections as needed”.

Parex 121 Optimum Base Coat & Adhesive is a dry bagged product that is a required component of our Optimum EIFS series, however it can be used in all of Parex EIFS.   Overall, the product provides the ability to achieve a more efficient application process for a superior EIFS installation.  In addition to EIFS, 121 Optimum can be used as a level coat for cement and masonry walls or for mesh embedment in Parex Krak-Shield (crack reduction) assemblies.

“There has been quite a bit of excitement for the launch of 121 Optimum”.  Quenton commented. “Applicators, involved in initial product testing, have eagerly anticipated its launch.  We are very pleased with the outcome of 121 Optimum”.

About ParexLahabra Inc.
ParexLahabra Inc. is the US based parent company of leading building material brands; Parex, La Habra Stucco, El Rey Stucco, Teifs, Mer-Krete and Mer-Ko. The product lines of ParexLahabra Inc. are designed for the, new/retrofit, construction of commercial, institutional and residential buildings. The 2002, ISO 9001-2000 certification of Parex helped to substantiate ParexLahabra Inc. as a leader in the building materials industry with over 80 years of combined experience in the US construction industry. For more information regarding ParexLahabra visit parexlahabra.com.

Source: http://www.buildingonline.com/news/viewnews.pl?id=8326&subcategory=359

Further product improvements from the EIFS manufacturer Parex, to help applicators apply materials properly by making them easier to work with and giving them more time to work with them.

Additional Components of the Weather Barrier

Posted by JamesCarnegie on November 5, 2008 None comments

An EIFS weather barrier is the same as putting building paper around your house, isn’t it? You can just slap it on and you’re safe, right? Yes… and no. Yes, it is a weather barrier which will keep moisture away from your substrate. No, it’s not the only component of a well constructed weather barrier. EIFS has gone through the fire of criticism and condemnation, and come out the other side stronger than any other cladding. It has undergone so much research and testing that it is now correcting faulty building methods in all other sidings as well as professionals’ understanding of their homes. A full weather barrier incorporates not only the weather barrier itself, but also caulking, flashing and window-tie ins in their respective location to keep water at bay.

Around any penetration in EIFS which may move (eg. hose bib, wiring, electrical meters) or openings which may expand and contract at different rates (eg. windows and doors) you will need caulking and a backer rod. Dissimilar materials expand and contract at different rates, causing rigid materials between them (such as a basecoat) to crack and leak water inside. Low-modulus caulking will expand and contract significantly before tearing, making it an ideal material for these gaps. However, caulking will only properly move when adhered to only 2 surfaces, therefore a closed-cell backer rod is required between the gap to provide a third surface, to which the caulking will not stick. It is recommended to caulk between the EIFS and other surface before applying the finish coat, as the caulking will not properly  stick to finish coat.

Low Modulus Sealant Adhered to 2 Surfaces and Backer Rod

Low Modulus Sealant Adhered to 2 Surfaces and Backer Rod

Look around at homes in your neighbourhood next time you’re out — how many windows have flashing over them? Water running behind claddings, then into the window frame is one of the most common causes of moisture problems in homes. Installing “kick out” flashing over a window will “kick out” any intruding water before it enters the window frame, preventing it from traveling any further down the substrate. Flashing needs to be installed starting behind the weather barrier, extending beyond the window frame, with a minimum 3/8″ drip edge (+ return) and sealant on the underside. It’s a good idea to get a color close to your stucco wall or trim (you likely won’t match it exactly) to blend in and minimize any aesthetic disturbance.

An additional step recommended by EIFS manufacturers (though rarely installed by applicators without proding) is window tie-ins using EIFS tape. EIFS tape covers from the outside weather barrier, across the window opening/framing and into the interior to completely seal the substrate, window frame and interior drywall from water intrusion. It is usually supplied as a peel-and-stick membrane (like duct tape), minimizing the time it takes to install and lower the chances of improperly installing it. It is worth asking who will do this as it is not normally within a stucco contractor’s scope of work.

Traditionally, it was uncommon to see flashing and window tie-ins on homes, and caulking (and the previous two) were never done by the EIFS applicator. More and more however, the burden is being placed on stucco applicators to completely seal the wall. Nobody likes asking for their cheque, then being told they’re expected to do more work that wasn’t included in their original scope and pricing. It’s perfectly reasonable to expect the applicators to take care of this step as part of their work — as long as it is clarified in advance so that they can include it in their price.