Tag Archives: styrofoam

What Are Geometrically Defined Insulation Boards?

Posted by Admin on February 12, 2011 None comments

A relatively new modification to modern Exterior Insulation Finish Systems (EIFS, or “Synthetic Stucco”) are what is called (geek alert) Geometrically Defined Insulation Boards. What exactly does that mean?

It’s a complex way of saying insulation with grooves cut into the back. The purpose of the grooves is to provide a way for water to drain out that gets behind the system. This helps to ensure that no moisture becomes trapped, causing mould or rot.

Why is this necessary? Well, it’s not if EIFS is installed by a skilled applicator, but was implemented to further assuage the fears of Architects. The problem is that even when the Architect properly specifies a system, General Contractors (and home owners) don’t always pay for true skilled applicators – and the applicators who charge less typically do so because they’re inexperienced. Less experience means higher chances of screwing up some part of an EIFS installation.

A popular argument against EIFS with drainage channels formed from cementitious adhesive (the grey streaks in the picture above) is that  the ribbons are flattened out once  the exterior insulation is pressed in place on the wall. The argument goes that if the ribbons are flattened, there is no longer any way for water to drain out if it gets behind the system. Unfortunately, there is an element of truth to the statement – I have seen insulation torn off walls as part of an inspection and observed a complete lack of drainage space because the insulation was pushed against the wall too hard.

If this was to happen, the weather-barrier that is required by EIFS manufacturers would help to protect against mould and rot problems. The majority of the time however, the vertical ribbons of adhesive stay in tact when the insulation is pressed in place (by a skilled applicator).

The Cause Of The Problem

As with all potential problems with skilled trades, it comes down to hiring the right contractor. Selecting the cheapest bid will not get you actual skilled applicators who know how install EIFS properly. This is the case with all skilled trades though, and not a problem exclusive to the EIFS industry. The problem is that every idiot GC or home owner brags when they get EIFS installed for $6 per square foot, when what they’re really doing is shooting themselves in the foot. The $6/sf “contractor” is typically an applicator who was in the industry for a couple of years and is willing to charge less because they won’t take the time to install the system properly. Whether that’s because they’re not aware of how to properly install EIFS or they just aren’t ethical people is another topic entirely. Other people hear about this then think that paying $6 per square foot for EIFS is the norm, and are shocked when something inevitably goes wrong. The few hundred or thousand dollars they save ends up costing many thousand in the long-run and in their ignorance they blame EIFS.

The purpose of the geometrically defined insulation boards is to help “idiot-proof” an EIFS installation. By creating a second layer of drainage that is difficult to clog up (in addition to the cementitious ribbons), the EIFS industry is essentially helping general contractors and home owners who are otherwise too ignorant to hire the right contractor. While the industry is aware I’m sure that someone out there is working hard to create a better idiot – it’s still a step in the right direction and will undoubtedly help a few projects.

Additional Thoughts

Notice that in the image above, the edges of the insulation board are also cut back so that there is additional means of drainage around the perimeter of the insulation boards as well as within it. Also note that this only works if the insulation boards are installed horizontally (how it’s being held in the picture) so that water can drain vertically down the cavities.

Some people have commented that cutting into the insulation reduces it’s R-value. Studies by the EIFS manufacturers have found the reduction in R-value to be negligible as less than 5% of the insulation is removed to create the channels.

What is Mineral Wool Insulation?

Posted by Admin on December 9, 2010 None comments

Mineral wool insulation is typically used on projects where there are non-combustibility requirements by code. Used in EIFS (Exterior Insulation Finish Systems) in lieu of EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) for the fire-rating, it is more difficult to work with because of it’s spongey nature, and tends to require additional materials as well as time.

The most common supplier of mineral wool insulation on the Toronto market is a company by the name of Roxul. With a manufacturing plant in Milton – just off the 401, they are the preferred supplier for most of our projects. Due to the manufacturing process, individual fibres in the board are extremely tiny and may be considered a possible carcinogen to humans when exposed to over a long period of time (similar to asbestos) if they become trapped in the lungs. Once embedded into the wall with a base coat on one side and a weather barrier on the other, concerns about this are negligible. Care should be taken when removing or handling mineral insulation, and eyewear, gloves and a respirator are recommended.

We are able to accomodate toronto insulation projects where mineral insulation may be required due to non-combustibility requirements by code, whether it’s because of the proximity to another building or other reasons.

Stucco Insulation Materials: What Are Your Options?

Posted by Admin on March 6, 2010 6 comments

There are a variety of different types of insulation boards that can be used as the insulation in EIFS. By far the most common exterior toronto insulation is Type-I (1) EPS (Expanded PolyStyrene). This is the white insulation boards you typically see being installed, as well as what is found at hardware stores such as home depot. Most EIFS manufacturers require that the EPS be purchased from them when using their system, for a variety of legitimate reasons. The EIFS manufacturers purchase the polystyrene in bulk, and of a certain grade/quality. That being Type-I (1 pound per cubic foot), Virgin (no recycled content) and in 2′x4′ sheets of your specified thickness.

Polystyrene can be manufactured in a variety of densities (referred to as the “type”). Some can go as low as 0.5 pounds per cubic foot, meaning that they are half as dense as 1 pound per cubic foot – and offer much less insulating value. Some manufacturers sell lower densities because it is less expensive, and the average consumer is not aware that they are getting less insulating value for their dollar. On the other end of the spectrum, it is also possible to get denser styrofoam – Type-II or Type-III (2 lbs per cubic foot and 2.5 lbs per cubic foot respectively) which offer more insulating value per inch.

Why 2′x4′ sheets? Simply, they are easier to work with, and make the system more crack resistant by providing many points at which the system may make minor shifts without cracking the base coat or finish coat.

EPS R-Value

Generally, the Type-I polystyrene you get from an EIFS manufacturer offers an R-Value of 3.71 per inch. This becomes important when you are trying to achieve the maximum rebate from the Retrofit Rebate Program. The Retrofit Rebate Program will grant upwards of $3,750 for adding R-9 to the exterior of your walls – which EIFS does better than any other material. To get to R-9 from 3.71/inch, you require almost exactly 2.5″ (3.71 * 2.5 = R-9.275). It becomes very important to specify this to your contractor when soliciting quotes, because typically 1.5″ or 2″ is specified by default – which will only get you the $2,250 rebate. Generally, the price difference contractors will ask for to go from 1.5″ to 2.5″ is about $700-$800, but will get you an additional $1,500 in rebates. Well worth the investment.

Other Insulation Boards

Other types of insulation boards that are sometimes substituted for EPS when certain factors require them. For example, when adding insulation to the exterior of a wall, that is located between houses that are close together (like downtown Toronto) – one wants to minimize how far the insulation comes out from the wall. In this situation, a denser insulation such as XPS (Extruded PolyStyrene – pink or blue insulation) can be substituted.  While 1.5″ of XPS typically is enough to achieve R-9 insulation, contractors demand a higher price to install it as it takes a little more work and is itself more expensive to purchase.

Fire-Rated Insulation

Sometimes fire-resistance is an issue (particularly downtown, and especially on commercial projects). In this situation, Roxul Mineral Fiber Insulation can be used. While this is an option, it’s an expensive one and difficult to do correctly. Typically it is recommended that the fire-rating is achieved by the drywall/substrate by using Type-X Gypsum boards or Cement Boards and installing a regular, EPS EIF system over it.

As always, consult with the EIFS manufacturer before making any decisions to validate any information you find on this site, or that your contractor gives you.

Aurora Announces Additional $5,000 towards Eco Energy Audit Grant

Posted by Admin on March 30, 2009 1 comments

The city of Aurora, Ontario has announced a 2-year plan to gain an additional $5,000 towards renovating your home to be more environmentally friendly. The green home grant, among other things, includes rebates for insulating the exterior of your walls with styrofoam — exactly what EIFS (synthetic stucco) does! In order to qualify, you must first have an inspector come to do an energy audit on your home, which consists of taking “before” pictures, measuring air flow through your walls, and doing a physical walk-through of your home to inspect the walls, insulation and air-tightness. In total, home owners looking to “go green” may get up to $15,000 towards renovating their home to improve energy efficiency — essentially lowering their heating AND cooling bills and saving upwards of $2,000 per year.

Aside from the grant home owners receive from the government, and substantial reductions in heating bills, the home owners who take advantage of this program will experience an increase in their home value due to the ROI (return on investment) experienced from renovating and upgrading their home.

As an example, let’s say you put EIFS on a 1500 square foot bungalow. The wall surface may come to 1500 square feet, which would be approximately a $15,000 stucco job. Of that $15,000:

For a total of $16,700 returned to you for a $15,000 renovation, and $27,000 after 10 years (and it countinues to save and climb every year)!
By this point there’s no doubt you see the logic in doing “green” renovations. Among the renovations, EIFS (synthetic stucco) is the fore-runner in terms of actual dollars saved. Don’t waste time, contact us to get the exterior of your home renovated with EIFS.