The Benefits of EIFS – Part One

Energy efficiency has never been more important than it is today – especially in the varying climates here in Maryland and Pennsylvania. With such an emphasis placed on efficiency, it is ideal to have a system which allows builders to achieve a pleasing exterior look without having to compromise in terms of performance. The ability of EIFS – Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems – to hit on both of those points is what has made it so popular in recent years. With this two-part article, we are going to highlight a number of the many benefits of turning to an EIFS installation for your next building project.

Start with Efficiency

We opened by talking about energy efficiency and its importance in the modern world, so let’s continue with that theme here in talking about the first benefit of EIFS. Thanks to the design of this product, you are going to come away with an exterior that is highly efficient – even by today’s lofty standards.

When compared to a brick or wood building, air infiltration can be reduced by as much as half when EIFS is used. This is a huge step in the right direction, as keeping warm air in and cold air out – or vice versa – is key to efficiency. With less air passing through the exterior walls of the building, the structure is going to naturally become more efficient.

An important note to keep in mind when talking about efficiency is the possibility that you will be able to use lower-capacity equipment in a building to heat it and cool it effectively, thanks to the overall efficiency of the structure. In other words, it is going to take less energy to heat or cool the space, so smaller equipment can be utilized. That means a cost savings upfront when purchasing the equipment, in addition to the cost savings enjoyed by using less energy on an ongoing basis.

Design Options

With some materials or products, you are sort of put into a corner with regard to what you can do from a design perspective. The material is what it is, and there is very little you can do to change its main characteristics. That is not the case with EIFS. The number of color options is nearly endless when using EIFS, and there are many different textures which can be created, as well. This is precisely why so many designers lean toward this option, as it gives them plenty of room to work with when trying to bring a project together properly.

Of course, when it comes to design, much of the success or failure of a project is going to come down to the skill of the applicator. With the right hands working on the job, just about anything is possible. Always keep this in mind and be sure to work with applicators who have the knowledge and experience necessary to handle the task.

In the second part of this article, we are going to take a look at a few more benefits that are to be enjoyed when EIFS is selected for the exterior of your building.