The Hero Campaign

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EIFS: A hero hidden in plain sight.

The “Hero” campaign was initiated by EIMA’s Board of Directors and Communications and Education Committee to educate the construction industry on the many benefits of exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS).

EIFS are the hero of...

Energy Efficiency:

The US Department of Energy (DOE) mandated that by October 18, 2013, all states update their commercial building code to meet or exceed ASHRAE Standard 90.1 - 2010.

• EIFS offers Continuous Insulation (CI) by design and is a solution to the expanded requirements.

Energy Efficiency Benefits of EIFS:

• The global warming impact and carbon footprint of EIFS is 3 times smaller than stucco and 5 times smaller than brick.
• EIFS is 84% more energy efficient than the next best performing cladding, outpacing brick and stucco among others.
• EIFS provides a continuous layer of insulation that reduces air leakage that currently plagues many buildings.

U.S. Government Performance Review of EIFS

• Research conducted by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, supported by the Department of Energy, has validated that EIFS are the best performer when compared to brick, stucco, and cementitious fiberboard siding.

Design Flexibility:

The rich appearance of EIFS can bear a resemblance to stucco, stone, brick, limestone, or metallic finishes, but the systems are far more versatile than these and other materials. Not only do EIFS come in virtually limitless color and a wide variety of textures, they also can be fashioned into virtually any shape or design.

With EIFS, skilled applicators can create all sorts of exterior architectural detailing that would often be cost-prohibitive when using other types of construction cornices, arches, columns, keystones, cornerstones, special moldings and decorative accents are just a few examples.

Durability and Sustainability:

Most EIFS systems are specially formulated with 100% acrylic binder, which gives EIFS superior resistance to fading, chalking and yellowing. As a result, the systems tend to maintain their original appearance over time.

EIFS also have excellent resistance to dirt, mildew and mold, which helps keep the building exterior looking clean and freshly painted. Should the surface ever become soiled, it can usually be cleaned by hosing it down.

For those concerned about heavy winds, EIFS has passed the stringent Miami-Dade County Hurricane Test, showing no impact against hurricane style weather.

EIFS: One fully engineered, tested, code-compliant system; supplied by one source; installed by one contractor; and warranted by one manufacturer.