Beautiful Strength |
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Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems stand up to the elementsThanks to their exceptional insulation qualities, design flexibility, curb appeal, and competitive price, Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) continue to be a preferred exterior wall cladding for commercial and institutional buildings, including stores, schools, hotels, hospitals, office complexes, and recreational facilities. According to Bloomfield Hills, MI-based Ducker Research Co.'s "1998 Analysis of Exterior Wall Systems: Nonresidential -- Residential," approximately 322 million square feet of EIFS were installed in the United States in 1997, of which 216 million square feet were used on commercial projects. Today, with a 22-percent share of market, EIFS are the most widely used wall cladding in commercial construction in this country. The most important of the many features and benefits of EIFS is the ability to resist the elements. Whether used in wet, windy regions or in the desert, EIFS' multi-layered components, which utilize the best in acrylic polymer chemistry, form a protective and reliable shield. The versatility of EIFS makes them desirable on both new and retrofit construction. Over the past three years, EIFS have been the subject of some negative publicity involving moisture intrusion in residential construction. Most of these incidents were concentrated in the area of Wilmington, NC, and were eventually traced to the use of substandard building materials (such as windows), inadequate caulking or flashing, and poor building practices. Experts agree that such substandard workmanship can result in moisture intrusion no matter what type of wall cladding is used. In the commercial sector, EIFS have enjoyed remarkable success since the introduction of the system to this country more than 30 years ago. Billions of square feet have been installed and continue to perform successfully. There are several reasons why EIFS have performed so well in commercial applications:
EIFS satisfy the construction industry's need for a durable, competitively priced system that can stand up to the elements and can be fashioned into a myriad of imaginative shapes and designs. Stephan Klamke is executive director at the EIFS Industry Members Association (EIMA), Morrow, GA. |
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