EIFS IS “BEST PERFORMING WALL”
ACCORDING TO NEW GOVERNMENT STUDY
New research by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory
showing EIFS walls to be the “best performing wall systems.” For thermal and moisture protection, ORNL shows EIFS with 4-inch foam insulation
to be “superior” to walls of brick, stucco, concrete block, and cement fiber board siding.
ATLANTA (May 17, 2007) Sto Corp., the innovative world leader in cladding, coating, and restoration systems, announced the findings of new research on EIFS by the government testing group Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). According to Sto officials, the 2006 studies show that walls made of EIFS provide “superior moisture and temperature control” as compared to several other common types of wall construction.
Still underway, the government research initiative scientifically compares EIFS – Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems – with walls made with brick, stucco, and cement fiber board siding. The study was funded in part by the U.S. Department of Energy and the EIFS trade group EIMA, of which Sto Corp. is a member. An executive summary of the study’s initial findings was issued recently by Achilles Karagiozis, Ph.D., of the Building Envelope Group of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and is available on the EIMA website (www.eima.com)
EIFS COMPARE FAVORABLY
These preliminary results decisively show that EIFS walls are a better cladding for buildings than the other three types studied. The conclusion was based on the side-by-side performance of the wall assemblies under conditions that can lead to moisture intrusion and temperature swings. In total, 15 configurations of wall cladding materials were incorporated into a specially constructed building in Charleston, South Carolina, for comparison and evaluation over a period of three years.
The tests included assemblies representative of Sto Corp.’s EIFS NExT® product line, which combines a spray-applied air barrier and high R-value insulation with a durable finish layer. In the statement released by Dr. Karagiozis, ORNL’s researchers assert that this new research is “useful … in demonstrating the superior moisture and temperature control performance of EIFS as compared with other types of exterior claddings.” Among the conclusions it is stated that “EIFS drainage assemblies with vertical ribbons of adhesive [similar to Sto Corp.’s EIFS NExT® provide a drainage path and air space that contributes positively towards the hygrothermal performance of the walls.”
WATER AND MOISTURE PROTECTION
Other findings compare the effectiveness of construction materials used to protect against the intrusion of water and moisture into buildings walls, which can cause rust, rot and other structural damage. Housewraps, for example, were found to permit more moisture movement and accumulation than water-resistive barrier coatings, which are troweled, rolled, or sprayed on and are representative of Sto Corp.’s StoGuard™ product line. In addition, “the use of polyethylene vapor retarders is not a good strategy” in temperate climate, reads the ORNL summary.
The study also provides insights as to the best ways to insulate buildings. “Insulation is more beneficial when placed toward the exterior,” says the summary, a characteristic of products like Sto Corp.’s EIFS NExT®.
A summary of the research project was recently released by the Building Envelope Group of the ORNL. Highlights of the study follow, which were revealed in the memo, titled “The Hygrothermal Performance of Exterior Wall Systems: Key Points of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory NET Facilities Research Project”:
§ BACKGROUND: The 3-year testing program was initiated and funded through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and in part by a nonprofit trade group, the EIFS Industry Members Association, or EIMA. The study was conducted independently by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), which is funded by DOE.
§ RESEARCH METHOD: Goals of the ORNL study were to confirm the performance of EIFS for insulating ability and moisture resistance. Field research was conducted for 15 months on a specially made test building constructed with various cladding materials and fitted with sensors to record moisture content, humidity, temperature and other variables. EIFS walls are compared to brick, stucco, cement fiber board siding and concrete block. The field data are being used to create a computer simulation intended to predict wall performance of the subject variables, called a hygrothermal model.
§ SCIENTIFIC RESULTS: The study demonstrates that “the best performing wall system was the EIFS wall consisting of 4 inches of expanded polystyrene insulation board without any interior stud insulation (no fiberglass),” reads the study summary issued by ORNL. “This wall outperformed all other walls in terms of moisture while maintaining superior thermal performance.” This is consistent with independent studies conducted by ORNL for Sto Corp.
About Sto Corp.
Sto Corp., based in Atlanta, Georgia, is an innovative world leader and producer of a broad range of versatile cladding and coating systems for building construction, maintenance and restoration. Sto Corp. is ISO 9001 certified and operates production plants strategically located to serve more than 200 distributor shipping locations across North America. At research and development laboratories in the U.S. and Europe, Sto continues to revolutionize the industry with the highest quality products and application technology.
About the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
A multiple-program science and technology organization funded through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) conducts basic and applied R&D in many areas of science and technology. ORNL is managed by UT-Battelle LLC for the DOE, and is based near Knoxville, Tennessee. Scientists and engineers employed at ORNL build scientific knowledge and technological solutions to increase the availability of clean, abundant energy; restore and protect the natural environment; and contribute to national security. (For more information, see www.ornl.gov.)
About EIFS Industry Members Association (EIMA)
Founded in 1981, the EIFS Industry Members Association (EIMA) is a national non-profit technical trade association comprising more than 400 leading manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and contractors involved in the exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) industry. (For more information, see www.eima.com.)
About EIFS
The term exterior insulation and finish systems, or EIFS, refers to a system of wall construction that comprises foam insulation board, a non-metallic reinforcing mesh and an engineered series of performance and decorative coatings, including barriers to water and air. EIFS assemblies are usually attached to and supported by building framing and sheathing. The finished surface, which can be colored and textured, often has a stucco-like appearance.
For more information, visit www.stocorp.com or call toll free (800) 221-2397 or (404 ) 346-0755. |
Press Release 2006
