Issue 01 May 2025
Featured Solutions
StoTherm® ci GPS
- High R-Value Efficiency
Graphite-enhanced insulation delivers R-4.7 per inch for superior energy savings in a thinner wall profile. - Built-In Moisture & Air Protection
StoGuard® Air & Water-Resistive Barrier is fully integrated for long-term durability. - No Thermal Bridging
Fully adhered with Sto TurboStick®, eliminating fasteners and improving performance. - Design Versatility
Compatible with Sto’s wide range of aesthetic finishes, from brick and wood looks to custom textures.
StoSeal STPE Sealant
- Superior Flexibility
Accommodates joint movements up to +100%/-50%, ideal for dynamic building joints. - Primer-Free Adhesion
Bonds effectively to most substrates without the need for primers, simplifying application. - Environmentally Friendly
Low-odor, isocyanate-free formulation with a VOC content of just 8 g/L - Durable & Weather-Resistant
Resists moisture, UV exposure, and weathering, ensuring long-lasting performance. - Versatile Aesthetic Options
Available in 10 standard colors and over 300 custom shades; paintable with elastomeric coatings.Top of Form
Industry News
Sto Named Project of the Year—Two Years Running
Sto Corp. has once again been honored with Project of the Year at the EIFS Industry Members Association (EIMA) EIFS Excellence Awards, earning back-to-back wins in 2023 and 2024. This year’s award went to The Atrium at Sumner in Brooklyn, NY—a striking, Passive House-designed senior housing project by Studio Daniel Libeskind, supplied by Sto Eastern. The façade’s dramatic angles and recessed windows were achieved using Sto’s EIFS, delivering both aesthetic impact and exceptional energy performance.
In 2023, the colorful and imaginative Kaleideum Museum in Winston-Salem, NC, took top honors, showcasing Sto’s exterior wall systems in a vibrant geometric design that reflects the spirit of discovery within. The project was supplied by Colonial Materials, highlighting once again the critical role our distributor network plays in bringing Sto innovations to life.
See all of the 2024 EIFS Excellence Award winners.
© Hufton + Crow
Top StoCast Market Leaders
Top U.S. Distributors
Luiz Guzman
FBM | Denver, Colorado
With five years of experience in tinting EIFS and stucco finishes, Luiz Guzman has earned a reputation for precision, consistency, and outstanding customer service. Based in Denver at FBM, Luiz plays a key role in inside sales, color production, and custom color matching. His passion for tinting began with a simple observation—the importance of fast, accurate color matches for customers—and it has grown into a career defined by dedication and skill.
A Day in the Life
Luiz’s days are a blend of technical precision and customer interaction. Whether he’s creating custom colors or handling inside sales, he’s always focused on providing fast, reliable service. “Finding a good starting point and then making very fine adjustments is key to ensuring accurate matches,” he explains.
Industry Shifts and Staying the Course
The Denver market has seen significant changes in distribution over the years, but Luiz has remained a steady presence. “I’ve stayed consistent with my customers, and our business has continued to grow,” he shares.
The Art of the Match
While every color request is unique, some—like certain reddish browns—pose a bigger challenge. Still, Luiz embraces the complexity. “There’s a huge range of requests, but when you get it right the first time and see repeat customers, it’s incredibly rewarding.”
Making an Impact
Luiz knows that the right color can make or break a project. “Great color helps my customers finish jobs faster, which grows their business—and in turn, mine,” he says. His go-to products? Sto Coatings, thanks to their consistency from batch to batch and job to job.
Beyond the Tints
When he’s not behind the color wheel, Luiz is an avid soccer player, a devoted husband, and a proud father of two young boys. He also enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with family. If he could create a custom color, he’d call it “Pale Blue – Sky Dreams.”
Advice for Future Tinters
Luiz offers this advice: “Stay loyal to yourself and make every customer feel like they’re your only one. Providing accurate matches and color to the customer will either make you or break you.”
Did You Know?
Did you know that the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry (AWCI) offers an EIFSmart Contractor Seal for contractors, project managers, estimators, and owners? By earning the seal, professionals demonstrate their commitment to quality and best practices in EIFS application.
Click here to learn more and get certified.
Also, did you also know that Sto is developing a separate program around the AWCI EIFSmart Contractor Seal? This program will allow certified contractors to qualify for exclusive benefits—such as material credit savings, extended warranties, early access to new offerings, and specification support designed to help win more projects. It’s our way of recognizing contractors who are committed to doing things right.
For more information, contact Kevin McKean at Kmckean@stocorp.com
Regional Project Showcase
North
Project Name: 1784 Annapolis
Distributor Location: CBSI- VA
Distributor Rep: Will Jenkins
Sto FSM: Kevin McKean
Sto CDM: Dan Canova
System/Product: EIFS & StoCast
The renovation of Ruxton Towers, a distinguished solid brick apartment building, masterfully blends the timeless charm of its original design with the modern elegance of StoTherm ci and StoCast Wood. By incorporating StoTherm ci, the building’s exterior was refreshed with a sleek, smooth finish that rejuvenated its appearance while preserving the character of the traditional brick structure.
Midwest
Project Name: Boardwalk Project in Traverse City , MI
Distributor Location: FBM-Grand Rapids, MI
Distributor Rep: Shawn Lee
Sto FSM: Jer Walker
Sto CDM: Ray Redmond
System/Product: EIFS & StoCast
This project was a team effort. Jer and Ray worked together to get everyone on board with StoCast products and conducted a demo with Greg Payne for training purposes. The success of this project has led to securing another project–the Loop–with the same contractor, Au Sable Construction.
South
Project Name: Evermore Orlando Resort
Distributor Location: FBM Orlando
Distributor Rep: Tony Salerno
Sto FSM: Anthony Badalamente
Sto CDM: Clark Larson
System/Product: StoTherm ci, StoLit Milano Ultra Smooth
This project features 360,000 square feet of StoTherm ci combined with 40,000 square feet of StoLit Milano Ultra Smooth. This property serves as a showcase for comfortable family-oriented vacation living.
West
Project Name: Central Station
Distributor Location: FBM Phoenix
Distributor Rep: CJ Lockwood
Sto FSM: David Anguis
Sto CDM: Judy Heiss
System/Product: StoTherm ci Panel System
Central Station Multi Family is designed to merge seamlessly with the existing transit station to create a bustling urban hub. The development will establish two residential towers, 30,000 square feet of retail space focused on food-oriented concepts, 70,000 square feet of state-of-the-art flexible creative office space, and two levels of below-grade parking with 430 spaces.
Face of Sto
Kevin Schroeder
Kevin has spent nearly 27 years in the EIFS, stucco, air barrier, and facades industry, bringing his expertise to Sto Corp. for the past nine years. With a Bachelor of Science degree and two associate degrees, he has a strong technical foundation and a deep understanding of building materials. Based at the Atlanta plant, Kevin plays a key role in technical operations and code development.
Outside of work, Kevin has been happily married to his wife, Lorena, for 20 years. He has a stepson and a five-year-old black lab, Abbe, who brings energy and companionship to their home. In his free time, Kevin and Lorena love to travel, both domestically and abroad and to capture moments through photography. In his free time, Kevin enjoys riding his motorcycle in the foothills of the Georgia mountains.
Proven in the Field
Linden Grove is a standout project that illustrates how Sto solutions solve real-world demands—bringing together performance, design, and constructionability.
Linden Grove
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Description: 30,000+ SF of StoTherm ci with StoCast Brick
Construction Type: New Construction, Multi-Family
Completed: 2024
Project Overview
Located in Brooklyn, NY, the Linden Grove multi-family high-rise is a standout example of how design vision and performance can align. The building features more than 30,000 square feet of StoTherm ci integrated with StoCast Brick, creating a unified façade that offers energy efficiency, design flexibility, and a cohesive architectural aesthetic.
The Challenge
The project employed a modular construction approach, which introduced alignment issues between prefabricated modules. This posed a significant challenge in achieving a consistent, high-quality exterior finish across the building’s surface.
Sto’s Solution
Sto provided a single-source, field-applied EIFS system that allowed the contractor to make critical on-site adjustments—resolving alignment issues without compromising the façade’s appearance. The use of custom-colored StoCast Brick replicated the warmth and texture of traditional masonry, while StoSignature Stone 10 added visual depth with a refined limestone-inspired finish. The result was a timeless yet contemporary look, supported by a comprehensive warranty and streamlined installation process.
On the Horizon
New Additions to the StoGuard Family
Exciting updates are on the way for the StoGuard family of air and water-resistive barrier solutions!
Soon, you’ll see expanded options designed to meet a wider range of project needs—from humid climates to fast-paced construction schedules. These new additions offer enhanced adhesion, improved durability, and easier system selection, all while delivering the trusted performance you expect from Sto.
For questions, feedback, or support, please reach out to your local Sto sales representative – we’re here to help!
