Replies

1. 
   CJD | Oct 30, 2006 01:29am | #1

   All the stucco methods have their strengths and weaknesses, and like any other siding, depend heavily on the quality of the installation. EIFS that I am aware of is a two coat system and sometimes three, though half the thickness of traditional 3-coat. It makes the most sense to me if you already have EPS (rigid foam) anyway like and ICF wall. It has the advantage over regular stucco as being vapor but not water permeable and is comparatively crack resistant.

   Conventional stucco outperforms EIFS in wildfires. You can also get a wider variety of finishes due to the added thickness and workability of the color coat.

   You can get good stucco work from a lot of contractors in most parts of California and the southwest. It is the dominant siding in Southern California and Arizona from what I have seen. Any form of stucco is not a DIY or carpentry job so has the distinct disadvantage of scheduling yet another trade and the process is messy. The upside is virtually no maintenance and no exterior paint crew. Repair is a big problem and is a poor choice if you like to change colors periodically.

1. 
   build_one | Oct 30, 2006 05:10am | #2

   You like the EIFS better than stucco over foam?  The thought that the EIFS is half as thick seems to be a deterrent for me.  Control Joints every ten feet ought to help with cracking.  Also, building up over a lathe instead of durock or etc. However, I do like the heaviness of having the durock or hardi down first on the EIFS method, but the thought of three coats on the Stucco methed.  In some places, EIFS has had a myriad of lawsuits against it.  It's not a strong as brick, but it does have a distinguishable look.

1. 
   BillHartmann | Oct 30, 2006 08:25am | #3

   In the last 3 or 4 years JLC has had an article on stucco.In addtion to 3 coat and EIFS there is another system or two.But the main point of the article was that they all had potential problems if they weren't detailed properly.And that there are a number of crews that don't know how to do it properly.He them went on to list a number of common problems.

2. 
   BungalowJeff | Oct 30, 2006 03:41pm | #4

   In my area (Northern NJ/NYC) EIFs can be a killer for resale. Even when the market was outrageous, EIFs had such a bad reputation that many homes were re-sided with stucco and sold immediately after....that's not a mistake, it's rustic

3. 
   CJD | Nov 01, 2006 03:53am | #7

   I believe that most contractors who do a lot of ICF prefer one of the many acrylic modified stucco systems that use fiber mesh and adhere to EPS (EIFS, Grailcoat, etc.). I see water impermeable/vapor permeable as a big advantage in wetter high wind areas. Conventional 3-coat stucco's greater thermal mass is an advantage in a wildfire, but a disadvantage in seismic zones.

   As with all building materials, it is a question of choosing product characteristics to minimize disadvantages in your application.

2. 
   tugg | Oct 30, 2006 06:00pm | #5

   I'm getting ready to stucco a long rambling concrete wall. I've got a custom stucco mix (from the manufacturer that supplied the house) ready to order and have covered the year old cement wall with portland cement and want use the stucco mix without lath and wire. It's a short wall with 24" at it highest point. I plan on using an adhesive on the portland and applying the stucco. Nothing fancy for finish pattern. Just a plain stucco job. The wall is 100' downhill from the house and is a retaining wall for a golf green. Any advice.

   I've got a lot of info from the net on stuccoing and finishing out. I've helped with a few jobs and watched a couple of crappy jobs done in the neighborhood. Any advice or links will be investigated and considered. Thanks In Advance!

   Jer 

1. 
   build_one | Oct 30, 2006 08:21pm | #6

   For what you want to do,  i suspect that mix should be fine.  If the soil is know for movement in your area, consider control joints evenly spaced.