When building a new custom house, EIFS stucco application is typically best 4 feet above grade. By doing so, you can make sure that over the years no damage is given due to human traffic. Typically, in areas that are high traffic you run the risk of puncturing EIFS stucco because beneath the cementitious stucco finish is EPS foam. For some homeowners that place 20 feet ladders on the side of their house or children riding their bicycles a jagged metal edge without enough force can puncture and damage EIFS stucco. To avoid these issues, it is ideal to go with a stone veneer finish on the bottom parts of the wall.Â
Why EIFS?
On custom home builds, expensive exterior cladding like precast stones does not bring the same return value when installed at the rear and sides of the property. Therefore, on higher-end new builds or retrofit projects, EIFS is an invaluable choice. Not only does it bring immaculate style and exterior beauty but carries when the highest Thermal Resistance Values (R-Value) in exterior cladding options. Rising energy prices in heating and cooling houses are on the rise more than ever before. Having that extra blanket on your house ensures makes your house operates efficiently.Â
EIFS stucco in Toronto GTA can be styled using reveal lines which serve as a divider and typically it is customized to be V- or U- reveal joints. The depths and widths can be customized. These joints are achieved by burning and shaving off the EPS foam from the surface. This overhang was customized with a reveal line to make the precast look uniform and to compliment to overall style of the exterior facade. By running these lines, you can also use them as dividers should you ever need to repair the surface from one point to the next to make sure that repair work is not noticeable at all. This being said, EIFS stucco can be applied in many different areas.Â
More and more, city officials are becoming a lot more lax as the demand for living space is increasing in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. Recently, Doug Ford announced that they may allow for building construction in the Green Belt. This was at one point a taboo, but due to the demand and lack of space, the Ford government is seriously considering this. Due to this growing issue, to ease the demand for living space Toronto is now allowing for the construction of garden suites. In areas like garden suites, and secondary dwelling units, EIFS application on the exterior facade is a fantastic idea.Â
Pros V.S. Cons of EIFS
In areas without foundation wall ledges full bed masonry options are not available so it is either lightweight stones, siding, or stucco as your choice in exterior cladding. Of the options available, EIFS is by far the best selection. In areas where insulation, heating, and ventilation is a concern EIFS really makes the difference needed.Â
This is a custom built garage which could easily have been designed as a secondary dwelling garden suite to give the additional living space. However, the R-Value, reveal lines as can be seen in this image all make this look appealing as a whole. But there are drawbacks to installing EIFS as well as any other exterior cladding.Â
The biggest disadvantage to installing EIFS is it can get punctured.If you smack at with a 24 feet ladder and the end of the leg wacks it, you will most definitely puncture it or damage it. This is usually not an issue with brick veneer and other masonry products. Another issue with EIFS is that woodpeckers may peck the stucco make a hole in it. This is not very common but over years we have mostly noticed this in Oakville and over 6-7 houses. On the upside, the damaged area could be repaired and there is a separate blog that we have on repairing stucco but there is nothing stopping the wood pecker from coming back. As a homeowner, you need to only start stucco EIFS repair when the woodpecker is completely satisfied and has done the damage because the same woodpecker may continue to come.Â
