FALLS CHURCH, Va. – The EIFS Industry Members Association (EIMA) today commended the research accomplished by the NAHB Research Center comparing moisture resistance among typical residential exteriors, while lamenting the absence of a proven exterior wall cladding – exterior insulation and finish systems, known as EIFS. The goal of this research was to determine how exterior cladding can affect the moisture content of the wooden components in the wall assembly.
Although the study demonstrated the performance of brick, fiber cement, manufactured stone and stucco siding, the research omitted exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS). “The omission of EIFS from the research is disappointing and shows that the research is really incomplete” said David Johnston, Executive Director of the EIFS Industry Members Association (EIMA). “EIFS have been proven to be the best wall cladding in moisture control and energy efficiency in studies conducted by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and not to include it in the research is a disservice not only to the design and construction industry, but to homeowners who want the best performing wall cladding.”
The Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory is concluding the third part of a three part study on wall performance (moisture control and energy efficiency) that includes EIFS, stucco, brick, vinyl siding, and fiber cement board.
The results of this study will be released in the spring of 2011. Earlier phases of this study concluded that EIFS control thermal energy flow and moisture better than brick, stucco and fiber cement siding in certain climate zones.
Click here to view the entire study.
The EIFS Industry Members Association (EIMA), founded in 1981, is a national non-profit technical trade association comprised of leading manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and applicators involved in the exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) industry.
