Exterior Insulation And Finish Systems Research Articles

Assessing the Impact of Façade Typologies on Life Cycle Embodied Carbon in University Building Retrofits: A Case Study of South Korea

This study examines the influence of façade typologies on Life Cycle Embodied Carbon (LCEC) in retrofitting university buildings in South Korea. By analyzing 28 cases across seven retrofit scenarios, four main façade types—PW-1, PW-2 (Punched Walls), WW (Window Walls), and CW (Curtain Walls)—were identified as key drivers in retrofit outcomes. PW-1 and PW-2 often require over-cladding due to demolition complexities, whereas WW and CW, despite undergoing full demolition and re-cladding, do not necessarily result in higher carbon emissions. The use of Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) can achieve up to a 35% reduction in LCEC compared to traditional materials like stone, particularly in cases requiring minimal structural reinforcement. By balancing sustainability with architectural integrity, this study offers valuable guidance for similar projects globally, providing insights into optimizing retrofit strategies for more sustainable building practices.

On the optimal selection of wall cladding system to reduce direct and indirect CO2 emissions

Buildings have direct and indirect impacts on the CO2 emissions. This paper presents a study on the impact of wall systems and cladding materials on the CO2 emissions and aims to analyse the performance of those systems in order to provide designers with reliable technical data. The studied systems include stucco, masonry veneer, aluminium siding, vinyl siding and the exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS). To evaluate the economic performance, environmental performance and embodied energy, green building modelling system was used, while to estimate the impact of operational energy, a simulation model was first used and then simple bottom-up model constructed. A sensitivity analysis was conducted in order to determine the relative influence of each system on a representative educational building. It was found that some cladding materials reduce the direct CO2 emissions, but provide a moderate reduction in terms of operational energy, and vice versa. Others positively impact the embodied energy and environmental performance and can optimise the operational energy performance. Therefore, a careful evaluation should be carried out in selecting wall cladding systems and finishing materials in order to reduce the CO2 emissions effectively.

Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) Use in Wood-Framed Residential Construction: Design Concepts to Avoid Common Moisture Instrusion Problems

Abstract During our field observations and water tests of wood-framed houses in North Carolina that are clad with EIFS, we noted common features in their exterior wall construction that caused significant deterioration to the sheathing and stud wall framing. For several reasons, these problems would be less severe or absent if the houses were clad with traditional residential wall systems (i.e., wood shingles or clapboards, brick veneer, or traditional stucco). To define the design “problem” we review issues relevant to the performance of surface-sealed barrier EIFS including common sources of moisture intrusion, the potential for moisture entrapment within the wall system, i.e., the lack of drying capacity of the wall, and the moisture sensitivity of various substrates. We focus on presenting suggestions for resolving the problems and designing a functional EIF system for use on moisture-sensitive substrates such as wood-framed construction, with particular attention to structures in climates with heavy rainfall and high humidity.

EIFS Sealant Joint Restoration

Abstract The successful performance of exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) is related directly to the sealants used to weatherseal the EIFS and adjacent materials to EIFS. With millions of square feet of EIFS installed, proper restoration of EIFS joints can help ensure long-term watertight performance of the EIFS wall. A new test method that closely parallels ASTM C 1135—Test Method for Determining Tensile Adhesion Properties of Structural Sealants, is currently under consideration by ASTM Task Group C 24.20.12. This new test method allows sealant joints to be evaluated in many conditions to more closely simulate actual field conditions. This paper will focus on types of EIFS joint failure and possible causes for failure. Different restoration methods will be discussed with particular attention to the use of sealants to overlay failed sealant joints. A modification to the test method under review by ASTM Task Group C 24.20.12 will be used to evaluate various joint conditions with EIFS, including standard square joints, hourglassshaped joints, overlay joints with wet sealants, and overlay joints with performed sealants.

Long-Term, Hygrothermal Performance of Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS)

To control rain ingress, the Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) can be constructed with one of two design principles • a drain screen (rain screen, pressure equalized rain screen-PER) approach • a face sealed (barrier) approach While the barrier approach has an inherently higher risk for moisture damage, it offers econormc advantages and may be successfully used under a multitude of cli matic and service conditions. Its performance evaluation is carried out in three steps: 1. Examine whether this system can be used for a specific set of climatic and use con ditions 2. Formulate necessary measures for material and field quality control in the design specifications 3. Examine the system for integrity under cycling environmental conditions and long-term performance Step 1 of this evaluation is based on the moisture control strategy of the whole wall assembly. Step 2 requires the addition of several small-scale material tests, and Step 3 involves full-scale system testing. The full scale testing is necessary to incor porate several parameters that act on the system simultaneously (thermal stress, thermal and moisture originated expansion and contraction, structural movements, material changes caused by weathering and aging, presence of moisture, etc.). The in teraction among these factors may provide conditions with severity significantly in excess of those achieved when these parameters are tested separately. This discussion paper consists of three parts: Part 1: Deals with the assessment of constituent materials of the EIFS with a view to ensuring (characterizing) hygrothermal performance of the system (by testing and characterization of the constituent materials, one may limit the range of variation in the hygrothermal performance of the whole system). Part 2: Postulates a new test for evaluation of EIFS integrity under simulated expo sure to climatic cycling. Part 3: Recommends EIFS design solutions and construction details for both new and retrofit construction. These details are discussed in the context of specific environmental/climatic conditions. This will be published in a later issue of JTIBE. Testing EIFS cladding systems for integrity under simulated exposure to climatic cycling involves preconditioning under simultaneous exposure to a water vapor gra dient and temperature gradient followed by exposure to severe conditions of one- sided, uni-directional climatic cycling. The testing and characterization of the con stituent materials (Step 1) coupled with the full-scale test for EIFS integrity under exposure to climatic cycling (Step 2) will increase the reliability of the EIFS systems in North America. Part 3 fills the gap between the current understanding of moisture control princi ples and construction practices. Many small changes in materials and technology create a compound effect that increases the frequency of inadequate field perform ance. Though most inherent EIFS flaws may be minor, those, when coupled with a number of failures of wall systems involving EIFS, caused an adverse attitude toward EIFS, perhaps more prevalent in some regions of North America. This paper pro vides a fundamental framework to cement many of the previously postulated correc tive measures into a coherent package aiming at the improvement of the EIFS reli ability in North America.

Fa�ade fire tests: Towards an international test standard

Results of large-scale and bench-scale tests are reported on three EIFS (exterior insulation and finish systems) type facade assemblies. The large-scale tests were done according to a modified SP 105 test, while the bench-scale procedures followed CAN/ULC-S135. The tests were motivated by the current ISO deliberations to select an optimal international standard for testing facades against fire propagation hazards. The large-scale test showed distinct differences among the assemblies tested. However, certain difficulties were identified with the test, especially the smokiness of the fuel and the non-ideal dimensioning of the re-entrant corner. The bench-scale tests showed consistent results; such procedures may be useful for screening purposes.