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A regular person may have encountered the terms Stucco and EIFS. Some may have minor ideas about it while some do not even really know what it is. But for the people in the construction field, the dissimilarities of these two aren't a cause of concern. This article might simply be a fun-read for you but it may also be informative and beneficial as well especially if you are fond of buildings and construction stuff.

 

Stucco and EIFS Comparison

Where Did These Come From?

Stucco originated from the countries Greece and Rome a long time ago while EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System) came in the United States around 1969.

 

Materials

Sand, cement, lime, and water comprises Stucco. On the other hand, EIFS consists of an insulation board (polystyrene), base coat, and finish coat.

 

Weight and Thickness

The weight for most Stucco is approximately 22.7 kg and the thickness is more or less 7 - 8 inches while EIFS is simply around 4.4 kg. Basing on this, EIFS would require lower structural load than stucco.

 

Resistance to Cracks

These two systems might be highly crack resistant but specifically for Stucco, jointing or curing must be done in the perfect way. Additionally, there is "flexibility" in terms of the EIFS coating such that it becomes less affected to structural movements.

 

How About Regarding Maintenance?

Stucco and EIFS medium level of difficulty for patches and repairs but the former may require serious cleaning simply because particles could stubbornly embed on the surface. On the other hand, Tampa EIFS may still appear fresh after many years, hence mild cleaning would be enough.

 

Energy and Thermal Efficiency

One of the most considerable distinctions between Stucco and EIFS is on overall performance of energy consumption. EIFS is said to be more energy and thermally efficient than Stucco possibly due to the nature of its materials and the technique of installation.

 

Which Can Be Appealing to the Eyes?

Of course, both can be attractive but EIFS has the ability to be more accommodating. Stucco can only make limited colors and designs considering the process of how it is made and i.e. by mixing water and cement along with other materials.

 

Which is More Economical?

Stucco can be considered as a system within the budget, but the pros usually assert that the difference of the price is never notable.

 

 

Which System to Choose then?

 

The truth of the matter is, it will boil down to your preference. If you want unlimited design possibilities with great thermal performance, then you can have the EIFS. But some construction professionals say that if you are living in a wetter area, it would be a good idea to choose the traditional Stucco. And something more important, you may have also to take into account the suppliers and installers of both Stucco and EIFS. Choose the most reputable company like the Tampa Eifs or Stucco experts or whoever is the best for such endeavor in your area. Look up plastering Tampa options online to know more.