Evaluating an Exterior Insulation and Finish System for Deep Energy Retrofits
This report provides a case study of a deep energy retrofit using a site-applied exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS). Prefabricated EIFS panels are also discussed as a potential wall insulation retrofit solution. EIFSs are common in new and retrofit commercial construction. Such products typically consist of five layers installed over the top of a water resistive barrier as follows: (1) Adhesive (2) Foam insulation (3) Base coat (4) Reinforcing mesh embedded in the base coat (5) Top or finish coat.
They can be applied to new or existing buildings that employ wood or masonry construction, and can utilize an insulation thickness of up to 16 in. However, such systems are rarely used in lowrise residential retrofits. Reasons for this might include a lack of demand for or knowledge of the systems in residential retrofit industry, high cost, and/or lack of suitable distribution channels serving the residential market.
While the final appearance of an EIFS installation resembles stucco, it is a distinctly different system. Stucco is a generic cementitious-based material, whereas EIFSs are proprietary synthetic formulations distributed by manufacturers to a network of authorized applicators. An EIFS is composed of polymeric (organic) bonded aggregate and cement reinforced with a glass mesh. Stucco is made of inorganic cement, sand, and lime.
In this project, a home was retrofitted using a site-applied 4-in.-thick EIFS. Site-specific details were developed as required for the residential retrofit application. Site work and the costs of the EIFS were documented.
The case study home was modeled using version 2 of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory-developed Building Energy Optimization (BEopt) energy and cost analysis software. While a package utilizing the 4-in. EIFS is the optimal retrofit of the options analyzed in terms of annualized energy-related costs, it is higher cost than replacing the siding with midrange vinyl alone. However, compared to high-end vinyl, the EIFS package has a lower annualized energy cost. This held true for both the Islip, New York (climate zone 4) and Boston (climate zone 5) case studies.
The report discusses the risks, selection criteria, interactions with other building systems, cost, performance, and other aspects of using an EIFS in a deep energy retrofit. EIFSs do not require special site safety precautions beyond general construction site precautions. Moisture design is important. Trapping moisture between two vapor/air barriers is a risk of all wall systems, including EIFS cladding applications if an interior vapor barrier exists and if there is not adequate ventilation through the drainage plane behind the insulation layer. Face-sealed approaches that rely on exposed sealants do not provide acceptable rain control or durability and are very risky. Generally, fire codes permit EIFSs for most building types and conditions.
Citation Formats
TY - DATA
AB - This report provides a case study of a deep energy retrofit using a site-applied exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS). Prefabricated EIFS panels are also discussed as a potential wall insulation retrofit solution. EIFSs are common in new and retrofit commercial construction. Such products typically consist of five layers installed over the top of a water resistive barrier as follows: (1) Adhesive (2) Foam insulation (3) Base coat (4) Reinforcing mesh embedded in the base coat (5) Top or finish coat.
They can be applied to new or existing buildings that employ wood or masonry construction, and can utilize an insulation thickness of up to 16 in. However, such systems are rarely used in lowrise residential retrofits. Reasons for this might include a lack of demand for or knowledge of the systems in residential retrofit industry, high cost, and/or lack of suitable distribution channels serving the residential market.
While the final appearance of an EIFS installation resembles stucco, it is a distinctly different system. Stucco is a generic cementitious-based material, whereas EIFSs are proprietary synthetic formulations distributed by manufacturers to a network of authorized applicators. An EIFS is composed of polymeric (organic) bonded aggregate and cement reinforced with a glass mesh. Stucco is made of inorganic cement, sand, and lime.
In this project, a home was retrofitted using a site-applied 4-in.-thick EIFS. Site-specific details were developed as required for the residential retrofit application. Site work and the costs of the EIFS were documented.
The case study home was modeled using version 2 of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory-developed Building Energy Optimization (BEopt) energy and cost analysis software. While a package utilizing the 4-in. EIFS is the optimal retrofit of the options analyzed in terms of annualized energy-related costs, it is higher cost than replacing the siding with midrange vinyl alone. However, compared to high-end vinyl, the EIFS package has a lower annualized energy cost. This held true for both the Islip, New York (climate zone 4) and Boston (climate zone 5) case studies.
The report discusses the risks, selection criteria, interactions with other building systems, cost, performance, and other aspects of using an EIFS in a deep energy retrofit. EIFSs do not require special site safety precautions beyond general construction site precautions. Moisture design is important. Trapping moisture between two vapor/air barriers is a risk of all wall systems, including EIFS cladding applications if an interior vapor barrier exists and if there is not adequate ventilation through the drainage plane behind the insulation layer. Face-sealed approaches that rely on exposed sealants do not provide acceptable rain control or durability and are very risky. Generally, fire codes permit EIFSs for most building types and conditions.
AU - Dentz, Jordan
A2 - Podorson, David
DB - Open Energy Data Initiative (OEDI)
DP - Open EI | National Renewable Energy Laboratory
DO - 10.25984/2204236
KW - building america
KW - deep energy retrofit
KW - energy modeling
KW - residential
KW - single family detached
KW - existing home
KW - cold
KW - mixed humid
KW - beopt
KW - cost analysis
KW - moisture risk
KW - moisture design
KW - BuildingAmerica
KW - airtightness
KW - blower door
KW - exterior insulation
KW - finish system
LA - English
DA - 2016/04/27
PY - 2016
PB - The Levy Partnership, Inc - Systems Building Research Alliance
T1 - Evaluating an Exterior Insulation and Finish System for Deep Energy Retrofits
UR - https://doi.org/10.25984/2204236
ER -
Dentz, Jordan, and David Podorson. Evaluating an Exterior Insulation and Finish System for Deep Energy Retrofits. The Levy Partnership, Inc - Systems Building Research Alliance, 27 April, 2016, Open Energy Data Initiative (OEDI). https://doi.org/10.25984/2204236.
Dentz, J., & Podorson, D. (2016). Evaluating an Exterior Insulation and Finish System for Deep Energy Retrofits. [Data set]. Open Energy Data Initiative (OEDI). The Levy Partnership, Inc - Systems Building Research Alliance. https://doi.org/10.25984/2204236
Dentz, Jordan and David Podorson. Evaluating an Exterior Insulation and Finish System for Deep Energy Retrofits. The Levy Partnership, Inc - Systems Building Research Alliance, April, 27, 2016. Distributed by Open Energy Data Initiative (OEDI). https://doi.org/10.25984/2204236
@misc{OEDI_Dataset_5271,
title = {Evaluating an Exterior Insulation and Finish System for Deep Energy Retrofits},
author = {Dentz, Jordan and Podorson, David},
abstractNote = {This report provides a case study of a deep energy retrofit using a site-applied exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS). Prefabricated EIFS panels are also discussed as a potential wall insulation retrofit solution. EIFSs are common in new and retrofit commercial construction. Such products typically consist of five layers installed over the top of a water resistive barrier as follows: (1) Adhesive (2) Foam insulation (3) Base coat (4) Reinforcing mesh embedded in the base coat (5) Top or finish coat.
They can be applied to new or existing buildings that employ wood or masonry construction, and can utilize an insulation thickness of up to 16 in. However, such systems are rarely used in lowrise residential retrofits. Reasons for this might include a lack of demand for or knowledge of the systems in residential retrofit industry, high cost, and/or lack of suitable distribution channels serving the residential market.
While the final appearance of an EIFS installation resembles stucco, it is a distinctly different system. Stucco is a generic cementitious-based material, whereas EIFSs are proprietary synthetic formulations distributed by manufacturers to a network of authorized applicators. An EIFS is composed of polymeric (organic) bonded aggregate and cement reinforced with a glass mesh. Stucco is made of inorganic cement, sand, and lime.
In this project, a home was retrofitted using a site-applied 4-in.-thick EIFS. Site-specific details were developed as required for the residential retrofit application. Site work and the costs of the EIFS were documented.
The case study home was modeled using version 2 of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory-developed Building Energy Optimization (BEopt) energy and cost analysis software. While a package utilizing the 4-in. EIFS is the optimal retrofit of the options analyzed in terms of annualized energy-related costs, it is higher cost than replacing the siding with midrange vinyl alone. However, compared to high-end vinyl, the EIFS package has a lower annualized energy cost. This held true for both the Islip, New York (climate zone 4) and Boston (climate zone 5) case studies.
The report discusses the risks, selection criteria, interactions with other building systems, cost, performance, and other aspects of using an EIFS in a deep energy retrofit. EIFSs do not require special site safety precautions beyond general construction site precautions. Moisture design is important. Trapping moisture between two vapor/air barriers is a risk of all wall systems, including EIFS cladding applications if an interior vapor barrier exists and if there is not adequate ventilation through the drainage plane behind the insulation layer. Face-sealed approaches that rely on exposed sealants do not provide acceptable rain control or durability and are very risky. Generally, fire codes permit EIFSs for most building types and conditions.},
url = {https://data.openei.org/submissions/5271},
year = {2016},
howpublished = {Open Energy Data Initiative (OEDI), The Levy Partnership, Inc - Systems Building Research Alliance, https://doi.org/10.25984/2204236},
note = {Accessed: 2025-04-25},
doi = {10.25984/2204236}
}
https://dx.doi.org/10.25984/2204236
Details
Data from Apr 27, 2016
Last updated Nov 1, 2023
Submitted Apr 27, 2016
Organization
The Levy Partnership, Inc - Systems Building Research Alliance
Contact
Jordan Dentz
Authors
Research Areas
Keywords
building america, deep energy retrofit, energy modeling, residential, single family detached, existing home, cold, mixed humid, beopt, cost analysis, moisture risk, moisture design, BuildingAmerica, airtightness, blower door, exterior insulation, finish systemDOE Project Details
Project Name Building America
Project Number FY13 AOP 1.9.1.19