What's the difference between stucco and EIFS system?

I have ICF walkout basement with 2x6/OSB/foam sheathing/tyvek on the main floor. We were thinking of doing Cement board siding on framed part and a stucco on the ICF.
Now I'm wondering if we could stucco the whole house. I like the look of it. But not sure if we can do stucco on our walls. The foam sheathing in the main floor is flush with the ICF foam.

What products or systems would be good to use in Iowa?

Thanks

I will give this a shot, and I won't hold it against you that you are in Iowa.

Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS), is a system that includes a coating or synthetic stucco. Those coatings are usually two applications and can usually be applied to ICFs. Some coating are ICFs specific. The coatings are thin, less than a 3/16" and are usually used with a fiber mesh and are flexible to resist cracks.

Stucco or traditional stucco is cementous with two or three coats are thicker about 1" overall and is prone to cracking. The finish coat can be a coating or synthetic stucco.

Both shed water (like lap siding) but are not water proof. Traditional stucco will absorb more water.

That is my understanding.

The foam sheeting on the mainfloor, what is it, thickness and sheet size?

This will determine if EIFS can be applied directly to it or if another layer of foam is needed.

Traditional 3 coat stucco can be applied to both the ICF and the frame portion.

ICFConstruction: I hold it against myself every winter that I'm here. And I question my sanity between November and March every year. Thanks for the reply.

The foam sheathing is R-board, but the way prices were here it was cheaper to tyvek over it, rather than tape every joint (and that's counting labor).
I just spoke with the insurance company, and they said no EIFS, but yes to stucco. So how would the stucco be installed so that it is done properly to help water drain to the outside?

Thanks

Doesn't stucco crack since it's a cement based, rigid type of coating? Why couldn't the synthetic system be done similar to concrete stucco with double layer of felt or some sort of drainage gap or plane?
I saw somewhere on building science about adding the gap before the insulation sheathing, but mine is already installed, and has housewrap over it.

If you did a 3 step stucco but used acrylic on the last coat, is it now an EIFS?

I am going to ask my insurance if the synthetic stuff applied over ICF is still not insurable, since there is no wood to rot. Though I'd probably need some careful detailing around openings where there's wood.

Thanks for the comments.

Oh forgot to say that the R-Board is 1" thick, 4x8 sheets, I think. Or maybe 4x9 since they seem to cover the rim joist too.

Thanks.

Synthetic sytems applied to ICF structures are NOT EIFS. They are actually TAFS or Textured Acrylic Finish Systems. The difference is that EIFS is applied to non-structural surfaces. Google TAFS vs EIFS and you will get a lot of information to research. Typically TAFS is not viewed in the same way as EIFS by the insurance industry although many in that field need educated as to the differences.  You should be able to insure the basement (ICF) level with a synthetic coating. You would still probably not be able to insure the same type of coating for your stick built main floor.

Regardless of the insurance company and everything else, you can not put EIFS on 1" 4x9 sheets of foam, #1, too thin, #2, too big and with expansion and contraction on a cool morning you would be able to stand at the street and count every seem in the foam sheets.

Yes, you can put the EIFS acrylic finish on top of the conventional stucco base and it is not considered EIFS...it's stucco

Thanks Spencer. I'll look at TAFS and see it the insurance is ok with that.

Chris, thanks for the advice. Would it be of any advantage to put the acrylic top coat on regular stucco?

Yes, the acrylic holds color better, less maintenance, nicer overall finish. That is the way I see custom homes done here in California for the past 5 years.

What business is it of the insurance companies?

Due to all the past lawsuits in regards to EIFS and the incredible payouts that took place (If I recall correctly it was in the South East mostly), Insurance companies do not like EIFS. The problem was installer error...not trained properly.

Here in California the issue still comes up and I witnessed a few buildings that were stripped of the facade and replaced with conventional stucco.