I am concerned with the 10 years warranty that comes with acrylic stucco. What could/will happen after 10 years? Is it worth going with a siding that is going to cost about $10/sq.ft. and has such a "short" warranty?
Thanks for your advice!

eq1,

Acrylis stuccos have been around along time and perfom very well. In the climate I build in which is rainy and moist the acrylics are as good a choice as siding if not better when you look at the lower maintenance factor.

ICF Contractor

I asked today this question a stucco contractor and his answer was: "Acrylis stuccos require no maintanance, ever", or "Acrylis stuccos require the same maintanance as a brick wall". Is that right?

eq1,

In the climate I build in everything grows moss.  So every couple of years you need to wash it off.  The courser the finish the quicker moss takes hold.  So bricks, siding, stucco, or what ever, you need to clean it.  As far as painting it goes, you should not need to until you tire of the color.

 

ICF Contractor

Acrylic stucco or more commonly referred to as EIFS (Exterior Insulated Finish System) or Tafs (Textured Acrylic Finish System) are drastically overused for purposes that they cannot possibly perform. In short, these products are not waterproof in any way. These products rely on extensive detailing around window and door openings and other penetrations in the finish. When used on ICF, there is no other drainage plane behind the finish system to shed water, so once water gets behind it, the system is essentially compromised. Rarely do any applicators follow the detailing instructions as found on sites such as the dryvit site....The real problem is a lack of quality installation. If you plan on using these products, do your research, be sure to advise the applicator that you will check the detailing. Furthermore, you will need to do maintenance around openings as the caulk bead used to seal and detail around openings will pull off of one side of the substrate and eventually leave an opening for water penetration. These products have a basecoat, mesh and a finish...the finish is basically sand and paint. The basecoat relies on the mesh for flexural strength. The system is known for failure on wood frame structures due to water penetration. ICF is no different when it comes to water penetration issues. Yes, the substrate is foam and concrete, but what about your floor covering or drywall around window and door openings? Get a good applicator to do the work, otherwise, you will eventually have moisture issues. There are hybrid type stucco products such as Grailcoat that offer better performance characteristics without the detailing issues...I'm not advocating Grailcoat here, I'm merely pointing out that there are systems on the market more suitable for a fail-safe application that will give you years of serviceable life....Grailcoat requires strict conformance to their instructions as well.

You might also ck out for insurance for EIFS. With the history of this product, you might not even be able to find insurance!

The insurance companies in CA are still having difficulty with the process, just 3 short years ago I saw a building done with EIFS having the exterior removed and redone with conventional stucco...all due to installer error. The biggest issue I have noticed here is if any caulking gets done most guys are using painters caulk which is absolutely ridiculous. Quality caulk needs to be used like a Dymeric or such. Another thing is a good 1/4" gap needs to be left around the opening so the caulking can be placed properly, not just 'stuck' to the surface.

A few of the installers I know these days are using the conventional base coats and using the acrylic top as the finish...pretty much a maintenance free surface

Gene, I agree with ya. I know it wasn't the product at fault but the shoddy installation. Numerous cases of this in NC and thruout the SE. Problem with this is it put up a HUGE flag for the insurance comp. There were many write ups that I read that folks couldn't even sell their houses because they had this type of finish.

Two questions for Ian regarding his post from last year:

1) Given your comments about the overuse of EIFS and TAFS on ICF, why do you suppose Dry-Vit, for example, would offer a warranteed direct-to-ICF TAFS system if there would be as obvious a problem as you suggest (and given the class action lawsuits they've already dealt with)?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not challenging you. I'm looking for hard facts about whether or not the system is something to be avoided, and whether there are known failures of the system. I'm a custom residential designer and I've got one ICF project under construction, with Dry-Vit specified, and another ICF project on the boards. Should I be having second thoughts?

2) Regarding Grailcoat, I have had it installed it on my Durisol home (included framed gable ends), by the guy who instructs others on behalf of Grailcoat. Are you aware of any problematic issues with this system? I seem to remember seeing some negative comments on this forum over the last year or so which got me worried—that, and the fact that I've seen some hairline cracks form in the Grailcoat. Do you know for sure that it really IS a breathable system, and what other "hybrid type" products are out there which you refer to? I have not found any.

Thanks!