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What Type Of Notched Trowel Is Required For The Insulation?

The insulation portion of Exterior Insulation Finish Systems requires that a notched trowel is used in conjunction with the respective manufacturer’s cement adhesive. The insulation is to be installed in vertical ribbons to facilitate drainage and prevent moisture from becoming trapped.

But what sort of notched trowel is to be used exactly? There are dozens (possibly hundreds) of variations, some for tile, some for stucco, and some for EIFS.  Most notched trowels will be 11″ wide x 4.5″ deep, with the blade made from stainless steel. When looking at notched trowels, the following needs to be considered:

  • Type of notch: square, rectangular round, elliptical, triangular
  • Size of notch: ranging from 1/8″ upwards of 1″ (or more)
  • Spacing of notches: ranging again from 1/8″ upwards of 2″ (or more)
  • Right handed versus left handed
  • Handle material and shape
1/2"x1/2"x2" EIFS Notched Trowel

1/2"x1/2"x2" U-Shaped EIFS Notched Trowel

While each EIFS manufacturer has their own specifications, the “standard” seems to be: 1/2″ deep x 1/2″ wide square-notches with 2″ spacing. Handles (shape and material) and which hand (left vs. right) is usually left up to the contractor, to decide which is more comfortable.

Marshalltown EIFS Notched Trowels can be found at: http://www.marshalltown.com/Products.aspx?D=500&S=503&C=C5004

 

Don’t forget that there are inside corner trowels, outside corner trowels, various finish coat floats and a wide assortment of handles.

Trim, Molding and Wall Decor

EIFS is a highly customizable siding from an aesthetic point of view – with the ability to select from a broad range of colors (unlimited if you consider the matching capabilities), a wide range of textures and an unlimited combination of window trim and moldings. Decoramould products are designed specifically for the EIFS industry – made from the same products as the EIFS wall itself, their trim and moldings are biologically inert and can not rot, warp or become infested like traditional wood trim products. When looking for a maintenance-free trim that will last more than 10 years without needing to be replaced, Decoramould is the preferred choice.

Window Trim

Designed in shapes that are attractive around a window, window trim frames a window, making it appear larger and more pronounced. Trims are typically installed along the sides and top of a window, with a window sill for the bottom of the window in a similar shape to the trim.

Keystones

Decoramould keystones or polyurethane keystones are commonly installed in the top center of a window. While polyurethane keystones are more ornate than regular keystones, simply adding them to a window will distinguish your windows from similar plain houses.

Quoins

Quoins are installed on the corner of homes, accenting the very outside dimensions of the home. They provide a visual sensation of sturdiness, making a home appear well-built. Quoins can be installed during the construction or renovation process, or just as easily afterwards.

Trim Colors

There are a number of style options when it comes to deciding what color your exterior trim should be. The majority of the time, a trim color is chosen that is a few shades darker or lighter than the color of the wall itself. It’s a safe bet that the two colors will mesh well together, and creates a very nice accenting effect.

Trim Texture

Typically, the texture of a trim resembles that of concrete. If they are painted with an exterior-grade masonry paint or with an EIFS-manufacturer paint (with sand texture), the texture of the molding itself will show through. On flat pieces of trim, a skilled EIFS applicator can actually apply a trowel-applied texture that can match a wall.

Spraying the EIFS finish coat provides a texture that is very bumpy and resembles stone more than a precast product. It should be noted that spray-applied finishes don’t tend to last as long as painted or trowel-applied finishes.

The overall effect of having a trim with a different color and texture is very elegant.

EIFS Synonyms and Spellings

There are many synonyms and spellings for EIFS, due in part to varying pronunciations on the job site by contractors and skilled tradesmen. Officially, the spelling “Exterior Insulation Finish Systems” is used by the governing body in Canada (the EIFS Council of Canada) and “Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems” is used by the governing body in the USA (the EIFS Industry Members Association).

Other variations include:

  • Exterior Insulation Finish System (EIFS)
  • Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems (EIFS)
  • Exterior Insulated Finish Systems (EIFS)
  • Exterior Insulated Finishing Systems (EIFS)
  • Exterior Finish and Insulation Systems (EFIS)
  • Exterior Finish and Insulating Systems (EFIS)

What colors is EIFS available in?

EIFS manufacturers typically have color chart that lists a couple dozen of their standard/common colors ranging from earthy beiges to vibrant blues. Most manufacturers will have the ability to custom match an existing color, whether it be a paint sample from the hardware store or the blue of your favorite car. This makes the choices for coloring your home literally limitless.

When matching a specific color, the best practice is to get an 8″x8″ (or similar) size sample made up from the manufacturer to ensure that it is what you are looking for. The texture of EIFS finish coats will slightly change the perceived color because of the miniscule shadows cast by the finish coat aggregates.

Can EIFS be made more resistant to damage?

To make EIFS more resistant to impact damage, most EIFS manufacturers supply a thicker mesh referred to as “Heavy-Duty Mesh” or “High-Impact Mesh”. This is a 20-oz mesh that is installed in addition to the standard 4-oz mesh used over the insulation in EIFS to make it more durable and requires an additional layer of basecoat. 2 layers of 20-oz mesh can be added to maximize the impact resistance. Testing with such installation methods has shown that it is effective in preventing damage from a sledge hammer, screwdriver and even projectiles.

The following video from BASF demonstrates some testing using 2 layers of 20-oz mesh.

Heavy duty mesh is only required where there is a higher chance that something large or heavy can damage the wall, or where vandalism is a concern. Typically this is the first 7 feet in height of a wall, with a focus around areas of high traffic requiring durability such as sidewalks, loading docks and doors. This will minimize the investment required, compared to doing a full height of 20 feet, while still providing the coverage needed around susceptible areas.

Is EIFS in the North American Building Codes?

EIFS are in the International Building Code (IBC) as of the 2009 edition, and are in the International Residential Code (IRC). They are approved for use in Canada per CCMC (Canadian Construction Materials Centre) reports. The ECC (EIFS Council of Canada) is currently in the process of incorporating it into the new version of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC).