WELCOME to the world of Exterior Insulation Finish Systems, or EIFS, (pronounced "eef's") as they are known throughout North America by most of the leading architects, engineers, contractors, and specification writers.

Representing these professionals and the half billion dollar industry they serve here in Canada, is the EIFS Council of Canada, a governing body created in 1987 to establish and continuously define, improve and maintain the industry's high standards. The Council's primary purpose is to be a force within the building industry, seeking to ensure all its members' "systems" comply with industry standards and equally important that they are installed according to manufacturers' specifications.

Thermal efficiency, outstanding aesthetics, cost effectiveness and durability are the primary reasons for the unprecedented growth of EIFS in recent years. Since it was discovered in Europe in the middle of the last century, the "system" has become increasingly popular with designers and consumers alike.

EIFS has become the cladding system of choice in many of today's modern designs.
Characterized by a wide variety of architectural finishes and infinite range of colours, EIFS offer designers the flexibility to create exterior details that otherwise would be too costly using conventional and perhaps outmoded construction techniques. The use of lightweight decorative accents such as cornices, arches, columns and keystones are now fabricated by computer-controlled cutting equipment guaranteeing accurate and precise detailed finishes.

More than just beautiful, EIFS also encapsulate the structure with an energy-efficient thermal blanket that reduces air infiltration and thermal bridging, thereby stabilizing the structure's interior environment.

In a word, EIFS "reduce" energy costs. Conventional "between-the-studs" insulation simply cannot compete when it comes to thermal efficiency. In addition to energy savings, EIFS also offers customers a finish that has been thoroughly tested for adhesive bond, impact resistance, moisture and vapor transmission, plus it's flame retardant, a critical feature on its own!

EIFS Council Manufacturers must submit their independently derived testing results to the Canadian Construction Materials Centre for evaluation and confirmation. CCMC evaluations are a requirement for the soon to be launched National Quality Assurance Program.

Addressing these and other issues is why the EIFS Council of Canada was established and through its continuous efforts to define, improve and maintain high standards throughout the industry, consumers of EIFS products can be assured they are getting one of the most technically advanced exterior finishes available.

That's a promise from the EIFS Council of Canada