GBA Logo horizontal Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram YouTube Icon Navigation Search Icon Main Search Icon Video Play Icon Plus Icon Minus Icon Picture icon Hamburger Icon Close Icon Sorted

Community and Q&A

I would like to insulate the outside of a 1930s 12x24x8 concrete block home

stled | Posted in Energy Efficiency and Durability on

I would like to insulate the outside of a 1930s 12x24x8 concrete block home. Stucco on the exterior and plaster on the interior walls. I live in St. Louis, MO.

My home is heated with a large wood burning stove in the basement (also same block construction) I was thinking of adding exterior foam with a stucco like finish to keep the outside appearance as similar as possible.

Thank you,
Ed

GBA Prime

Join the leading community of building science experts

Become a GBA Prime member and get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

Replies

  1. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #1

    Ed,
    The type of insulation and cladding system you are describing is called EIFS (exterior insulation and finish system). If you Google "EIFS," you'll find plenty of information.

    Prominent manufacturers of EIFS include the Sto Corporation and Senergy.

    For more information on EIFS, see this article in the GBA Encyclopedia: Stucco and Synthetic Stucco.

  2. stled | | #2

    Martin, thank you for the fast reply. Looks like I have much to study. I'll be back when I have more questions.

  3. Expert Member
    Dana Dorsett | | #3

    You have to be extra careful about the flashing & other details when using EIFS, and maintain it. It's not as forgiving of construction errors as siding systems that can be vented (like the air space usually built-in between stucco and structural wall sheathing with hard-stucco siding.) Google "vancouver leaky condo" for myriad examples of how wrong it can go if you let it. Drier climates offer a bit more forgiveness than Vancouver B.C. but St. Louis isn't exactly Palm Springs or Las Vegas. (That said, I have use EIFS successfully on a portion of my house, but it didn't involve windows or doors.)

  4. stled | | #4

    The exterior stucco is just troweled onto the concrete block surface. The walls are built using 24" wide 12" thick and 8" height. Making the walls 12" plus outside stucco and inside plaster total thickness. Windows are bricked in and aluminum flashing, bricks protrude about 1" beyond the stucco.

    thank you for your comments

    Ed

Log in or create an account to post an answer.

Community

Recent Questions and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |