Kevin Day, president of the EIFS (exterior insulation and finish systems) Council of Canada and technical and marketing director for DuRock Alfacing International, says stucco and EIFS sectors are strong and getting stronger, propelled by greater awareness and a competitive building market. "Clients are looking for assured performance, contractors are looking for speed and ease of installation and we're seeing more interest and use of rainscreen EIFS and stucco."

John Smith, Dryvit's national sales manager, says the company's TerraNeo finishes offer a natural aggregate finish that delivers a distinctive surface. From the contractor's perspective, innovations in the formulations of EIFS adhesives and base coats are making the job easier and more efficient. One example is Dryvit's Rapidry DM 35-50, which dries faster than the traditional adhesives and base coats when the temperature is between two degrees and 10 degrees Celsius, enabling two installation steps to be completed in one workday. "These labour enhancing and lighter weight products represent value to the contractor by increasing efficiency by an enormous amount," says Smith.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's Best Practice Guides, with new titles being released this year, offer valuable information on EIFS, curtainwall, precast concrete and window installations. "We've also launched a project in Quebec City, looking at the effectiveness of drainage cavities and drainage mats in wall assemblies," says Silvio Plescia, senior researcher in CMHC's Housing Technology Group. The guides are available through the CMHC Web site at www.cmhc.ca. In the last eight years, CMHC has invested nearly $2 million on research related to building-envelope repair and construction in highrise and low-rise buildings.

URL (Concordia user only)

• envelope