Direct Applied Exterior Finish Systems - AWCI

Direct Applied Exterior
Finish Systems

by Dorothy B. Roberts, CEO
Pleko Products, Inc.

D irect Applied Exterior Finish Careful attention should be paid Since Direct Applied Systems do
Systems are relatively new wall to any limitations placed on the use of not have insulation which can be rasped
cladding systems utilizing polymer the substrate board by the manufac- to achieve a smooth level surface, the
based products with various sheath- turer. These include freeze/thaw zones, finished appearance will depend on
ing boards which function as a sub- i.e. winter degree days, moisture con- the structural framing support of the
strate. These systems generally do not trol, exposure to the elements prior substrate board and the applicator’s
have an insulation component; al- to being covered with finish and code skill in handling joint treatments.
though, in one case, the substrate also restrictions.
serves as insulation. In addition, the base coat and fin-
Appropriate substrate sheathing ish coat must be the full thickness
Direct Applied Systems were not boards for Direct Applied Systems recommended by the finish system
developed to compete with EIFS, but are: manufacturer.
to enable manufacturers of synthetic
systems to broaden their markets by --Cement boards such as Harditex, Recommended joint treatments
effectively competingwith other wall Durock and Eterspan vary. Some sheathing board manu-
claddings such as wood or vinyl sid- facturers require butted joints and
ing. --Georgia Pacific Dens-Glass Gold others open joints with embedded joint
--Polyisocyanurate boards such as sealant. Again, the manufacturer’s
These systems also offer the trained Celotex Quick-R and Atlas R-Board instructions must be followed to
applicator an additional market for (Also serves as insulation.) achieve good results.
his skills.
Direct Applied For example, Dens-Glass Gold
In geographic areas where insula- Systems can panels should be butted tight with a
tion is not a critical factor these sys- minimum 4" reinforcing fabric (fiber-
tems are generally very cost effective. compete with other glass or polyester) covering the joint
The customer pays less than for a full wall claddings and embedded in a water resistant
EIF system, but still receives the such as wood or joint bedding material (such as Pleko’s
benefits of durability, weatherability, vinyl siding. Elastomeric Joint Sealant). The edges
crack resistance and an attractive, must be carefully feathered to achieve
textured finish. Decorative accents such --Exterior grade plywood a flat surface. (See Fig. A)
as quoins and moldings are a plus. Direct Applied Finish Systems
require scrupulous attention to such Harditex sheathing has tapered
Because of the cost advantages, details as the protection of all ex- edges to facilitate smooth joints. These
these systems are particularly useful posed edges and applying diagonal also require tape reinforcement
for: mesh reinforcement at comers of embedded in joint sealant.
window and door openings to mini-
--Residential construction mize settling cracks when using Dens- Celotex has recently introduced
--Rehabilitation Glass Gold and polyisocyanurate Quick-R Blackore. This up-dated
--Modular housing boards. version of its polyisocyanurate foam
--Signage sheathing has carbon black filler which
--Soffitts the manufacturer claims effectively
-Small commercial and strip shop- blocks radiant heat flow, thereby
ping centers providing higher R values.
The selection of system to be used
should be based on the recommenda- Quick-R Blackore must be attached
tions of both the sheathing board to the framing members with a spe-
manufacturer and the finish system cial washer through which the fas-
manufacturer. tener is installed. When using Quick-
R as a sheathing substrate for Direct

54 September 1991/Construction Dimensions

Figure A: Applying a Direct Applied Exterior Finish System to Georgia Pacific’s Dens-Glass Gold
(courtesy Georgia Pacific)

Construction Dimensions/September 1991 55

Applied Systems, framing members Optimum results can be obtained Exterior Finish Systems. ICBO refers
must be corner braced according to when joints are treated as part of a full to these systems as DEFS. Neither
local codes. mesh system embedded in the base BOCA nor SBCCI have addressed
coat covering the entire board. this issue yet.
Again, joints must be butted and
covered with mesh. As with all wall cladding systems, EIMA, the national trade associa-
care must be taken that all openings tion for the Exterior Insulation Fin-
The manufacturer does not rec- in the system are properly sealed. ish System industry, has taken the
ommend Quick-R for use in geographic position these systems, by definition,
areas with more than 6000 Winter The best results on some of these are not included in that industry be-
Degree Days. Under some conditions, sheathing boards are obtained when cause no insulation is used. However,
a vapor retarder is recommended. textured finishes are used. These tend the majority of EIMA members do
to hide joint transmissions, wavy boards provide materials for one or more of
Sand Lakes is a project which was or poor framing. Fine finishes are not these systems.
completed in 1986 with Quick-R and recommended over boards such as
Pleko Structure Finish. It is still per- Dens-Glass Gold or Harditex as ex- In conclusion, there is a place for
forming well. cessive finish material must be used Direct Applied Systems within the
to cover joint transmission. If a fine synthetic wall cladding industry. Where
Plywood as a substrate for Direct finish is used, a similarly tinted sealer price competitiveness is severe and/
Applied Systems is not suitable for is advised prior to the application of or the need for insulation is not criti-
geographic areas which experience the finish. cal, Direct Applied Systems provide
constant expansion and contraction the aesthetics and weatherability the
of heavy moisture conditions. In dry It is very difficult to obtain a total customer has learned to appreciate in
desert areas successful application have monolithic appearance using a fine full systems.
been in place eight years using an finish with these systems without some
elastomeric joint sealant, a heavy duty trace of joints. However, these systems are less
sealer over the entire board and Pleko’s forgiving than EIFS. A good quality
flexible Structure Finish. Local building codes apply to Type job depends on careful adherence to
V construction. At its April Evalu- the instructions of both the sheathing
All of the manufacturers of the ation Committee Hearing, ICBO board manufacturer and the finish
sheathing boards currently being used began the process of drafting accep- system manufacturer.
in Direct Applied Systems require a tance criteria for Direct Applied
base coat over the entire surface.

EIMA Annual Meeting Set for November 6-9 at
La Mansion del Rio, San Antonio

W illiam Kasik, Chairman of the will be prepared by highly regarded tering contractors of the nation as
Exterior Insulation Manufac- industry chemical suppliers. well as important vendors to our
turers Association Marketing Com- manufacturers. We believe that these
mittee, announced that the annual A full day of sessions will be de- three groups must continue to work
association meeting will be held voted to the interests of applicators, together to grow our association so
Wednesday evening through Satur- distributors and the members of vari- that, as our product line becomes
day noon, November 6-9, 1991, at La ous plastering bureaus. EIMA wants mature, we do not lose any of the
Mansion del Rio, San Antonio. to let all of these individuals around tremendous marketing impact of our
the country know that they plan to first two decades.”
“Our theme this year,” said Kasik, work together to be successful today
“focuses on ‘EIMA--Shaping the and in the 21st century. A golf tournament will be held
Future... Today.’ Our program will during the 3-day session. Further in-
follow through on this theme with Major committees of the associa- formation can be obtained from
separate panel presentations of noted tion will gather at this meeting and EIMA’s Executive Director, Eugene
architects and highly respected EIFS give their annual reports at the Satur- Z. Fisher, 2759 State Road 580, Suite
contractors discussing the needs of day morning session. 112, Clear-water, FL 34621; Phone
the industry.” (813) 726-6477; or FAX (813) 726-
Vincent Tamburrini, President of 8180.
A separate presentation will be EIMA, said, “We are going all out to
made concerning the chemistry of EIFS develop a program that will be of
products today and in the future, which interest not only to the manufactur-
ers but equally important to the plas-

56 September 1991/Construction Dimensions