News

The 2021 ICC family of codes (energy and building codes) will see significant changes made to the Portland Cement Stucco water-resistive barrier (WRB) provisions. SBC Magazine/ Jay Crandell P.E./ March 2020

Gains in lighting and space heating efficiency have decreased energy intensity in commercial buildings, but demand in other areas is driving increased commercial energy use overall.

What could be better than a high-performance coating for a building enclosure? How about a finish or coating system that delivers responsiveness and functionality for exterior surfaces over the life of the building? Building Enclosure/ Karine Galla/ March 2020

Many open or temporarily closed hotels have already begun or are in the planning stages of renovating and repositioning their assets while occupancy is low or non-existent. Building Design and Construction/ Market Data/ April 30, 2020

Identifying the Proper Choice for Applications, Building Enclosure, Jason Peace, November 2019

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic the EIFS Industry Members Association has sent a letter to the Governors of Maryland and New York requesting their action to label businesses in the construction industry as “essential businesses.” EIMA Blog, March 31, 2020

Cost and availability of labor topped the list of problems builders faced in 2019, and is expected to return to the number one spot in 2020. NAHB/ SBC Magazine, February 7, 2020

StoPanel Delivers Improved Comfort with Minimal Disruption in Six-Story Office Building Restoration Project. Walls and Ceilings Magazine, Michael Reese, 2-21-20.

This Type of Plaster Will Open Up Beautiful Design Opportunities While Supporting Contractors In Fulfilling A Fiduciary Responsibility Within Budget. Walls and Ceilings Magazine, Patrick Webb, 2-21-20.

Stucco Opportunities Within the International Energy Conservation Code. Walls and Ceilings Magazine, Chris Little, 2-21-20

With green building technology entering the mainstream and eco-home concepts spreading their roots faster than ever, the need for designing high-performance building envelopes is repeatedly highlighted. Walls and Ceilings Magazine, Arijit Chakraborty, January 9, 2020

Nonresidential construction spending on buildings is projected to grow by just 1.5 percent through 2020. Building Enclosure January 28, 2020

Sto Corp., the innovative world leader in full system facades, prefabrication, air barriers, coatings, and restoration solutions, announced today that Jose R. Berlingeri has been named President and Chief Executive Officer, Sto Americas. Building Enclosure, January 28, 2020

The 2020 IIBEC Manual of Practice: Roofing, Waterproofing, and Exterior Wall Consulting and Quality Observation. Building Enclosure, February 3, 2020

MNLPB provided this article in it’s newsletter several years ago…It might be time to revisit. Originally published by: Betzwood Associates, May 1, 2012. Re-posted by SBC Magazine December 2019

From affordable student housing to high-infill offices, a rapidly accelerating building trend is the proliferation of zero energy buildings. US Department of Energy, Better Building December 3, 2019. Posted by SBC Magazine

How much do you know about stucco? Test your knowledge with this quiz from Walls & Ceilings. Posted 12-4-19

EIMA has developed a great educational package of information on (E)xterior (I)nsulation (F)inish (S)ystems. If you are new to EIFS, or simply want to brush up on the facts about the BEST Continuous Insulation system known, start here. EIMA Blog, September 2019

How Polyiso Provides more Benefits than Just Continuous Insulation. Building Enclosure, Tom Robertson November 8, 2019

Choose the right product and install it well, because if you’re not keeping water out, nothing else matters. Fine Home Building, Brian Pontolilo, September 2019

Sto Corp. introduces StoTherm® ci Mineral, the only U.S. decorative and protective high-performance exterior wall system with the unique advantages of mineral wool. AWCI E-Media, September 2019

NFPA 285 and its impact on the modern wall. Walls and Ceiling Magazine, Mike Griffin and Jeffrey Quill. September 2, 2019

This Errata brings Stucco in Residential Construction 2007 up to date with references in accordance with the current 2015 Minnesota Residential Code. To access go to our reference library and click on the “stucco” folder in the banner heading. Posted 8-19-19

With as many ways as there are to construct a wall system, there are an equal number of ways to try to keep that wall dry. Building Enclosure, Bijan Mansouri. Posted 8-16-19

The International Code Council goes to court over free access to building codes. The Architect’s Newspaper, Bill Millard, July 9, 2019. Posted here on 7-30-19

I’ve been wanting to write this column for years. The topic has been a burr under my saddle, but I needed to base the column on proof, not speculation. Ask the Builder, The Spokesman-Review, Tim Carter, July 20, 2019. Posted 7-30-19

Coming in Fall 2019, the SMA will offer online video training and certification to stucco installers. Take a glimpse at our introduction to the upcoming 7-part training modules:
Posted 7-30-19

The Gypsum Association (GA) is pleased to announce the complete redesign of its website. Posted 7-12-19

Crack resistance of portland cement plaster (stucco) can be improved by adding a cementitious mesh reinforced base coat over the brown coat. This document provides language that can be added to your stucco specification and can be found in our reference library by clicking on the “stucco” folder. Posted 7-12-19

New guide from the EIFS Industry Members Association extolling the benefits of EIFS and how simple modification can improve it’s impact resistance dramatically. Posted 6-22-19

H.B. 2439 restricts local governments from mandating the use of only specific products, and it would allow the use of products and materials currently permitted in current building codes. Posted 6-21-19

CLICK ON THE “CONTINUOUS INSULATION OR STUCCO” FOLDER IN OUR REFERENCE LIBRARY TO ACCESS. Posted 6-21-19

Q: Can you explain to me what a rainscreen is? Posted 5-27-19

NATIONAL OVERVIEW: The single-family home market is only one market for stucco cladding, but an important and dominant one. Posted 5-27-19

Pre-fabrication is Growing. Posted 5/27/19

So does the air control layer go on the outside or the inside?… You’ve got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do you, punk?

These construction pitfalls lead to callbacks and long-term problems. Here’s how to avoid building defects on the jobsite.
BUILDER, Don Neff, February 2019. Posted April 2019.

UPDATED FOR 2019!! Posted April 20. Go to our reference library and click on “stucco.” Title will show up in the publication titles displayed.

An underestimated cladding system that’s begging for the limelight. Walls and Ceilings Magazine, Scott Robinson, March 2019

Newsletter of the EIFS Industry Members Association. January/ February 2019

ASTM C1063 is the Standard Specification for Installation of Lathing and Furring to Receive Interior and Exterior Portland Cement-Based Plaster. Currently the Minnesota Building Code recognizes ASTM C1063 – 08, so this new version does not apply, it doesn’t however mean you shouldn’t be aware of changes.

Our model EIFS with Drainage Specification has been updated for 2019! Find it by going to our library and clicking on the “EIFS” tab.

Take it off, take it all off. These words are typically not heard on a construction site, but increasingly, we hear this phrase coming out of the mouths of our industry experts. Walls and Ceilings magazine, Albert Carillo 2-1-19

Changes of plane and intersections present moisture-management challenges. Journal of Light Construction, Tyler LeClear Vachta, John Koester, November 2018

Need details? This is the place to find them. Northwest Wall and Ceiling Bureau Publication

“If you aren’t expecting it, Allianz Field looks like an alien mother ship strategically landed at an area known as ‘Midway’ between Minneapolis and St. Paul.” – Walls and Ceilings Magazine, Steve Pedracine, MN Lath & Plaster Bureau, October 2018

If it’s possible to build a fireproof house, Robert Balzebre is convinced his stunning three-story personal sanctuary perched in the Hollywood Hills would qualify. USA Today, Chris Woodyard, August 2018

“Everyone is running around sealing the outside of buildings and the term “air barrier” has gone from obscurity to buzz word in less than a decade. But if you look at the physics we are sealing the wrong walls…” Building Science Corp., Joe Lstiburek, December 18, 2018

“Stucco doesn’t crack; breaking is a common misconception about a well-used coating.” – Walls and Ceilings Magazine, January 6, 2019

“Westshore Tampa is an ever-growing business district which includes Tampa International Airport”… EIMA Blog, December 27, 2018

“Stucco can take any color and adapt to any shape, from flat boxes to doubly curved fantasias” – Architizer, December 2018

Daunting challenges necessitate a mix of old and new plastering methods to bring back “The Star of the North”

Direct (applied) Exterior Finish System. Go to the Reference Library and look under “Specialty.”

Windows and doors are “holes” in the “sheet-like walls” of buildings. Hence the term “punched openings”.

EIFS Industry Members Association has published a new “Guide to EIFS with Drainage Detailing” .

Fire and Risk Management – April 6, 2018

EIFS Industry Members Association releases new video

Mulcahy Nickolaus receives the AWCI Excellence in Construction Quality Award for their plaster repair work on the Minnesota State Capitol.

The battle to control water entry is won at building joints and corners.

Steven Pedracine receives award from EIFS Industry Members Association.

The California Missions are not only state history made corporeal, but also one of the major reasons stucco is so common in the Southwest.

Walter Payton does permeance

OSHA Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction