Definitions for Commonly Encountered Terms

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Accent band: EIFS trim details that is achieved by gluing layers of insulating board together to form either horizontal or vertical bands
Absorbed moisture: Moisture that has been absorbed by a solid material
Abut:To join or touch at one edge or end without overlapping, also known as a butt joint
Accesory building:A secondary building on the same lot adjacent to the main building
Act of God:An unforeseeable, inevitable event caused by natural forces such as windstorms, floods, earthquakes, and lightning strikes
AIA:American Institute of architects
ASTM:American society for testing and materials
Awning window:A window that is hinged at the top
Backer rods:Closed cell foam rods that allow expansion and contraction at control joints
Back gutter:A shallow gutter installed on the upslope side of a chimney to divert water
Back wrap:Folding the reinforcing mesh into seams & behind edges and then embedding it in the base coat of EIFS
Base coat:The first coat of EIFS plaster, it has properties that adhere to the sub- strata and into which is embedded the reinforcing mesh
Bay window:A window or group of windows that project from a wall
Bib valve:Water Faucet, also known as a hose bib
Blister:A moisture and/ or air induced bubble or bulge that usually indicates the presence of delamination
Board and batten:Siding application where the vertical joints are covered with narrow strips of wood
Bowing:Deflection in a board parallel to Its length, also known as buckling
Bowed window:A curved window that protrudes beyond a wall
Break joints:See staggered joints
Buckling:See: Bowing
Building paper:Asphalt-impregnated paper used as a vapor or weather barrier
Butt joint:See: abut
Cant-strip:An angled strip at the base of a wall that directs water away from the wall face
Cap flashing:Flashing that protects the top of a wall and directs water away from the cladding
Casement window:A window hinged on the side of the sash
Caulk:To fill a joint or crack A thick sealer used to fill joints and cracks
Cementatious:A material capable of setting like cement
Cement stucco:A mixture of Portland cement, sand, and lime used to cover walls
Chamfer:The beveled edge applied to right angle joints see also cant strip
Chimney chase:The commonly used term for a wood framed chimney
Chimney cricket:A false roof behind a chimney used to divert water away from the chimney
Chipboard:Flat panels manufactured by bonding flakes of wood with a binder
Claims examiner:Entity that oversees the paperwork submitted by homeowners and inspectors to be used for filing a claim
Clearance:The distance by which one building element is separated from another
Closed-cell:A foamed material in which each cell is totally enclosed and separate so that the material will not soak up water
Composite:A material formed by blending two or more materials into a manufactured board
Control joint:An elastic joint that allows for expansion and contraction without causing cracks in EIFS applications control joints are recommended at each floor level to allow for shrinkage
Damage:Defects affecting the usefulness or value of a person’s property
Depreciation:The reduction of value of a property or material
E.I.F.S.:Exterior Insulation Finish System (AKA artificial stucco)
EIMA:EIFS Industry Members Association
Eve:The sloped roof area that projects past the walls
Expanded polystyrene:A foam material used as insulation
Flashing:A thin, impervious sheet of material placed to prevent water penetration or to direct the flow of water away from the building
Finish Coat:Plaster applied over a base coat. comes in various colors and textures
Footprint:The area that a structure projects on the ground
Free water:Water that is not attached or bound to a material
Fungus:Any plant that doesn't produce chlorophyll
Gables:The portion at the end of a building that extends from the eves to the peak
Grade:(1) Ground level(2) a classification of quality
House wrap:A semi-impervious membrane installed over the exterior sheeting
Inspection:An examination and survey of the current conditions of a material or system
Insulation board:Expanded polystyrene or polyseranerate insulation
Installation requirements:Manufacturer required methods for installing their product (necessary for warranty to be in effect)
Interdace:The area where two dissimilar materials meet
Maintenace requirements:Procedures necessary to insure the proper protection and performance of a product
Membrane:The impervious layer or layers of material used in constructing a flat roof
Moisture content:The amount of water present in a given material (including free water)
Moisture meter:A device used to determine the amount of water present in a given material.Two common types are resistance and density meters
Nominal size:The dimension of sawn lumber before it is surfaced and dried
Parapet:A wall that projects above the roofline
Pilaster:A column built within a wall, usually projecting beyond the wall
Plaster:A cementatious material that can be trowled onto a surface
Ponywall:Any wall less than 8” in height
Plywood:A material made from layers of wood veneer laid at right angles and then pressed and glued into sheets Methods and criteria for determining damage as ordered by the court
Protocol: Methods and criteria for determining damage as ordered by the court
Quoins (coin):EIFS trim details that appear to be corner stones
Rake walls:Any sloping wall
Reinforcing mesh:Open weave fiberglass-reinforcing mesh. Available in various strengths
Scupper:Any opening in a wall or parapet that provides an outlet through which excess water can drain
Sealant:Material applied at seams and gaps usually as caulking
Secondary Drainage System: A means for water to escape from behind the E.I.F.System
Soffit:The exposed underside of any element of a structure
Testing procedures:Methodology prescribed by the appropriate ruling (or certifying) body used to determine if a product satisfies sertain required criteria
Vapor barrier:An impervious membrane installed on the heated side of a wall to prevent the migration of water vapor
Weather barrier: A membrane installed beneath siding to prevent the penetration of weather driven water into a structure.
Wythes: Vertical framing members
Zipper:Arrangement where adjacent vertical joints do not line up

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