And still #1

A recent study of the wall cladding industry in the United States and Canada shows that exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) continue to be the number-one choice of cladding used in commercial applications.
The 2003 "Analysis of Exterior Wall Cladding: Nonresidential and Residential" reports that EIFS holds 21.6 percent of the nonresidential marketplace, ahead of brick, pre-engineered metal, tilt-up concrete, conventional metal panel, precast concrete, stone, block and cementitious stucco. In terms of millions of square feet, EIFS was found to be the most popular exterior cladding used on offices and banks; educational facilities; hospitals; public and governmental facilities; religious structures; amusement and recreation facilities; and hotels, motels and dormitories.
The study, which provides analysis of current market dynamics as well as forecasted market activity over the next five years, was conducted by the Industrial Standards division of Ducker Research Co. of Bloomfield Hills, Mich. The findings are based on primary market research, including more than 700 in-depth interviews with architects and specifiers, builders, general contractors, installation contractors, distributors and product/systems manufacturers. This information then was combined with Ducker's internal database of nonresidential and residential construction activity.
The use of EIFS in both residential and nonresidential building has cut into the market share of traditional cladding products such as brick and stucco, according to the study. Continued improvement of EIFS product design and installation procedures will likely result in EIFS continuing to gain market share in nonresidential and residential construction, the report said. EIFS currently make up about 1.5 percent of the residential marketplace.
"This report confirms that the biggest opportunity for growth of EIFS is in the residential sector," said Kent Stumpe, national marketing manager for Senergy, a Jacksonville, Fla.-based EIFS manufacturer. "It's obvious that the EIFS industry has barely scratched the surface of the residential marketplace.
"The potential to grow our residential sales faster than commercial sales has been a real motivator for Senergy," Stumpe said. "It's our belief that offering and requiring a new generation of more robust systems designed for use in one- and two-family residential construction is the key to capturing more of the residential market.
"We know consumers love the look, and it can help builders sell homes faster. We just need to continue getting the word out that we have now tailored our systems to the needs of the residential construction team."
In residential building, EIFS have most often been used in high-end homes because of the upscale, distinctive style the system creates. The energy efficiency of EIFS also is an important quality and often a decision-making point for people wanting a stucco look for their homes. Furthermore, EIFS perform well in both residential and nonresidential applications because they maintain their original appearance over time, the report said.

Walls & Ceilings Magazine