soffit material

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Author Message Lynn Javoroski Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 102 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 05:13 pm:    We had designed a EIFS soffit for a building. The soffit is 12 feet deep by about 400 feet long. The Construction Manager wants to substitute metal panels to "save money". Metal soffit panels that I'm used to are at best 1 foot wide, so we would be placing 400 pieces. I would guess this would not be much in the way of a labor saving. EIFS requires a control joint every 15(?) feet, for a more monolithic appearance, as well as a less intense installation. The designer has asked me if I know of a product that would satisfy everyone: the unitary appearance of the EIFS, the perceived economy of the metal panel. Any thoughts or product suggestions? Thanks for your help. robert swan (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 05:24 pm:    Ask the question on what makes the EFIS "expensive" Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: davemetzger Post Number: 72 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 06:41 pm:    You will have more joints with metal than with EIFS (and I don't think that EIFS is a terrific material for a soffit). Sheet metal is available maximum about 5 feet wide, so you will have joints every 5 feet or so, either transverse or longitudinally. Also you will have to worry about metal thickness, and fastening/detailing to prevent oil-canning. What about exterior gypsum board--I can't believe that is more expensive than EIFS, even with painting. You still will need zinc control joints every 15 or 20 feet. Rafael C Nelson Senior Member Username: rc_nelson Post Number: 6 Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 08:01 pm:    Take a look at Hadie Industries Hardi Soffit. It's a fiber reinforced concrete panel. Anonymous   Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 09:10 pm:    I spec Dens Armor for this and just have the panels painted. Richard Hird (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 11:39 pm:    If you add to anonymous' Dens Armour just the EIFS finish system (no insulation), you get the appearance of EIFS at a reasonable cost and pretty good longevity. Soffits should be ventilated so you want to put the insulation at the wall line. As David says painted Gypsum soffit board is the least expensive. It is O'k for a retail facility that will be reworked in ten years. On projects that anticipate a longer life, the Gypboard will eventually sag due to humidity. Metal panels are great, but less expensive? I must be missing something. John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: bunzick Post Number: 220 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 08:29 am:    Possible reasons for added cost of EIFS: Metal panels can probably be put up in one pass, whereas EIFS cannot, requiring three or four--sheathing, insulation, two-coats of finish. If the soffit is higher than can be reached with simple rolling staging, this could be a substantial cost. If the GC does not have any other work for the plasterer, it's a separate contract, which could mean less-than-favorable pricing. Insurance costs for applicators of EIFS is huge right now, or even unobtainable. Or maybe the GC just doesn't like to use it, and has added a "hassle factor" or a "this stuff is risky" cost premium. Ralph Liebing Senior Member Username: rliebing Post Number: 77 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 10:04 am:    There are metal-faced composite panels [Mapes Industries,for example, has a variety of panels,and notes use for soffits] that come in 4-foot wide sheets, and could be installed three-wide with associated trim. Comes 1/4", I believe, and stable. Gerard Sanchis (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 08:41 pm:    Lynn, Verify that codes in your area will allow EIFS soffits. To my knowledge under the UBC it cannot be done.