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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-CA link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Sans",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Depends. Synthetic stucco (EIFS, not stucco) can be an air barrier, but it is a horrible idea to attempt to seal this to the windows, as the windows leak rainwater, and then it will be trapped within the wall<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Sans",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>Rainwater control always trumps airtightness in design and construction priorities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Sans",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Sans",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>It is better to use one of the many EIFS systems which are drained and have an integrated air-water barrier installed over the sheathing. Not uncommon to use such systems in Canadian commercial buildings. At least both Sto and Dryvit has EIFS systems approved to 12” of EPS over a drainage gap and full, high performance air-water barrier. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name="_MailEndCompose"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Lucida Sans",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><o:p> </o:p></span></a></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> Greenbuilding [mailto:greenbuilding-bounces@lists.bioenergylists.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Gennaro Brooks-Church - Eco Brooklyn<br><b>Sent:</b> January 28, 2016 00:40<br><b>To:</b> listserv Green Building new <greenbuilding@lists.bioenergylists.org><br><b>Subject:</b> [Greenbuilding] Eifs as air barrier?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Can the exterior stucco of a building act as the air barrier for Passive House standards?<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>If so, where the window/door frames meet the stucco, can the joint be filled with caulk on the outside?<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><br><br>-- <br>Sent from Mobile, excuse the brevity.<br>Gennaro Brooks-Church, Director<br>Eco Brooklyn<br>347-244-3016<br>22 2nd St, BK NY 11231 <o:p></o:p></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><hr size=1 width="100%" noshade style='color:#A0A0A0' align=center></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>No virus found in this message.<br>Checked by AVG - <a href="http://www.avg.com">www.avg.com</a><br>Version: 2016.0.7357 / Virus Database: 4522/11495 - Release Date: 01/27/16<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>