Wall Insulation/Substrate and Water Drainage System for Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) - Installing QUIK-R Insulation
How to Install QUIK-R™ (132KB PDF)
| To install QUIK-R insulation, you will need: |
• Standard building tools
• QUIK-R insulation
• Weather-resistive barrier such as STYROFOAM™ WEATHERMATE™ housewrap or STYROFOAM WEATHERMATE Plus housewrap
• Foam sill sealer such as STYROFOAM Sill Seal foam gasket
• Quik-StripTM PVC starter/drainage track (optional)
• Quik-CapTM washers or equivalent
• Appropriate fasteners
Wood Framing
• Minimum 12-gauge smooth or ring shank (or equivalent improved-anchoring shank design)
• Hot-dipped galvanized nails or minimum 12-gauge stainless steel wood screws (or equivalent) to penetrate minimum 1" into wood framing
Steel Stud
• Buildex or equivalent S12 self-tapping, corrosion-resistant screws (fastener must allow 3/4" penetration through steel-stud flange)
Masonry Walls
• ITW Buildex TAPCON fasteners (or equivalent) to penetrate masonry wall 1"
• For adhesive attachment, consult EIFS manufacturer for recommendations and specifications |
General Information
- Exterior Insulation & Finish System Should be installed according to manufacturer's installation guidelines.
- QUIK-R should only be used in mechanically attached systems.
- QUIK-R* insulation should be stored dry and protected from weather.
- Code-approved corner bracing must be installed. QUIK-R insulation is not a structural load-bearing product; follow local building code requirements for structural corner bracing.
- To help prevent settling cracks: Before applying base coat, prepare roof: evenly distribute all roofing materials. Before applying base coat, prepare walls, evenly distribute gypsum or other interior finish materials.
- All board joints (vertical or horizontal) must be over framing, blocking or solid backing.
- QUIK-R insulation must be installed 6" or more from soil and/or grade. Regular extermination of insects and pests is recommended to prevent damage to insulation.
- QUIK-R insulation should be installed with a maximum 1 perm interior vapor retarder or as required by local building codes.
- For best performance, QUIK-R insulation should be protected from weather after installation. In the event of rain, allow insulation board surfaces to air dry thoroughly before applying exterior finish coatings.
- QUIK-R insulation can also be used with conventional portland cement stucco, provided the stucco is reinforced with a metal lath.
Installing QUIK-R Insulation Over Wood or Metal Studs
Figure 1
Over Structural Sheathing
1. Install appropriate backing board. QUIK-R insulation less than 1" thick must be backed by a minimum Exposure 1 plywood, Exposure 1 OSB, gypsum sheathing, cement board or fiberboard to wood or metal studs according to manufacturer reccomendations and local building codes.
2. Install Quick-Strip PVC starter/drainage track or approved equivalent at band joist or sill plate (Figure 2). Quick-Strip PVC starter/drainage track can be used with all thicknesses of QUIK-R insulation.
3. Install weather-resistive barrier in accordance with manufacturer's installation guidelines.
a. Starting at the bottom corner of the structure, lap weather-resistive barrier over top edge of Quik-Strip starter/drainage track. Cover all exposed surfaces with weather-resistive barrier. Extend weather-resistive barrier approximately 12" to 36" around corner of wall.
b. If a horizontal lap joint is required in the weather-resistive barrier, lap top approximately 2" to 6" over the bottom layer to ensure proper water drainage.
c. Lap vertical joints in the weather-resistive barrier 6".
d. At windows and doors, install weather-resistive barrier and flashings per instructions from manufacturer and local building codes
4. Install strips of foam sill sealer material, such as STYROFOAM Sill Seal foam gasket, vertically over weather-resistive barrier at each stud. Extend sill sealer strips from top edge of Quik-Strip starter/drainage track to top plate (Figure 2). These foam strips form an air gap between the weather-resistive barrier and QUIK-R insulation to assist drainage of incidental water.
Figure 2
5. Attach QUIK-R insulation over foam strips with appropriate fasteners, Quik-Cap washers (galvanized or plastic) or equivalent. Install insulation boards vertically, ensuring all board joints are placed over studs or other framing members. See Figure 3 for board fastening pattern over framing.
Figure 3
Over Open Framing
1. Apply weather-resistive barrier as previously detailed.
2. Install QUIK-R insulation, 1" thickness or greater vertically over maximum 16" O.C framing. Use appropriate fasteners with Quik-Cap washers (galvanized or plastic) or equivalent. All board joints must be placed over studs or other framing members. See Figure 3 for fastening pattern over framing.
Installing QUIK-R Insulation Over Masonry Substrate
Attach QUIK-R to masonry substrate with appropriate corrosion-resistant mechanical fasteners with Quik-Cap washers (galvanized or plastic) or equivalent. Use ITW Buildex TAPCON fasteners or equivalent which provide a minimum 1" penetration into the masonry substrate. See Figure 4 for fastening pattern for masonry walls.
Figure 4
Figure 5
Preparation for Application of EIFS Coating
Prepare level and sealed surface.
1. Protect all QUIK-R insulation edges and joints from water penetration. Use suitable caulking materials to seal irregular trim cuts and board joints. Follow caulking and sealant specifications as required by the EIFS manufacturer.
2. Install expansion and/or contraction joints if required. Type, design, location and installation specifications for expansion and/or contraction joints shall be in accordance with the requirements and recommendations of the EIFS manufacturer, to work with the mechanical movements of the structure.
3. Trowel-apply EIFS base coat over insulation board surface within 30 days after QUIK-R insulation is installed. If application of base coat will begin more than 14 days after QUIK-R insulation is installed, protect insulation from weather. Consult EIFS manufacturer to determine proper protection of QUIK-R insulation if 30-day limit will be exceeded.
a. Thickness of base coat application shall be as specified by the EIFS coating manufacturer, typically 1/8" to 1/4" thickness.
b. Prior to full base-coat application, embed glass-fiber reinforcement mesh into freshly applied base coat as specified by EIFS coating manufacturer. Mesh should cover all insulation board joints and all corners and edges, including bottom edge, door and window openings. Spot each Quik-Cap or equivalent washer with base coat.
Code Compliance for QUIK-R Insulation
- ASTM C 1289, Type II, Class 2
- Meets IBC/IRC requirements for foam plastic insulation
- NES NER 554
NOTICE: No freedom from any patent owned by Dow or others is to be inferred. Because use conditions and applicable laws may differ from one location to another and may change with time, Customer is responsible for determining whether products and the information in this document are appropriate for Customer's use and for ensuring that Customer's workplace and disposal practices are in compliance with applicable laws and other government enactments. Dow assumes no obligation or liability for the information in this document. NO WARRANTIES ARE GIVEN; ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED.
COMBUSTIBLE: Protect from high heat sources. For more information, consult MSDS and/or call Dow (1-866-583-BLUE). In an emergency, call 1-989-636-4400. Local building codes may require a protective or thermal barrier. Contact your local building inspector for more information.
Building and/or construction practices unrelated to insulation could greatly affect moisture and the potential for mold formation. No material supplier including Dow can give assurance that mold will not develop in any specific system.
Use QUIK-R in mechanically attached systems only, and install according to manufacturer's installation instructions.
