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Re: Architectural Foam Soffit Installation

From: chastua@yahoo.com
Category: Roofing
Remote Name: 4.235.33.155
Date: 20 Nov 2005
Time: 05:59 PM

Comments

Question: I am replacing the formerly plaster soffits (water damage) with architectural foam on my 1925 flat-roof home. My contractor quit halfway through the job and I know nothing about how to complete it and can't find any information anywhere on what to do. I know it needs to be sprayed, taped, and textured, but with what? How? Please help. Thanks, Chastua.

Builders Websource® Answer: Dear Chastua. We're sorry to hear that your contractor quit in the middle of your project. I hope that your payments didn't get too far ahead of the actual work performed.l  Architectural foam comes in limitless shapes, styles and finishes. Most common are foam shapes cut from expanded polystyrene (EPS), which are reinforced with a fiberglass mesh (similar to what's used to install drywall) and a thin cementitious slurry coat. Other products may use a polyurethane topcoat.

One reputable supplier of foam products, Pacific Coast Foam offers the following specification guide for installation:

PART I GENERAL

A. DESCRIPTION & SCOPE

1. Provide all labor, material and equipment necessary to install Pacific Coast Foam coated shapes

2. Related work specified elsewhere

a. Finishes, div. 9

b. Lath and Plastering, div. 9

3. Description of systems

a. Coated Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Shapes: Base-coated, paint-ready and stone coated shapes consisting of a polymer-modified cementitious coating (recommended with reinforcing mesh) over a closed cell, resilient, lightweight foamed plastic with a minimum standard density of one pound cubic foot to be produced by Pacific Coast Foam.

b. Reinforcing Mesh: A fiberglass mesh used to strengthen the base coat. To be produced by Pacific Coast Foam.

c. Base Coat and/or Adhesive: To be produced by Pacific Coast Foam or approved by Pacific Coast Foam.

d. Interior, LykeWood, LykeStone, Concrete or Limestone Finishes: To be produced by Pacific Coast Foam or approved by Pacific Coast Foam.

PART II PRODUCTS

A. GENERAL

1. All components of PACIFIC COAST FOAM shapes shall be obtained from Pacific Coast Foam or its authorized distributors. NO SUBSTITUTIONS OR ADDITIONS of other material shall be permitted without prior written permission from Pacific Coast Foam.

B. MATERIAL

1. Coated Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Shapes

a. Shall be coated with polymer-modified cementitious, acrylic based primer, or gypsum based coatings depending on your application.

b. Foam shapes shall be produced by Pacific Coast Foam

c. Shall meet current specifications of molded expanded polystyrene shapes

d. Minimum nominal density shall be available in 1#, 2# and 3# density

2. Reinforcing Mesh Netting

a. Shall be produced by Pacific Coast Foam or a manufacturer approved by Pacific Coast Foam

b. Shall be treated, open weave or glass fiber type

c. Available in 10 x 10 fine and 6 x 6 regular net

3. Base Coat and/or Adhesive

a. Based on your application, cementitious or gypsum base coat and/or adhesive, or acrylic primer to approved substrate.

PART III EXECUTION

A. INSPECTION

1. Examination of Substrate

a. The substrate surface shall be free of foreign materials such as oils, dust, dirt, form release

agents, paint, wax, glaze, moisture, frost, etc.

b. The substrate shall be examined for compliance with contrast documents.

c. The substrate shall be examined for soundness, such as tightness of connections, crumbling or looseness of surface, voids and projections. It is the General Contractor’s responsibility to make sure the substrate is flat, straight and ready to receive Pacific Coast Foam details.

2. The Architect and General Contractor shall be advised of all discrepancies. Work shall not proceed until unsatisfactory conditions are corrected.

B. INSTALLATION

1. Pacific Coast Foam shapes are pre-coated and/or finished under factory controlled conditions.

2. EPS Foam to Brown Coat

a. Primer should be mixed to a heavy-bodied, paste like consistency.

b. Cover both the surfaces of the shapes and the brown coat completely where the shape will join the brown coat.

c. Press shape into position on the brown coat. Generally, the adhesive to the substrate will be sufficient to hold the shape in place. On larger shapes, use fasteners to prevent the shape from sliding until the adhesive starts to set. Do not penetrate paper. Countersink and fill holes with primer adhesive.

d. Plaster-Ready Product: mix additional primer to more flowable consistency (suitable for brush applications) and apply to shape at all joints with the brown coat and contiguous shapes. Two (2) inch fiberglass mesh to be used over joints.

e. Plaster-Ready Product: Primer must be applied to all joints. Mesh tape all joints.

f. Exterior Paint-Ready, Lykestone or Limestone Product: Apply to substrate same as above. Joints to be filled with grout or cement.

3. EPS Foam to EPS

a. It is recommended that all joints be coated with Adhesive Primer and 2 inch mesh to prevent cracking.

4. EPS Foam to Drywall

a. Clean surface

b. Use PL Premium for adhering materials to a smooth and level surface. Apply ¼” continuous zigzag bead of adhesive within 2” of each other. Temporary blocking or fasteners may be needed until adhesive sets. (PL Premium Construction Adhesive is available at Pacific Coast Foam or local building supply outlet).

c. Interior Paint Ready Product: Use PL Premium to apply to substrate same as above or using a 3/8” notched trowel, spread Hamiliton’s Foam Coat FC-90 on back of shape detail.

d. Interior Paint Ready Product: It is recommended that all joints be kept tight and coated with foam coat. Drywall compound can be applied on top and lightly sanded smooth.

5. EPS Foam to Wood or Plastic

a. Clean surface

b. Use PL Premium for applying material to smooth and level surfaces. Apply ¼” continuous zigzag bead of adhesive within 2 inches of each other for plastic or wood. Temporary blocking or fasteners may be needed until adhesive sets. (PL Premium Construction Adhesive is available at Pacific Coast Foam or local building supply outlet).

6. EPS Foam

a. For larger shapes and details, mechanical fasteners may be needed. Fasteners to be approved by Pacific Coast Foam.

7. Cutting

a. Wait a minimum of 24 hours before further work on the surface of bonded components in order to avoid any movement, which would weaken the bond between the components.

C. FINISHING COAT

1. Exterior Paint Finish

a. Per paint manufacturer’s specifications

b. Conventional water-based paint may be applied after 48 hours of curing.

2. Exterior Stucco Finish

a. After curing for at least 48 hours, stucco finish may be applied directly over the coated EPS shape. Just before applying color coat, add four (4) ounces of bonder to each 50 lb. bag of stucco when mixing or brush bonder directly on foam shape.

b. For other exterior finishes (EIFS) – to be approved by Pacific Coast Foam

3. Acrylic Finish

a. Per acrylic manufacturer’s specification

b. Minimum 48 hours – surface must be completely dry

D. CLEAN UP

1. Material left over by sub-contractor at the job site shall be removed.

2. The sub-contractor shall clean adjacent materials and surfaces and the work area of foreign material resulting from the work.

PACIFIC COAST FOAM
8585 Miramar Place
San Diego, CA 92121
TEL: (858) 455-1274
FAX: (858) 455-4531
www.pcfoam.com
Above procedure © Copyright Pacific Coast Foam

 

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