AMVIC Building System leads Canadian EIFS industry with insulation supplies Canadian Design and Construction Report special feature Toronto-based AMVIC Building System has evolved from a business specializing in insulated concrete forms to become one of the key insulation suppliers to the EIFS (exterior insulating finishing system) industry. The company manufactures the expanded poly- styrene foam insulation (EPS) used in EIFS construction. Gary Brown, vice-president marketing and interna- tional, says EIFS demand has grown over the last decade for both residential and commercial projects in- cluding new construction and retrofits. “The need to create more energy efficient buildings is driving alternate practices,” Brown said. “Walls used to be a problem area for improving a building’s insula- tion.” EIFS solves this challenge directly because it is an exterior insulation system, directly applied during con- struction or over existing exterior finishes. The prod- uct’s adaptability – different finishes can be applied to mimic the look of stone, brick or stucco in a wide range of colours – makes it designer-friendly and adaptable to many different purposes. “When a large U.S. retailer –Target - bought the old Zellers locations in Canada and redesigned them, they decided to use EIFS as the exterior finish application to improve the buildings’ energy efficiency and to give the buildings a fresh new look,” Brown says. “EIFS is an effective product to make a building air- tight. It can increase a building’s R-value by anything from R2 to R24,” Brown said. “It can be used in non- combustible construction.” He says the increased range of finishes and looks offers greater design poten- tial for residential, commercial and institutional applica- tions. Using lunch and learns for architects and other in- dustry experts, Brown says EIFS manufacturers are spreading the word about it and how it can meet new building energy demands, while improving buildings' exterior appearances. “There are a lot of new products available and a lot of research and development by the EIFS manufactur- ers, making this system an even more attractive energy- efficient building option.” AMVIC has recently installed state-of-the-art manu- facturing equipment in its Canada factories. Brown says no other EPS insulation manufacturer in North America has the type of equipment, manufacturing process, quality and service capability to supply the EIFS industry. For more information about AMVIC Building System, visit amvicsystem.com. 46 – Winter 2014 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report