July 2011 eNews
green choices
Kevin Wensel, Omega Products Int’l.
Portland cement-based plaster systems are an excellent green choice as the exterior wall cladding for sustainably -built buildings because:
Durability: A portland cement-based plaster system has a life-cycle of 50+ years, which is one of the longest expected service lives for exterior cladding. There is a high financial and ecological impact when the cladding of a building needs to be replaced, so stucco's long life-cycle is good for the building owner's wallet and the environment.
Maintenance: The stucco requires very little maintenance. As a cement-based product, it is mildew, rot, termite, and fire-resistant, while also have a high impact resistance. When integral colored cement-based stucco finish is used, then the building does not need to be painted or re-painted.
Embedded Energy: The embedded energy is the amount of energy it took to manufacture and transport a product. Cement-based plaster is comprised mainly of sand, portland cement, and lime. The embedded energy of mining sand is relatively low, and it is typically sourced close to the jobsite. The embedded energy of cement and lime is high because of the high temperatures required in the kilns to manufacture the materials. Though cement and lime producers have, and will continue, to implement new technologies and methods to reduce the net energy required to make the materials, so the embedded energy is going down with time. Also, the energy required for transportation of cement and lime is low because most of the raw materials are sourced near the plants and the plants are typically close to most jobsites. The typical plaster mix is approximately 1 part cement to .75 part lime to 3 parts sand, so sand with the lower embedded energy is a majority of the plaster mix. Additionally, some plaster mixes use fly ash or other materials with recycled content, which further reduces the energy used to make the product. Furthermore, when the long life-cycle and low maintenance are considered, the embedded energy of the plaster system over the life of the building is better than most other exterior cladding options.
Energy Efficiency: There are plaster systems that incorporate a layer of rigid insulation board. The use of continuous insulation exterior to the studs greatly increases the energy efficiency of the wall.
Cost: The overall cost of cement-based plaster systems is one of the lowest. The cost of installing the product is relatively low, requires very little maintenance, and does not need to be replaced for a long time.
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