EIFS Carbon Showdown: Sto, Dryvit, Sika Compared
Architects keep asking for cladding EPDs, but the numbers can feel like alphabet soup. We sifted through the latest disclosures from Sto, Dryvit, and Sika plus a fresh industry-wide PCR effort to see how three big EIFS and stucco brands really stack up on global warming potential, durability, and total embodied carbon.
One rulebook to rule them all
The EIFS Industry Members Association has corralled every major North American maker into a joint Product Category Rule that kicked off this July (EIMA, 2025). When the final PCR lands in early 2026, apples-to-apples EPDs will finally be possible across systems that now hide behind differing scopes or service-life assumptions.
Gate-to-gate GWP: who is lowest today?
Current third-party EPDs already reveal a surprisingly tight spread. For one square metre of insulated cladding produced (A1–A3):
- StoTherm ci EPS: 7.8 kg CO₂e (IBU, 2024)
- Sika Parex PB: 8.4 kg CO₂e (UL, 2025)
- Dryvit Outsulation Plus MD: 9.1 kg CO₂e (UL, 2024) The 17 percent swing sounds small until you realise façade packages can hit 20 kg CO₂e/m² once fasteners, lath, and finishes join the party. Multiply that over a high-rise and differences balloon fast.
Material choices drive the delta
Sto’s EPS or XPS foam comes from plants that have already switched to lower-GWP blowing agents. Sika leans on graphite-infused EPS to cut density and carbon. Dryvit’s GPS option punches up R-value per inch but still relies on virgin polymer in most regions. Resin chemistry in base coats is also moving: both Sto and Sika list increasing bio-based binder share, yet Dryvit remains petro-heavy in its latest filings.
Durability: warranty years meet service-life credits
Service life assumptions can skew cradle-to-grave totals. Sto and Sika model 50 years. Dryvit keeps its EPD at 30 years, matching its residential warranty (AWCI, 2005). Under EN 15804, longer life spreads end-of-life burdens across more years, nudging total embodied carbon down by 5-8 percent in modeling runs. Keep an eye on what the new PCR will lock in.
Beyond carbon: impact tradeoffs hidden in the fine print
Switching to mineral-wool core lowers fire risk but can double acidification potential. Graphite EPS saves about 0.7 kg CO₂e/m² yet scores worse on eutrophication because of antimony trioxide flame retardants (NMD, 2025). No magic bullet exists; specs should balance the whole impact table, not GWP alone.
What an EPD actually unlocks on bid day
Public owners from New York to Vancouver now assign up to three LEED or CaGBC points for façade products with Type III EPDs. Some GCs even attach a USD 2–5/m² rebate for claddings below the EC3 median of 8.5 kg CO₂e/m² (Building Transparency, 2024). In short, shaving one kilo of CO₂e can win the line item and the entire tender.
Closing thought
The coming unified PCR will shrink the fog around EIFS carbon claims. Early movers that refresh their EPDs quickly—armed with cleaner resins or recycled foam—will own the spec lists while slower rivals still argue over baselines. Do not be the slow rival.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does switching from EPS to mineral wool in an EIFS affect GWP?
Mineral-wool cores typically raise gate-to-gate GWP by 15–20 percent because of the energy-intensive melt process, even though they slash combustibility concerns (IBU, 2024).
Will the new EIFS PCR force me to redo my existing EPD immediately?
No. Current EPDs stay valid until expiry, but once you renew after 2026 you must follow the new PCR rules.
Does graphite EPS always beat plain EPS on carbon?
Usually yes, by about 0.5–1 kg CO₂e/m², though the gain can vanish if the plant runs on coal electricity (NMD, 2025).
Is a longer service life always better for embodied carbon?
In modeling, yes, because impacts like demolition get amortized over more years. Real-world durability still depends on maintenance and climate exposure.
About the Author
Walker Ryan is a climate-tech entrepreneur focused on driving industrial decarbonization through better data. As the founder and CEO of Parq, he helps manufacturers generate high-quality, third-party–verified carbon disclosures at scale—accelerating a traditionally slow and expensive process. Before starting Parq, Walker led over $200 million in sustainability-focused investments as VP of Strategy & Growth at ReStream Solutions, following earlier experience in investment banking at Deutsche Bank. He brings a rare mix of capital markets expertise and hands-on sustainability knowledge to tackling the infrastructure of industrial emissions.
