Coating for exposed rigid foam.

[Voi]

I have some exposed rigid foam on the foundation wall at our cabin that I would like to coat with something. Slightly over 100 square feet of foam and very little of that is visible from the road or our porches so I can't see hiring an EIFS crew.

Menards has two products, Tuff II and Flex Coat.

Any experience with them? Anything else I should consider? Would prefer something that could be brushed or troweled on.

https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/insulation/foundation-insulation-coatings/styro-industries-tuff-ii-foundation-coating-5-gal/1447040white/p-1444444178404-c-9532.htm?tid=9195805984265758189&ipos=4

https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/insulation/foundation-insulation-coatings/styro-industries-flexcoat-foundation-coating-2-gal/1447000white/p-1444444174269-c-9532.htm?tid=9195805984265758189&ipos=3

 

[WisJim]

I used something like this about 12 to 15 years ago on part of the exposed foam on our house and it has held up well except around the basement window where we throw firewood into the basement, and a small spot where it was hit by the string trimmer. I don't recall exactly what we used, but it may have been one of these. On later work I used the foam board with the gravel applied to it already, and it holds up better and the string trimmer doesn't damage it so far.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

I've seen the TuffII coating used here on a few jobs that had exterior EXP on the foundation- but they used the nylon/poly mesh that's used with the Dryvit system.

The mesh is clearly a reinforcement that holds the coating, making it more durable.

 

[Toolfool]

I have had a local HVAC guy bend metal flashing to cover exposed rigid insulation, corners and all.

 

[dfiler2]

A coat of good latex paint will protect it from UV , I painted a foundation 30 years ago and have touched it up a couple of times but is still in very good condition.

After looking at your two links, that would certainly look nicer.

 

[Voi]

I've seen the TuffII coating used here on a few jobs that had exterior EXP on the foundation- but they used the nylon/poly mesh that's used with the Dryvit system.

The mesh is clearly a reinforcement that holds the coating, making it more durable.

On my phone but as I recall the Tuff II requires the self adhesive mesh over all of the foam. The Flex Coat only requires it on corners & seams.

I'm guessing the Flex Coat will be easier to apply but not as durable as the Tuff II.

 

[Mr onetwo]

I used FlexCoat and it works very well.Installed 11 years and still looks good.It does not like string trimmers very much, but is easily repaired.Make sure to follow the directions to the letter.

 

[NUTTSGT]

How much is exposed ? Can you cover it with another product that Menard's carries ? An aggregate layer of foam ?

https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/insulation/foundation-insulation-coatings/styro-industries-fp-ultra-lite-1-t-aggregate-foundation-insulation-panel/1447126naturaltan/p-1444444176542-c-9532.htm?tid=5490707243623380840&ipos=1

 

[acer66]

How much is exposed ? Can you cover it with another product that Menard's carries ? An aggregate layer of foam ?

https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/insulation/foundation-insulation-coatings/styro-industries-fp-ultra-lite-1-t-aggregate-foundation-insulation-panel/1447126naturaltan/p-1444444176542-c-9532.htm?tid=5490707243623380840&ipos=1

Never seen something like this, thank you.

 

[Voi]

How much is exposed ? Can you cover it with another product that Menard's carries ? An aggregate layer of foam ?

https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/insulation/foundation-insulation-coatings/styro-industries-fp-ultra-lite-1-t-aggregate-foundation-insulation-panel/1447126naturaltan/p-1444444176542-c-9532.htm?tid=5490707243623380840&ipos=1

I might use that product on the gable end. I have about 100 square feet exposed.

The gable end will have to wait until next spring before the poison ivy starts to grow and I'm sure I don't have any over there or I've gotten rid of it. Just now getting over a patch about the size of my outstretched hand behind my knee.

 

[Jon_E]

I used the Tuff2 on my basement exterior walls to cover ICF foundation foam. Couple observations: first, it is not as durable as I'd hoped. It will take damage from a weedwacker, even one of the smaller battery-operated ones. My solution was to either use wood chips or crushed stone (or weed killer) next to the foundation so that I wouldn't damage the finish. Second, the self-adhesive mesh....isn't. It will stick under ideal conditions, barely, and will fall off if looked at funny. I used the mesh but learned my lesson after a while and sprayed both the foam, and the mesh, with 3M spray adhesive (I think I used Super 77 but Super 90 works too). Then I sprayed both afterwards, like a surface coating, and then put the Tuff2 coating on. I've checked it and it's very solid and won't peel now.

 

[Voi]

I used the Tuff2 on my basement exterior walls to cover ICF foundation foam. Couple observations: first, it is not as durable as I'd hoped. It will take damage from a weedwacker, even one of the smaller battery-operated ones. My solution was to either use wood chips or crushed stone (or weed killer) next to the foundation so that I wouldn't damage the finish. Second, the self-adhesive mesh....isn't. It will stick under ideal conditions, barely, and will fall off if looked at funny. I used the mesh but learned my lesson after a while and sprayed both the foam, and the mesh, with 3M spray adhesive (I think I used Super 77 but Super 90 works too). Then I sprayed both afterwards, like a surface coating, and then put the Tuff2 coating on. I've checked it and it's very solid and won't peel now.

This was solid advice. Thank you.