What Is Dryvit Stucco?

While I was performing a little research, I came across people wanting to know what Dryvit stucco is and was amazed that the information out there was a little vague.

I decided to write this short article to explain what Dryvit stucco is and you'll probably be a little surprised with the answer...

What Is Dryvit, Anyways?

Dryvit stucco is actually the name of a stucco manufacturer, not an actual stucco system specifically.

Dryvit is the name of the stucco company and they have different stucco systems including 3 coat stucco systems, EIFS systems, decorative systems and more.

You can visit their website to check out all of the different stucco systems they have to offer and learn more about the company, if you are interested.

Dryvit Stucco Is EIFS Stucco Or Synthetic Stucco?

While Dryvit does have a full line of EIFS cladding systems, I did notice that a lot of people online refer to synthetic stucco as "Dryvit" and use the name of the company to describe synthetic stucco in general.

Synthetic stucco is actually a finish coat material that is usually used as the finish coat on an EIFS wall cladding and it is designed to keep water from penetrating the wall.

Dryvit has been around for quite some time and has played a huge role in pioneering the synthetic stucco and EIFS cladding systems and is probably why a lot of people tend to use their name when referring to synthetic stucco.

What About Dryvit VS Stucco Applications?

Like I mentioned above, Dryvit is a company, not a stucco system so I think the better question might be EIFS vs hard coat stucco, which I will write an article on in the near future to answer that question but I thought it was worth a quick mention, anyways.

The Different Dryvit Systems Out There:

There are many different stucco systems or solutions that Dryvit provides and it is worth taking a look at if you are considering using their products.

You can check out their many stucco systems on their website to get a better idea of what these systems are and what they are best suited for.

There are six main systems that Dryvit offers and these serve different purposes, many of them are suited for commercial projects but will also work for residential applications as well. These systems are:

1) Continuous Insulation System: Their continuous insulation systems are basically stucco systems (EIFS mainly) that uses foam insulation on the outside of the building, creating an airtight, much more insulated wall.

2) Stucco System: Dryvit's stucco systems are more like a traditional 3 coat stucco system because they all utilize a scratch and brown coat in all of the different systems.

Some have upgraded water/air barriers, all of them use metal lath and are suited for wood and/or masonry substrates.

3) Direct Applied System: The direct applied system is really just a simpler system that is applied directly over masonry, wood and ICF substrates and does NOT include a continuous insulating barrier.

4) Panelization System: Dryvit's panels are pre-made panels that all have an insulating layer (foam) and use mesh, a base coat and a finish coat in a prefabricated panel.

These are typically made for more commercial applications and are a more complex in nature than you might think!

5) NewBrick System: The NewBrick system by Dryvit is basically just a system that mimics the look of brick without all of the downsides of using traditional bricks (weight, cost, labor, etc.) The system really just focuses on the finish coat, which is the main layer in getting that brick look.

6) ReVyvit System: This system is for older buildings that need a facelift and there are many different options available that will cover just about every type of situation you can imagine when it comes to older buildings that have stucco issues (color, texture, energy efficiency, etc.)

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About the Author

The Stucco Guy

Ryan Retired Stucco Contractor

I’m Ryan, a longtime stucco contractor who has spent plenty of years getting dusty, chasing cracks, matching finishes, and figuring out what actually works in the real world. I created TheStuccoGuy.com to make stucco a little less confusing, help homeowners avoid expensive mistakes, and give you practical answers without all the fluff.

Take a look around, and if something still has you scratching your head, send me a question. I’m always happy to help.

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9 comments
Miles says

My house has an elastomeric stucco that poorly applied, over traditional cement based stucco. – No power washing or priming. The least is now peeling off. I have been told not to redo it with traditional cement based stucco over the least, as it will not bond and will give me more problems- I’m told to go with Dryvit NCB in order to have the new elasto bond to the old. What’s your opinion? I live in Santa Fe, lotsa stucco guys and lotsa opinions.

Reply
    The Stucco Guy says

    Hi, Miles,

    Thanks for sharing your situation! It sounds like you’re dealing with quite a challenge. Before applying any new material, it’s essential to remove all loose materials to prevent future issues. A high-powered pressure washer can help identify these weak areas. If the peeling is extensive, you might need to sandblast the existing finish off completely, ensuring a solid base for a new coat. Using Dryvit NCB could be a good option since it’s designed to bond well with existing elastomeric finishes. Just be sure to follow up with proper surface preparation to ensure the best results. It might also be beneficial to consult with a few different local stucco experts who understand the specific conditions on-site. Good luck with your project!

    Reply
Tom says

Can I use Purple Power or Simple green to clean my Dryvit using a soft wash system or foamer ?

Reply
    The Stucco Guy says

    Hi, Tom! Thanks for your question. While Purple Power and Simple Green are popular cleaning solutions, it’s crucial to test any cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area of your Dryvit first. This allows you to see how the surface reacts to the diluted mix without causing noticeable damage. Once you’re confident that it’s safe, you can proceed with your soft wash system or foamer. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

    Reply
Tammy H says

I found your website very informative. Helpful to my new job in the home insurance industry. Thanks Stucco guy!

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Jim Turner says

I worked in Dryvit (the system and material) in the 70’s. From foam, glass, primus & quartrzputz (?) finish to the prefab panels. Applied many square miles. This was with Southern Building Systems out of Orlando. Nothing like dropping a six story wall on a swinging scaffold with no joints showing when you hit the ground

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Fred Flinstone says

Thanks for this. Even the Dryvit website has little information on what it is actually, lol.

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Robert black Bob's stucco9 says

I am a old stucco er
Trying to learn new things

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Paul says

You are a fantastic resource Ryan. Thank you so much!!!!

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