Can EIFS be painted or recoated to change the colour on an Ottawa home?

Absolutely — recoating or painting EIFS is one of the most straightforward ways to refresh your Ottawa home's exterior, and it's something most EIFS-clad homes will need at some point regardless of whether you want a colour change.

Painting vs. Recoating: What's the Difference?

Painting means applying a high-quality exterior paint directly over the existing EIFS finish coat. This is the simpler and less expensive option, typically running $3–$5 per square foot in Ottawa, or roughly $4,500–$7,500 for a typical home with 1,500 sq ft of EIFS. You'll want to use a 100% acrylic elastomeric paint — not standard exterior latex. Elastomeric paints are thicker, more flexible, and can bridge hairline cracks, which is important given how much Ottawa homes expand and contract through the seasons.

Recoating involves applying a new layer of EIFS finish coat material over the existing surface. This is a more substantial treatment that restores the original texture and provides better long-term durability than paint alone. Recoating runs $5–$9 per square foot in Ottawa, or approximately $7,500–$13,500 for a full home. The advantage is that you're essentially renewing the EIFS system's protective shell, not just covering it.

Here's what you need to know about each approach:

For painting EIFS:

• The surface must be thoroughly cleaned — pressure washing at low pressure (under 1,500 PSI) to remove dirt, algae, and chalking without damaging the finish- Any cracks, dents, or damaged areas should be repaired before painting, not painted over- Use light to medium colours. Dark colours absorb more heat, which can cause the EPS foam underneath to soften and the finish coat to crack. Most EIFS manufacturers recommend a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 20 or higher — your paint supplier can confirm this for any colour you're considering- Apply two coats minimum, and expect to repaint every 7–10 years in Ottawa's climate

For recoating EIFS:

• The existing finish must be well-bonded to the base coat — if it's peeling or delaminating, those areas need to be scraped and repaired first- A bonding primer is applied before the new finish coat to ensure adhesion- You can change both colour and texture during a recoat — switching from a sand finish to a smooth finish or vice versa- A proper recoat should last 15–20 years before the next one is needed

Timing in Ottawa: Both painting and recoating require dry conditions and temperatures consistently above 10°C for proper curing. Your best window is May through September. Early morning dew and late-season frost can both compromise adhesion, so experienced Ottawa contractors will start after the morning dew burns off and stop work well before evening temperatures drop.

One important caution: never use a solvent-based paint or primer on EIFS. Solvents will dissolve the EPS foam underneath the finish coat, causing irreversible damage. Stick to water-based acrylic products only.

Whether you choose paint or a full recoat, refreshing your EIFS is one of the most cost-effective curb appeal upgrades available — and it extends the life of the system by maintaining the water-resistant outer layer that protects everything underneath.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects Ottawa homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Luxe Painting and Renovations
• RenoMotion Inc.
• MAK Construction and Development Inc
• Eastern Residential Solution
• Capital City Drywall

View all contractors →