skip to Main Content

NEW Sto Fireblocking Solution to Meet 2022 New York City Building Code

A Real Alternative to Real Wood

Real wood has an unparalleled natural beauty. The warmth. The texture. The grain. But it does come with its own set of challenges. Natural wood can warp, chip, and even rot. Plus, for large commercial projects, transporting a load of…

Read More

Rainscreens for Retrofitting

A renovation can be triggered by a wide range of factors: new building owner/tenant, water intrusion issues, delaminating exterior finishes, cold walls, and new fire and energy performance regulations. Often, a range of problems happening with increasing frequency make it…

Read More

Rainscreen Systems and the Building Code

The construction industry today recognizes the impact of climate science on building design and resilience. As a result, the message is clear: all new and renovation construction must protect the structure and its occupants against increasing weather-related hazards, particularly regarding…

Read More

A Crack is an Open Invitation

A crack in any exterior finish is a vulnerability in your first line of defense. While larger cracks are most likely an indication of structural issues, hairline and surface cracks create a literal opening for dirt, moisture, critters, and everything…

Read More

Fireblocking Regulations on the Rise

Municipalities nationwide are scrutinizing fire regulations, especially for combustible exterior wall assemblies. In 2022, New York City introduced the NYC Building Code (BC), section BC 718.2.6, for constructing exterior wall assemblies containing combustible components. New York City authorities enacted these…

Read More

Thermal + Moisture Control in Modern Construction

It wasn’t so long ago that we believed insulation alone could protect a building from all the damaging elements outside. But after decades of costly repairs due to water intrusion, mold and mildew, and corroded structural component repairs, along with…

Read More

The Evolution of Building Protection

Since prehistoric times, humans have sought to protect our homes and gathering places better. Comfort was the primary driver, so our early ancestors created thermal insulation with readily available materials such as animal fur and plants. Over time, earth, mud…

Read More

A Rainscreen System Unlike Any Other

StoVentec Render is an innovative rainscreen cladding solution that improves building performance with economical construction. This system features a ventilated cavity for effective drainage, continuous insulation for energy efficiency and sound dampening, and a unique carrier board that enables the…

Read More

The Benefits of Adjustable Sub-Construction

Buildings are imperfect. Whether it's new construction or an existing building, they have crooked exterior walls/substrates or are smothered in layers of coating from previous renovations. While new buildings have the potential to have straight exterior walls, the requirements of…

Read More

Introducing Sto® Strike Defense

At Sto Corp., we admit we are a little obsessed with impact-resistant building materials. After all, the world can be a tough place—heat domes, drought, flash flooding, and woodpeckers. These persistent birds often cause unnecessary damage by pecking at the…

Read More

GPS Insulation: Leaner and Greener

At Sto Corp., sustainable construction is ingrained in our company’s DNA. This commitment guides us in our decision-making and product development. Our GPS insulation is the perfect example of our continuous pursuit of greener products, representing the future of insulation.…

Read More

One Manufacturer is Better Than Two

The idea behind the building envelope is simple: keep what’s inside in and what’s outside out. Sounds easy enough. The challenge is getting all the layered components required to create that barrier to work as a cohesive unit. Another challenge…

Read More

Lightweight Facade Options

Traditional Facade options such as stucco, brick, fiber cement, and stucco have been used for exterior insulation and finishing for years. Although they present diverse design capabilities, the weight of these materials either takes a toll on the building structures…

Read More

Liquid Applied AWRB Membranes: A Comprehensive Guide

Properly installed liquid-applied air and water-resistive barriers (AWRB) provide all the applicable performance and installation requirements for air and water resistance. An AWRB helps protect the building and its occupants from damaging and unhealthy mold and rot.  Vapor-permeable or impermeable…

Read More

Importance of Sealer for EIFS Projects

High-performing, drainable EIFS provides the building industry with a complete wall cladding system and a simple-to-use solution toward compliance with the current energy code. Drainable EIFS wall systems, like StoTherm® ci Wall Systems, include five control layers (vapor, air, water,…

Read More

Air Barrier and Building Code Changes (2018 IECC)

Advancements in building energy codes strive to enhance a structure's energy efficiency, with the ultimate goal of obtaining net zero energy building (NZB) status.  In 2000, the International Code Council (ICC) developed the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The purpose…

Read More

Design Freedom with Modern, Drainage EIFS

Modern exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS with drainage) offers architects and designers the extensive design freedom to meet most building owners' aesthetic needs for new construction and renovations while also serving as an energy-efficient building envelope solution. Drainable EIFS…

Read More

The Use of Prefab Construction in Hospitality

The increasing demand for new and renovation hospitality construction in the U.S. offers builders a significant opportunity. In a recent U.S. Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics, analysts report that hotel construction pipeline projects in the U.S. rose nine…

Read More

Fully Integrated Prefabricated Façade Panels w/ Window Compatibility

Fully integrated prefabricated facade panels with factory-installed windows can create air-tight building envelopes that contribute significantly to sustainable, energy-efficient, durable, and safe buildings. Furthermore, StoPanel® Technology branded, tested, and warranted prefabricated, finished wall panel designs with pre-installed windows can maximize…

Read More

6 Useful Online Tools for Building Professionals

Throughout its 40+ year history, Sto Corp.’s energy-efficient and easy-to-apply building envelope solutions have provided building professionals with the widest range of aesthetic possibilities on the most complete collection of building envelope solutions. Allowing designers and architects to design sustainable…

Read More

STPE Sealants: What You Need to Know

Silyl Terminated Polyether (STPE) sealants combine the weather resistance of silicone and the strength of polyurethane to create a long-lasting sealant with superior strength, flexibility, and adhesion. STPE sealant bonds to most construction materials (masonry, stone, concrete, wood, fiber cement,…

Read More

Are Rainscreen Systems Appropriate in My Climate?

The construction industry today recognizes the impact of climate science on building design and resilience, regardless of the project's location - hot, cold, moist, dry, marine, etc. conditions. All new and renovation construction must protect the structure and its occupants…

Read More

Preserving the Past: Restoring Old Buildings for Future Generations

Preserving architectural history by restoring old buildings provides cultural, sustainable, and economic benefits to building owners, the community, and future generations. The restoration of old buildings also protects the environment by reusing existing buildings, lessening landfill waste, and reducing the…

Read More

The Importance of Facade Restoration for Preserving Architecture

Preserving architecture through facade restoration preserves a region's history, legacy, and culture. Facade restoration also protects the environment by reusing existing structures, lessening landfill waste, and using natural resources. However, while facade restoration encourages the preservation of original materials, building…

Read More

Exploring Non-Combustible Construction: What You Need to Know

Longer wildfire seasons as well as stricter standards are prompting builders and architects to use non-combustible construction methods and materials, like mineral wool continuous insulation (CI). The National Interagency Fire Center reported 68,988 wildfires in 2022 (consuming 7,577,183 acres), compared…

Read More

The Best Hydrophobic Coatings for Exterior Wall Systems

Today's building owners and code requirements demand sustainable, healthy, and durable structures. To meet these demands, all layers of the building envelope must work to control moisture infiltration and accumulation, including the finish surface layer. The building products industry is…

Read More

Achieving Moisture Control in Buildings

Moisture control in buildings should strive to control moisture and air leaks through the building envelope. However, in the event of moisture intrusion, the system must allow the water to evaporate in order to keep the area dry and mold-free.…

Read More

Industrial Building Facades: The Evolution of Cladding

Initially, industrial building facades functioned only to support the roof or floor, with a simple hole to allow for light or entrance. Typically these structures included a monochromatic, single-material commercial building facade. However, the evolution of building science incited the…

Read More

The Difference Between Rainscreens vs. Curtain Walls

Glass cladding covers a structure's exterior in order to protect its external surface and frame and enhance its aesthetic appeal. Manufacturers typically offer builders and architects two glass cladding types: rainscreen or curtain wall. Both eco-friendly glass cladding systems offer…

Read More

Why Hire A Building Envelope Consultant?

Building envelope consultants provide the expertise and creative solutions to create sustainable building enclosures for new construction and retrofit. Building envelope engineers apply structural engineering, materials science, physics, construction, and architecture principles to solve building envelope problems. Building envelope consultants…

Read More

How to Achieve Airtightness in Buildings

Airtight buildings lessen energy consumption, save money, help protect the environment, and improve indoor environmental quality (IEQ). Achieving building air tightness requires commercial architects, contractors, and developers to incorporate innovative technologies and materials, like StoTherm® ci® continuous insulation (CI) wall…

Read More

Aesthetic Versatility with Glass Facade Buildings

Glass facade building, or glass facade elevation, gives architects and designers aesthetic versatility with beautiful colors and endless glass facade designs, and glass face textures and shapes to produce unique and eye-catching looks for any building. High-performing glass facade buildings,…

Read More

Understanding Modular Facade Panels

Modular facade panels, like StoPanel® Technology modular panels for building, provide architects and builders with a superior (and fast) solution to many construction challenges. Modular facade panels help ensure a construction project meets its timelines and stays within budget while…

Read More

Minimize Construction Risks with Prefab

Minimizing construction risks with prefab construction can help builders stay on time and budget by limiting workday losses and job site injuries that are associated more often with more dangerous building methods, like wood-frame construction. Quick and simple-to-install Sto Panel®…

Read More

Glass Cladding Solutions for Commercial Buildings

StoVentec® Glass Cladding offers designers and architects aesthetic versatility with exciting colors and endless shapes, textures, and designs to create distinctive and unique looks for any building. StoVentec® high-performing glass cladding provides the following: Thermal insulation for improved building energy…

Read More

Fluid/Liquid-Applied Air & Moisture Barriers

A quality air and vapor barrier membrane helps create an efficient exterior wall system by preventing air, and any accompanying moisture, from infiltrating the structure's interior. Air vapor barriers come in two forms with various applications: fluid and sheet-applied air…

Read More

Steps for Achieving Net Zero Energy Efficient Buildings

Net-zero-energy buildings (NZEBs) create as much energy as they use, which can be an environmental, financial, and quality of life win for everyone. A ten-fold increase in NZEB shows no signs of slowing, which expands opportunities for green builders, architects,…

Read More

5 Benefits of Utilizing Prefab in Constructing Student Housing

Prefabricated mega wall panel systems, like StoPanel® Technology prefabricated wall panels, provide builders and architects with a superior and quick solution to many of the challenges of student housing construction. Prefabricated wall panels help ensure the projects meet their timelines…

Read More

Are Ventilated Rainscreen Systems Effective?

Ventilated rainscreens, like StoVentec® Rainscreen®, help custom builders and architects build high-performance structures, especially in colder climates. StoVentec® ventilated rainscreen claddings create comfortable, sustainable, energy-efficient, and healthy indoor environmental quality (IEQ) for commercial, institutional, and residential exterior and interior wall…

Read More

Achieving Continuous Insulation with EIFS

Over the past 50 years, evolving energy standards and consumer demand have made the application of continuous insulation (CI) in exterior walls a standard practice. In addition, for the past 30+ years, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning…

Read More

How to Understand and Apply Adaptive Reuse in Architecture

Adaptive reuse architecture (adaptive reuse buildings) offers communities a way to breathe new life into old, abandoned structures by converting them into usable and needed spaces, like low-income housing, community centers, or mixed-use venues. Adaptive reuse architecture projects can cost…

Read More

Exceptional Stucco Finish Types

Stucco finishes, traditional or synthetic, can create a unique facade by adding a pop of color and intrigue to a building's exterior. Stucco offers long-term durability, fire resistance, and minimal maintenance when professionally applied. In addition, timeless and versatile stucco…

Read More

Historic Building Restoration

Historic building restoration helps preserve a region's history, culture, and legacy. Historic restoration also protects the environment by reusing existing buildings, which diminishes landfill waste and the use of natural resources. However, while historic building restoration encourages preserving original materials,…

Read More

What is a Rainscreen System?

StoVentec® Rainscreen systems help create comfortable, energy-efficient, sustainable, and healthy indoor environmental quality (IEQ) for residential, commercial, and institutional wall construction (exterior and interior). They offer a complete, fully-tested, and code-approved, back ventilated system that provides an excellent air and…

Read More

Everything You Need to Know About XPS Insulation

Extruded polystyrene (XPS) closed-cell, rigid XPS insulation significantly improves the energy efficiency of unfinished exterior and interior walls for remodeling and new construction. In addition, the XPS boards provide thermal resistance with an R-value of 4.6 to 5.0, depending on…

Read More

What is Architectural Paint? A Breakdown of Performance and Options

Architectural paints include interior and exterior paints, primers, sealers, varnishes, and stains. These products are applied onsite to residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings and are typically sold in five-gallon containers. Architecture paint does not include industrial maintenance (IM) coatings,…

Read More

Unique Aesthetics That Can Be Achieved with Stucco Coatings

Traditional hard coat stucco systems come in a variety of textures and colors, offering builders and architects the design flexibility to create eye-catching aesthetic finishes. In addition, durable, long-lasting, and low-maintenance hard coat stucco systems save money over time on…

Read More

Building Enclosure Systems in Architecture

Building enclosure systems include below-grade and above-grade portions of a structure that physically separates the interior from the exterior environment. The components of a building enclosure system include the: Base floor systems Foundation wall systems Above-grade wall systems Doors and…

Read More

EIFS Architecture: Everything You Should Know

To ensure a building project's long- and short-term success, today's architects must balance aesthetics, economics, function, building science, and sustainability in designing new buildings. The growing demand for sustainable construction, like that achieved with EIFS architecture, has increased the profitability…

Read More

The Best ICF Exterior Finishing Solution

Building an insulated concrete form (ICF) house or building allows you to apply many ICF exterior finishes: fiber cement boards, stucco, masonry veneers, panel siding, and wood or vinyl siding. If you can apply the finish on a wood-frame structure,…

Read More

30 High Performance Cladding Systems

A high-performance cladding system deflects, drains, and evaporates moisture on the outside and inside of the wall system and protects a building envelope from rain, snow, and other outside elements. The design of the cladding system must ensure durability, sustainability,…

Read More

The Best EIFS Siding and Cladding Options

In this article, we will discuss the different finishing systems (siding/cladding) that can be used in Sto’s EIFS systems. Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems (EIFSs) provide an insulated, finished surface that creates exterior walls with superior moisture and temperature control performance…

Read More

The Best Brick Solution for EIFS

The best EIFS brick solutions, like StoCast Brick, StoTherm ci MVES, and StoSignature® Brick, provide an economical and quick way to create realistic brick masonry aesthetics on an exterior of insulation and finish systems (EIFSs), like StoTherm® ci. StoCast Brick…

Read More

6 Advantages of Engineered Masonry Veneer Systems

A complete masonry veneer wall system with tested and code compliant components that effectively work together provides design professionals and builders with many advantages. The benefits of engineered and tested masonry veneer systems compared to specifying individual components include quicker…

Read More

Understanding Brick Rainscreen Cladding Systems

Durable brick rainscreen & brick cladding systems help create energy-efficient, sustainable, comfortable, and healthy indoor environmental quality (IEQ) for residential, commercial, and institutional wall construction (interior and exterior). Simple-to-install, StoVentec® drained and back ventilated, fully engineered Rainscreen® brick cladding wall…

Read More

How architects celebrate Halloween

Do architects have a special spot in their hearts for Halloween? Halloween offers a chance for creative flare, and by the looks of these pumpkins and costumes, many in the building design field are creeping it real.
Read More

What could construction on Mars look like?

With more spacecraft on Mars than any other planet that isn’t earth, it’s safe to say humanity’s curiosity with the red planet isn’t going away anytime soon. So, what could construction on Mars look like?
Read More

Three senior housing trends post-COVID-19

With the sun hopefully setting on the worst of the COVID-19 outbreak, seniors’ housing needs are still evolving. While many changes at the outset of the pandemic were reactionary, there are some lasting elements that will be here to stay.
Read More

Sto Corp nets six EIMA HERO Awards

Sto Corp. is proud to be the manufacturing partner on six of the EIFS Industry Members Association's EIFS Hero Project Awards that received accolades for exemplary work showcasing exterior walls that are efficient, aesthetically flexible, and incredibly durable.
Read More

How will COVID-19 affect multifamily design?

With major shifts in work and lifestyles forced upon us by the pandemic, those living in condominiums or apartment buildings are viewing their living environments through a different lens. Designers and operators of multifamily buildings must now consider what this building typology may look like in the future.
Read More

What’s next for school design?

COVID-19 is creating a massive ripple in how students learn, and community engagement is becoming increasingly important when considering the needs of educational buildings. What does this mean for school design moving forward?
Read More

What is industrialized construction?

In efforts to ramp up efficiency, reduce waste, and address skilled labor shortages, industrialized construction may be the answer. This approach shifts on-site work away from the jobsite where building components are produced in a factory off-site and shipped to the jobsite.
Read More

What is the future of tiny homes?

Whether they’re the market of the future, an answer to the affordable housing crisis or a passing fad made for reality television shows and hipster Instagram feeds, the tiny home movement is getting renewed interest in the age of the coronavirus.
Read More

Senior housing outlook 2021

In the best of cases, the senior housing industry in the United States will be looking to recovery in the coming months as vaccines roll in to save a market that is undergoing historic challenges.
Read More

The future of hotel design and development

Allaying current fears and planning for future outbreaks is a must for hotel operators. Design will be impacted, and enhanced housekeeping measures will not only need to be undertaken but clearly demonstrated to occupants.
Read More

Three exterior building material trends, examined

The exterior of a building is its first impression, and the materials used for cladding have a major impact. Whether it's the natural appearance of wood or the sleek, sophisticated feel of glass, building material selection has an immediate impact on curb appeal.
Read More

Building development for disaster resilience

Disaster resilience refers to the ability of buildings to prepare, plan and recover from natural disasters. These strategies can pay off, especially for buildings that are located in areas that are more subject to natural disasters.
Read More

Autodesk and architects face off

A July 27th letter addressed to Andrew Anagnost, President and Chief Executive Officer of Autodesk from leading architecture firms has brought to the forefront the issue of architectural software costing.
Read More

The evolution of the building envelope

The building envelope refers to all of the elements of the outer shell of a building and is what keeps us safe from the elements. Humanity has come a long way from our prehistoric days of structures constructed of boulders, branches and grass to complex building science that has us living in comfort today.
Read More

Exploring disaster relief housing

Disaster relief architecture has played an important role in rebuilding lost structures and also for constructing temporary buildings for immediate and longer-term housing needs.
Read More

Understanding the generation gap in the construction industry

The construction industry is no stranger to the generation gap in today’s workforce. As Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Y, with their varying strengths, upbringings and communication styles are all squeezed onto a construction site, unique challenges are presented.
Read More

The design-bid-build process versus the design-build process

The design-bid-build process (DBB) is a traditional practice used in the United States, where the owner of the project has separate contracts with a designer and contractors for the construction of a project. Alternatively, the design-build process is where the design and construction services are all managed through a single contractor.
Read More

Circular economy in building design and construction

There is ample buzz surrounding the term circular economy of late. Also referred to as circularity, the building design and construction industries are looking at reshaping operations to apply this new way of thinking, which appears on the surface a monumental task.
Read More

Reducing embodied carbon in building materials

Reducing the operational carbon output of buildings has long been an important topic of discussion, but drilling down even further, the architecture, engineering and construction industries are now turning an eye to embodied carbon. Embodied carbon of building materials refers the amount of carbon that is emitted to produce and transport building materials before they hit the jobsite.
Read More
Back To Top

Your compare list

Compare
REMOVE ALL
COMPARE
0
×

Keep the Inspiration Coming!

Subscribe to the Sto Blog for the Latest Updates in Inspiring Building Design and Construction.

  • Please review our updated Privacy Policy
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

SEARCH

Use the search bars below to search by keyword(s), by product name or by product number. If you are having problems finding information, please contact us here.

SITE SEARCH

PRODUCT SEARCH