Issue 01 Feb 2025
New
Product Launches.
StoTherm ci GPS
StoTherm ci GPS is an EIFS with Drainage continuous insulation wall system. It is a durable and high-performance energy-efficient wall cladding that provides up to R56 continuous exterior insulation. It incorporates a StoGuard Air and Water-resistive Barrier (AWRB), along with high-performance Sto finishes in a fully tested wall cladding assembly.
StoSeal STPE
StoSeal STPE Sealant is a premium, high-movement sealant, designed for use in new opaque wall and building restoration applications. It features excellent adhesion and no-prime performance of silicone combined with the flexibility and compatibility of polyether chemistry. StoSeal STPE Sealant covers most applications with one product.
StoCast Brick Install
© Hufton + Crow
© 2024 Andy Frame Photography
Sto Named Project of the Year—Two Years Running
Sto Corp. has once again been honored with Project of the Year at the EIFS Industry Members Association (EIMA) EIFS Excellence Awards, earning back-to-back wins in 2023 and 2024. This year’s award went to The Atrium at Sumner in Brooklyn, NY—a striking, Passive House-designed senior housing project by Studio Daniel Libeskind, supplied by Sto Eastern. The façade’s dramatic angles and recessed windows were achieved using Sto’s EIFS, delivering both aesthetic impact and exceptional energy performance.
In 2023, the colorful and imaginative Kaleideum Museum in Winston-Salem, NC, took top honors, showcasing Sto’s exterior wall systems in a vibrant geometric design that reflects the spirit of discovery within. The project was supplied by Colonial Materials, highlighting once again the critical role our distributor network plays in bringing Sto innovations to life.
See all 2024 EIFS Excellence Award winners on EIMA’s Awards Page.
© Hufton + Crow
Tinter Spotlight
Luiz Guzman FBM | Denver, Colorado
With five years of experience in tinting EIFS and stucco finishes, Luiz Guzman has developed a reputation for precision, consistency, and outstanding customer service. Based in Denver at FBM, Luiz plays a key role in inside sales, color production, and custom color matching. His passion for tinting started with a simple observation—the value of fast, accurate color matches to customers—and it’s turned into a career built on dedication and skill.
A Day in the Life
Luiz’s days are a blend of technical precision and customer interaction. Whether he’s creating custom colors or handling inside sales, he’s always focused on providing fast, reliable service. “Finding a good starting point and then making very fine adjustments is key to ensuring accurate matches,” he explains.
Industry Shifts and Staying the Course
The Denver market has seen significant changes in distribution over the years, but Luiz has remained a steady presence. “I’ve stayed consistent with my customers, and our business has continued to grow,” he shares.
The Art of the Match
While every color request is unique, some—like certain reddish browns—pose a bigger challenge. Still, Luiz embraces the complexity. “There’s a huge range of requests, but when you get it right the first time and see repeat customers, it’s incredibly rewarding.”
Making an Impact
Luiz knows that the right color can make or break a project. “Great color helps my customers finish jobs faster, which grows their business—and in turn, mine,” he says. His go-to products? Sto coatings, thanks to their consistency from batch to batch and job to job.
Beyond the Tints
When he’s not behind the color wheel, Luiz is an avid soccer player, a devoted husband, and a proud father of two young boys. He also enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with family. If he could create a custom color, he’d call it “Pale Blue – Sky Dreams.”
Advice for Future Tinters
Luiz offers this advice: “Stay loyal to yourself and make every customer feel like they’re your only one. Providing accurate matches and color to the customer will either make you or break you.”
Did you
Know?
Did you know that the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry (AWCI) offers an EIFSmart Contractor Seal for contractors, project managers, estimators, and owners who want to become EIFS Smart? By earning the seal, professionals demonstrate their commitment to quality and best practices in EIFS application. Click here to learn more and get certified.
But did you also know that Sto is creating a separate program around the AWCI EIFSmart Contractor Seal that will allow certified contractors to qualify for exclusive benefits—such as savings in the form of material credits, extended warranties, early access to new offerings, and specification support designed to help win more projects. It’s our way of recognizing contractors who are committed to doing it right. For more information, contact Kevin McKean | Kmckean@stocorp.com
Regional
Project Showcase.
North
Project Name: 1784 Annapolis
Distributor Location: CBSI- VA
Distributor Rep: Will Jenkins
Sto FSM: Kevin McKean
Sto CDM: Dan Canova
System/product used: EIFS & StoCast
The renovation of Ruxton Towers, a distinguished solid brick apartment building, masterfully blends the timeless charm of its original design with the modern elegance of StoTherm® ci and StoCast Wood. By incorporating StoTherm ci, the building’s exterior was refreshed with a sleek, smooth finish that rejuvenated its appearance, while preserving the character of the traditional brick structure.
Mid-west
Project Name: Boardwalk Project in Traverse City , MI
Distributor Location: FBM-Grand Rapids, MI
Distributor Rep: Shawn Lee
Sto FSM: Jer Walker
Sto CDM: Ray Redmond
System/product used: EIFS & StoCast
This project was a team effort. Jer and Ray worked together to get eveyone on board with StoCast products. Conducted Demo with Greg Payne for training pourpses. The sucess on this project has led to us securing another project (the Loop)with same contractor. Au Sable Contruction.
South
Project Name: Evermore Orlando Resort
Distributor Location: FBM Orlando
Distributor Rep: Tony Salerno
Sto FSM: Anthony Badalamente
Sto CDM: Clark Larson
System/product used: StoTherm CI, StoLit Milano Ultra Smooth
This project featured 360,000 square feet of Stotherm CI combined with 40,000 square feet of StoLit Milano Ultra Smooth. This property is a showcase for comfortable living for family vacationing!
West
Project Name: Central Station
Distributor Location: FBM Phoenix
Distributor Rep: CJ Lockwood
Sto FSM: David Anguis
Sto CDM: Judy Heiss
System/product used: Sto Threm CI Panel System
Central Station Multi Family – Designed to merge seamlessly with the existing transit station to create a bustling urban hub, Central Station will establish two residential towers, 30,000 square feet of retail space focusing on food-oriented concepts; 70,000 square feet of state-of-the-art flexible creative office space; and two levels of below-grade parking with 430 spaces.
FBM (Florida)
Sto New Jersey/Sto Eastern
Chaparral Materials (GMS)
FBM (Arizona)
Architextural Building Supply
Capitol Materials, Inc./GMS
Morrell Masonry, Inc.
Colonial Materials, Inc./GMS
Evergreen Building Products
Meet Sto Rep
Ellis Jay Walker
Kevin have spent nearly 27 years in the EIFS, stucco, air barrier, and facades industry, bringing his expertise to Sto Corp. for the past nine years. With a Bachelor of Science degree and two associate degrees, he has a strong technical foundation and a deep understanding of building materials. Based at the Atlanta plant, Kevin plays a key role in Technical operations and code development.
Beyond work, Kevin has been happily married to his wife, Lorena, for 20 years. He has a stepson, and a five-year-old black lab Abbe, adding energy and companionship to their home. Together, he and Lorena love traveling both domestically and abroad and capturing moments through photography. In his free time, Kevin enjoys riding his motorcycle in the foothills of the Georgia Mountains.
Success
Story.
Linden Grove
Brooklyn, NY
30,000+ SF of StoTherm ci with StoCast Brick
New Construction, High-Rise
Completed 2024
The Linden Grove project in Brooklyn, NY, is a standout example of how design vision and performance can align seamlessly. Featuring over 30,000 square feet of StoTherm® ci with StoCast Brick, this new high-rise utilized a single-source system to deliver energy efficiency, design flexibility, and a cohesive aesthetic.
One of the project’s major challenges came from the modular construction approach, which resulted in misaligned modules. Thanks to the adaptability of a field-applied EIFS system, the contractor was able to make real-time on-site adjustments—ensuring a smooth, consistent finish across the façade.
Custom-colored StoCast Brick brought the warmth and texture of traditional masonry, while StoSignature® Stone 10 added refined contrast with its limestone-inspired finish. Together, these elements delivered a timeless yet modern look, enhancing the building’s visual impact.
With streamlined construction, a comprehensive warranty, and a one-of-a-kind finish, Linden Grove sets a new standard for performance-driven, design-forward construction.
