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Commercial services • Coatings

Coating Systems for Commercial Buildings

On a commercial building the coating is rarely the hard part. Parapets, roof edges, storefront frames and the joints between different materials are where systems fail, so that is where we spend our attention.

  • Stucco, EIFS & Dryvit
  • Parapets & transitions
  • Phased application
  • Tenants stay open
Darrin Straub

Request a consultation & estimate

Residential or commercial. We’ll get back to you to set up an evaluation.

We never share your information. Prefer to talk? Call (888) 592-1304.

For property managers & GCs

A coating system is more than the coating

A complete coating system on a commercial facade includes the primer, base or crack-fill layers, the finish coat, and the sealants and flashings at every edge where the coating stops. A good finish applied over a parapet with an open coping joint still leaks; a perfect elevation still lets water in where it meets a storefront frame with no backer rod in the joint.

Commercial buildings also mix systems. A retail center may have hard coat stucco on the piers, EIFS on the signage band and older Dryvit on the rear elevations. Each needs a compatible product: EIFS and its foam cannot take solvent-based materials, and an older barrier system needs a finish that does not stop it from drying.

We survey the whole envelope, write a scope that covers every substrate and transition, and phase application around tenants, deliveries and parking. Owners get a clear sequence and photos as the work moves through each elevation. For sealant scopes see sealant replacement; for ongoing upkeep see stucco maintenance.

Retail center with stucco and EIFS facades
Where systems fail

The details a commercial coating must cover

We scope these areas line by line, because they decide whether the coating keeps the building dry.

Parapets & copings

Tops of walls take water from above; we check cap flashing, coping joints and the inside face of the parapet.

Water from above

Storefront & window frames

The joint between frame and wall gets new backer rod and sealant compatible with the coating.

Frame to wall

Material transitions

Where stucco meets EIFS, brick, metal panel or concrete, the joint is designed to move without tearing the coating.

Dissimilar materials

Expansion & control joints

Building joints stay open and sealed, never coated over, so the facade can still move.

Room to move

Penetrations

Light fixtures, signage anchors, conduit and rooftop equipment supports are sealed before the finish goes on.

Every hole closed

EIFS & Dryvit compatibility

Water-based primers and finishes made for foam-backed systems, with repairs to dents and wet board first.

Right chemistry
System by substrate

Matching the system to each wall type

One building often needs two or three coating systems. We spell out which goes where in the scope, so bids from different contractors can be compared on the same basis and nothing is left to the crew to decide on site.

Repairs come first in every case: wet EIFS board replaced, delaminated stucco rebuilt, and cracks filled before the finish.

Typical commercial coating systems
SubstratePrep focusFinish system
Hard coat stuccoCrack routing, patchingElastomeric or breathable
Drainable EIFSDent and board repairAcrylic EIFS finish
Older barrier EIFSMoisture survey, jointsBreathable EIFS finish
Concrete or blockSpall and joint repairMasonry coating
Parapet topsCap and coping jointsFlashing plus coating
Phased application

How we coat an occupied building

Work moves around the building in planned sections so tenants, customers and deliveries keep moving.

Envelope survey

We walk the roof edges and every elevation, probe EIFS and stucco for moisture and mark each substrate, transition and joint on elevation drawings or photos.

  • Substrates mapped
  • Moisture probed
  • Scope by elevation

Phase plan

We agree a sequence with management covering access, entrances, parking, deliveries and quiet hours, then share it with tenants.

  • Sequence agreed
  • Entrances kept open
  • Tenant notice support

Repair, seal, coat

Each section is repaired, sealed at its joints and transitions, primed and coated before we move to the next, with progress photos along the way.

  • Repairs before finish
  • Joints sealed per section
  • Progress shared in Jobber

Preparing a coating bid package?

We can survey the building and help define a scope that covers every substrate.

Request an estimate
Reviews

What our customers say

Homeowners and long-time commercial clients on working with ASR.

“Great attention to detail and workmanship. Really appreciate the effort to carefully caulk all stucco penetrations and amazingly good job of matching the stucco color since I had the stucco painted 5 years before.”
Alan W.Customer letter
“We had a section of our wall that was crumbling, and I was worried the repairs would stand out. Not only did they fix the issue, but they matched the color and texture so perfectly that I honestly can’t tell where the damage was.”
Google review
Nicolas RoweGoogle review
“Excellent customer service and craftsmanship! I have used Darrin and the team several times and have never been disappointed!”
Google review
LoganGoogle review

Read more reviews

Questions & answers

Commercial coating questions

Questions from property managers, boards and general contractors.

Can Dryvit or other EIFS be recoated?
Yes, with finishes made for EIFS. Any dents, punctures or wet foam must be repaired first, and older barrier systems should get a breathable finish so the wall can dry.
Do parapets need more than a coating?
Usually. Most parapet leaks come through the cap or coping, so we check and correct the cap flashing and joints along with coating the wall faces.
Should expansion joints be coated over?
No. Building joints have to keep moving. We clean them out, install new backer rod and sealant, and stop the coating at the joint edges. See expansion joints.
How do you handle tenants during the work?
We work in sections, keep entrances and walkways protected and open, and schedule noisy prep or lift work around business hours where the property requires it.
How do we get a proposal?
Send the form or call (888) 592-1304. After a site survey we send a written scope and quote that you can review and approve through Jobber.

Plan a coating project for your building

We will survey the envelope, define a scope for every substrate and propose a phase plan that fits your tenants.

Get started

Request a consultation & estimate

Property managers, owners, HOAs and general contractors: tell us about the building and what you are seeing.

Darrin Straub

Send us your project details

Residential or commercial. We’ll get back to you to set up an evaluation.

We never share your information. Prefer to talk? Call (888) 592-1304.