Architects who specify PW Profiles’ cement coated EPS products for the first time often know what they want the profiles to do and how they want them to look. What’s less clear is where in the document set they belong, what language to use, what the contractor needs to execute the installation correctly, and how to coordinate the profiles with adjacent systems. The process is straightforward once those questions have answers.
Where EPS Profiles Belong in the CSI Format
The Construction Specifications Institute MasterFormat organizes project specifications across North America, and cement coated EPS profiles fit in different places depending on the application.
For exterior applications, the most common placement is Division 07 — Thermal and Moisture Protection. Profiles specified as part of a facade system typically land in 07 46 00 — Siding. On projects where profiles are specified alongside an EIFS or stucco system, grouping them within 07 24 00 — Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems — keeps the facade specification cohesive and reduces the number of separate sections a contractor has to navigate.
For interior applications — crown molding, column covers, ceiling medallions, and decorative panels — Division 09 50 00 covers ceiling-mounted elements. Some specifiers group all decorative finish elements within Division 06 — Wood, Plastics, and Composites — regardless of material, particularly when the interior finish scope is extensive and benefits from a single consolidated section.
For projects where profiles are a significant design element, a standalone proprietary specification section within Division 09 70 00 — Wall Finishes — gives the contractor a single reference point for all profile-related work. Whatever placement the architect chooses, consistency within the document set and coordination with the sections covering the substrate and finish systems on either side of the profile are the organizing principles.
What the Specification Section Should Include
A complete specification section for cement coated EPS profiles covers five areas: scope, products, submittals, installation, and quality assurance.
Scope defines which profiles the section covers and on which surfaces — exterior facades, interior ceilings, column wraps — and establishes who installs them. PW Profiles’ products are designed for installation by stucco and paint professionals, and the scope language should reflect that.
Products identifies the manufacturer and specific product series. For proprietary specifications, this section names PW Profiles directly. For performance specifications, it describes the characteristics that must be met. The performance items worth specifying for cement coated EPS profiles include:
- EPS Core Density — A minimum density requirement ensures the product holds its shape, accepts fasteners if needed, and performs over the long term. PW Profiles’ products use reinforced EPS meeting the structural requirements for both interior and exterior applications.
- Cement Coating Composition — PW Profiles’ base coat consists of a co-polymer and cement mixture embedded in open-weave treated fiberglass reinforcement mesh. Specifying the coating composition ensures substituted products perform comparably in bond strength, weather resistance, and finish coat acceptance.
- Fire Performance — For exterior applications, specify compliance with the applicable fire code for the jurisdiction. PW Profiles’ products carry RADCO approval to Federal Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards, satisfying the requirements of most North American jurisdictions.
- Dimensional Tolerances — For custom profiles, specify tolerances the design requires. For standard catalog profiles, reference the manufacturer’s published dimensions.
A complete products section for cement coated EPS profiles covers these four areas without requiring the contractor to make judgment calls the specification should be making for them.
Submittals defines what the contractor provides before installation begins — shop drawings, product data sheets, finish coat samples, and applicable test reports. For projects with custom profiles, shop drawings are the most critical submittal. They confirm that the fabricated profile matches the architectural intent before production begins.
Installation covers substrate preparation, adhesive and mechanical attachment, joint spacing, and the interface with adjacent materials. This section aligns directly with PW Profiles’ published technical documentation, which covers each of these requirements in detail.
Quality assurance establishes installer qualifications and inspection requirements. Requiring contractors to confirm they have reviewed PW Profiles’ installation guidelines as a condition of the specification keeps the installation aligned with product requirements from the start.
How to Reference Profiles in the Drawing Set
Plan and elevation drawings identify profile locations with reference tags connecting to the specification section and a detail sheet. The reference tag identifies the profile type — cornice, window surround, column cover, band course — and the applicable detail number. Keeping the reference system consistent across the drawing set lets contractors locate what they need without searching through multiple sheets.
Detail drawings require more precision than most specifiers initially anticipate. The critical conditions to detail include:
- Profile-to-Wall Interface — How the profile meets the wall at the top, bottom, and ends. For exterior profiles, this joint determines moisture management. The detail shows the sealant joint location and width, drainage direction, and whether the profile returns into the wall or terminates with an exposed end.
- Profile-to-Profile Connections — At inside and outside corners where two segments meet, miter cuts produce a cleaner appearance than butt joints. The detail specifies which the project requires.
- Profile at Penetrations — Where profiles pass adjacent to windows, doors, or vents, the interface with penetration flashing needs explicit documentation. A profile that traps water against a penetration creates a problem that the detail prevents.
- Profile at Expansion Joints — Where the building has expansion or control joints, profiles accommodate movement rather than bridge across it. The detail shows whether the joint runs through the profile or terminates at it.
For column covers and three-dimensional applications, sectional details in plan view show contractors how segments assemble and what the finished cross-section looks like. PW Profiles’ assembly design concepts provide a starting point for these conditions.
What Contractors Need to Execute the Installation
The specification and drawings establish intent. Getting that intent built correctly requires a practical package of supporting documents alongside the spec. The most useful contractor deliverables include:
- PW Profiles’ Installation Documentation — PW Profiles provides comprehensive installation guidelines covering substrate preparation, adhesive selection, clip placement, joint spacing, and finish coat application. Requiring contractors to work from these guidelines is a condition that belongs in the specification.
- Shop Drawings for Custom Profiles — For any profile outside the standard catalog, shop drawings from PW Profiles reviewed by the design team confirm dimensional accuracy before production begins.
- Substrate Confirmation — The specification requires the contractor to confirm the substrate meets installation conditions before work starts — clean, dry, code-compliant, and of the type the product bonds to. PW Profiles’ products attach to stucco, brick, concrete, CMU block, and other smooth impermeable substrates.
- Sequencing with Adjacent Work — On exterior projects, profiles follow the substrate system and precede final painting. Coordinating this sequence with the stucco subcontractor, the painter, and the window and door installers prevents damage from adjacent trades and keeps the installation schedule on track.
Getting the sequencing right at the start of the project avoids the most common installation complications that come up during construction.
Working with PW Profiles During the Specification Process
PW Profiles works directly with architects during specification and design development, providing product data, sample specification language, shop drawing support, and technical guidance on interface conditions. For projects with complex profile conditions — large-scale exterior cornicing, custom geometries, or profiles at challenging interface situations — engaging PW Profiles’ technical team during design development produces better documentation and fewer field questions.
The product specifications page and installation documentation on the website provide the technical information needed to write a complete specification section. For project-specific questions, contact PW Profiles at 604.285.6550 or through the contact form on the website.
