Traditional stucco is applied by attaching a wire mesh to the external walls. A scratch coat of plaster is initially applied, and successive coats are added until the desired thickness is reached. The final or finish coat may have primer added to prepare for paint. Unlike traditional stucco that utilizes natural ingredients and mesh, External Insulation and Finishing Systems (EIFS) use layers that add synthetic materials. The first layer is comprised of a polystyrene foam board. Then, that is followed by a fiberglass mesh and a finishing coat. The layers applied using EIFS provide more protection and insulation than traditional stucco.