A method for fabricating a component having an environmental barrier coating. The method includes providing a component including silicon having a first coefficient of thermal expansion. A bondcoat is bonded to at least a portion of an outer surface of the component. An intermediate layer having a general composition of RE2Si2O7 is bonded to the bondcoat. The intermediate layer has a second coefficient of thermal expansion matched to the first coefficient of thermal expansion. A protective layer having a general composition of RE2SiO5 is bonded to the intermediate layer. A surface layer is bonded to the protective layer. The surface layer includes RE and has a ratio of RE to oxygen of at least 2:3.