Air Sealing/Insulation | Building America Solution Center

2009 and 2012 IECC Code Level Insulation – ENERGY STAR Requirements

This guide describes IECC 2009 and 2012 and ENERGY STAR Certified Homes insulation requirements.

2015 IECC Code Level Insulation – DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Requirements

This guide describes IECC 2015 and DOE Zero Energy Ready Home insulation requirements.

Advanced Framing: Insulated Corners

Guide describing how to frame and insulate corners to reduce heat losses and gains though structural framing.

Advanced Framing: Insulated Headers

Guide describing how to insulate headers over doors and windows to reduce heat loss and heat gain through solid wood framing.

Advanced Framing: Insulated Interior/Exterior Wall Intersections

Guide describing how to frame and insulate exterior-to-interior wall intersections to reduce heat losses and gains though structural framing.

Advanced Framing: Minimal Framing at Doors and Windows

Guide describing how to minimize framing around doors and windows to reduce heat losses and gains through structural framing.

Advanced Framing: Minimum Wall Studs

Guide describing how to frame a wall with minimal wall studs to prevent heat losses and gains through walls.

Air Sealing and Compartmentalization in Multifamily Buildings

Guide describing the principal of compartmentalization in multifamily buildings - the separation of dwelling units from each other and from common areas in terms of air flow. Locations where air-sealing is critical to maintain separation of air spaces and air-sealing methods especially for party walls are also described.

Air Sealing and Insulating Walls to Reduce Heat Gain

Information guide listing Building America Solution Center guides that describe ways to air-seal and insulate a new or existing home's walls to resist heat gain.

Air Sealing Attached Garage

Guide describing ways to air-seal an attached garage in new and existing homes.

Air Sealing Doors Adjacent to Unconditioned Space

Guide describing how to air-seal doors that are next to unconditioned spaces.

Air Sealing Drywall to Top Plate

Guide describing ways to seal drywall to the top plate of an exterior wall to air-seal the wall cavity.

Air Sealing Electrical Wiring

Guide describing how to air-seal electrical wiring throughout a home.

Air Sealing Modular Home Marriage Joints

Guide describing how to air-seal modular home marriage joints.

Air Sealing Multifamily Party Walls

Guide describing how to air-seal common walls between dwelling units in multifamily housing.

Air Sealing Plumbing and Piping

Guide describing how to air-seal around plumbing and piping penetrations through walls, ceilings, and floors.

Air Sealing Sill Plates

Guide describing how to air-seal sill plates in single-family homes and multifamily buildings.

Air Sealing Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) Seams

Guide describing how to correctly seal structural insulated panel (SIP) seams.

Air Sealing the Air Handler Closet

Guide describing the repair and reconfiguration of the air handler closet and platform when replacing the air handler.

Air Sealing Window and Door Rough Openings

Guide describing how to air-seal the rough openings around doors and windows.

Attic Knee Walls

Guide describing how to insulate and air-seal attic knee walls and floor joist cavities under knee walls.

Batt Insulation for Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to achieve RESNET Grade 1 installation standards, and meet/exceed code using batt insulation in existing walls.

Blown Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing blown insulation into exterior wall cavities of existing homes with minimal disruption to occupants.

Building Materials with High Moisture Content Not Enclosed

Guide describing how to avoid using wet materials and reduce moisture exposure in construction.

Building Science Introduction - Heat Flow

Information guide providing background information about heat flow in residential buildings.

Building Science Introduction - Moisture Flow

Information guide providing background information about moisture flow in residential buildings.

Cantilevered Floor

Guide describing how to air-seal and insulate a cantilevered floor.

Cement Board Installed behind Tile and Panel Tub and Shower Enclosures

Guide describing how to install moisture-resistant materials on walls behind showers and tubs to help manage moisture.

Class I Vapor Retarders Not Installed in Above-Grade Walls in Warm-Humid Climate

Guide describing vapor retarder permeability, insulation interaction, and example construction in a hot-humid climate.

Complete Window and Frame Replacement

Guide describing a complete window replacement in existing homes.

Condensation Control for Walls in Cold Weather

Guide describing ways to construct wall assemblies in cold climates to minimize the likelihood of condensation formation inside the walls.

Continuous Air Barrier in Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to install continuous air barriers in exterior walls.

Continuous Rigid Insulation Sheathing

Guide describing continuous rigid insulation installation procedures to reduce thermal bridging and help provide thermal protection.

Double Walls for More Insulation

Guide describing construction and insulation techniques for double wall framing.

Double-Wall Architectural Feature

Guide describing air barrier installation, insulation installation, and air-sealing for double walls (half or full walls included in a home design as an architectural feature that provides a more dimensional appearance).

Exterior Doors Are Insulated, Impact Rated, and Fire Rated

Guide describing the use of doors that are insulated and are impact rated or have protective coverings for resistance to hurricane, high winds, wildfires and thermal losses.

Fire-Resistant Wall Assemblies

Guide describing wall assemblies and materials that are resistant to destruction from wildfires.

Flashing at Bottom of Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to apply flashing to the bottom of exterior walls to create a continuous drainage plane.

Flashing of Wall Penetrations in Existing Homes

Guide describing how to install flashing that is integrated with air and water control layers around piping, vents, and other wall penetrations as part of an exterior wall retrofit.

Install Top Plates or Blocking at the Top of Walls Adjoining Unconditioned Spaces

Guide describing how to correctly air-seal a wall with missing top plates or open wall cavities.

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

Guide describing how to install insulated concrete forms to block excessive heat loss and gain though structural framing.

Insulation Installation Achieves RESNET Grade 1

Guide describing RESNET Grade 1 level installation of insulation in walls, attics, and floors.

Moisture-, Impact-, Fire-, and Pest-Resistant Exterior Siding

Guide describing how to select the siding materials best suited to withstand hazards the home is likely to face within its lifetime.

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Walls, Windows, and Doors

Information guide describing things to consider before retrofitting walls, windows, and doors, including wiring, moisture protection, and lead paints.

Reduce Pest Intrusion

Guide describing ways builders can block off entry points and otherwise make homes inhospitable to all manner of pests.

Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to apply an air control layer directly over existing wall sheathing and cover with two layers of insulating sheathing held in place by vertical furring strips.

Rigid Foam Insulation Installed Between Existing House and Garage Walls

Guide describing how to upgrade walls that separate the garage from the house by providing a continuous air control layer on the garage side of the wall and adding rigid foam insulation.

Roof/Attic to Exterior Wall Air Control Upgrade

Guide outlining how to retrofit an exterior wall and/or attic to provide continuous air sealing.

Seismic and Insulation Retrofits of Solid Masonry Walls

Guide describing how to retrofit older solid masonry homes to withstand seismic activity while including energy efficient retrofits.

Skylight Shaft Walls

Guide describing insulation techniques for skylight shaft walls.

Spray Foam Insulation Applied over the Siding of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to install spray foam on the exterior of the existing home after framing over the existing siding.

Spray Foam Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to insulate the walls of an existing home with spray foam insulation.

Staircase Walls

Guide describing how to create a fully aligned air barrier behind a staircase.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

This measure guides describes how to install structural insulated panels to block excessive heat loss and gain though structural framing.

Stucco Over Rigid Foam Insulation

Guide describing how to install stucco over rigid foam insulation in new and existing homes.

Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

Guide describing techniques for installing insulating sheathing as a continuous drainage plane on walls.

Vinyl Siding with Integrated Rigid Foam for Existing Walls

Guide describing the design and installation considerations for recladding of above grade walls using insulated vinyl siding.

Walls Adjoining Porch Roof

This guide describes how to install a rigid air barrier to separate the porch attic from the conditioned space.

Walls Behind Fireplaces

This guide describes how to install a rigid air barrier to walls behind fireplaces.

Walls Behind Showers and Tubs

This guide describes how to install a rigid air barrier to walls behind showers and tubs.

Water Managed Existing Sill Beams and Sill Plates

Guide describing how to insulate the sill beam or sill plate on the exterior side in a way that allows drying to the exterior, as part of an exterior wall upgrade.

Wind Washing

Guide describing wind washing and how to prevent it.

Window Sash Replacement

Guide describing how to replace a window sash in an existing home.

Window Sash Retrofit

Guide describing how to modify an existing window sash for high-efficient windows.

Walls & Openings - Air Sealing/Insulation

Solution Center Guides

Walls & Openings -
Air Sealing/Insulation