Showing results 1 - 221 of 221
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A structural spline made of a solid 2x is used where needed to meet structural load requirements at SIP panel seams
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A surface spline reduces thermal bridging much more than a structural spline at SIP panel seams
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Advanced framing details include corners that are constructed with fewer studs or studs aligned so that insulation can be installed in the corner.
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Advanced framing details include framing aligned to allow for insulation at interior-exterior wall intersections.
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Advanced framing details include using the minimum amount of wall studs permitted by code.
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Air barrier is continuous across several components of the lower section of wall
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Air seal and insulate double-walls that are half-height or full-height walls used as architectural features in homes.
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Air seal the common wall between units in a multifamily structure to minimize air leakage.
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Air-seal above-grade sill plates adjacent to conditioned space to minimize air leakage.
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Air-seal drywall to top plates at all attic/wall interfaces to minimize air leakage.
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An all-terrain forklift is used to move and stage the panels
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An insulated spline is another option for avoiding thermal bridging at SIP panel seams
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Closed-cell spray foam insulation is added to the wall cavities of an existing exterior wall
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Construct exterior walls with insulated concrete forms (ICFs) that provide insulation without thermal bridging, as well as air sealing, a drainage plane, and high structural strength.
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Construct exterior walls with structural insulated panels (SIPs) to provide an airtight wall with consistent insulation and very little thermal bridging.
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Draft stopping and air barrier at tub enclosure − plan view
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Expanded polystyrene insulation is installed with joints taped and lath attached in preparation for the application of stucco
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Exterior fiberglass insulation on this new home was (incorrectly) cut to terminate below-grade after backfill, which will expose the above-grade portions of the foundation wall to cold temperatures
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Exterior XPS basement insulation is correctly installed to completely cover the foundation wall
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Floor cavity air pressure is measured by placing a tube into the floor cavity through a small drilled hole
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Floor cavity pressure is measured by inserting a tube into the floor cavity using an extension pole
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Foil-faced rigid foam and spray foam can be used to insulate a basement on the interior; use good moisture management techniques to keep the basement dry
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Gaps at shared common walls can be a significant source of air leakage in multi-family buildings
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ICFs provide continuous wall insulation from the roof to the footing with very little thermal bridging
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Identify what materials will constitute the continuous air barrier around the building envelope.
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Infrared imaging shows cold conditioned air pouring out of the open floor cavities under this attic kneewall into the hot unconditioned attic
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Infrared thermography during depressurization testing reveals air leakage at corner of spray foam-insulated room where wood-to-wood seams in framing were not air sealed
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Install a foam gasket along top plates before installing drywall
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Install a housewrap drainage plane between the SIP panels and the exterior cladding
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Install a rigid air barrier to separate the porch attic from the conditioned space.
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Install continuous rigid foam insulation or insulated siding to help reduce thermal bridging through wood- or metal-framed exterior walls.
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Install wood framing cross pieces in the attic rafter bays on each side of the duct chase
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Install wood framing cross pieces in the attic rafter bays on each side of the duct chase
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Lay out the rigid foam sheathing joints so they do not align with the window and door edges
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Lifting plates attached to the wall provide good bracing to tighten up SIP panel seams
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Limited attic access can make inspections for missing air barriers and insulation challenging
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Limited attic access may make it necessary to use a bore scope when inspecting for missing air barriers and insulation in existing buildings.
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Make sure the beads of caulk are continuous the full length at each SIP panel seam, such as at the wall-roof seam, to maintain air barrier continuity
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Peel-and-stick panel tape provides added assurance that SIP panel seams will remain airtight
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Proper flashing around windows is especially important when the rigid foam serves as the drainage plane in the wall
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Right - A termite shield and a sill gasket are installed between the sill plate and the foundation on a raised slab foundation.
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Right - Furring strips were installed with blocking to allow adequate room for 4 inches of mineral wool.
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Right - Mineral Wool insulation is installed on the exterior of wall with furring strips.
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Right - New flashing has been installed to complete the air and water control layers at the window openings of this wall retrofit that includes insulating the wall cavities with spray foam
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Right – Air barrier and penetrations sealed between porch attic and conditioned space
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Right – Air barrier installed under staircase (picture taken from house looking into attached garage)
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Right – All insulated sheathing boards are installed according to the manufacturer’s recommended fastening schedule and taping specifications
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Right – Appropriate use of framing members to support double windows and additional cripples for drywall purposes
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Right – Full length 2x6 nailer has been installed to allow space for insulation at wall intersection
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Right – ICFs are being installed to create a continuous air and thermal boundary
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Right – ICFs are being installed to create a continuous air and thermal boundary
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Right – ICFs are being installed to create a continuous air and thermal boundary
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Right – Rigid air barrier installed between double-wall assembly. Inside cavity will be insulated
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Right – Spray foam was installed at the sheathing intersection as well as the sill plate to sub-floor connection.
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Right – Structural insulated sheathing can provide racking strength (lateral load resistance), and serve as an air barrier and thermal barrier if installed according to manufacturer’s specifications with taped, sealed seams
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Right – The rim joists above the pre-insulated basement walls are sealed and insulated with spray foam to prevent air leakage at this juncture in the building envelope.
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Right – The sill plate was sprayed with foam prior to installation atop foundation.
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Right – This attic knee wall and the floor joist cavity openings beneath it are being sealed and insulated with spray foam.
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Right-- IR photo shows how effectively spray foam insulated/air sealed attic kneewall and the floor cavities under kneewall
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Right: All joints in the rigid foam are taped to keep stucco out of joints for even drying. Mesh tape (shown here) is used with expanded polystyrene (EPS); acrylic sheathing tape or self-adhered membrane is used with XPS
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Rigid foam insulated sheathing placed exterior to house wrap, interior to house wrap, or take the place of the house wrap
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Scaffolding is continually raised as courses of foam brick are added so that the pour man can see both sides of the wall during the pour.
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Siding has been removed so cellulose insulation can be dense-packed into the exterior walls of this home
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Single framed wall converted to double wall and insulated with closed-cell spray foam
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Single framed wall converted to double wall and insulated with closed-cell spray foam and loose-fill fibrous insulation
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Single framed wall converted to double wall and insulated with open-cell spray foam
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SIP panel walls are less susceptible to air leakage and convection issues than stick-built walls
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SIP panels should be stacked high, dry, and flat
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Special molded corners provide continuous insulation layer at the corners to improve structural strength and minimize thermal bridging
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Spray foam provides a critical seal between the subfloor, rim joist, and sill plate
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Stucco is installed over rigid insulation, which is installed over a drainage plane consisting of a drainage gap and building wrap layer over the sheathing
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The attic kneewall and the open floor cavities under kneewall are both sealed and insulated in one step with spray foam insulation
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The back dam of the window sill will force water out
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The floor cavities under this attic kneewall are completely open to the unconditioned attic space and a prime target for wind washing
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The ICF consists of foam forms that are held in place with plastic or metal spacers and reinforced with metal rebar
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The wall behind the fireplace is an exterior wall and requires a thermal barrier that is continuous with the rest of the wall’s insulation
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Thermal bridging is eliminated at the rim joist with the use of joist ledgers that are anchored in the wall
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This foundation/floor/SIP wall detail shows recommended support of SIP wall panel at the sill plate
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This kneewall has no top plate and the resulting gap provides a wide-open pathway for air and vapor to travel between the living space and the attic
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This technique for installing electrical wiring avoids the need to cut into the SIP panel
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Three common ICF wall systems: the flat wall, the waffle wall, and the post-and-beam wall
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Two layers of high-permeability house wrap are installed to provide a drainage layer between the SIPS and the homes external cladding
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Two layers of XPS are installed with staggered seams over a liquid-applied membrane on the structural sheathing
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Use a smoke pencil to check for air leaks at SIP panel seams, especially along the ridge beam
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Use flashing tape to seal around any pipes or vents that penetrate through the foam
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Utilities are commonly recessed into cutouts in the foam after concrete has been poured
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Walls are being assembled at this SIP house
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Window and door rough openings in the ICF wall are surrounded with pressure-treated wood
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Wrong - Lack of a weather-resistant barrier allowed water to get behind the siding and rot the framing in this corner rim joist area.
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Wrong - Stucco has rotted and cracked above a window because of water damage due to lack of proper flashing and drainage.
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Wrong - The air barrier is not sealed (picture taken from garage looking into house).
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Wrong - The caulk is too far from the sill plate to effectively air-seal the gap.
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Wrong - This IR image of a second-floor landing shows that attic air is flowing far into the interstitial floor cavity of the second-floor landing
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Wrong - This IR image shows where hot attic air has penetrated into the floor cavity that lies behind the stairwell wall
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Wrong - Through-wall flashing has not been installed at brick wall intervals and house wrap is missing.
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Wrong - Vinyl siding in incorrectly installed under not over door trim and door trim channel pieces are missing.
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Wrong – A visible gap in the insulated sheathing introduces unwanted outside air, creating a thermal bypass and encouraging convective air flow
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Wrong – Conventional T-post detail is extremely difficult to insulate and usually doesn't happen
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Wrong – Either this tape was not pressed down firmly or the surface was wet or dirty so the tape is not sticking properly even during construction.
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Wrong – Foam was sprayed at exterior sheathing and sill plate connection, leaving gaps beneath sill plate.
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Wrong – If the insulated sheathing will serve as an air barrier and drainage plane, any cuts and seams must be taped or sealed.
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Wrong – Insulation does not fill entire cavity nor is there an air barrier present between the double wall
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Wrong – No air barrier installed between the walls and a larger gap between the walls that needs sealing
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Wrong – The backing on this knee wall was not air sealed prior to adding insulation.
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Wrong – The batt insulation on this knee wall is not properly supported and there is no air sealed rigid backing to provide a solid air barrier.
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Wrong – There is no foam gasket or air-sealing between the sill plate and masonry foundation.
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Wrong – This second-story floor plan has red lines that indicate openings from the attic into the interstitial floor space
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Wrong – When insulated sheathing is installed correctly, you should not see daylight. Nail holes were also left unplugged.
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