Scope
Air Sealing
Air seal the marriage joints between sections of a modular or manufactured home with gasket material or spray foam.
- Install a gasket along the entire seam of the exterior boundary where modules are attached together.
- When modules are in place, seal the edge of the gasket to the module.
See the Compliance Tab for related codes and standards requirements, and criteria to meet national programs such as DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home program, ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes, and Indoor airPLUS.
Description
In modular or manufactured homes that are delivered to the site in two (or three) sections, the joint where the sections of the structure are joined together is called a marriage joint. (It is sometimes also referred to as a marriage line or mating joint.) Marriage joints can be significant sources of air leakage. They should be properly gasketed and sealed to avoid leakage and maintain indoor air quality. Air leakage leads to heat loss in the winter and cooling losses in the summer.
Double-section modular homes are transported to the site as two separate sections. The marriage joints, beam joists, and walls are aligned and connected at the site. The roof, walls, and floor along the marriage line must be properly aligned, sealed, and supported.
Modular home manufacturers offer two options for delivery of manufactured homes to the home site: turn-key or rough set. With the “turn-key” option the manufacturer constructs the foundation, delivers the home, sets the home on the foundation, seals the marriage joints, and performs all finishing work. With the “rough-set” option, the home is delivered to the site by the manufacturer and placed on a foundation built by a third party (Steven Winter Associates 2001). The third-party contractor is responsible for ensuring the marriage joints are properly gasketed and air sealed.
How to Air Seal the Modular Home Marriage Joint
- Install a gasket along the entire seam of the marriage joint. If the manufacturer has already installed the gasket, ensure that each step below was performed.
- Install the gasket to the ceiling, walls, and floor prior to joining the sections together.
- Fold the gasket in half and fasten along the mating surface with nails or staples. Fasten at intervals of 6 inches on center (NFPA 2013).
2. After the sections have been put in place and attached, air seal the entire perimeter of the gasket to the section walls, floor, and ceiling. Use an appropriate sealant such as caulk, foam, or silicon.
Success
Marriage joints between portions of modular homes should be visually checked to ensure that a gasket is installed along the entire seam of the modules and the outside portion of the gasket is fully air sealed. An experienced technician can also check for air leaks with a smoke pencil or by feeling with the back of the hand. Air barrier effectiveness is measured at the whole-house level by blower door testing, which may help indicate whether marriage joints have been successfully sealed. To ensure indoor air quality and code compliance, air sealing strategies must be accompanied by whole-house ventilation systems and local mechanical exhaust.
Climate
No climate specific information applies.
Training
Compliance
Compliance
The Compliance tab contains both program and code information. Code language is excerpted and summarized below. For exact code language, refer to the applicable code, which may require purchase from the publisher. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.
ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes, Version 3/3.1 (Rev. 11)
National Rater Field Checklist
Thermal Enclosure System.
4. Air Sealing (Unless otherwise noted below, “sealed” indicates the use of caulk, foam, or equivalent material).
4.1 Ducts, flues, shafts, plumbing, piping, wiring, exhaust fans, & other penetrations to unconditioned space sealed, with blocking / flashing as needed.
4.8 In multifamily buildings, the gap between the common wall (e.g. the drywall shaft wall) and the structural framing between units sealed at all exterior boundaries.
Please see the ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes Implementation Timeline for the program version and revision currently applicable in your state.
DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (Revision 07)
Exhibit 1 Mandatory Requirements.
Exhibit 1, Item 1) Certified under the ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes Program or the ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction Program.
2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
The 2009 IECC does not specifically address sealing the marriage joints between modular home modules. Table 402.4.2 Air Barrier and Insulation Inspection Component Criteria, Walls: Corners, headers, narrow framing cavities, and rim joists are insulated.
2012, 2015, 2018, and 2021 IECC
The IECC does not specifically address sealing the marriage joints between modular home modules. Table R402.4.1.1 Air Barrier and Insulation Installation, Walls: Junction of foundation and wall sill plates, wall top plate and top of wall, sill plate and rim-band, and rim band and subfloor are sealed. Corners, headers, and rim joists making up the thermal envelope are insulated.
Retrofit: 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, and 2021 IECC
Section R101.4.3 (in 2009 and 2012). Additions, alterations, renovations, or repairs shall conform to the provisions of this code, without requiring the unaltered portions of the existing building to comply with this code. (See code for additional requirements and exceptions.)
Chapter 5 (in 2015, 2018, 2021). The provisions of this chapter shall control the alteration, repair, addition, and change of occupancy of existing buildings and structures.
2009 International Residential Code (IRC)
The IRC does not specifically address sealing the marriage joints between modular home modules. Table N1102.4.2 Air Barrier and Insulation Inspection, Walls: Corners, headers, narrow framing cavities, and rim joists are insulated.
2012, 2015, 2018, and 2021 IRC
The IRC does not specifically address sealing the marriage joints between modular home modules. Table N1102.4.1.1 Air Barrier and Insulation Installation, Walls: Junction of foundation and wall sill plates, wall top plate and top of wall, sill plate and rim-band, and rim band and subfloor are sealed. Corners, headers, and rim joists making up the thermal envelope are insulated.
Retrofit: 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, and 2021 IRC
Section R102.7.1 Additions, alterations, or repairs. Additions, alterations, renovations, or repairs shall conform to the provisions of this code, without requiring the unaltered portions of the existing building to comply with the requirements of this code, unless otherwise stated. (See code for additional requirements and exceptions.)
Appendix J regulates the repair, renovation, alteration, and reconstruction of existing buildings and is intended to encourage their continued safe use.
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More Info.
Access to some references may require purchase from the publisher. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.
The following authors and organizations contributed to the content in this Guide.
Sales
Tight Air Sealed Home = Comprehensive Draft Protection
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Sales Message
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