Scope
Ensure that a continuous air barrier exists around the entire thermal envelope of the home and that the air barrier is in full contact with the insulation.
- Identify on house plans what materials will constitute the air barrier in all components of the home’s thermal envelope including the walls, floors, and ceiling.
- Install the continuous air barrier which could consist of one or a combination of any of the following air barrier materials:
- rigid materials like foam board insulation, drywall, plywood, or OSB
- flexible materials like house wrap, with all seams and edges sealed and with the house wrap supported using approved fasteners (don't use kraft paper or other materials that tear easily)
- fluid-applied membranes like liquid membranes, which are applied with a paint brush, roller, or sprayer over the sheathing
- spray foam – if used as the air barrier it should be at least 5.5 inches thick if open-cell or at least 1.5 inches thick if closed-cell spray foam insulation.
- Seal all seams, gaps, and holes in the air barrier.
- ENERGY STAR requires that an air barrier be installed at the exterior vertical surface of the wall insulation in all climate zones and also that an air barrier be installed at the interior vertical surface in Climate Zones 4-8. For ceilings, ENERGY STAR permits the air barrier to be at the interior or exterior horizontal surface in IECC Climate Zones 1-3 and at the interior horizontal surface in Climate Zones 4-8 (ENERGY STAR).
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
The walls, floors, and roof/ceiling compose the physical shell of the home, also called the building enclosure or building envelope. Within these assemblies are components that comprise the home’s thermal envelope (insulation) and air barrier (sometimes referred to as the thermal boundary and pressure boundary). The air barrier layer or layers prevent the unwanted entry of outside air and escape of inside air. Code requires, and best practice dictates, that the home’s thermal layer of insulation be fully aligned with (in full continuous contact with) the home's continuous air barrier (see 2009, 2012, and 2015 IRC). The home’s thermal barrier of insulation must also be continuous for best performance. It should be installed without misalignments, compressions, gaps, or voids. See the guide Insulation Installation Achieves RESNET Grade 1 for more installing insulation.
The air barrier can consist of any durable solid material that blocks air flow between conditioned space and unconditioned space, for example drywall, OSB, or rigid foam insulation can serve as an air barrier. While ENERGY STAR recommends rigid air barriers, flexible air barriers such as house wrap are acceptable if they are fully sealed at all seams and edges and supported using approved fasteners. For the air barrier to be continuous, any seams between sheets of material, or joints between one material and another, or holes must be sealed with a long-lasting air-sealing material. For example, seams in plywood or OSB can be caulked, seams in rigid foam can be sealed with compatible tapes, joints between drywall and framing can be sealed with caulk or spray foam, gaps around windows can be sealed with foam rods, spray foam, and self-adhesive flashing, holes around piping, wiring, or electrical boxes can be sealed with caulk, spray foam, or gaskets. Some exterior wall assemblies require additional air sealing details as described in the following guides: Walls behind Showers and Tubs, Staircase Walls, Walls behind Fireplaces, Attic Knee Walls, Skylight Shaft Walls, Walls Adjoining Porch Roof, Air Sealing Attached Garage, and Double Walls.
The air barrier may be installed on the interior side of the insulation, the exterior side of the insulation, or both, depending on the building component and the climate. For example, according to the ENERGY STAR Rater Field Checklist, in ceilings in IECC Climate Zones 1-3, the air barrier can be aligned with either the interior or exterior horizontal surface of the insulation but, in Climate Zones 4-8, it must be aligned with the interior horizontal surface of the ceilings (i.e., mudded, taped drywall). In walls, the air barrier (e.g., OSB or rigid foam sheathing) should be aligned with the exterior vertical surface of the insulation in all climate zones and also at the interior vertical surface of the wall insulation (the drywall) in Climate Zones 4-8. Regarding floors, the air barrier should be aligned with the exterior vertical surface of the insulation (at the rim joists) in all climate zones and if the floor is over unconditioned space, the subfloor must be aligned with the interior horizontal surface of the floor insulation (i.e., the insulation must be touching the subfloor above it, for example by installing batt insulation with metal staves or twine that will keep the batts up against the floor above).
While the thermal envelope (the insulation) is easy to see, it is sometimes difficult to determine what components comprise the air barrier, especially where one building component meets another, such as at rim joists. This is a problem because, to be effective, the air barrier must be continuous around the entire building envelope. This can be addressed at the design stage by making a copy of the plans and drawing or highlighting the components that will form the air barrier in each subassembly. See Figure 1.
How to Install a Continuous Air Barrier
- Determine the location of the air barrier in the ceilings, walls, and floors, and specify it on the house plans. According to ENERGY STAR requirements, the air barrier location is based on the home’s climate zone location:
* Ceilings - At interior or exterior horizontal surface of ceiling insulation in Climate Zones 1-3; at interior horizontal surface of ceiling insulation in Climate Zones 4-8.
* Walls - At exterior vertical surface of wall insulation in all climate zones; and also at interior vertical surface of wall insulation for Climate Zones 4-8.
* Floors - At exterior vertical surface of wall insulation in all climate zones; and, if over unconditioned space, also at interior horizontal surface with supports to ensure alignment. - Install the air barrier and ensure that is continuous across all components of the thermal envelope (see Figure 2 for an example of continuous air sealing). An air barrier is defined as any durable solid material that blocks air flow between conditioned space and unconditioned space, including necessary sealing to block excessive air flow at edges and seams and adequate support to resist positive and negative pressures without displacement or damage.
ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes recommends, but does not require, rigid air barriers. ENERGY STAR specifies that open-cell foam have a finished thickness ≥ 5.5 inches and closed-cell foam have a finished thickness ≥ 1.5 inches to qualify as an air barrier, unless the manufacturer indicates otherwise. If flexible air barriers such as house wrap are used, they should be fully sealed at all seams and edges and supported using fasteners with caps or heads ≥ 1 inch in diameter, unless otherwise indicated by the manufacturer. Flexible air barriers should not be made of kraft paper, paper-based products, or other materials that are easily torn. If polyethylene is used, its thickness should be ≥ 6 mil. ENERGY STAR highly recommends, but does not require, inclusion of an interior air barrier at band joists in Climate Zone 4 through 8. All insulated vertical surfaces are considered walls (e.g., above- and below-grade exterior walls and knee walls) and must meet the air barrier requirements for walls, with the exception of adiabatic walls in multifamily dwellings. All insulated ceiling surfaces, regardless of slope (e.g., cathedral ceilings, tray ceilings, conditioned attic roof decks, flat ceilings, sloped ceilings), must meet the requirements for ceilings. - Air seal all seams, gaps, and holes in the air barrier. For example:
* Use caulk and approved tape to seal seams in sheathing, subflooring, and drywall.
* Use caulk and spray foam to seal gaps around wiring, piping, etc.
* Cut pieces of rigid air blocking material like rigid foam or plywood and caulk in place to block larger air gaps.
* Use caulk or putty to seal around electrical boxes or install boxes with built-in rubber gaskets.
* Use sheet metal and fire-rated caulk to air seal around flues. - See the ENERGY STAR Rater Field Checklist, Thermal Enclosure System, 4. Air Sealing, for guides that provide specific air-sealing details.
How to Install a Continuous Thermal Barrier
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Install the insulation and ensure that it is in full alignment with (in contact with) a continuous air barrier at the walls, floors, and ceilings. Take care to make the air barrier continuous by caulking at joints between wall components such as at rim joists. Follow RESNET Grade I Insulation Installation Standards when installing the insulation. See the ENERGY STAR Rater Field Checklist, Thermal Enclosure System, 2. Fully-Aligned Air Barriers, for guides that provide specific insulation alignment details.
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Install insulation at levels that meet or exceed code. If pursuing ENERGY STAR certification, insulation levels should meet or exceed the 2009 IECC requirements (Table 402.1.1). If pursuing DOE Zero Energy Ready Home certification, insulation levels should meet or exceed 2012 IECC requirements (Table 402.1.1). See the Compliance tab for additional information.
Success
Verify with a visual inspection that a continuous air barrier exists to completely enclose the conditioned space of the house. Inspect that all seams, gaps, and holes in the air barrier are sealed with caulk, foam, or tape. Verify whole house air leakage with a blower door test. Visually inspect that all insulation levels meet or exceed 2009 IECC levels and achieve Grade I installation per RESNET standards.
Typical R-values for common insulation materials are summarized in this table, which also identifies the vapor retarder classification for each insulation.
Climate
The map in Figure 1 shows the climate zones for states that have adopted energy codes equivalent to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2009, 12, 15, and 18. The map in Figure 2 shows the climate zones for states that have adopted energy codes equivalent to the IECC 2021. Climate zone-specific requirements specified in the IECC are shown in the Compliance Tab of this guide.
Training
CAD
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.
2. Fully-Aligned Air Barriers.7 At each insulated location below, a complete air barrier is provided that is fully aligned as follows:
Walls: At exterior vertical surface of wall insulation in all climate zones; also at interior vertical surface of wall insulation in Climate Zones 4-8.9
Footnote 7) For purposes of this Checklist, an air barrier is defined as any durable solid material that blocks air flow between conditioned space and unconditioned space, including necessary sealing to block excessive air flow at edges and seams and adequate support to resist positive and negative pressures without displacement or damage. EPA recommends, but does not require, rigid air barriers. Open-cell or closed-cell foam shall have a finished thickness ≥ 5.5 in. or 1.5 in., respectively, to qualify as an air barrier unless the manufacturer indicates otherwise. If flexible air barriers such as house wrap are used, they shall be fully sealed at all seams and edges and supported using fasteners with caps or heads ≥ 1 in. diameter unless otherwise indicated by the manufacturer. Flexible air barriers shall not be made of kraft paper, paper-based products, or other materials that are easily torn. If polyethylene is used, its thickness shall be ≥ 6 mil.
Footnote 9) All insulated vertical surfaces are considered walls (e.g., above and below grade exterior walls, knee walls) and must meet the air barrier requirements for walls. The following exceptions apply: air barriers recommended, but not required, in adiabatic walls in multifamily dwellings; and, in Climate Zones 4 through 8, an air barrier at the interior vertical surface of insulation is recommended but not required in basement walls or crawlspace walls. For the purpose of these exceptions, a basement or crawlspace is a space for which ≥ 40% of the total gross wall area is below-grade.
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.
Exhibit 1, Item 6) Certified under EPA Indoor airPLUS.
Exhibit 2 DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Target Home.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home program allows builders to choose a prescriptive or performance path. The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home prescriptive path requires builders to meet or exceed the minimum HVAC efficiencies listed in Exhibit 2 of the National Program Requirements (Rev 07), as shown below. The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home performance path allows builders to select a custom combination of measures for each home that is equivalent in performance to the minimum HERS index of a modeled target home that meets the requirements of Exhibit 2 as well as the mandatory requirements of Zero Energy Ready Home Exhibit 1.
Exhibit 2, Insulation and Infiltration) Whole house leakage must be tested and meet the following infiltration limits:
- Zones 1-2: ≤ 3 ACH50;
- Zones 3-4: ≤ 2.5 ACH50;
- Zones 5-7: ≤ 2 ACH50;
- Zone 8: ≤ 1.5 ACH50;
- Attached dwellings: ≤ 3 ACH50.
Footnote 12) Building envelope assemblies, including exterior walls and unvented attic assemblies (where used), shall comply with the relevant vapor retarder provisions of the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC).
Footnote 23) Envelope leakage shall be determined by an approved verifier using a RESNET-approved testing protocol.
2009-2021 IECC and IRC Insulation Requirements Table
The minimum insulation requirements for ceilings, walls, floors, and foundations in new homes, as listed in the 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, and 2021 IECC and IRC, can be found in this table.
2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
Table R402.1.1 Insulation and Fenestration Requirements – meet or exceed the insulation levels listed in this table.
Table 402.4.2 Air Barrier and Insulation Inspection Component Criteria. Air barrier and thermal barrier: A continuous air barrier is installed in the building envelope. The exterior thermal envelope contains a continuous air barrier. Breaks or joints in the air barrier are sealed. Air-permeable insulation is not used as a sealing material.
Section R402.4.2 Air sealing and insulation is demonstrated by testing or visual inspection. Testing. The building should be tested for air leakage and should have an air leakage rate of ≤ 7 at rough-in.
Table R402.1.1 Insulation and Fenestration Requirements – meet or exceed the insulation levels listed in this table.
Table R402.4.1.1 Air Barrier and Insulation Installation, Table R402.4.1.1, Air barrier and thermal barrier: A continuous air barrier is installed in the building envelope. The exterior thermal envelope contains a continuous air barrier. Breaks or joints in the air barrier are sealed. Air permeable insulation is not used as a sealing material.
Section R402.4.1.2 Testing. The building should be tested for air leakage and should have an air leakage rate of ≤ 5 in CZ 1 and 2 or ≤ 3 in CZ 3-8.
Table R402.1.2 Insulation and Fenestration Requirements – meet or exceed the insulation levels listed in this table.
Table R402.4.1.1 Air Barrier and Insulation Installation, General requirements: A continuous air barrier is installed in the building envelope; breaks and joints in the air barrier are sealed. Air-permeable insulation is not used as an air-sealing material.
Section R402.4.1.2 Testing. The building should be tested for air leakage in accordance with ASTM E 779 or E 1827 (or RESNET/ICC 380 in 2018 IECC) and should have an air leakage rate of ≤ 5 in CZ 1 and 2 or ≤ 3 in CZ 3-8.
Table R402.1.2 Insulation and Fenestration Requirements – meet or exceed the insulation levels listed in this table.
Table R402.4.1.1 Air Barrier and Insulation Installation, General requirements: A continuous air barrier is installed in the building envelope; breaks and joints in the air barrier are sealed. Air-permeable insulation is not used as an air-sealing material.
Section R402.4.1.2 Testing. The building should be tested for air leakage in accordance with ASTM E 779 or E 1827 or RESNET/ICC 380 and should have an air leakage rate of ≤ 5 air changes per hour in all climate zones.
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, 2020). 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)
Table N1102.4.2 Air Barrier and Insulation Inspection Component Criteria. Table N1102.4.2, Air barrier and thermal barrier: A continuous air barrier is installed in the building envelope. The exterior thermal envelope contains a continuous air barrier. Breaks or joints in the air barrier are sealed. Air permeable insulation is not used as a sealing material.
N1102.4.1.1 Air Barrier and Insulation Installation, Table N1102.4.1.1, Air barrier and thermal barrier: A continuous air barrier is installed in the building envelope including rim joists and exposed edges of insulation. Breaks or joints in the air barrier are sealed. Air permeable insulation is not used as a sealing material.
Table N1102.4.1.1 Air Barrier and Insulation Installation. General requirements: A continuous air barrier is installed in the building envelope; breaks and joints in the air barrier are sealed. Air-permeable insulation is not used as an air-sealing material.
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.
American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) E1677-11
Standard Specification for Air Barrier (AB) Material or System for Low-Rise Framed Building Walls. This specification covers minimum performances and specification criteria for an air barrier material or system for framed, opaque walls of low-rise buildings. The provisions are intended to allow the user to design the wall performance criteria and increase air barrier specifications for a particular climate location, function, or design.
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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.
Building Science Corporation, lead for the Building Science Consortium (BSC), a DOE Building America Research Team
Sales
Fully Aligned Air Barriers = Whole-House Draft Barrier
A whole-house draft barrier is a continuous layer of air-tight materials that block air leaks. This barrier can be integrated with other materials to also function as a water barrier, thermal barrier, and vapor barrier. For example, rigid foam insulation can be used to block thermal flow as well as air flow when seams are sealed with tape, caulk, adhesives, or liquid-applied sealants. Some rigid foams have an integrated water control layer as well. Additionally, drywall can serve as an interior air barrier when the seams are taped and spackled, and caulk, spray foam, or gaskets are used to seal around wiring, plumbing, and other penetrations. It also serves as the vapor barrier when finished with paint. Insulation should be in full contact with the air barrier layer.
Sales Message
Whole-house draft barriers block air flow that can undermine the thermal protection with a complete high-performance insulation system. What this means to you is less wasted energy along with enhanced comfort, quiet, and durability. Wouldn’t you agree it would be a shame to only get a partial return on your investment in advanced insulation?