Guides A-Z

Guide describing how to insulate a basement to improve the overall thermal performance of the building and provide more dry, usable conditioned space for home occupants and HVAC equipment.

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

Guide describing how to air-seal bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans.

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

Guide describing how to air-seal duct and flue shafts.

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

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

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

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

Guide describing how to increase insulation in existing homes by installing batt insulation on the ceiling plane of a vented attic.

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

Guide describing how to create a capillary break at all crawlspace floors using polyethylene sheeting to manage moisture in crawlspaces.

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

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

Guide describing how to provide a strong continuous load path from the roof through the wall to the foundation to ensure a structurally sound building and increase racking resistance in hurricanes, high winds, tornados, and earthquakes.

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

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).

Guide describing how to insulate and air-seal dropped ceilings and soffits to prevent air leakage.

Guide describing method for installing ducts in a duct chase above a dropped ceiling.

Guide describing how to insulate a new foundation wall or an existing foundation wall by adding rigid insulation to the exterior side.

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

Guide describing how to install and properly integrate flashing at the intersection of the wall and roof on an existing home.

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.

Guide describing the air-sealing of rim joists on walls connecting homes and attached garages.

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

Guide describing how to upgrade a wall with a floor overhang (or cantilever) on an existing home by adding insulation (rigid insulating sheathing and/or closed-cell spray foam) and air-sealing.

Guide describing how to insulate closed crawlspace walls and band joist areas with rigid foam board insulation.

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.

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.

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

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

Guide describing insulation techniques for skylight shaft walls.

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

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

Guide describing how to insulate an existing foundation wall by adding spray foam insulation to the interior side of the wall.

Guide describing how to install step and kick-out flashing on roofs.

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

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

Guide describing how to construct the walls of a home with bracing to resist wind and earthquake loads.

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

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

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

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.

Guide describing how to install flashings to help direct water down and out of windows and doors openings in exterior walls.