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 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.

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

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 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 insulation techniques for skylight shaft walls.

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.

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.

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.