BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Crawl space interior insulation with EPS or XPS semi-permeable insulation on inside wall

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Air Sealed, Insulated Basements

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.

Crawl space with exterior insulation

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Exterior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

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

Vented crawl space with insulation in the ceiling

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Concrete crawlspace wall with exterior insulation.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Insulation for Existing Crawl Space Floors

Guide describing how to upgrade a crawlspace floor in an existing home by adding insulation.

Rigid foam insulation in vent areas

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Band joist insulation and air sealing

Interior details of an insulated closed crawlspace

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Right – Spray foam insulation was sprayed onto the ground and along the sides of the foundation walls and piers of this insulated crawl space.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Crawl Spaces: Exterior vs Interior Insulation

Publication Date

November, 2011

Organization(s)

Cold Climate Housing Research Center,

CCHRC

Video describing insulation adjacent to crawlspaces and the heat exchanges that result in cold areas like Alaska.

Concrete crawl space wall with interior insulation

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Concrete crawl space wall with exterior insulation

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Insulating a crawlspace foundation with “cripple wall” in warm climates; in Climate Zones 5+ replace the foil- or plastic-faced fiberglass batt/roll insulation with impermeable rigid insulation or closed-cell spray polyurethane foam

Spray Foam Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

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

Assembly Sequence for Concrete Crawl Space with Interior Insulation

Publication Date

January, 2013

Author(s)

University of Minnesota (1536

Organization(s)

ORNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

University of Minnesota

Video animation showing an assembly sequence for an unvented crawl space wall with interior insulation.

Hot Spot: Closed Crawlspace - Installing Wall Insulation

Publication Date

March, 2021

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Organization(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Video from Home Innovation Research Labs on installing different insulation types in a closed crawlspace foundation.

Rigid Foam Board Insulation for Existing Band Joists

Guide describing principles of insulating and air sealing band joists as a stand alone energy upgrade, or as part of creating a closed crawlspace.

Vented crawl space with concrete walls and insulated ceiling

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Concrete masonry crawl space wall with exterior insulation

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Rigid Foam Board Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Publication Date

September, 2015

Video describing how to properly insulate crawlspaces.

No Vapor Retarders on Interior Side of Air-Permeable Foundation Insulation

Vapor retarder plastic should not be installed over fibrous insulation on basement or crawlspace walls unless rigid foam or spray foam is installed directly against the concrete, behind the blanket insulation.

Assembly Sequence for Concrete Crawl Space Wall with Exterior Insulation

Publication Date

January, 2013

Author(s)

University of Minnesota

Organization(s)

ORNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

University of Minnesota

Video animation showing an assembly sequence for a concrete crawl space wall with exterior insulation.

Concrete crawl space wall with interior spray foam insulation

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Rigid Foam Board Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

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

Vented crawlspace foundation insulated at floor joist with rigid foam.

Publication Date

Mon, 03/01/2021 - 12:00

Moisture problems must be dealt with before sealing and insulating a crawlspace

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Vented crawlspace foundation insulated under floor joists with rigid foam.

Exterior XPS basement insulation is correctly installed to completely cover the foundation wall

Publication Date

Mon, 10/01/2012 - 12:00

This house with interior insulated crawlspace is protected from pests with termite shield at sill plate, borate-treated framing, flashing at end of wall insulation, and a termite inspection gap at the top of the rigid foam

Publication Date

Mon, 03/01/2021 - 12:00

Unvented crawl space with interior insulation - designed for termite resistance in heavily infested areas

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Rigid foam insulation and a thin slab were installed over the dirt and gravel of this sealed crawlspace

Right - Potential locations for crawlspace insulation: vapor sheeting should always cover the floor with insulation (a) outside walls, (b) inside walls, (c) both sides of walls, (d) sandwiched inside walls, or (e) under the first floor.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Capillary Break Beneath Slab - Polyethylene Sheeting or Rigid Insulation over Aggregate or Sand and Geotextile Mat

Guide describing how to install a capillary break under a slab foundation using either polyethylene sheeting or rigid insulation installed over aggregate or over sand and geotextile matting.

Unvented concrete masonry unit crawl space with exterior insulation - designed for termite resistance in moderately infested areas

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Because the above-grade potions of the wall lack exterior insulation, condensation and even ice form during cold winter conditions

Publication Date

Thu, 08/31/2017 - 12:00

A concrete slab-on-grade foundation with exterior insulation, which can be elevated above the local grade as a flood-prevention strategy.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Before sealing and insulating the crawlspace, the windows were sealed, the window wells backfilled, and sumps pumps were installed that discharged to the gutter downspouts

Publication Date

Tue, 09/14/2021 - 12:00

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

Water-proof materials cover the exterior side of crawlspace windows in a crawlspace retrofit, while foil-faced rigid foams seals and insulates the inside face of the openings

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

The floor of the sealed insulated crawlspace is covered with a heavy plastic vapor-barrier sheathing that is taped at all seams and around the foundation piers to prevent water vapor from moving into the crawlspace.

Publication Date

Thu, 08/17/2023 - 12:00

Closed-cell spray foam insulates the floor above a vented crawlspace; a protection board made of fiber cement is screwed in place under the floor joists to keep out pests

Publication Date

Sat, 01/15/2022 - 12:00

Right – Foil-faced insulation was added after the crawlspace was dried and sealed by diverting water runoff, sealing off crawlspace windows and vents, and adding sump pumps and exhaust fan ventilation

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Termite-Resistant Foundations and Walls

Guide describing techniques and measures for increasing the termite resistance of a home's foundations.

ICF bricks are stacked to form hollow walls that are reinforced with steel rebar before the concrete is poured in

Publication Date

Mon, 10/01/2012 - 12:00

Increase Seismic Resistance and Thermal Performance of Basement, Crawl Space, and Crawl Space with Cripple Wall Foundations

Guide describing different options for providing seismic and thermal resistance for homes with basement foundations, crawlspace foundations, or crawlspace foundations with a "cripple" wall.

Your Northern Home: Understanding Crawl Spaces

Publication Date

December, 2011

Author(s)

Benesch

Organization(s)

Cold Climate Housing Research Center,

CCHRC

Video describing crawlspace insulation configurations and problems that may arise in cold climates like Alaska.

Water Management of Existing Basement Floor

Guide describing how to retrofit an existing basement floor or slab to reduce moisture issues.

Water Management of Existing Crawlspace Floor

Guide providing information about treating bulk water drainage issues and moisture control measures in existing basements and crawl spaces.

Foundation Design Handbook

Author(s)

Carmody John,

Mosiman Garrett,

Handeen Daniel,

Huelman Patrick H,

Christian Jeffrey E

Organization(s)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

University of Minnesota

Publication Date

January, 2013

Handbook providing guidance on the design and construction of foundations for homes, including insulation, air sealing, and water management details for basements, crawlspaces, and slabs.

Innovation in Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)

Green Home Institute

Organization(s)

Green Home Institute

Publication Date

January, 2019

Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.

Innovation in Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)

Green Home Institute

Organization(s)

Green Home Institute

Publication Date

January, 2019

Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.

Flood-Resistant Crawlspace Foundations

Guide describing how to design or retrofit a crawlspace to reduce the risk of damage during a flood event.

Retrofit Existing Crawl Space Foundations with Cripple Walls to Increase Seismic Resistance and Thermal Performance

Guide describing different options for providing seismic and thermal resistance for homes with 'cripple' wall crawlspace foundations, which are known for their instability.

Damp-Proof Exterior Surface of Below-Grade Walls

Guide describing how to apply water management strategies to below grade walls.

Pest proofing of this unvented crawlspace includes a metal termite shield that extends out from sill plate, metal flashing wrapping bottom of exterior rigid foam, and a termite inspection gap above interior rigid foam.

Pest proofing of this unvented crawlspace includes a metal termite shield that extends out from the sill plate, metal flashing wrapping the bottom of exterior rigid foam, and a termite inspection gap above interior rigid foam.

Publication Date

Mon, 03/01/2021 - 12:00

There is no polyethylene sheeting installed in the crawlspace

Right – Polyethylene sheeting vapor barrier is installed and sealed to the crawlspace walls with mastic

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – The polyethylene sheeting vapor barrier is not attached to the piers with mechanical fasteners

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations Reduce Costs, Save Energy

Author(s)

Hooker Kenneth A

Organization(s)

Concrete Construction

Publication Date

December, 2014

Article describing frost-protected shallow foundations with construction drawing details.

Structural system components of a crawl space

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations 1

Author(s)

Holladay Martin

Organization(s)

Fine Homebuilding

Publication Date

November, 2010

Guides describing frost-protected shallow foundations as an alternative method for building an energy-efficient foundation for a house in a cold climate that uses less concrete and saves on labor.

Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)

Williams Randy

Organization(s)

Green Building Advisor,

GBA

Publication Date

July, 2022

Article describing what the building codes say about frost-protected shallow foundations as a cost-saving alternative to conventional concrete foundations.

Crawl space radon control techniques

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Crawl space drainage: crawl space below grade

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

The goal of foundation moisture management is to construct the basement, crawlspace, or slab in a way that keeps moisture from getting in in the first place

Publication Date

Thu, 03/01/2012 - 12:00

Crawl space drainage: crawl space below grade with dual drains

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Crawl space drainage: crawl space floor at or above grade

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Basic foundation types: deep basement, submerged crawl space, flush crawl space, and slab-on-grade

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Radon Fan

Guide describing how to install a radon mitigation fan with various types of house foundations.

Revised Builder’s Guide to Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,

Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing,

National Association of Home Builders

Organization(s)

HUD,

PATH,

NAHB Research Center

Publication Date

September, 2004

Report describing how to construct a frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF) as a practical alternative to a deeper, more-costly foundation in cold regions with seasonal ground freezing and the potential for frost heave.

Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2020

Report providing extensive guidance on controlling moisture in building envelopes through proper selection and installation on air, water, thermal, and vapor barriers.