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Continuous Rigid Insulation Sheathing

Guide

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

Advanced Framing: Insulated Corners

Guide

Guide describing how to frame and insulate corners to reduce heat losses and gains though structural framing.

Stucco Over Rigid Foam Insulation

Guide

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

Certified Insulated Siding: Quality, Comfort and Energy Performance

Presentation

This presentation will help you define insulated siding, understand R-value testing of insulated siding, describe proper installation of insulated siding, comply with energy codes and understand building energy performance program and software recognition.

Install continuous rigid foam insulation or insulated siding to help reduce thermal bridging through wood- or metal-framed exterior walls.

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Right – Continuous rigid insulation has been installed

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Right – Rigid insulation is being installed with cap nails

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Insulated sheathing has been taped and sealed at seams

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Wrong – Insulated sheathing seams should align with framing members

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No insulated sheathing seams are visible from the inside during framing

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Wrong – Rigid insulation is being installed without cap nails

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Expanded polystyrene insulation is installed with joints taped and lath attached in preparation for the application of stucco

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Right – All insulated sheathing boards are installed according to the manufacturer’s recommended fastening schedule and taping specifications

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Wrong – If the insulated sheathing will serve as an air barrier and drainage plane, any cuts and seams must be taped or sealed.

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Rigid foam insulated sheathing placed exterior to house wrap, interior to house wrap, or take the place of the house wrap

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Wrong – A visible gap in the insulated sheathing introduces unwanted outside air, creating a thermal bypass and encouraging convective air flow

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Wrong – When insulated sheathing is installed correctly, you should not see daylight. Nail holes were also left unplugged.

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Stucco is installed over rigid insulation, which is installed over a drainage plane consisting of a drainage gap and building wrap layer over the sheathing

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Right – Structural insulated sheathing can provide racking strength (lateral load resistance), and serve as an air barrier and thermal barrier if installed according to manufacturer’s specifications with taped, sealed seams

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Lay out the rigid foam sheathing joints so they do not align with the window and door edges

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Proper flashing around windows is especially important when the rigid foam serves as the drainage plane in the wall

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With a quality installation, tape can last a long time

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Two layers of XPS are installed with staggered seams over a liquid-applied membrane on the structural sheathing

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Use flashing tape to seal around any pipes or vents that penetrate through the foam

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Wrong – Either this tape was not pressed down firmly or the surface was wet or dirty so the tape is not sticking properly even during construction.

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Mastic Home Exteriors Installation Guide

Reference

Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Preventing Thermal Bypass

Case Study

Case study describing techniques used to prevent thermal bypass in new homes.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Pine Mountain Builders, Pine Mountain, Georgia

Case Study

Case study describing a builder in Georgia that designs energy-efficient homes for a green community, yielding homes with HERS scores as lowas 59 and electric bills as low as $50 a month.

Right: All joints in the rigid foam are taped to keep stucco out of joints for even drying. Mesh tape (shown here) is used with expanded polystyrene (EPS); acrylic sheathing tape or self-adhered membrane is used with XPS

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Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

Reference

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