BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Wrong – Insulation is misaligned

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Advanced Framing: Insulated Headers

Guide describing how to insulate headers over doors and windows to reduce heat loss and heat gain through solid wood framing.

Insulating Existing Floor Overhang

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.

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.

Site-built insulated header

DWG

PDF

Continuous Rigid Insulation Sheathing

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

Advanced Framing: Insulated Corners

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

Double Walls for More Insulation

Guide describing construction and insulation techniques for double wall framing.

Batt Insulation for Existing Exterior Walls

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

Right – Insulation is properly installed

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Batt Insulation for Existing Vented Attics

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

Stucco Over Rigid Foam Insulation

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

3-stud corner with rigid insulation

DWG

PDF

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

Guide describing how to install insulated concrete forms to block excessive heat loss and gain though structural framing.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

This measure guides describes how to install structural insulated panels to block excessive heat loss and gain though structural framing.

Right – Framing allows corner to be insulated

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Framing allows corner to be insulated

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Insulation Installation (RESNET Grade 1) - Part 1

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to properly install the OPTIMA insulation system.

Blown Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

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

The attic kneewall and the open floor cavities under kneewall are both sealed and insulated in one step with spray foam insulation

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/2009 - 12:00

Interior intersecting wall with 2 studs and rigid insulation

DWG

PDF

Wrong – Insulation is misaligned with air barrier

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Insulation has compression and misalignment

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Exterior Walls

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.

Single framed wall converted to double wall and insulated with closed-cell spray foam and loose-fill fibrous insulation

Publication Date

Fri, 05/01/2015 - 12:00

Wrong – Framing does not allow corner to be insulated

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Framing does not allow corner to be insulated

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Framing does not allow corner to be insulated

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Excessive framing will not allow corner to be insulated

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Verify continuous rigid insulation is installed

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Construct exterior walls with structural insulated panels (SIPs) to provide an airtight wall with consistent insulation and very little thermal bridging.

Publication Date

Sat, 10/01/2011 - 12:00

Certified Insulated Siding: Quality, Comfort and Energy Performance

Author(s)

Dobson,

Brignati

Organization(s)

Vinyl Siding Institute,

Newport Ventures

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.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Spray Foam Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

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

Technology Solutions Case Study: Insulating Concrete Forms

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

October, 2012

Case study describing the incorporation of insulating concrete forms (ICFs) into new home design and construction.

Wrong--No insulation installed behind fireplace

Right – The rim joists above the pre-insulated basement walls are sealed and insulated with spray foam to prevent air leakage at this juncture in the building envelope.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00

Install insulation and an air barrier around skylight shafts.

Construct exterior walls with insulated concrete forms (ICFs) that provide insulation without thermal bridging, as well as air sealing, a drainage plane, and high structural strength.

Publication Date

Sat, 10/01/2011 - 12:00

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

Wrong – Conventional T-post detail is extremely difficult to insulate and usually doesn't happen

The wall behind the fireplace is an exterior wall and requires a thermal barrier that is continuous with the rest of the wall’s insulation

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

Siding has been removed so cellulose insulation can be dense-packed into the exterior walls of this home

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

Special molded corners provide continuous insulation layer at the corners to improve structural strength and minimize thermal bridging

Publication Date

Sun, 01/01/2012 - 12:00

Building America Existing Home Case Study: Insulated Siding Retrofit in a Cold Climate, New Paltz, New York

Author(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center

Organization(s)

BA-PIRC,

FSEC

Publication Date

April, 2015

Case study describing the application of insulated siding on an existing home.

Wrong – Insulation does not fill entire cavity nor is there an air barrier present between the double wall

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – This attic knee wall and the floor joist cavity openings beneath it are being sealed and insulated with spray foam.

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/2009 - 12:00

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

Publication Date

Mon, 10/01/2007 - 12:00

Advanced framing details include corners that are constructed with fewer studs or studs aligned so that insulation can be installed in the corner.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – The batt insulation on this knee wall is not properly supported and there is no air sealed rigid backing to provide a solid air barrier.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Air seal and insulate double-walls that are half-height or full-height walls used as architectural features in homes.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

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

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

Right-- IR photo shows how effectively spray foam insulated/air sealed attic kneewall and the floor cavities under kneewall

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/2009 - 12:00

Limited attic access may make it necessary to use a bore scope when inspecting for missing air barriers and insulation in existing buildings.

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/2009 - 12:00

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

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

Exterior fiberglass insulation on this new home was (incorrectly) cut to terminate below-grade after backfill, which will expose the above-grade portions of the foundation wall to cold temperatures

Publication Date

Mon, 10/01/2012 - 12:00

Right - New flashing has been installed to complete the air and water control layers at the window openings of this wall retrofit that includes insulating the wall cavities with spray foam