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Rigid foam forms an insulating bond break between the foundation wall and the slab

Rigid foam forms an insulating bond break between the foundation wall and the slab

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

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

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This assembly for above-grade and below-grade garage walls in any climate zone uses continuous rigid insulation along the interior of the wall.

This assembly for above-grade and below-grade garage walls in any climate zone uses continuous rigid insulation along the interior of the wall.

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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.

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.

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This wall assembly for above-grade garage walls uses cavity insulation and should only be used in IECC Climate Zones 4 or lower due to the risk of condensation on the interior surface of the concrete wall.

This wall assembly for above-grade garage walls uses cavity insulation and should only be used in IECC Climate Zones 4 or lower due to the risk of condensation on the interior surface of the concrete wall.

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Unfaced fiberglass batt insulation is installed to completely fill the wall cavities and is sliced to fit around wiring, piping, and other obstructions in the wall cavities

Unfaced fiberglass batt insulation is installed to completely fill the wall cavities and is sliced to fit around wiring, piping, and other obstructions in the wall cavities

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Advanced framing details include framing aligned to allow for insulation at interior-exterior wall intersections.

Advanced framing details include framing aligned to allow for insulation at interior-exterior wall intersections.

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Ceiling, wall, floor, and slab insulation levels shall meet or exceed Builders Challenge levels

Ceiling, wall, floor, and slab insulation levels shall meet or exceed Builders Challenge levels

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All ceiling, wall, floor, and slab insulation shall achieve RESNET-defined Grade I installation

All ceiling, wall, floor, and slab insulation shall achieve RESNET-defined Grade I installation

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ICFs provide continuous wall insulation from the roof to the footing with very little thermal bridging

ICFs provide continuous wall insulation from the roof to the footing with very little thermal bridging

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Right – Rigid air barrier installed between double-wall assembly. Inside cavity will be insulated

Right – Rigid air barrier installed between double-wall assembly. Inside cavity will be insulated

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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.

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.

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

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

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Right – Full length 2x6 nailer has been installed to allow space for insulation at wall intersection

Right – Full length 2x6 nailer has been installed to allow space for insulation at wall intersection

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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

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

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Design the roof with raised heel trusses to allow full insulation over the top plates of the exterior walls.

Design the roof with raised heel trusses to allow full insulation over the top plates of the exterior walls.

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

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

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In cathedral ceilings, parallel chord trusses allow thicker insulation levels over the exterior wall top plates.

In cathedral ceilings, parallel chord trusses allow thicker insulation levels over the exterior wall top plates.

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Standard roof trusses are narrow at the eaves, preventing full insulation coverage over the top plate of the exterior walls

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

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

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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.

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.

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Air-seal and insulate the rim and band joists of walls separating an attached garage from the home’s conditioned space.

Air-seal and insulate the rim and band joists of walls separating an attached garage from the home’s conditioned space.

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Heated or partially heated garages with podium decks should be thermally isolated from both ambient exterior space and interior conditioned space by insulating the interior of the garage walls and ceiling and extending the insulation below grade.

Heated or partially heated garages with podium decks should be thermally isolated from both ambient exterior space and interior conditioned space by insulating the interior of the garage walls and ceiling and extending the insulation below grade.

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For slabs on grade in CZ 4 and higher, 100% of slab edge insulated to ≥ R-5 at the depth specified by the 2009 IECC and aligned with thermal boundary of the walls

For slabs on grade in CZ 4 and higher, 100% of slab edge insulated to ≥ R-5 at the depth specified by the 2009 IECC and aligned with thermal boundary of the walls

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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

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

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Assembly can be used in IECC CZ 3 and above to thermally isolate garages in multifamily row houses with slab foundations. For unheated garages, it is unnecessary to insulate wall between garage and exterior of slab or slab underneath garage.

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ETW: Wall - ICF Wall Construction

Reference

Information sheet that summarizes Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction including advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.

Manufactured insulated header

Manufactured insulated header

CAD File

Slab Edge Insulation

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate slabs on grade in climate zones 3 and higher.

Staircase Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to create a fully aligned air barrier behind a staircase.

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