BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Water Managed Existing Sill Beams and Sill Plates

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.

Good water management practices like sloping grade away from house, and installing gutters, perimeter drain pipe, a capillary break, and free-draining soils or drainage mat protect the foundation from water saturation.

Publication Date

Thu, 03/01/2012 - 12:00

Managing Indoor Humidity and Ventilation in Cold Weather

Guide describing steps to take to minimize indoor humidity in preparation for cold winter weather.

Insulation for Existing Crawl Space Floors

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

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.

Excavationless: Exterior-Side Foundation Insulation for Existing Homes, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Author(s)

University of Minnesota

Organization(s)

UMN,

NorthernSTAR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2014

Case study describing novel technique for installing exterior spray foam on foundation walls that uses high-pressure water sprayer and a “hydro vac” to remove dirt along the foundation wall.

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.

Rigid Foam Insulation Installed over Existing Foundation Slabs

Guide describing how to insulate an existing slab floor by adding rigid foam insulation over the slab then installing a floating subfloor.

The existing slab is retrofitted with epoxy paint, rigid foam insulation, sleepers (furring strips), and subfloor.

Publication Date

Sun, 06/01/2008 - 12:00

Right - Retrofit of an existing basement slab by adding dimple plastic mat, rigid foam insulation, and a floating subfloor.

The existing slab is retrofitted by coating with epoxy paint, then installing rigid foam insulation and a floating subfloor.

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

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.

Right - The existing basement slab is retrofitted by installing a dimple plastic drainage mat, rigid foam insulation, and a floating subfloor.

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 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.

Capillarity - Small Sacrifices, BSI-011

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

May, 2014

Article describing correct ways to eliminate water damage by incorporating a sacrificial layer to foundation walls and footings.

Measure Guideline: Hybrid Foundation Insulation Retrofits

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W,

Ueno Kohta

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

May, 2012

Document providing information on basement insulation, air sealing and water management retrofits.

UMN NorthernSTAR: DOE Building America: Exterior Foundation Insulation

Publication Date

November, 2015

Author(s)

University of Minnesota,

NorthernSTAR

Organization(s)

UMN,

NSTAR

Video describing an “excavationless” retrofit technique developed by the University of Minnesota to install exterior insulation around the foundation of an existing home by using high-pressure water to cut a trench through the dirt along the edge of a concrete foundation, remove the mud with a...

Interior Foundation Insulation Upgrade - Madison Residence Madison, WI

Author(s)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Organization(s)

ORNL

Publication Date

October, 2013

Case study describing a basement retrofit of a 1916 home in Madison, Wisconsin that involved installing dimple drain mat and closed-cell spray foam on interior of basement wall and an interior footing drain to manage moisture before finishing an existing basement.

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.

Durable Interior Foundation Insulation Retrofits for Cold Climates, Cloquet Minnesota

Author(s)

University of Minnesota

Organization(s)

NorthernSTAR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

April, 2015

Case study describing foundation wall moisture studies at a research facility in Minnesota run by Building America team NorthernSTAR.

Upgrading Below Grade Spaces - Residential Energy Efficiency Stakeholder

Author(s)

Huelman Patrick H,

Breidenbach Sam,

Schirber Steve

Organization(s)

NorthernSTAR,

University of Minnesota,

UMN,

NSTAR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

March, 2012

Presentation describing the challenges of insulating an existing basement, presented to the Building America residential energy-efficiency stakeholder meeting.

Concrete Floor Problems, BSI-003

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

June, 2008

Information guide describing issues with concrete floors, in multiple climate zones.

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.

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

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

Publication Date

Mon, 10/01/2012 - 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

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

Capillary Break at Crawlspace Floors - Polyethylene Lapped Up Walls and Piers or Secured in the Ground

Guide describing how to create a capillary break at all crawlspace floors using polyethylene sheeting to manage moisture in crawlspaces.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: M Street Homes, Smartlux on Greenpark Houston, TX

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2014

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2014 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 45 without PV and 32 with PV and is the first home in the world to use a tri-generation system to supply electricity, heating, and cooling on site.

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.

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.