BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Foundation wall exterior board insulation with above-grade wall insulation

Baffles will keep insulation out of the soffit vents and wind out of the insulation in this vented attic.

Publication Date

Sun, 01/01/2017 - 12:00

Insulated header made of two pieces of plywood that sandwich a layer of rigid foam insulation

Publication Date

Sat, 01/01/2011 - 12:00

Insulation Below Attic Platforms

Guide describing how to install insulation below attic platforms

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.

Advanced Framing: Insulated Corners

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

Insulated header made of one piece of plywood aligned with exterior wall, with room for insulation to inside

Publication Date

Mon, 02/01/2010 - 12:00

Double Walls for More Insulation

Guide describing construction and insulation techniques for double wall framing.

This hot climate zone home uses high quality batt insulation to insulate truss-joist headers.

Publication Date

Thu, 01/01/2015 - 12:00

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.

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

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

Double-stud wall with cellulose insulation

Publication Date

Sun, 03/01/2009 - 12:00

This hot climate zone home uses high quality batt insulation between studs to insulate this connecting garage wall.

Publication Date

Thu, 01/01/2015 - 12:00

Interior intersecting wall with 2 studs and rigid insulation

DWG

PDF

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

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.

Wrong - Insulation does not fill double wall cavity

Right – Rigid foam insulation is installed in the window header.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Advanced Framing: Insulated Interior/Exterior Wall Intersections

Guide describing how to frame and insulate exterior-to-interior wall intersections to reduce heat losses and gains though structural framing.

Insulating and Air Sealing Existing Floors above Unconditioned Spaces

Guide describing how to insulate a floor over unconditioned space with conditioned space above by adding insulation and air-sealing.

Builders Guide to Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) for all Climates

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2015

A book about structurally insulated panels.

Stud Walls With Continuous Exterior Insulation for Factory Built Housing

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

January, 2014

Case study describing a panelized construction method for stud walls with continuous rigid foam insulation.

Instead of solid timber headers over windows, the headers can be insulated by using a sheet of plywood or one piece of solid timer on the exterior with a layer of insulation to the inside.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/01/2011 - 12:00

Key elements of a wall system clad with insulated vinyl siding

Right – Ladder blocking allows for insulation behind the wall intersection

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Strips of SIP panels are used to sheath and insulate the rim joists.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

This 2x6 wall is advanced framed and filled with dense-packed cellulose insulation.

Spray Foam Insulation Applied over the Siding of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to install spray foam on the exterior of the existing home after framing over the existing siding.

Advanced framing details include insulated headers over windows and doors.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Verify two member headers with rigid insulation between are installed

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Verify single member headers with insulation on one side are installed

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Advanced framing details throughout house including insulated and open headers

Publication Date

Thu, 02/16/2012 - 12:00

The improved three-stud corner allows insulation to be installed later, in sequence

Reference

Building America Best Practices Series - 40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Cold and Very Cold Climates, Volume 12

Author(s)

Baechler Michael C,

Gilbride Theresa L,

Hefty Marye G,

Cole Pam C,

Love Pat M

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Guide describing measures that builders in the cold and very cold climates can take to build homes that have whole-house energy savings of 40% over the Building America benchmark with no added overall costs for consumers.

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Instead of solid timber headers over windows, insulated headers can be used consisting of prefabricated structural insulated panels or site-fabricated with two sheets of plywood sandwiching a layer of rigid foam.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/01/2011 - 12:00

Existing stud wall filled with open cell spray foam cavity insulation

Windows are installed in new framing in preparation for adding exterior spray foam insulation

Existing stud wall filled with closed-cell spray foam cavity insulation

Closed-cell spray foam insulation is added to the wall cavities of an existing exterior wall

Right – Ladder blocking allows the exterior wall to be insulated where intersected by an interior wall.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Single framed wall converted to double wall and insulated with closed-cell spray foam

Right - Raised-heel roof trusses allow more room at the eaves for attic insulation.

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

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Conventional three-stud corners leave a cavity that must be insulated by the framers—not good

Reference

Building America Best Practices Series - 40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Cold and Very Cold Climates, Volume 12

Author(s)

Baechler Michael C,

Gilbride Theresa L,

Hefty Marye G,

Cole Pam C,

Love Pat M

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Guide describing measures that builders in the cold and very cold climates can take to build homes that have whole-house energy savings of 40% over the Building America benchmark with no added overall costs for consumers.

Publication Date

Tue, 04/17/2012 - 12:00

Impact Resistance of Advanced Framed Wall Systems with Insulating Sheathing as the Primary Sheathing, RR-0603

Author(s)

Baker Peter,

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

May, 2009

Research study describing the impact resistance performance of advanced framed wall systems with insulating sheathing as the primary sheathing from wind blown debris.

Insulated headers can be hung with metal hangers instead of jack studs to reduce lumber usage

Wrong - Insulation beneath window is compressed and there are more support studs than necessary to left of window.

Publication Date

Tue, 02/19/2019 - 12:00

The missing top plate in a kneewall was covered with lumber and rigid foam insulation and then sealed with spray foam

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

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Technology Solutions Case Study: Retrofit Measures for Embedded Wood Members in Insulated Mass Masonry Walls

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

October, 2015

Case study describing retrofit measures for embedded wood members in insulated mass masonry walls.

Right - Closed-cell spray foam insulation fills the wall cavities of the exterior walls in this home retrofit

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

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Example of the advanced framing technique, double-stud wall cavity, which will later be filled with blown insulation

Publication Date

Thu, 01/01/2015 - 12:00

Right - Spray foam fills the walls and rim joists to air seal and insulate while caulk seals the framing joints.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Insulating sheathing is extended up to the roof rafters and sealed around the framing with spray foam as part of this exterior wall retrofit

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

Ladder blocking where exterior walls intersect interior walls provides more space for insulation and reduces thermal bridging.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/01/2011 - 12:00

Construct a double wall consisting of two framed walls forming a wide wall cavity for more insulation in the home’s exterior walls.

Right – This three studs in this corner are positioned to allow insulation against more of the exterior wall than standard three-stud corners.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

The rim joists and top plates are air sealed and insulated with open-cell spray foam while the walls are filled with blown fiberglass.

The attic is sealed and insulated along the underside of the roof deck with 5.5 inches of polyurethane spray foam, providing conditioned space for the HVAC system.

Ledger board, metal brackets, and vertical 2x4s have been installed in preparation for exterior spray foam in this retrofit exterior wall insulation technique

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

On top of the ice-and-water shield, the builder installed horizontal beams that were raised 6 inches off the deck to allow room for spray foam insulation.

Installing ladder blocking at interior-exterior wall intersections rather than three solid studs in the exterior wall as the supporting surface allows room for insulation in the exterior wall.

Right- This concrete block home in the hot-humid climate is insulated on the interior with rigid EPS foam; all framing uses mold- and termite-resistant borate-treated lumber.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 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

Ladder blocking where interior and exterior walls intersect uses less wood and provides more room for insulation than stacking studs in the exterior wall to nail the interior wall to.

Advanced framing details include open headers and reduced framing around windows and two-stud corners to allow more room for insulation in the wall cavities while reducing lumber costs.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/01/2011 - 12:00

Brick veneer framed wall supported by a concrete slab-on-grade foundation with a turn-down footing insulated on its top surface, showing anchorage of the wall to the foundation for seismic resistance

Publication Date

Tue, 08/24/2021 - 12:00

This home’s double-wall structure consists of two 2x4 walls set two inches apart, then sheathed on the exterior and netted on the interior to create a 9.5-inch wall cavity that is filled with blown fiberglass insulation.

The main trunk line of the ducts runs within an insulated duct chase installed in a notch designed into the roof trusses that runs the length of the home to provide supply air directly to most of the home’s ceiling registers.

This Kalamazoo Habitat for Humanity affiliate installs one layer of foam exterior of the studs and a second layer in between the staggered studs which are set only 2 inches apart to simplify the installation of additional fiberglass batt insulation.

The energy-saving double wall construction uses two side-by-side stud walls, providing an extra-thick wall cavity that can be filled with more than twice as much insulation as a 2x6 wall.

Right – This home is framed with double walls – two 2x4 walls set next to each other then sheathed with OSB on the exterior and netted on the interior face to create an extra-deep wall cavity that can be filled with blown-in insulation.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00

Specially designed roof trusses come with a two-foot by two-foot notch cut next to the center post providing space to install an insulated duct chase inside the home’s conditioned space but above the normal ceiling height.

Right – This hot-humid climate home is constructed with concrete block that is insulated on the inside with rigid foam; the framing is borate-treated lumber; the roof design is a high-wind-resistant hip roof with only one small gable over the entry.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00

Advanced framing techniques including 2x6 walls spaced at 24 inches on center and ladder blocking at wall intersections allow more space for insulation in the wall cavities while open-web floor joists provide space between floors for ducting.

Publication Date

Mon, 01/01/2018 - 12:00

This Habitat for Humanity builder ordered roof trusses with a 2-foot by 2-foot notch next to the center post then lined the cutout with rigid foam to form an insulated central duct chase to bring the heating and cooling ducts within the conditioned space.

Vinyl Siding with Integrated Rigid Foam for Existing Walls

Guide describing the design and installation considerations for recladding of above grade walls using insulated vinyl siding.

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

Advanced Framing vs Traditional Framing

Publication Date

December, 2012

Author(s)

Risinger

Organization(s)

Build with Matt Risinger

Video describing traditional 2x4 16 inch on center framing versus advanced framing with 2x6 stud walls at 24 inch on center, insulated corners and headers, wall stud-ceiling joist alignment, etc. providing a strong wall with more room for insulation.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Stand-Off Furring in Deep Energy Retrofits

Author(s)

IBACOS

Organization(s)

IBACOS

Publication Date

May, 2014

Case study describing a stand-off furring strategy that minimizes the physical connections to each existing wall stud, uses spray foam to encapsulate existing siding materials (including lead paint), and creates a vented rain screen assembly to promote drying.