BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Window Sash Replacement

Guide describing how to replace a window sash in an existing home.

Window Sash Retrofit

Guide describing how to modify an existing window sash for high-efficient windows.

Window sash modification

Publication Date

Sat, 12/01/2012 - 12:00

Window sash retrofit example

Publication Date

Sat, 12/01/2012 - 12:00

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

Windows are sized and positioned so only one king stud is needed on each side of the window.

Framing is built around the window before exterior rigid foam is installed on the exterior walls around the window.

Frame preparation for replacement window sashes

Publication Date

Sat, 12/01/2012 - 12:00

Window sash replacement jamb liners

Publication Date

Sat, 12/01/2012 - 12:00

Traditional and advanced framing of windows and doors

Example jamb detail for a replacement window sash

Publication Date

Sat, 12/01/2012 - 12:00

Advanced Framing: Minimal Framing at Doors and Windows

Guide describing how to minimize framing around doors and windows to reduce heat losses and gains through structural framing.

Wrong - Window header is missing top plate.

Publication Date

Mon, 06/05/2023 - 12:00

Wrong - Area around window framing not air sealed

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

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Advanced framing details include minimal framing at windows and doors.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Window has additional non-structural king stud

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Window framing has appropriate number of king studs

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right - Double-stud wall are boxed with plywood around windows and doors

Headers over windows and doors are insulated rather than solid wood.

Air-sealing tape carefully seals the seams around the window framing.

Publication Date

Sun, 01/01/2017 - 12:00

Advanced framing details include insulated headers over windows and doors.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Do-It-Yourself Savings Project: Install Exterior Storm Windows With Low-E Coating

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2020

A website by the U.S. DOE highlighting the potential energy savings from upgrading energy inefficient windows with low-emissivity.

Right – Appropriate use of framing members to support double windows and additional cripples for drywall purposes

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Permanent options for keeping sun off windows to minimize solar heat gain include permanent overhangs and awnings, frames, and louvers.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:00

In areas prone to high winds and hurricanes, double vertical “jack trim” and horizontal “header” and “sill” studs are recommended on all sides of window and door openings.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:00

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

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

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

Conceptual stack framing drawing

DWG

PDF

Manufactured insulated header

DWG

PDF

Site-built insulated header

DWG

PDF

Mini truss header - section

DWG

PDF

Outset header with head plate

DWG

PDF

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Imagine Homes: Stillwater Ranch, San Antonio, TX

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

April, 2012

Case study describing a new home builder that strives to address health, safety, and durability issues in a hot and humid climate.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Insight Homes: Deep Creek, Seaford, Delaware

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

April, 2012

Case study describing a home builder that has refined its home designs to achieve HERS scores of 49 to 56 on 40 to 70 homes per year.

Building America Top Innovations 2013: Next Generation Advanced Framing

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs,

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

HIRL,

PHI,

PNNL

Publication Date

September, 2013

Case study describing a DOE Building America Top Innovation about advanced framing techniques for high-performance home construction.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Nelson Construction: Hamilton Way, Farmington, CT

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

April, 2012

Case study describing the design and testing of 10 high-performance homes in Farmington, Connecticut.

Builders Challenge High Performance Builder Spotlight: David Weekley Homes, Houston, Texas

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

December, 2009

Case study describing new home construction in the hot-humid climate, optimizing thermal enclosure, HVAC, water heating and lighting measures.

The 12-inch-thick double walls provide plenty of space for insulation.

Advanced framing showing open headers

Publication Date

Thu, 02/16/2012 - 12:00

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

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

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

Introduction to Heat Transfer

Publication Date

September, 2020

Author(s)

Dillon

Organization(s)

PNNL

This video provides an overview of heat transfer and discusses how heat transfer occurs in residential buildings.

Structural headers are not needed on nonbearing walls

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings

Organization(s)

CARB,

SWA

Publication Date

July, 2010

Brochure describing advanced framing techniques.

Right – Appropriate door framing installed

Organization(s)

FSEC,

BA-PIRC

Publication Date

March, 2014

Case study describing a new home construction project in Florida.

Install Top Plates or Blocking at the Top of Walls Adjoining Unconditioned Spaces

Guide describing how to correctly air-seal a wall with missing top plates or open wall cavities.