BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Interior wall attached with top plate metal connector, drywall clips support drywall, plan view

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

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The advance-framed 2x6 24-inch on-center walls are covered with netting then filled with R-23 blown fiberglass.

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The double walls form a 12-inch cavity that was sheathed with a coated OSB then coated with 3 inches of closed-cell spray foam; they will be filled with 9 inches of blown fiberglass.

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The basement walls’ interior framing is set in 3 inches from the concrete to allow space for closed-cell foam that is sprayed directly on the concrete, then blown cellulose is added to fill the wall cavity.

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After spraying the 2x6 wall cavities with 2 inches (R-13) of closed-cell spray foam, the walls are covered with netting and an additional 3.5 inches of fiberglass (R-13) is blown in.

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Connector plate and drywall clips

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Wall Assembly | Madrona Passive House

Video

Video describing the wall assembly of a passive house.

The exterior walls of this home consist of two wall cavities: a 2x6 wall with plywood sheathing plus 8-inch I-joists sheathed with engineered wood; both cavities are dense-packed with cellulose for R-60 total.

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These factory-built walls consist of 9.5-inch I-studs sheathed with coated OSB, faced with OSB, and dense-packed with cellulose; a second interior surface of drywall is added to provide a 1.5-inch cavity for electrical wiring.

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Are the Walls Closing In?

Presentation

Webinar describing research on moisture performance in high-R walls.

Interior wall attached with top plate metal connector, drywall clips support drywall, side view

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Structural headers are not needed on nonbearing walls

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The OSB roof decking product comes with an adhered radiant foil barrier which helps to prevent heat transfer in or out of the vented attic, while R-13 unfaced fiberglass fills the advanced-framed 2x6 walls.

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A Thermally Broken Steel Connection

Reference

Article describing methods for thermally isolating a garage in a Passive House-certified multifamily building.

Utilities are commonly recessed into cutouts in the foam after concrete has been poured

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

Case Study

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

Case Study

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.

Loyal Heights Home Addition Video #002: Framing Details

Video

Video of a contractor explaining details of properly framing a home in Seattle, WA using proper Hammer & Hand practices.

Drywall was removed and the existing 2x4 walls were filled with 3.5 inches of dense-packed cellulose. Outside, the ½-inch plywood was topped with house wrap, 1.5 inches closed-cell rigid foam, 1x3 furring strips, and fiber cement siding.

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Attach the interior 2x4 wall to the exterior wall top plate with a flat metal connector plate

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Ladder framing detail side view

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High Performance Building Details - Advanced Framing II

Reference

Brochure describing advanced framing techniques.

This kneewall has no top plate and the resulting gap provides a wide-open pathway for air and vapor to travel between the living space and the attic

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Cantilevers, Technical Bulletin F2

Reference

Information sheet containing images and descriptions of cantilevers.

All About Larsen Trusses

Reference

Website article interviewing the inventor of the Larsen truss, a history of its use, and a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages.

Interior wall post support detail side view

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Thermal bridging is eliminated at the rim joist with the use of joist ledgers that are anchored in the wall

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A Bridge Too Far, BSI-005

Reference

Article describing thermal bridging, construction practices that encourage thermal bridging, and solutions.

Right – Verify SIP headers are installed

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