BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Air sealing at double walls

Air sealing at double walls

CAD File

Air Sealing Multifamily Party Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to air-seal common walls between dwelling units in multifamily housing.

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

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

Image

Air Sealing Duct and Flue Shafts

Guide

Guide describing how to air-seal duct and flue shafts.

Wrong – Top plate not air sealed

Wrong – Top plate not air sealed

Image

Wrong – Top plate not air sealed

Wrong – Top plate not air sealed

Image

Air Sealing Modular Home Marriage Joints

Guide

Guide describing how to air-seal modular home marriage joints.

Conceptual air sealing strategy - upper wall section

CAD File

Air sealing at common wall between dwelling units

Air sealing at common wall between dwelling units

CAD File

Wrong - Area around window framing not air sealed

Wrong - Area around window framing not air sealed

Image

Air seal the common wall between units in a multifamily structure to minimize air leakage.

Air seal the common wall between units in a multifamily structure to minimize air leakage.

Image

Wrong – This seam along a common wall is not air sealed.

Wrong – This seam along a common wall is not air sealed.

Image

Right – This seam along a common wall is air sealed.

Right – This seam along a common wall is air sealed.

Image

Wrong - Cantilevered joist bay cavities are not air sealed with a solid air barrier, allowing outside air to flow between floors.

Wrong - Cantilevered joist bay cavities are not air sealed with a solid air barrier, allowing outside air to flow between floors.

Image

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

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

Image

Cover the roll of fiberglass batt with spray foam to air seal it in place

Image

Right – Blocking installed and air sealed instead of continuous top plate

Right – Blocking installed and air sealed instead of continuous top plate

Image

Wrong - Cantilevered floor joist bay cavities are not air sealed with a solid air barrier aligned with the exterior wall.

Wrong - Cantilevered floor joist bay cavities are not air sealed with a solid air barrier aligned with the exterior wall.

Image

Wrong - Hole in rim joist was cut too large for plumbing pipe and the gaps are not air sealed.

Wrong - Hole in rim joist was cut too large for plumbing pipe and the gaps are not air sealed.

Image

Wrong – No air barrier installed between the walls and a larger gap between the walls that needs sealing

Wrong – No air barrier installed between the walls and a larger gap between the walls that needs sealing

Image

Right - Blocking has been installed between the ceiling joists and air sealed in place with canned spray foam to stop air flow beneath the attic knee wall.

Right - Blocking has been installed between the ceiling joists and air sealed in place with canned spray foam to stop air flow beneath the attic knee wall.

Image

Wrong - Holes in rim joists were cut too large for plumbing pipes and gaps should be air sealed.

Wrong - Holes in rim joists were cut too large for plumbing pipes and gaps should be air sealed.

Image

Air seal and insulate double-walls that are half-height or full-height walls used as architectural features in homes.

Air seal and insulate double-walls that are half-height or full-height walls used as architectural features in homes.

Image

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

Image

A large bead of caulk is installed on the interior surface of the wall top and bottom plates to provide an air sealing gasket between the framing and the dry wall.

A large bead of caulk is installed on the interior surface of the wall top and bottom plates to provide an air sealing gasket between the framing and the dry wall.

Image

A foam gasket is installed along the top plates before installing drywall as an air-sealing step to help achieve a quieter, draft-free home.

Image

Before installing drywall, contractors install two beads of a sprayer-applied elastomeric sealant along framing and top plates to forma a flexible, air-tight seal between the framing and dry wall.

Before installing drywall, contractors install two beads of a sprayer-applied elastomeric sealant along framing and top plates to forma a flexible, air-tight seal between the framing and dry wall.

Image

A floor cavity between the first and second floor can provide a conditioned space for HVAC ducts if the rim joists are insulated and air sealed, if sufficient space is available, and if open-web floor joists are used

A floor cavity between the first and second floor can provide a conditioned space for HVAC ducts if the rim joists are insulated and air sealed, if sufficient space is available, and if open-web floor joists are used

Image

Seams in framing are sealed with caulk.

Seams in framing are sealed with caulk.

Image

Right – Flex duct register is mastic sealed to framing

Right – Flex duct register is mastic sealed to framing

Image