BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Cold Climate Building Techniques and Concepts: Cathedral Roofs

Video

Video describing roof and attic construction for cold climates, including cathedral roof design and insulation strategies, from Cold Climate Housing Research Center.

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

Reference

A book about structurally insulated panels.

Advanced Extended Plate and Beam Wall System in a Cold-Climate House

Reference

Report on the design and evaluation of extended plate and beam.

Advanced Extended Plate and Beam Wall System in a Cold-Climate House

Case Study

Case study describing a zero energy ready home (ZERH) that was recently completed featuring an innovative wall system. This highly insulated (high-R) light-frame wall system, called the extended plate and beam (EP&B), is for use above grade in residential buildings.

BSC Information - Common Advanced Framing Details for All Climates, Sheet 201

Reference

Brochure explaining the essential basis for advanced framing and some of the more common advanced framing details.

Use staggered 2x4 studs to minimize thermal bridging in hot climate zones.

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Advanced Extended Plate and Beam Wall System in a Cold-Climate House, Mount Joy Pennsylvania

Reference

Case study on the design and evaluation of extended plate and beam, located in Mount Joy Pennsylvania.

Use a truss joist header assembly as shown here to reduce thermal bridging in hot climate zones.

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

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Reduce thermal bridging in hot climate zones by using an intersecting exterior wall framing technique as shown here.

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The roof trusses and all other framing in this hot-humid climate home is treated with borate for mold and termite resistance.

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

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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.

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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.

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Analysis of Joint Masonry Moisture Content Monitoring

Reference

Report on adding insulation to load-bearing mass masonry buildings.

Building for Energy Efficiency - Part 2

Reference

Presentation about advanced framing techniques.

Double Walls for More Insulation

Guide

Guide describing construction and insulation techniques for double wall framing.

Cantilevers, Technical Bulletin F2

Reference

Information sheet containing images and descriptions of cantilevers.

No Headers in Nonbearing Walls - Code Notes, Article 125

Reference

Document providing supplemental information for code enforcement professionals about headers in nonbearing walls.

Guide to Insulating Sheathing

Reference

Guide providing information on using exterior foam insulating sheathing in building wall assemblies to enhance thermal performance.

Header Hangers in Bearing Walls, Code Notes Article 126

Reference

Document providing supplemental information for code enforcement professionals about header hangers in bearing walls.

Building Materials Property Table, Info-500

Reference

Document presenting some of the key technical properties of many of the most common building materials.

Measure Guideline: Deep Energy Enclosure Retrofit for Double-Stud Walls

Reference

Report on two approaches to retrofitting existing double-stud walls.

Building America Special Research Project - Deployment of Advanced Framing at the Community Scale, BA-1004

Reference

Report investigating implementation of advanced framing in both production and prototype built homes built in a variety of climate regions across the USA.

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

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

Reference

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

Use of Connectors and Brackets, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet 4.3

Reference

Technical fact sheet highlighting important building connections and illustrating the proper use of various types of connection hardware; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”