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The builder staggers 2x4 studs on 2x6 top and bottom plates which provides gaps to fill in insulation around the framing for a continuous blanket of insulation.

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A pumper is used to place the concrete into the foam form walls

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

Reference

A book about structurally insulated panels.

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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Interior wall post support detail plan view

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Advanced framing details throughout house including insulated and open headers

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Interior wall post support detail side view

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

Guide

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

Inset band joist at mudsill - 1 1/2 inch rigid insulation

CAD File

Right – Gap in framing will allow corner to be filled with insulation

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Conceptual air sealing strategy - upper wall section

CAD File

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

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Air sealing at common wall between dwelling units

CAD File

Advanced framing details include insulated headers over windows and doors.

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

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

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When condensation forms on the interior side of wall sheathing and is not able to dry out, it can lead to mold growth and rotting of wall sheathing and framing

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Equivalency of SIP Walls to Light Frame Wood Construction Subjected to Seismic Loading

Reference

Article in the SIPA Technical Bulletin (No. 11) comparing the earthquake resistance of light-frame wood shear wall construction to residential construction with structural insulated panels (SIPS).

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

Reference

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

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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Extended Plate and Beam Wall System: Concept Investigation and Initial Evaluation

Reference

Report on high-R wall design called extended plate and beam that uses foam sheathing insulation with wall framing.

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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Right – Open-cell spray foam fills the cavity in this these double-stud walls

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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.

The builder staggers 2x4 studs on 2x6 top and bottom plates which provides gaps to fill in insulation around the framing for a continuous blanket of insulation.

A pumper is used to place the concrete into the foam form walls

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

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.

Interior wall post support detail plan view

Advanced framing details throughout house including insulated and open headers

Interior wall post support detail side view

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

Inset band joist at mudsill - 1 1/2 inch rigid insulation

Right – Gap in framing will allow corner to be filled with insulation

Conceptual air sealing strategy - upper wall section

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

Air sealing at common wall between dwelling units

Advanced framing details include insulated headers over windows and doors.

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

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

When condensation forms on the interior side of wall sheathing and is not able to dry out, it can lead to mold growth and rotting of wall sheathing and framing

Equivalency of SIP Walls to Light Frame Wood Construction Subjected to Seismic Loading

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

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.

Extended Plate and Beam Wall System: Concept Investigation and Initial Evaluation

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.

Right – Open-cell spray foam fills the cavity in this these double-stud walls

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

Wrong – The vinyl siding at this gable was installed over plastic foam insulation

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

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

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

Advanced framing details throughout house limit use of lumber and makes space for bonus insulation.

Lateral Bracing in Gable End Walls