BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Single framed wall converted to double wall and insulated with closed-cell spray foam and loose-fill fibrous insulation

Image

Spray foam insulation is installed in open wall cavities to air seal and insulate

Image

Blown fiberglass insulation fills netted wall cavities

Image

Batt insulation should be cut to fit around wiring so that insulation can completely fill the wall cavity

Image

Spray Foam Insulation Applied over the Siding of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to install spray foam on the exterior of the existing home after framing over the existing siding.

Blown cellulose insulation completely fills the netted wall and ceiling cavities.

Image

Rigid foam forms an insulating bond break between the foundation wall and the slab

Image

Unfaced fiberglass batt insulation is installed to completely fill the wall cavities and is sliced to fit around wiring, piping, and other obstructions in the wall cavities

Image

Construction Guide - Next Generation High Performance Walls in Climate Zones 3-5 Part 2: 2x4 Walls with 1” to 1.5” Exterior Insulative Sheathing

Reference

The Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x4 wood frame studs, wood structural panel sheathing (WSP) as wall bracing and added backing for foam sheathing, a layer of rigid foam sheathing insulation up to 1.5 inches thick over the WSP, and a cladding system installed over the foam sheathing in low...

Ceiling, wall, floor, and slab insulation levels shall meet or exceed Builders Challenge levels

Image

All ceiling, wall, floor, and slab insulation shall achieve RESNET-defined Grade I installation

Image

Siding has been removed so cellulose insulation can be dense-packed into the exterior walls of this home

Image

Right – This attic knee wall and the floor joist cavity openings beneath it are being sealed and insulated with spray foam.

Image

Insulation Installation Achieves RESNET Grade 1

Guide

Guide describing RESNET Grade 1-level installation of insulation in walls, attics, and floors.

Insulation Installation (RESNET Grade 1) - Part 1

Video

Video describing how to properly install the OPTIMA insulation system.

The attic kneewall and the open floor cavities under kneewall are both sealed and insulated in one step with spray foam insulation

Image

Controlling Cold-Weather Condensation Using Insulation, BSD-163

Reference

Article describing research encouraging use of exterior insulation to warm interior sheathing surfaces in walls and roof assemblies to reduce the likelihood of condensation during cold weather

Expanded polystyrene insulation is installed with joints taped and lath attached in preparation for the application of stucco

Image

Building America Existing Home Case Study: Insulated Siding Retrofit in a Cold Climate, New Paltz, New York

Case Study

Case study describing the application of insulated siding on an existing home.

Limited attic access can make inspections for missing air barriers and insulation challenging

Image

Right-- IR photo shows how effectively spray foam insulated/air sealed attic kneewall and the floor cavities under kneewall

Image

Infrared thermography during depressurization testing reveals air leakage at corner of spray foam-insulated room where wood-to-wood seams in framing were not air sealed

Image

Technology Solutions Case Study: Stand-Off Furring in Deep Energy Retrofits

Case Study

Case study describing a stand-off furring strategy that minimizes the physical connections to each existing wall stud, uses spray foam to encapsulate existing siding materials (including lead paint), and creates a vented rain screen assembly to promote drying.