BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Webinar from Rebecca Stamm of Healthy Building Network and Roberto Valle of HomeFree describing policies surrounding environmental and human health impacts of insulation and air sealing materials. Free EEBA login required.

Exterior Edge Insulation for Existing Foundation Slabs

Guide describing how to install slab edge insulation when retrofitting existing slab-on-grade foundations.

Cladding Attachment Over Thick Exterior Insulated Sheathing

Author(s)

Baker Peter,

Eng P,

LePage Robert

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2014

Report on the stability of furring strips as a means for cladding attachment over walls with thick exterior rigid insulation.

Protect Your Family from Asbestos - Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation

Author(s)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Organization(s)

EPA

Publication Date

January, 2015

This page provides important information on how to protect yourself and your family if you suspect that you might have vermiculite insulation from Libby, Montana.

Right - A corrugated metal closure conceals the exterior rigid insulation at the slab edge

Right – The insulation has been located to the exterior of the thermal mass in this wall section

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

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

Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Blanket Thermal Insulation for Commercial and Industrial Applications, ASTM C553-13(2019)

Author(s)

American Society for Testing and Materials,

ASTM International

Organization(s)

ASTM

Publication Date

October, 2019

This standard specification covers the classification, composition, physical properties, and dimensions of mineral fiber (rock, slag, or glass) blanket intended for use as thermal insulation on surfaces at various temperature ranges. This version of the standard was published in the year 2019 and is...

Windows are installed as “outies” in this wall assembly using a self-adhered membrane water and air control layer with continuous exterior insulation

Publication Date

Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00

Stucco is installed over rigid insulation, which is installed over a drainage plane consisting of a drainage gap and building wrap layer over the sheathing

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

Author(s)

Kochkin Vladimir,

Wiehagen Joseph

Organization(s)

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

June, 2017

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...

Wrong: Closed-cell spray foam roof insulation was not thick enough to meet IRC levels so the foam surface is colder than the dew point of the interior air and condensation formed on surface of the foam

Publication Date

Sun, 12/01/2013 - 12:00

Vinyl Siding with Integrated Rigid Foam for Existing Walls

Guide describing the design and installation considerations for recladding of above grade walls using insulated vinyl siding.

ICF bricks are stacked to form hollow walls that are reinforced with steel rebar before the concrete is poured in

Publication Date

Mon, 10/01/2012 - 12:00

Passive House Wall Assembly Mock | Hammer & Hand

Publication Date

March, 2015

Video showing a mock wall assembly used in Hammer and Hand’s passive houses.

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

Author(s)

IBACOS

Organization(s)

IBACOS

Publication Date

May, 2014

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.

Builders Challenge High Performance Builder Spotlight: David Weekley Homes, Houston, Texas

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

December, 2009

Case study describing new home construction in the hot-humid climate, optimizing thermal enclosure, HVAC, water heating and lighting measures.

Home Performance Assessment

Information guide describing how to apply a whole-house approach to home improvement with energy efficiency upgrades, improved indoor air quality, and increased comfort.

How to Cut Your Heating & Electric Bill and Carbon Footprint to Zero, by Someone Who Has Done It

Author(s)

David Green

Organization(s)

Zero Carbon LLC,

EEBA

Publication Date

December, 2020

Webinar from Zero Carbon LLC explaining how to conserve energy and reduce a home's carbon footprint through use of the 'fab four' residential energy efficiency upgrades: heat pumps, insulation, triple-glazed windows, and solar panels.

How to Cut Your Heating & Electric Bill and Carbon Footprint to Zero, by Someone Who Has Done It

Author(s)

David Green

Organization(s)

Zero Carbon LLC,

EEBA

Publication Date

December, 2020

Webinar from David Green and EEBA explaning how to conserve energy and reduce a home's carbon footprint through use of the 'fab four' of heat pumps, insulation, triple-glazed windows, and solar panels. Free EEBA login required.

Moisture Control Guidance for Building Design, Construction and Maintenance

Author(s)

Environmental Protection Agency

Organization(s)

EPA

Publication Date

December, 2013

EPA guidance document providing information on moisture control in buildings.

CCHRC: Thermal Mass in Alaska

Publication Date

May, 2014

Author(s)

Craven

Organization(s)

Cold Climate Housing Research Center,

CCHRC

Video describing what thermal mass is and answering some frequently asked questions about how to utilize it in Alaska.

Right: All joints in the rigid foam are taped to keep stucco out of joints for even drying. Mesh tape (shown here) is used with expanded polystyrene (EPS); acrylic sheathing tape or self-adhered membrane is used with XPS

EIFS - Problems and Solutions, BSD-146

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

July, 2007

Report on problems and solutions with EIFS stucco wall cladding systems.

Spray foam on concrete foundation wall with framed interior wall

DWG

PDF

Building Materials Property Table, Info-500

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

April, 2015

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

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Conway Street Apartments - Greenfield, Massachusetts

Author(s)

Steven Winter Associates

Organization(s)

CARB,

SWA

Publication Date

December, 2014

Case study describing a deep energy retrofit, turning an old school into 12 high-end apartments in Greenfield, MA.

Conceptual air sealing strategy - lower wall section

DWG

PDF

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Tom Walsh & Co., New Columbia, Portland, OR

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

February, 2013

Case study describing a new construction building project of 20 homes that earned HERS scores that represent greater than 50% energy savings in heating and cooling over the 2004 IECC.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Schneider Homes, Inc., Village at Miller Creek, Burien, WA

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

February, 2013

Case study describing new home construction in the marine climate that achieved 50% savings over the 2004 IECC.