BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Water Managed Existing Sill Beams and Sill Plates

Guide describing how to insulate the sill beam or sill plate on the exterior side in a way that allows drying to the exterior, as part of an exterior wall upgrade.

Water Managed Roof – Re-roofing and Adding Insulation over a Flat Roof

Guide describing an approach to re-roofing an existing flat roof to improve thermal, water, and air control performance.

Water Managed Roof – Re-roofing and Adding Insulation Over a Sloped Roof

Guide describing how to re-roof an existing home with a sloped and add insulation above the roof deck.

Moisture Management for High R-Value Walls

Author(s)

LePage Robert,

Schumacher Christopher,

Lukachko Alex

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

November, 2013

Report explaining moisture-related concerns for high R-value wall assemblies and discusses past Building America research work that informs this study.

Flashing of Penetrations in Existing Roofs

Guide describing how to provide a continuous water control layer across the roof assembly by sealing all penetrations for pipes, vents, etc. in existing roofs.

Flashing of Roof-Wall Intersections in Existing Homes

Guide describing how to install and properly integrate flashing at the intersection of the wall and roof on an existing home.

Insulation for Existing Crawl Space Floors

Guide describing how to upgrade a crawlspace floor in an existing home by adding insulation.

Exterior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate a new foundation wall or an existing foundation wall by adding rigid insulation to the exterior side.

Spray Foam Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate an existing foundation wall by adding spray foam insulation to the interior side of the wall.

Rigid Foam Insulation Installed over Existing Foundation Slabs

Guide describing how to insulate an existing slab floor by adding rigid foam insulation over the slab then installing a floating subfloor.

Above Deck Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Roofs

Guide describing the installation of insulating sheathing above the roof deck on existing homes. This retrofit assembly is appropriate for homes with conditioned attics or where the retrofit is intended to create a conditioned attic.

Building America Case Study Technology Solutions for Existing Homes: Concord Four Square Retrofit

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2012

Case study describing a four-square Concord home retrofitted by Building Science Corporation in Massachusetts.

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Evaluation of a Multifamily Retrofit in Climate Zone 5, Boulder, Colorado

Author(s)

Steven Winter Associates

Organization(s)

CARB,

SWA

Publication Date

November, 2013

Case study describing a multifamily retrofit project in a cold climate.

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.

Spray Foam Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to insulate the walls of an existing home with spray foam insulation.

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: National Grid Deep Energy Retrofit Pilot Program - Clark Residence

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

March, 2010

Case study describing a retrofit project in the cold and very-cold climate zones.

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.

Rigid Foam Board Insulation for Existing Band Joists

Guide describing principles of insulating and air sealing band joists as a stand alone energy upgrade, or as part of creating a closed crawlspace.

Blown Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing blown insulation into exterior wall cavities of existing homes with minimal disruption to occupants.

Rigid Foam Board Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate closed crawlspace walls and band joist areas with rigid foam board insulation.

Capillarity - Small Sacrifices, BSI-011

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

May, 2014

Article describing correct ways to eliminate water damage by incorporating a sacrificial layer to foundation walls and footings.

Certified Insulated Siding: Quality, Comfort and Energy Performance

Author(s)

Dobson,

Brignati

Organization(s)

Vinyl Siding Institute,

Newport Ventures

This presentation will help you define insulated siding, understand R-value testing of insulated siding, describe proper installation of insulated siding, comply with energy codes and understand building energy performance program and software recognition.

Technology Fact Sheet: Weather-Resistive Barriers

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

October, 2000

Brochure with information about how to select and install house wrap and other weather-resistive barriers.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Moisture Durability of Vapor Permeable Insulating Sheathing

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

October, 2013

Case study describing research about using exterior, vapor permeable insulation of retrofit walls with vapor permeable cavity insulation.

Measure Guideline: Hybrid Foundation Insulation Retrofits

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W,

Ueno Kohta

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

May, 2012

Document providing information on basement insulation, air sealing and water management retrofits.

Technology Solutions Case Study: BA-1312: Application of Spray Foam Insulation Under Plywood and OSB Roof Sheathing

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

November, 2013

Case study describing research about spray foam roof insulation and moisture management.

Building America Top Innovations 2013: Exterior Rigid Insulation Best Practices

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

Home Innovation Research Labs,

Building Science Corporation,

University of Minnesota

Organization(s)

PNNL,

PHI,

HIRL,

BSC,

NorthernSTAR

Publication Date

September, 2013

Case study describing a 2013 DOE Building America Top Innovation for the installation of rigid foam insulation on the exterior of home roofs and walls as a thermal, air, and moisture barrier.

Basement Insulation, Info 511

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

May, 2009

Information sheet describing techniques for insulating basements.

How to Insulate a Basement Wall

Author(s)

Holladay Martin

Organization(s)

Green Building Advisor,

GBA

Publication Date

June, 2012

Blog entry describing methods for insulating basement walls on the interior or exterior.

Mass Save Deep Energy Retrofit Builder Guide, GM-1302

Author(s)

Neuhauser Ken,

Gates Cathy,

Pettit Betsy

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

July, 2013

Guidebook providing useful examples of high performance retrofit techniques for the building enclosure of wood frame residential construction in a cold and somewhat wet climate.

Moisture Durability with Vapor-Permeable Insulating Sheathing

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W,

LePage Robert

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

September, 2013

Report about exterior sheathing insulation and inward driven moisture issues.

Measure Guideline: Basement Insulation Basics

Author(s)

Aldrich Robb,

Mantha Pallavi,

Puttagunta Srikanth

Organization(s)

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Publication Date

October, 2012

Document describing good practices for insulating basements in new and existing homes.

The Challenges of Basement Insulation

Author(s)

Aldrich Robb,

Zuluaga Marc

Organization(s)

Home Energy Magazine,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA,

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB

Publication Date

January, 2006

Article describing a research study exploring how effective interior insulation systems are at keeping basements dry and warm.

Upgrading Below Grade Spaces - Residential Energy Efficiency Stakeholder

Author(s)

Huelman Patrick H,

Breidenbach Sam,

Schirber Steve

Organization(s)

NorthernSTAR,

University of Minnesota,

UMN,

NSTAR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

March, 2012

Presentation describing the challenges of insulating an existing basement, presented to the Building America residential energy-efficiency stakeholder meeting.

Concrete Floor Problems, BSI-003

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

June, 2008

Information guide describing issues with concrete floors, in multiple climate zones.

Mastic Home Exteriors Installation Guide

Author(s)

Ply Gem Siding Group

Organization(s)

Ply Gem Siding Group

Publication Date

April, 2015

Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.

Expert Meeting Report: Interior Insulation Retrofit of Mass Masonry Wall Assemblies

Author(s)

Ueno Kohta,

Van Straaten R

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

February, 2012

Expert Meeting about interior insulation retrofit of mass masonry wall assemblies held on July 30, 2011.

Measure Guideline: Internal Insulation of Masonry Walls

Author(s)

Schumacher Christopher,

Ueno Kohta,

Straube John

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

July, 2012

Report summarizing the importance of properly insulating and air sealing masonry walls, providing step by step instructions and approaches.

Stucco Over Rigid Foam Insulation

Guide describing how to install stucco over rigid foam insulation in new and existing homes.

Building America Special Research Project - High R-Value Enclosures for High Performance Residential Buildings in All Climate Zones, BA-1005

Author(s)

Straube John

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

February, 2011

This report will review, and summarize the current state of understanding and research into enclosures with higher thermal resistance, so-called “High-R Enclosures.” Recommendations are provided for further research.

Capillary Break at Crawlspace Floors - Polyethylene Lapped Up Walls and Piers or Secured in the Ground

Guide describing how to create a capillary break at all crawlspace floors using polyethylene sheeting to manage moisture in crawlspaces.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: M Street Homes, Smartlux on Greenpark Houston, TX

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2014

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2014 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 45 without PV and 32 with PV and is the first home in the world to use a tri-generation system to supply electricity, heating, and cooling on site.