BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Attic Eave Minimum Insulation (3)

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing raised heel trusses for minimum attic eave insulation.

Stucco Over Rigid Foam Insulation

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

Adding Insulation when Re-Siding

Author(s)

Gilbride Theresa L

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

Publication Date

June, 2023

Fact sheet poster describing how to add exterior, continuous, rigid insulation to the exterior walls when replacing siding on an existing home.

How to Finish Exterior Foundation Insulation

Author(s)

Green Building Advisor

Organization(s)

GBA

Publication Date

July, 2020

Website that explains and provides diagrams for covering up above-grade rigid foam insulation.

3-stud corner with rigid insulation

DWG

PDF

Foil Bubble Pack: Subslab Insulation?

Author(s)

Fulger Don

Organization(s)

Home Energy

Publication Date

November, 2004

Article describing the effective R-values of various subslab insulation products, including foil bubble pack.

Installation of Cavity Insulation, Info-501

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

May, 2009

Article explaining installing cavity insulation.

Basement Insulation Systems, BA-0202

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

November, 2002

Report describing approaches to insulating basements in homes built to meet Energy Star levels of performance of heat loss reduction.

How to Insulate around Plumbing Pipes

Publication Date

January, 2012

Author(s)

Bindford

Video about properly insulating around plumbing pipes to prevent freezing.

Selecting Healthy Insulation and Air Sealants

Author(s)

Rebecca Stamm,

Roberto Valle Kinloch

Organization(s)

Healthy Building Network,

HomeFree,

EEBA

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.

Attic Eave Minimum Insulation (1)

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to install batt insulation.

Performance of Windows in Walls With Continuous Insulation

Author(s)

Peavey John,

Shah Nay B

Organization(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs,

HIRL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

March, 2023

Technical report describing research aimed to provide window manufacturers with foundational guidance for installing windows in walls with continuous insulation (CI), addressing critical aspects such as evaluating common installation methods, establishing acceptance criteria for window performance...

Attic Eave Minimum Insulation (2)

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to properly insulate attic eaves.

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

Publication Date

Thu, 01/01/2009 - 12:00

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.

Continuous Rigid Insulation Sheathing/Siding

Author(s)

National Association of Home Builders Research Center,

U.S. Department of Energy,

Green Building Advisor,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Organization(s)

NAHB Research Center,

DOE,

GBA,

ORNL,

EPA

Publication Date

August, 2013

Document presenting step-by-step process for installing rigid insulating sheathing over wood studs or house wrap.

Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

Guide describing techniques for installing insulating sheathing as a continuous drainage plane on walls.

The Truth about insulation in a hot climate

Publication Date

March, 2019

Author(s)

Horizon Energy

Organization(s)

Horizon Energy

Video from Horizon Energy on thermodynamics relating to insulation in attics of homes located in hot climates.

Material Properties of Rigid foam Insulation

Publication Date

Mon, 10/01/2007 - 12:00

Ducts Buried in Attic Insulation and Encapsulated

Guide describing approaches to burying and encapsulating ducts in unconditioned attics to increase the overall R-value of duct insulation.

Vented crawl space with insulation in the ceiling

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Concrete crawlspace wall with exterior insulation.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Air seal and insulate flex ducts

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Install bottom layer of rigid insulation

Insulation for Existing Crawl Space Floors

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

Duct insulation is installed over boot

Insulation does not cover boot and is not sealed

Duct is located in unconditioned space and is not insulated

Wrong - Batt insulation installed backward

Wrong - Cavity insulation not installed properly

Batt insulation is installed at the attic floor

Publication Date

Thu, 09/10/2015 - 12:00

Batt insulation is installed in two layers with offset seams against the baffle to full code-required insulation height

Publication Date

Thu, 09/10/2015 - 12:00

Cellulose insulation is sprayed into wall cavities.

Moisture can migrate from below the foundation to the basement wall and insulation cavity in a conventional blanket insulation installation

Publication Date

Thu, 10/26/2006 - 12:00

Insulating sheathing is installed on exterior of an existing framed wall with water control between existing sheathing and insulating sheathing

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

Wrong – Insulation will not be aligned with air barrier

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Rigid foam insulation in vent areas

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Right – Framing allows corner to be insulated

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Framing allows corner to be insulated

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Double-stud wall with cellulose insulation

Publication Date

Sun, 03/01/2009 - 12:00

Band joist insulation and air sealing

Interior details of an insulated closed crawlspace

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

This heated garage plenum space is insulated along its top, bottom and sides, and the insulation at the top of the plenum meets IECC requirements. The insulation along the top and sides is fully aligned with an air barrier.

Publication Date

Sat, 09/14/2024 - 12:00

Masonry walls can be insulated with rigid foam insulation attached to the interior face of the concrete block as shown here.

Reference

40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Hot-Humid Climate, Volume 15

Author(s)

Baechler Michael C,

Gilbride Theresa L,

Hefty Marye G,

Cole Pam C,

Adams Karen T,

Noonan Chrissy F,

Love Pat M

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

A guidebook helping builders in hot-humid climates design and construct homes for energy efficiency, durability, health, safety, and comfort.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/01/2011 - 12:00

Sealed and Insulated Fiber Board Ducts

Guide describing how to air seal and insulate fiber board ducts.

Right - The underside of the attic roof deck is insulated with open-cell spray foam to provide an insulated space for HVAC equipment.

Publication Date

Fri, 01/01/2010 - 12:00

Right – Spray foam insulation was sprayed onto the ground and along the sides of the foundation walls and piers of this insulated crawl space.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Right – Insulated concrete forms (ICFs) provide the insulated stem wall for the slab-on-grade foundation for this SIP house.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00

Rim joists are insulated with R-20 of open-cell spray foam which is air sealing and insulating but vapor permeable.

Right - The attic access panel is insulated and weather stripped and a dam is built to hold back the blown attic floor insulation

Wrong - Moisture from within the basement foundation wall can migrate into the insulation cavity in a conventional blanket insulation installation.

Publication Date

Thu, 10/26/2006 - 12:00

Right - Section view showing how to air-seal and insulate a basement wall with perforated blanket insulation by installing it over air-sealed rigid insulation board to reduce condensation risk in the fiberglass blanket.

Publication Date

Fri, 01/01/2021 - 12:00

Insulating Heated Garage Plenums in Multifamily Buildings

Guide providing methods for insulating heated garage plenums in multifamily parking garages.

Insulation Installation (RESNET Grade 1) - Part 2

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to properly install insulation.

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

Publication Date

Thu, 01/01/2015 - 12:00

Right - Potential locations for basement insulation in new construction, slab insulation should always be underneath, with walls insulated (a) inside, (b) outside, (c) sandwiched inside, or (d) inside and outside of walls.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Insulation Installation (RESNET Grade 1) - Part 1

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to properly install the OPTIMA insulation system.

Rigid insulation and water control layers are installed on the exterior of a flat foundation wall; spray foam insulates the rim joist

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

Blown Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

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

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

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/2009 - 12:00

Exterior Edge Insulation for Existing Foundation Slabs

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

Faced fiberglass batt insulation incorrectly installed

Reference

Energy Renovations Insulation - A Guide for Contractors to Share with Homeowners, Volume 17

Author(s)

Baechler Michael C,

Adams Karen T,

Hefty Marye G,

Gilbride Theresa L,

Love Pat M

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Document providing descriptions of the many insulation options available to homeowners, along with guidance on where, when, and how to install insulation throughout your house.

Publication Date

Tue, 05/01/2012 - 12:00

EPS Foam Insulation | Madrona Passive House

Publication Date

December, 2014

Video discussing the EPS foam insulation used on the floor of a passive house.

ReVision Home: Exterior Insulation Finish (EIFS)

Author(s)

Steven Winter Associates,

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings

Organization(s)

CARB,

SWA

Publication Date

January, 2010

Information sheet about exterior insulation in the hot-dry climate zones.

Interior intersecting wall with 2 studs and rigid insulation

DWG

PDF

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.

Insulate Steam Distribution and Condensate Return Lines

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

January, 2012

Fact sheet describing principles of insulating steam distribution and condensate return lines as an effective way to prevent energy loss.

Building Science Education 3.9: Insulation Materials

Author(s)

Paul Torcellini

Organization(s)

NREL

Publication Date

July, 2021

Video describing various insulation materials used in the building industry.

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: 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.

Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to apply an air control layer directly over existing wall sheathing and cover with two layers of insulating sheathing held in place by vertical furring strips.