BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

The Larsen-truss 9-inch wall cavities were covered with a smart vapor membrane that was fastened to the trusses with furring strips, which also provide an air gap behind the wood siding; each truss cavity is then filled with blown cellulose.

Publication Date

Wed, 12/29/2021 - 12:00

No Sweat, BSI-094

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

April, 2016

Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.

Vinyl Siding Installation Manual

Author(s)

Vinyl Siding Institute

Organization(s)

Vinyl Siding Institute

Publication Date

October, 2022

Publication with installation guidance for vinyl siding.

Third Street

Author(s)

Gifford Henry

Organization(s)

Home Energy Magazine

Publication Date

September, 2005

Article describing how an affordable multifamily building achieved energy savings for the same cost as code-minimum construction.

Pest proofing of this unvented crawlspace includes a metal termite shield that extends out from sill plate, metal flashing wrapping bottom of exterior rigid foam, and a termite inspection gap above interior rigid foam.

Pest proofing of this unvented crawlspace includes a metal termite shield that extends out from the sill plate, metal flashing wrapping the bottom of exterior rigid foam, and a termite inspection gap above interior rigid foam.

Publication Date

Mon, 03/01/2021 - 12:00

Attach the interior 2x4 wall to the exterior wall top plate with a flat metal connector plate

Publication Date

Tue, 06/26/2012 - 12:00

The existing 2x8 roof rafters were topped with OSB; two layers of 2-inch rigid foam; plywood; ice and water shield at rakes, eaves, and valleys; underlayment; and fiberglass shingles, plus 6 inches of open-cell foam under the decking.

Drywall was removed and the existing 2x4 walls were filled with 3.5 inches of dense-packed cellulose. Outside, the ½-inch plywood was topped with house wrap, 1.5 inches closed-cell rigid foam, 1x3 furring strips, and fiber cement siding.

After setting precast concrete basement walls on an 8-inch bed of trap rock, this builder sprayed 2 inches of closed-cell spray foam directly onto the ground then laid piping for radiant floor heating before pouring the concrete floor slab.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Air Sealing Retrofits: Conducting an IR Camera Inspection of an Existing Home - Fireplaces

Publication Date

December, 2022

Author(s)

Louie Edward

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

Video showing how to use an infrared camera to check for air leakage around a fireplace during a blower door test in winter.

Ice Dams, BSD-135

Author(s)

Straube John

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

October, 2006

Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.

Multi-Family Construction Air Sealing Guide

Author(s)

Steven Winter Associates

Organization(s)

SWA

Publication Date

January, 2013

Report providing guidance to air-sealing multifamily homes.

Six Corners Modern | High Performance Building Details

Publication Date

November, 2014

Video describing the high-performance building details of a new home construction project.

Loyal Heights Home Addition Video #002: Framing Details

Publication Date

August, 2013

Video of a contractor explaining details of properly framing a home in Seattle, WA using proper Hammer & Hand practices.

Ducts in Interstitial Floor Framing

Guide for designing and installing interior ducts in an interstitial floor cavity in new and existing homes.

Over the taped rigid foam board, 2x4 furring strips provide a ventilating air gap and drainage plane under the engineered wood lap siding. The furring strips were attached with structural screws to provide an attachment surface for the siding.

Interior Spray Foam, BSI-116

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

April, 2020

Article outlining the use of spray polyurethane foam in residential buildings.

Joni Mitchell, Water and Walls, BSI-071

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

BSC,

Building Science Corporation

Publication Date

November, 2013

Article describing walls and moisture development on them.

Air Sealing Retrofits: Conducting an IR Camera Inspection of an Existing Home - Ceilings and Supply Grills

Publication Date

December, 2022

Author(s)

Louie Edward

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

Video describing how to use an infrared camera to check for air leakage in the ceiling during a blower door test in winter.

Kick the Can! No Recessed Lights in the Building Envelope

Author(s)

Bailes Allison

Organization(s)

Energy Vanguard

Publication Date

April, 2011

Article discussing the downside to recessed can lights.

Zeroing In, BSI-081

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

October, 2014

Report describing Net Zero house design with sloped roof assemblies.

Foundation wall interior polyisocyanurate, foil-faced, exposed

DWG

PDF

Termite shield with exterior rigid foam above and below

DWG

PDF

Wrong – Spray foam installed with voids

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

There is no polyethylene sheeting installed in the crawlspace

Furred-out siding

Publication Date

Sun, 10/01/2000 - 12:00

Install the starter strip for the vinyl siding along a chalk line

Publication Date

Wed, 04/01/2015 - 12:00

A 1- and ½-story home with a room located in the attic and the thermal boundary located at either a) the walls and ceiling of the attic room with small vented attic spaces or b) the roof line for an unvented attic

This kneewall has no top plate and the resulting gap provides a wide-open pathway for air and vapor to travel between the living space and the attic

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

Air Sealing Retrofits: Reduce Air Leakage at the Sill Plate with Canned Spray Foam

Publication Date

December, 2022

Author(s)

Louie Edward

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

Video showing air sealing of the sill plate behind the baseboard in an existing home with canned spray foam to stop air leakage at the base of the wall.

Air Sealing Retrofits: Conducting an IR Camera Inspection of an Existing Home - Recess Lighting

Publication Date

December, 2022

Author(s)

Louie Edward

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

Video showing how to use an infrared camera to check for air leakage around recessed can lights during a blower door test in winter.

Wrong – No top plate was installed.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

All About Water-Resistive Barriers

Author(s)

Holladay Martin

Organization(s)

Green Building Advisor

Publication Date

January, 2011

Article about different types of weather resistant barrier.

All About Larsen Trusses

Author(s)

Holladay Martin

Organization(s)

Green Building Advisor

Publication Date

July, 2011

Website article interviewing the inventor of the Larsen truss, a history of its use, and a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages.

AY-126 Thermal and Ignition Barriers For The SPF Industry

Author(s)

Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance

Organization(s)

SPFA

Publication Date

December, 2011

SPFA website signup page to access SPFA documents.

CCHRC - Cold Climate Housing Research Center

Author(s)

Cold Climate Housing Research Center

Organization(s)

CCHRC

Publication Date

November, 2019

Website of the Cold Climate Housing Research Center.

Deep-Dish Retrofits, BSI-079

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

August, 2014

Report covering exterior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.

Flow-Through Assemblies, BSI-091

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2016

Article discussing flow-through assemblies of walls.

How to Design a Home for a Cold Climate

Author(s)

Diez Roy

Organization(s)

New Home Source

Publication Date

July, 2020

Article summarizing for potential homeowners items to check or demand from the builder in designing a home for a cold climate.

Passive Cooling

Author(s)

Smarter Homes NZ

Organization(s)

Smarter Homes NZ

Publication Date

January, 2022

Article from Smarter Homes NZ on home building techniques that incorporate passive cooling.

High Performance Building Details - Advanced Framing II

Author(s)

Steven Winter Associates,

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings

Organization(s)

CARB,

SWA

Publication Date

July, 2010

Brochure describing advanced framing techniques.

Adding weatherstripping to a door

Publication Date

March, 2013

Author(s)

Columbia Water and Light

Organization(s)

Columbia Water and Light

Video describing different types of weatherstripping and how to install them to properly air-seal doors from Columbia Water and Light.

Moisture Management in Residential Construction Series - Managing Water Vapor Flow

Publication Date

January, 2011

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Organization(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Video from Home Innovation Research Labs on materials and design principles to mitigate moisture issues in homes.

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.

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.

Evaluation of Crawlspace Retrofits in Multifamily Buildings

Author(s)

Rudd Armin

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2014

Report analyzing results in crawlspace retrofits in multifamily buildings.

Providing a Thermal Break in Gut Rehabs

Author(s)

Steven Winter Associates,

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings

Organization(s)

CARB,

SWA

Publication Date

August, 2006

Information sheet about how to reduce thermal bridging in walls.

Venting Vapor, BSI-088

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

July, 2015

Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.

Vulnerability of Vents to Wind-Blown Embers

Author(s)

Quarles Stephen L

Organization(s)

Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety,

IBHS

Publication Date

August, 2017

Report covering the migration of wind-blown embers in roof vents.

Spray foam on a stone or rubble foundation

DWG

PDF

Right - Batt was properly split around wires to achieve RESNET Grade I

Publication Date

Sat, 10/01/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – There is no weather stripping or gasket around the attic stair hatch

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Verify SIP headers are installed

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Ladder framing detail side view

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2002 - 12:00

Moisture Management in Residential Construction - Building Enclosure: Managing Heat Flow

Publication Date

January, 2011

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Organization(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Video from Home Innovation Research Labs on managing heat transfer in the forms of radiation, convection, and conduction within the building envelope.

Hurricane Straps

Publication Date

September, 2020

Author(s)

FLASH Strong Home

Organization(s)

FLASH

Video describing hurricane ties and how they make your home more ready for severe weather by strengthening structural connections.

Wrong – No rigid backing was installed on the attic knee wall.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Approaching "Zero Energy" in the Pacific Northwest Marine Climate

Author(s)

Fuess Chris,

Gordon Andrew,

Lubliner Michael

Organization(s)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL

Publication Date

February, 2009

Report about a building project in the marine climate.

Spray foam on concrete foundation wall with framed interior wall

DWG

PDF

Right – Polyethylene sheeting vapor barrier is installed and sealed to the crawlspace walls with mastic

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – The polyethylene sheeting vapor barrier is not attached to the piers with mechanical fasteners

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Interior wall post support detail side view

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2002 - 12:00

Flood-hardy, drainable, dryable wall

Publication Date

October, 2017

Video explaining a design option for homes in the case of a flood that would negate the need for gutting the home post-flood. Recommendations from LSU AgCenter.

This home has heat loss through the roof, leading to ice dam formation and structural issues during winter months.

Publication Date

Mon, 02/04/2013 - 12:00

Retrofit Contractor Case Study: Energy Saving Services, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Author(s)

Theresa Gilbride

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

March, 2012

Case study describing the origins and operation of a Kalamazoo-based home performance contractor.

Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations Reduce Costs, Save Energy

Author(s)

Hooker Kenneth A

Organization(s)

Concrete Construction

Publication Date

December, 2014

Article describing frost-protected shallow foundations with construction drawing details.

Ping Pong Water and The Chemical Engineer, BSI-016

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

October, 2016

Article outlining moisture accumulation in open cell spray polyurethane foam.

Still Placing Ducts in the Attic? Consider Burying Them

Author(s)

Zoeller William

Organization(s)

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Publication Date

March, 2009

Information sheet about buried ducts.

Small Commercial Building Fact Sheet - Building Envelope

Author(s)

Southface Energy Institute

Organization(s)

SEI

Publication Date

November, 2016

Fact sheet describing building envelope performance measures applicable to residential and small commercial construction.

Air seal attic access panels and drop-down stairs to minimize air leakage.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Polyethylene completely covers the floor of this crawlspace and is attached to the walls and piers as well

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2008 - 12:00

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.

Cool Hand Luke Meets Attics, BSI-077

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

July, 2015

Article describing the difference between conditioned or unvented attics and unconditioned or vented attics.

Building in Extreme Cold, BSI-031

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

February, 2010

Article describing the control layers (air, thermal, and vapor barriers) needed to build homes successfully in very cold locations.

Efficient Earth-Sheltered Homes

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

January, 2022

Webpage from U.S. Department of Energy describing using Earth-Sheltered home building techniques in hot climate zones.

Keeping Homes and Cities Cool in Extreme Heat

Author(s)

Kyle Mittan

Organization(s)

University of Arizona

Publication Date

June, 2021

Article from University of Arizona on keeping homes cool during extreme heat, both personal and system changes.

Mesothelioma.net

Author(s)

Mesothelioma.net

Organization(s)

Mesothelioma.net

Publication Date

August, 2021

Website providing medical information about malignant mesothelioma, a cancer related to asbestos exposure.

Measure Guideline: Buried and/or Encapsulated Ducts

Author(s)

Mantha Pallavi,

Zoeller William,

Shapiro Carl

Organization(s)

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

August, 2013

Project discussing buried or encapsulated ducts and their pros and cons.

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

Author(s)

Loomis Honorata,

Pettit Betsy

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

June, 2015

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

Wyandotte Neighborhood Stabilization Program: Retrofit of Two Homes

Author(s)

Lukachko Alex,

Grin Aaron,

Bergey Daniel

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

April, 2013

Report detailing retrofit of two existing houses in the Wyandotte Neighborhood program.

Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations 1

Author(s)

Holladay Martin

Organization(s)

Fine Homebuilding

Publication Date

November, 2010

Guides describing frost-protected shallow foundations as an alternative method for building an energy-efficient foundation for a house in a cold climate that uses less concrete and saves on labor.

Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)

Williams Randy

Organization(s)

Green Building Advisor,

GBA

Publication Date

July, 2022

Article describing what the building codes say about frost-protected shallow foundations as a cost-saving alternative to conventional concrete foundations.

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.

The “institutional” perfect wall works in all climate zones; water, air, vapor, and thermal control layers are exterior of the sheathing, assembly allows drying to interior and exterior

Publication Date

Thu, 07/01/2010 - 12:00

Building America Building Science Advisor

Author(s)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

ORNL,

DOE

Publication Date

January, 2019

Web based tool providing decision-making guidance for selecting wall assembly components.

Extreme Heat—A Tale of Two Cities, BSI-032

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

February, 2010

Article from Building Science Corporation on construction techniques for extreme heat conditions in Dubai and Las Vegas.

Foam Shrinks, and Other Lessons, PA-1201

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

March, 2012

Journal article describing lessons learned from updating a 16-year-old deep-energy retrofit.

BSC Information - Vapor Control Layer Recommendations for All Climates, Sheet 310

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

September, 2009

Information sheet providing recommendations on the installation of vapor control layers.

BSC Information - Common Advanced Framing Details for All Climates, Sheet 201

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

May, 2009

Brochure explaining the essential basis for advanced framing and some of the more common advanced framing details.

Right - Basement slab with a capillary break of either gravel or a drainage mat.

Publication Date

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 12:00

Polyethylene sheeting covers the aggregate and extends down and under the footing to provide a capillary break between the ground and the slab and monolithic footing

DWG

PDF

Water management details for a roof drain installed along with rigid foam on a flat roof

Publication Date

Fri, 05/01/2015 - 12:00

Moisture Management in Residential Construction Series - Brick Installation Drainage Cavity Wall

Publication Date

January, 2011

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Organization(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Video from Home Innovation Research Labs showing how to correctly install brick cladding on exterior walls with a drainage cavity behind it for moisture prevention.

Right - Continuous wall sheathing and blocking has been installed to brace the raised heel trusses.

Publication Date

Sat, 10/01/2011 - 12:00

2021 IBC and IRC Adopt Improved Vapor Retarder Requirements

Author(s)

Crandell Jay H

Organization(s)

Applied Building Technology Group,

ABTG

Publication Date

February, 2021

Article describing vapor retarder requirements in the International Residential Code and International Building Code 2021.

Energy Efficient New Homes and Apartments

Author(s)

ENERGY STAR

Organization(s)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

EPA,

ENERGY STAR

Publication Date

February, 2024

Website describing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR New Homes and Apartments program with links to builder and homeowner resources.

Evaluation of Retrofit Delivery Packages

Author(s)

Berman Mark,

Smith Pepper,

Porse Erik

Organization(s)

Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,

ARBI,

Davis Energy Group

Publication Date

July, 2013

Report evaluating opportunities to improve and streamline delivery of residential retrofit measures.

High-R Roofs Case Study Analysis, BA-1006

Author(s)

Straube John,

Grin Aaron

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

March, 2009

Report that considers a number of promising wall systems that can meet the requirement for better thermal control.

Hood River Passive House

Author(s)

Hales David

Organization(s)

WSU Extension Energy Programs,

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC

Publication Date

March, 2013

Report documenting short-term test results of the Shift House and compares the results of Passive House Planning Package and Building Energy Optimization modeling of the project.