BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

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

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

A Bridge Too Far, BSI-005

Reference

Article describing thermal bridging, construction practices that encourage thermal bridging, and solutions.

Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations Reduce Costs, Save Energy

Reference

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

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

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Small Commercial Building Fact Sheet - Building Envelope

Reference

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

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

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

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Right – Verify SIP headers are installed

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Still Placing Ducts in the Attic? Consider Burying Them

Reference

Information sheet about buried ducts.

Ping Pong Water and The Chemical Engineer, BSI-016

Reference

Article outlining moisture accumulation in open cell spray polyurethane foam.

Flood-hardy, drainable, dryable wall

Video

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.

Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations 1

Reference

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

Reference

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

Building Materials Property Table, Info-500

Reference

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

Cool Hand Luke Meets Attics, BSI-077

Reference

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

Wyandotte Neighborhood Stabilization Program: Retrofit of Two Homes

Reference

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

Mesothelioma.net

Reference

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

Building in Extreme Cold, BSI-031

Reference

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

Measure Guideline: Buried and/or Encapsulated Ducts

Reference

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

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

Reference

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

Keeping Homes and Cities Cool in Extreme Heat

Reference

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

Efficient Earth-Sheltered Homes

Reference

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

Design Options for Locating Ducts within Conditioned Space

Presentation

Presentation with technical training covering several possible approaches to locating ducts within the home’s air and thermal barriers, and then dig into design considerations and details for the spray foam encapsulation approach.