BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Right – Verify continuous rigid insulation is installed

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Band joist insulation air sealing detail

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Seismic and Insulation Retrofits of Solid Masonry Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to retrofit older solid masonry homes to withstand seismic activity while including energy-efficient retrofits.

These below-grade walls are insulated along the exterior with R-5 of bug-resistant high-density rigid fiberglass insulation installed over damproofing.

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Detail of an unvented cathedralized attic showing air-impermeable spray foam insulation plus batt insulation installed on the underside of the roof deck.

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Wrong: Insulation not fully enclosing duct chase

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Right – Battens were installed above the cork insulation to provide a ventilating layer between the insulation and the roof sheathing on this “hot roof” design.

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Air Sealing and Insulating Walls to Reduce Heat Gain

Information Guide

Information guide listing Building America Solution Center guides that describe ways to air-seal and insulate a new or existing home's walls to resist heat gain.

Certified Insulated Siding: Quality, Comfort and Energy Performance

Presentation

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.

Install continuous rigid foam insulation or insulated siding to help reduce thermal bridging through wood- or metal-framed exterior walls.

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Above Deck Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Roofs

Guide

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.

Spray Foam Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate the wall cavities of an existing home with spray foam.

Insulating and Air Sealing Existing Floor Overhangs (Cantilevers)

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate a floor overhang (or cantilever) on an existing home by adding insulation and an air barrier to air seal the floor joist bays under the cantilever.

Spray Foam Insulation Applied to Existing Attic Floor

Guide

Guide describing how to apply spray foam insulation to the floor of the attic in existing homes.

Ducts Encapsulated in Spray Foam and Buried in Attic Insulation

Video

Video describing various ways to bring HVAC ducts installed in an attic within the thermal envelope of the home by insulating the attic or by covering the ducts with spray foam and burying them in fibrous insulation.

Blown fiberglass insulation fills netted wall cavities

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Building Science Education 3.10: Insulation Applications

Presentation

Video describing how various insulation materials can be applied in buildings.

Energy Code - Module 5: Insulation Installation Requirements

Presentation

Webinar that explores important changes in the 2021 IECC, focusing on Insulation.

Cladding Attachment Over Thick Exterior Insulated Sheathing

Reference

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

Structural Testing of Screws through Thick Exterior Insulation

Reference

Conference paper describing testing of the performance of fasteners used to attach rigid foam insulation to the exterior of walls.

External Insulation of Masonry Walls and Wood Framed Walls

Reference

Research study developing baseline engineering analysis to support the installation of thick layers of exterior insulation (2 in. to 8 in.) on existing masonry walls and wood framed walls.

Assembly Sequence for Concrete Crawl Space with Interior Insulation

Video

Video animation showing an assembly sequence for an unvented crawl space wall with interior insulation.

Right - The blanket fiberglass insulation is installed over a continuous layer of rigid foam insulation; the fiberglass is covered with a vapor retarder that is tape sealed at the seams.

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Drop-in ceiling assemblies consisting of suspended ceiling tiles (common in multifamily buildings) are often insulated with fiberglass or mineral wool batt insulation.

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Prescriptive Path: Supply ducts in unconditioned attic have insulation ≥ R-8. Performance Path: Supply ducts in unconditioned attic have insulation ≥ R-6

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Spray Foam Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide

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

Right - A continuous layer of rigid foam insulation is installed against the foundation, and the perforated fiberglass insulation blanket is installed over that and covered with a semipermeable facing.

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Pull the insulation and outer liner of the flex duct over the collar to come in full contact with the liner and insulation of the trunk line or fitting and tape in place

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Exterior Insulation Implications on Heating and Cooling in Cold Climates

Reference

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is interested in finding cost-effective solutions for deep energy retrofits (DERs) related to exterior wall insulation in a cold climate, with targets of 50% peak load reduction and 50% space conditioning energy savings.

Wrap the air-sealed chimney with mineral wool insulation to prevent contact with the warm brick when attic insulation is re-installed around the chimney

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