BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Foundation wall exterior board insulation with above-grade wall insulation

Guide describing how to insulate a basement to improve the overall thermal performance of the building and provide more dry, usable conditioned space for home occupants and HVAC equipment.

Batt Insulation for Existing Vented Attics

Guide describing how to increase insulation in existing homes by installing batt insulation on the ceiling plane of a vented attic.

Stucco Over Rigid Foam Insulation

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

Exterior XPS basement insulation is correctly installed to completely cover the foundation wall

Publication Date

Mon, 10/01/2012 - 12:00

Right - This concrete basement wall has exterior rigid insulation and comprehensive moisture management details.

Publication Date

Tue, 09/01/2020 - 12:00

Technology Solutions Case Study: Retrofit Measures for Embedded Wood Members in Insulated Mass Masonry Walls

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

October, 2015

Case study describing retrofit measures for embedded wood members in insulated mass masonry walls.

This farmhouse was retrofit by removing the existing siding and adding taped insulated sheathing and battens before installing new siding

Because the above-grade potions of the wall lack exterior insulation, condensation and even ice form during cold winter conditions

Publication Date

Thu, 08/31/2017 - 12:00

The Perfect Wall includes water, air, thermal, and vapor layers with continuous insulation exterior of the sheathing to reduce the condensation potential in the wall.

Publication Date

Thu, 07/15/2010 - 12:00

Masonry wall interior retrofit with fluid-applied water control layer and wood-framed wall with cavity insulation (climate zones 1-4 only)

Publication Date

Fri, 08/13/2021 - 12:00

Stucco is installed over rigid insulation, which is installed over a drainage plane consisting of a drainage gap and building wrap layer over the sheathing

Foil-faced rigid foam and spray foam can be used to insulate a basement on the interior; use good moisture management techniques to keep the basement dry

Construction Guide - Next Generation High Performance Walls in Climate Zones 3-5, Part II: 2x4 Walls with 1” - 1.5” Exterior Insulative Sheathing

Author(s)

Kochkin Vladimir,

Wiehagen Joseph

Organization(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs,

HIRL

Publication Date

June, 2017

The Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x4 wood frame studs, wood structural panel (WSP) sheathing as wall bracing and added backing for foam sheathing, a layer of rigid foam sheathing insulation up to 1.5 in. thick over the WSP, and a cladding system installed over the foam sheathing in low...

Exterior fiberglass insulation on this new home was (incorrectly) cut to terminate below-grade after backfill, which will expose the above-grade portions of the foundation wall to cold temperatures

Publication Date

Mon, 10/01/2012 - 12:00

In warm-humid climates, do not install Class 1 vapor retarders on the interior side of air-permeable insulation in above-grade walls, except at shower and tub walls.

Masonry wall interior retrofit with parge coat, fluid-applied water control layer, wood-framed wall with cavity insulation, smart vapor barrier, and wood or metal service cavity

Publication Date

Fri, 08/13/2021 - 12:00

Masonry wall interior retrofit with parge coat, fluid-applied water control layer, rigid mineral wool, wood-framed wall with cavity insulation, smart vapor barrier, and wood or metal service cavity

Publication Date

Fri, 08/13/2021 - 12:00

The builder in this very cold climate installed three layers of unfaced mineral wool batt in the double wall with a code-required vapor barrier between the middle and inner layers of wall insulation that is taped to barriers in the ceiling and floor.

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.

Condensation Control for Walls in Cold Weather

Guide describing ways to construct wall assemblies in cold climates to minimize the likelihood of condensation formation inside the walls.

Air Sealing Drywall to Top Plate

Guide describing ways to seal drywall to the top plate of an exterior wall to air-seal the wall cavity.

Moisture Management in Residential Construction Series - Building Enclosure: Exterior Wall Overview

Publication Date

January, 2011

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Organization(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Video from Home Innovation Research Labs giving an overview of moisture problems common to exterior walls and how to mitigate these problems with proper framing, flashing, sheathing, cladding, and insulation.

They All Laughed, BSI-026

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2017

Article describing the evolution of the IRC to permit class 3 vapor retarders (latex paint) in walls coupled with exterior continuous insulation to allow drying and reduce condensation risk.

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.

Air Sealing Bathroom and Kitchen Exhaust Fans

Guide describing how to air-seal bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans.

Masonry wall interior retrofit with fluid-applied water control layer, spray foam, and wood or metal stud service cavity

Publication Date

Fri, 08/13/2021 - 12:00

Masonry wall interior retrofit with parge coat, fluid-applied water control layer, spray foam, and wood or metal stud service cavity

Publication Date

Fri, 08/13/2021 - 12:00

Masonry wall interior retrofit with fluid-applied water control layer, mineral wool rigid foam, and wood or metal stud service cavity (climate zones 1-4 only)

Publication Date

Fri, 08/13/2021 - 12:00

Masonry wall interior retrofit with parge coat, fluid-applied water control layer, mineral wool rigid foam, and wood or metal stud service cavity (climate zones 1-4 only)

Publication Date

Fri, 08/13/2021 - 12:00

Waverly Home Addition | Exterior Cladding Details

Publication Date

February, 2014

Video describing the exterior cladding details of a residential home addition project.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Monitoring of Double-Stud Wall Moisture Conditions in the Northeast, BA-1501

Author(s)

Ueno Kohta

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2015

Report on a study monitoring moisture conditions of double-stud wall assemblies with different insulation in Devens, Massachusetts.

Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2020

Report providing extensive guidance on controlling moisture in building envelopes through proper selection and installation on air, water, thermal, and vapor barriers.

Affordable Solid Panel "Perfect Wall" System

Author(s)

Schirber Tom,

Jacobson Rolf,

Mosiman Garrett,

Handeen Daniel,

Huelman Patrick H

Organization(s)

University of Minnesota,

UMN,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE,

NothernSTAR

Publication Date

February, 2022

Technical report describing the SPS (Structural Panel System), an innovative implementation of the "perfect wall" concept, situating environmental control layers on the exterior side of structural components for improved constructability, cost-effectiveness, and performance, validated through the...

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Walls, Windows, and Doors

Information guide describing things to consider before retrofitting walls, windows, and doors, including wiring, moisture protection, and lead paints.

Moisture Performance of High-R Wall Systems

Author(s)

Kochkin Vladimir,

Shah Nay B

Organization(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs,

HIRL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

May, 2018

The next generation of building enclosures is a key step toward achieving high-performance goals through decreasing energy load demand and enabling advanced space-conditioning systems. Yet the adoption of high-R enclosures and particularly high-R walls has been a slow-growing trend because...