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Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Walls, Windows, and Doors

Information Guide

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

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

Video

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.

When condensation forms on the interior side of wall sheathing and is not able to dry out, it can lead to mold growth and rotting of wall sheathing and framing

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

Reference

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

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

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

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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

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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

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Wrong – The gable end wall failed because the rigid foam sheathing was not backed up by plywood or OSB.

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

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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)

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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)

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The builder installed 1.5 inches of soy-based spray foam on the outside of the walls over the OSB sheathing, then kept a ¾ inch gap between the foam and the brick veneer siding to allow moisture vapor from the bricks to dissipate.

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Air Sealing Drywall to Top Plate

Guide

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

Building Materials with High Moisture Content Not Enclosed

Guide

Guide describing why and how to avoid using damp materials in construction.

They All Laughed, BSI-026

Reference

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.

Managing Indoor Humidity and Ventilation in Cold Weather

Guide

Guide describing steps to take to minimize indoor humidity during cold winter weather.

Building America Building Science Advisor

Reference

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

Air Sealing Bathroom and Kitchen Exhaust Fans

Guide

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

Home Performance Assessment

Information Guide

Information guide describing how to apply a whole-house approach to home improvement with energy efficiency upgrades, improved indoor air quality, and increased comfort.

Mastic Home Exteriors Installation Guide

Reference

Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.

Waverly Home Addition | Exterior Cladding Details

Video

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

Water Management of Existing Crawlspace Floor

Guide

Guide providing information about treating bulk water drainage issues and moisture control measures in existing basements and crawl spaces.

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

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Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Walls, Windows, and Doors

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

When condensation forms on the interior side of wall sheathing and is not able to dry out, it can lead to mold growth and rotting of wall sheathing and framing

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

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

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

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

Wrong – The gable end wall failed because the rigid foam sheathing was not backed up by plywood or OSB.

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

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)

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)

The builder installed 1.5 inches of soy-based spray foam on the outside of the walls over the OSB sheathing, then kept a ¾ inch gap between the foam and the brick veneer siding to allow moisture vapor from the bricks to dissipate.

Air Sealing Drywall to Top Plate

Building Materials with High Moisture Content Not Enclosed

They All Laughed, BSI-026

Managing Indoor Humidity and Ventilation in Cold Weather

Building America Building Science Advisor

Air Sealing Bathroom and Kitchen Exhaust Fans

Home Performance Assessment

Mastic Home Exteriors Installation Guide

Waverly Home Addition | Exterior Cladding Details

Water Management of Existing Crawlspace Floor

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

Hurricane Straps

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Crawlspaces and Basements

Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

Condensation Control in Attics and Roofs in Cold Weather

Bathroom Exhaust Fans