BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Sprinkler Insulation

Reference

Literature review from NFPA on the use of insulation to protect the piping in home fire sprinkler systems from freezing conditions.

Water Management of Non-Insulating and Insulating Sheathings - Final Report

Reference

Report summarizing current research, summarizes issues that have been experienced with current best practices, and recommends ways in which the best practices can be improved for water managing sheathings.

Insulating Plumbing Pipes

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate plumbing pipes.

Guide to Insulating Sheathing

Reference

Guide providing information on using exterior foam insulating sheathing in building wall assemblies to enhance thermal performance.

Attic Eave Minimum Insulation

Guide

Guide providing guidance on insulating attic eaves in new and existing single-family homes and multifamily buildings.

Air Sealed, Insulated Basements

Guide

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.

Right - The basement foundation is insulated on the exterior and termite shield extends out past the top of the insulation.

Right - The basement foundation is insulated on the exterior and termite shield extends out past the top of the insulation.

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Unvented Insulated Sloped Roofs

Guide

Guide describing construction of unvented, sloped, insulated roof assemblies in high wind zone areas.

Lower wall insulation installation

Lower wall insulation installation

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Upper wall insulation installation

Upper wall insulation installation

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This hot climate zone home uses high quality batt insulation to insulate truss-joist headers.

This hot climate zone home uses high quality batt insulation to insulate truss-joist headers.

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Material Properties of Rigid foam Insulation

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The Truth about insulation in a hot climate

Video

Video from Horizon Energy on thermodynamics relating to insulation in attics of homes located in hot climates.

Insulating sheathing is installed on exterior of an existing framed wall with water control between existing sheathing and insulating sheathing

Insulating sheathing is installed on exterior of an existing framed wall with water control between existing sheathing and insulating sheathing

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Wall assembly with non-combustible brick cladding and fire-resistant or retardant rigid insulation, sheathing, framing and cavity insulation.

Wall assembly with non-combustible brick cladding and fire-resistant or retardant rigid insulation, sheathing, framing and cavity insulation.

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Right – This floor system on a column foundation is insulated using closed-cell spray foam rather than fibrous insulation

Right – This floor system on a column foundation is insulated using closed-cell spray foam rather than fibrous insulation

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This hot climate zone home uses high quality batt insulation between studs to insulate this connecting garage wall.

This hot climate zone home uses high quality batt insulation between studs to insulate this connecting garage wall.

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Taped vertical joint of lower wall insulation

Taped vertical joint of lower wall insulation

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Insulating a crawlspace foundation with “cripple wall” in warm climates; in Climate Zones 5+ replace the foil- or plastic-faced fiberglass batt/roll insulation with impermeable rigid insulation or closed-cell spray polyurethane foam

Insulating a crawlspace foundation with “cripple wall” in warm climates; in Climate Zones 5+ replace the foil- or plastic-faced fiberglass batt/roll insulation with impermeable rigid insulation or closed-cell spray polyurethane foam

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Continuous Rigid Insulation Sheathing/Siding (1)

Video

Video describing exterior rigid foam insulation.

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.

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

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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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.

Basement foundation insulated on interior with rigid foam.

Basement foundation insulated on interior with rigid foam.

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Below Deck Spray Foam Insulation for Existing Roofs

Guide

Guide describing how to add spray foam insulation to the underside of the existing roof deck as part of the conversion of a vented attic to an unvented, insulated attic.

Upper wall insulation installation with butyl z-flashing

Upper wall insulation installation with butyl z-flashing

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NPMA examines spray foam insulation and termite control

Video

Video from PMP TV explaining interactions between termites and spray foam insulation.

The combustible rigid foam insulation is protected by a non-combustible layer of mineral wool insulation; a 7/8 inch “hat-channel” provides the ventilation and drainage gap.

The combustible rigid foam insulation is protected by a non-combustible layer of mineral wool insulation; a 7/8 inch “hat-channel” provides the ventilation and drainage gap.

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This exterior insulated slab-on-grade monolithic grade beam foundation is protected from pests by termite shield at the sill plate, borate-treated framing, flashing at end of wall insulation, brick veneer over slab-edge insulation, and rock ground cover.

This exterior insulated slab-on-grade monolithic grade beam foundation is protected from pests by termite shield at the sill plate, borate-treated framing, flashing at end of wall insulation, brick veneer over slab-edge insulation, and rock ground cover.

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Right – Baffles maintain air flow above attic insulation

Right – Baffles maintain air flow above attic insulation

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