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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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Rigid foam insulation can serve as the drainage plane when all seams are taped. Furring strips provide an air gap behind the cladding.

Rigid foam insulation can serve as the drainage plane when all seams are taped. Furring strips provide an air gap behind the cladding.

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The furring strips that provide a drainage gap behind the lap siding are wrapped with ≤ 1/8-inch screen at the top and bottom of the wall to keep out bugs and burning embers.

The furring strips that provide a drainage gap behind the lap siding are wrapped with ≤ 1/8-inch screen at the top and bottom of the wall to keep out bugs and burning embers.

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Right - XPS foam insulation is attached to the existing exterior wall with wood furring strips that serve as a nail base for the siding and are installed vertically to allow for drainage and drying behind the siding

Right - XPS foam insulation is attached to the existing exterior wall with wood furring strips that serve as a nail base for the siding and are installed vertically to allow for drainage and drying behind the siding

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Small spacer strips consisting of ¼-inch plastic strips provide a drainage gap behind wall cladding with a gap that is too small to pose a fire risk from embers entering the gap.

Small spacer strips consisting of ¼-inch plastic strips provide a drainage gap behind wall cladding with a gap that is too small to pose a fire risk from embers entering the gap.

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Stucco wall assembly with a drainage mat providing a small vented gap (experience has shown that ≤ 3/8 inch is effective), and a water-resistant barrier house wrap serving as a vapor throttle.

Stucco wall assembly with a drainage mat providing a small vented gap (experience has shown that ≤ 3/8 inch is effective), and a water-resistant barrier house wrap serving as a vapor throttle.

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This basement is insulated on the exterior with rigid foam over dampproofing, with granular backfill and footing drains to facilitate drainage away from the foundation, a termite shield to protect from pests, and cellular PVC to protect the rigid foam.

This basement is insulated on the exterior with rigid foam over dampproofing, with granular backfill and footing drains to facilitate drainage away from the foundation, a termite shield to protect from pests, and cellular PVC to protect the rigid foam.

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Stone cladding system with a drainage mat provides a small, vented gap (≤ ¾ inch), over a water-resistant barrier house wrap that has a perm rating of 10 to 20 perms so it can serve as a vapor throttle.

Stone cladding system with a drainage mat provides a small, vented gap (≤ ¾ inch), over a water-resistant barrier house wrap that has a perm rating of 10 to 20 perms so it can serve as a vapor throttle.

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A typical Las Vegas hot-dry climate home made of wood frame construction and insulated with R-25 expanded polystyrene externally over a drainage plane, with an unvented wood frame insulated attic and roof assembly.

A typical Las Vegas hot-dry climate home made of wood frame construction and insulated with R-25 expanded polystyrene externally over a drainage plane, with an unvented wood frame insulated attic and roof assembly.

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Good water management practices like sloping grade away from house, and installing gutters, perimeter drain pipe, a capillary break, and free-draining soils or drainage mat protect the foundation from water saturation.

Good water management practices like sloping grade away from house, and installing gutters, perimeter drain pipe, a capillary break, and free-draining soils or drainage mat protect the foundation from water saturation.

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Right – The raised-slab, CMU block stem wall, above-grade walls, and roof of this house use flood damage-resistant materials, integrated water, vapor, and air control layers, and construction methods which promote good drainage and rapid drying

Right – The raised-slab, CMU block stem wall, above-grade walls, and roof of this house use flood damage-resistant materials, integrated water, vapor, and air control layers, and construction methods which promote good drainage and rapid drying

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Right – The raised-slab, poured-concrete stem wall, above-grade walls, and roof of this house use flood damage-resistant materials, integrated water, vapor, and air control layers, and construction methods which promote good drainage and rapid drying

Right – The raised-slab, poured-concrete stem wall, above-grade walls, and roof of this house use flood damage-resistant materials, integrated water, vapor, and air control layers, and construction methods which promote good drainage and rapid drying

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Right – The raised-slab, brick-and-block stem wall, above-grade walls, and roof of this house use flood damage-resistant materials, integrated water, vapor, and air control layers, and construction methods which promote good drainage and rapid drying

Right – The raised-slab, brick-and-block stem wall, above-grade walls, and roof of this house use flood damage-resistant materials, integrated water, vapor, and air control layers, and construction methods which promote good drainage and rapid drying

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The “down” and “out” approach to flashing – metal flashing directs water down and out of building assemblies

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Frame wall and install blocking

Frame wall and install blocking

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Lower wall insulation installation

Lower wall insulation installation

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Taped vertical joint of lower wall insulation

Taped vertical joint of lower wall insulation

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Upper wall insulation installation

Upper wall insulation installation

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Install minimum 6" wide self-adhered butyl Z-flashing

Install minimum 6" wide self-adhered butyl Z-flashing

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Upper wall insulation installation with butyl z-flashing

Upper wall insulation installation with butyl z-flashing

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Tennessee 'Bee Whisperer' Removes 35,000 Honey Bees from Brick Wall

Reference

A story about bees building a hive in the drainage plane behind the brick veneer siding. The bees entered the wall through unprotected drainage holes.

Right – Two-thirds of acrylic tape is offset above the joint and over and above the fasteners

Right – Two-thirds of acrylic tape is offset above the joint and over and above the fasteners

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Clean taping areas and install 3" tape on vertical joint of upper insulation overlapping the horizontal joint

Clean taping areas and install 3" tape on vertical joint of upper insulation overlapping the horizontal joint

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Tape horizontal joint with minimum 3" wide tape placing tape offset high on the joint, adhearing to the upper sheet without wrinkles

Tape horizontal joint with minimum 3" wide tape placing tape offset high on the joint, adhearing to the upper sheet without wrinkles

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Terminate 4" tape with 2" wide tape placing tape offset high on the joint, 2/3 of the tape should be adhered to the sheet of insulation

Terminate 4" tape with 2" wide tape placing tape offset high on the joint, 2/3 of the tape should be adhered to the sheet of insulation

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Tape the joint between the top insulation sheet and the Z-flashing with 2" wide tape to improve air tightness

Tape the joint between the top insulation sheet and the Z-flashing with 2" wide tape to improve air tightness

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Right – two-thirds of the blue butyl flashing tape is above the sheathing seam; the top edge of the butyl flashing tape is covered with clear sheathing tape that is also offset so two-thirds is above the top edge of the butyl flashing.

Right – two-thirds of the blue butyl flashing tape is above the sheathing seam; the top edge of the butyl flashing tape is covered with clear sheathing tape that is also offset so two-thirds is above the top edge of the butyl flashing.

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Fire-Resistant Wall Assemblies

Guide

Guide describing wall assemblies and materials that are resistant to destruction from wildfires.

Erosion & Sediment Control Requirements

Video

Video from LGL Archive Page (City of Lexington Kentucky) explaining the steps needed to take to ensure proper site drainage prior to new home construction.

Gutters and Downspouts

Guide

Guide describing the installation of gutters, downspouts, and alternate options for managing rainwater run-off from roofs.