BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

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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For homes built on an open foundation, provide a continuous air barrier by sealing all joints between the rigid insulation, floor support beams, rim joist, and bottom wall plate

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Brick veneer is supported by a concrete stem wall thermally separated from the slab-on-grade foundation with turn-down footing which is also insulated on top; anchorage for seismic resistance is also shown

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The IR image on the right shows the sun is heating the southeast-facing wall of this concrete-block house to 36C (97F); this corner of the home would not be a good place for a cool room due to lack of shading and insulation

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Pest protection measures include a termite shield under the rim joist and extending out on either side of the stem wall, insect screening under the furring air gap, and brick veneer to protect slab-edge insulation.

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This raised-slab poured concrete foundation includes flood-resistant features such as a sloped grade, capillary break under the slab (gravel or sand), vapor retarder under the slab (rigid insulation), and capillary break at the top of the foundation wall

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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.

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.

Attic Knee Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate and air-seal attic knee walls and floor joist cavities under knee walls.

Attic Eave Minimum Insulation

Guide

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

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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Fire-Resistant Wall Assemblies

Guide

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

Continuous Rigid Insulation Sheathing/Siding (1)

Video

Video describing exterior rigid foam insulation.

Frame wall and install blocking

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Flood-hardy, drainable, dryable wall

Video

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.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Moisture Durability of Vapor Permeable Insulating Sheathing

Case Study

Case study describing research about using exterior, vapor permeable insulation of retrofit walls with vapor permeable cavity insulation.

Building America Top Innovations 2013: Exterior Rigid Insulation Best Practices

Case Study

Case study describing a 2013 DOE Building America Top Innovation for the installation of rigid foam insulation on the exterior of home roofs and walls as a thermal, air, and moisture barrier.

Air Sealing, Insulating, and Venting Attics and Roofs to Reduce Heat Gain

Information Guide

Information guide providing links to guides describing specific ways to air-seal, insulate, and ventilate attics and roofs to minimize heat gain in new and existing homes.

Measure Guideline: Guidance on Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

Reference

Measure Guideline research report providing simple, long term, and durable solutions when using tapes and flashing membranes in conjunction with the exterior face of rigid polymeric foam sheathing to create the drainage plane of a wall system.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Cladding Attachment Over Thick Exterior Insulating Sheathing

Case Study

Case study describing optimal design and limitations of cladding attachments over exterior sheathings.

Cool Roofs and Walls to Reduce Heat Gain

Guide

Guide providing information on how cool roofs and wall cladding surfaces work, which climates can most benefit from them, and how to find and select cool roofs and wall cladding products.

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.

Listing Information of SIPA - Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), SPEC ID: 32805

Reference

Test results used by multiple structural insulated panel manufacturers confirming a one-hour fire rating for specific SIP assemblies.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Guidance on Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

Case Study

Case study describing best practices for using rigid foam sheathing as a drainage plane in new and retrofit wall construction.

How To Strengthen Your Home for Under $10,000 – Insulated Concrete Forms

Video

Video interview explaining the benefits of installing insulated concrete forms for both energy efficiency and disaster resistance in either new or existing homes for under $10,000. Recommendations from FLASH Strong Homes.

Equivalency of SIP Walls to Light Frame Wood Construction Subjected to Seismic Loading

Reference

Article in the SIPA Technical Bulletin (No. 11) comparing the earthquake resistance of light-frame wood shear wall construction to residential construction with structural insulated panels (SIPS).

Increase Seismic Resistance and Thermal Performance of Basement, Crawl Space, and Crawl Space with Cripple Wall Foundations

Guide

Guide describing different options for providing seismic and thermal resistance for homes with basement foundations, crawlspace foundations, or crawlspace foundations with a "cripple" wall.

Specifying Rigid Foam Insulation for NFPA 285 Fire Requirements - Safety Meets Energy Efficiency

Reference

Factsheet describing the use of rigid foam insulation to meet energy efficiency requirements and minimize fire risks.