BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Unvented Insulated Sloped Roofs

Guide describing construction of sloped roofs that are unvented and are insulated above the roof deck.

Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

Guide describing techniques for installing insulating sheathing as a continuous drainage plane on walls.

Material Properties of Rigid foam Insulation

Publication Date

Mon, 10/01/2007 - 12:00

Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to apply an air control layer directly over existing wall sheathing and cover with two layers of insulating sheathing held in place by vertical furring strips.

Below Deck Spray Foam Insulation for Existing Roofs

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.

Unvented Conditioned Attic with Spray Foam Insulation Below Roof Deck

Guide describing a method for insulating an unvented attic by spraying foam insulation along the underside of the roof deck.

Exterior Doors Are Insulated, Impact Rated, and Fire Rated

Guide describing the use of doors that are insulated and are impact rated or have protective coverings for resistance to hurricane, high winds, wildfires and thermal losses.

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

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

November, 2014

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

Publication Date

September, 2014

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.

Right – Furring strips provide a drainage and ventilation gap between the siding and the cork insulation.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Technology Solutions Case Study: Trade-Friendly Retrofit Insulated Panels for Existing Buildings, Albany NY

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Organization(s)

HIRL

Publication Date

March, 2016

Case study describing a structural sheathing product composed of enhanced EPS rigid foam with OSB adhered on one side.

Install an ENERGY STAR labeled insulated door with an automatic closer. Weather strip the door frame

Reference

Retrofit Techniques and Technologies: Air Sealing, Volume 10

Author(s)

Baechler Michael C,

Gilbride Theresa L,

Hefty Marye G,

Cole Pam C,

Williamson Jennifer,

Love Pat M

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report identifying the steps to take, with the help of a qualified home performance contractor, to seal unwanted air leaks while ensuring healthy levels of ventilation and avoiding sources of indoor air pollution.

Publication Date

Mon, 04/12/2010 - 12:00

Right – The rigid insulation covers all exterior walls and all seams are taped to provide a complete drainage system

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Step 4. Install insulating sheathing and vertical furring strips on the retrofitted exterior wall; seal around pipe or duct with urethane sealant.

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

Publication Date

Sun, 04/01/2012 - 12:00

Pier foundations, hurricane strapping, borate- and pressure-treated lumber, and high-density spray foam insulation help protect this New Orleans home from costal flooding and storms (Source: Green Coast Enterprises).

Publication Date

Thu, 09/01/2011 - 12:00

Vented versus Unvented Attic

Guide describing options for designing and locating the thermal boundary at either the attic floor or along the roof line in new and existing homes.

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.

Publication Date

Thu, 03/01/2012 - 12:00

Inspection of taped joint

Installation of Drip Edge over Underlayment for Hurricane Zones

Step 7. Install a vent hood on the pipe to keep out rain.

The mistake of not staggering siding and foam sheathing joints

Step 8. Attach the new cladding to the furring strips over the rigid foam for the exterior wall retrofit.

Right – Furring strips provide a drainage gap between the rigid foam and the siding.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Wrong – Roof underlayment is not fully adhered and roof deck seams are not sealed so roof is susceptible to high-wind events

Right – Roof underlayment is fully adhered and roof deck seams are sealed so roof is resistant to high-wind events

Step 5. Install sheathing tape flashing over the duct or pipe and wood blocking on either side for later attachment of trim.

Step 6. Install vent hood trim block, metal cap flashing; seal top edge of flashing with sheathing tape.

Right – Closed-cell polyurethane foam is sprayed on the underside of the roof deck to provide structural connections and seal seams in the sheathing to increase wind resistance

Window and Door Rough Openings

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to air-seal around window and door rough openings.

Low-Slope ("Flat") Roofs

A guide describing how to install low-sloped ("flat") roofs with insulation above the roof deck that resist wind pressures during high-wind events.

Flashing of Wall Penetrations in Existing Homes

Guide describing how to install flashing that is integrated with air and water control layers around piping, vents, and other wall penetrations as part of an exterior wall retrofit.

Furred-out siding

Publication Date

Sun, 10/01/2000 - 12:00

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.

Flashing of Penetrations in Existing Roofs

Guide describing how to provide a continuous water control layer across the roof assembly by sealing all penetrations for pipes, vents, etc. in existing roofs.

Right - Continuous wall sheathing and blocking has been installed to brace the raised heel trusses.

Publication Date

Sat, 10/01/2011 - 12:00

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

Publication Date

Wed, 12/01/2010 - 12:00

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design General Notes

PDF

Drainage Plane Behind Exterior Wall Cladding

Guide describing installation of a fully sealed continuous weather resistant barrier to provide a drainage plane to keep rainwater out of above-grade walls.

Air Sealing Doors Adjacent to Unconditioned Space

Guide describing how to air-seal doors that are next to unconditioned spaces.

Disaster-Resistant Roof Venting

Guide describing the installation of roof vents that are resistant to damage from high winds and entry of wind-borne rain, wildfire embers, or pests.

High-Performance (ENERGY STAR) Windows

Guide providing information about high-performance and high-efficiency windows including ENERGY STAR-certified windows.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Nelson Construction: Hamilton Way, Farmington, CT

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

April, 2012

Case study describing the design and testing of 10 high-performance homes in Farmington, Connecticut.

Structural Sheathing (plywood/OSB) in Exterior Walls

Guide describing the need for adequate structural sheathing in exterior walls in homes in high-wind areas.

Step and Kick-Out Flashing at Roof-Wall Intersections

Guide describing how to install step and kick-out flashing on roofs.

Roof Deck Sheathing and Sealing for Sloped Roofs

Guide describing requirements for sheathing and sealing the roof decking in accordance with the requirements of the IBHS Fortified Home Program's Hurricane and High Wind Standards, and other roofing considerations to increase the roof's disaster resistance.