BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

External Insulation of Masonry Walls and Wood Framed Walls

Reference

Research study developing baseline engineering analysis to support the installation of thick layers of exterior insulation (2 in. to 8 in.) on existing masonry walls and wood framed walls.

How to Insulate a Basement Wall

Reference

Blog entry describing methods for insulating basement walls on the interior or exterior.

Batt Insulation for Existing Exterior Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to achieve RESNET Grade 1 installation standards, and meet/exceed code using batt insulation in existing walls.

Exterior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate a new foundation wall or an existing foundation wall by adding rigid insulation to the exterior side.

Blown Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide

Guide describing methods of installing blown insulation in exterior wall cavities of existing homes with minimal disruption to occupants.

Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Exterior Walls

Guide

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.

Measure Guideline: Internal Insulation of Masonry Walls

Reference

Report summarizing the importance of properly insulating and air sealing masonry walls, providing step by step instructions and approaches.

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.

Spray Foam Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate the wall cavities of an existing home with spray foam.

Spray Foam Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate an existing foundation wall by adding spray foam insulation to the interior side of the wall.

Field Energy Performance of an Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) Wall

Reference

Research study evaluating the dynamic heat transmission characteristics through two identical Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) wall assemblies in Ottawa, Canada.

Rigid Foam Board Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate closed crawlspace walls and band joist areas with rigid foam board insulation.

Rigid Foam Insulation Installed Between Existing House and Garage Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to upgrade walls that separate the garage from the house by providing a continuous air control layer on the garage side of the wall and adding rigid foam insulation.

Spray Foam Insulation Applied over the Siding of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to install spray foam on the exterior of the existing home after framing over the existing siding.

DOE Siding Retrofit: Insulating Concrete Block Walls, Phoenix AZ

Case Study

Case study describing a wall retrofit of a 1940s home in Phoenix AZ that included adding 2 inches of rigid polyisocyanurate insulation while adding stucco siding to a previously unsided and uninsulated slump-block home.

Expert Meeting Report: Interior Insulation Retrofit of Mass Masonry Wall Assemblies

Reference

Expert Meeting about interior insulation retrofit of mass masonry wall assemblies held on July 30, 2011.

Measure Guideline: Installing Rigid Foam Insulation on the Interior of Existing Brick Walls

Reference

Information sheet providing information on installing Rigid XPS foam board insulation to existing brick masonry walls.

Keeping The Heat In - Chapter 6: Basement Insulation Floors, Walls and Crawl Spaces

Reference

Information sheet providing links and resources for insulating basements in cold climates.

A gut rehab that includes drywall removal provides the opportunity to thoroughly insulate the walls.

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DOE Siding and Windows Retrofit: Insulating Concrete Block Walls, Phoenix AZ

Case Study

Case study describing a wall and window retrofit of a 1940s home in Phoenix AZ that included adding 2 inches of rigid foam and new stucco siding and solar screens as part of a comprehensive retrofit of the concrete block home.

Masonry wall interior retrofit with fluid-applied water control layer and wood-framed wall with cavity insulation (climate zones 1-4 only)

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Measure Guideline: Wall Air Sealing and Insulation Methods in Existing Homes - An Overview of Opportunity and Process

Reference

Document providing renovators and retrofit contractors an overview of considerations when including wall air sealing and insulation in an energy retrofit project.

Construction Guide - Next Generation High Performance Walls in Climate Zones 3-5 Part 2: 2x4 Walls with 1” to 1.5” Exterior Insulative Sheathing

Reference

The Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x4 wood frame studs, wood structural panel sheathing (WSP) as wall bracing and added backing for foam sheathing, a layer of rigid foam sheathing insulation up to 1.5 inches thick over the WSP, and a cladding system installed over the foam sheathing in low...