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Existing band joist insulation retrofit with spray foam

CAD File

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.

Construction Guide - Next Generation High Performance Walls Climate Zones 3-5 Part I: 2x6 Walls

Reference

Part I of the Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x6 wood frame studs, wood structural panel (WSP) sheathing as exterior sheathing, gypsum board as interior sheathing, and a cladding system installed over WSP sheathing in low-rise residential buildings up to three stories in height. Walls with...

Moisture Management for High R-Value Walls

Reference

Report explaining moisture-related concerns for high R-value wall assemblies and discusses past Building America research work that informs this study.

Controlling Cold-Weather Condensation Using Insulation, BSD-163

Reference

Article describing research encouraging use of exterior insulation to warm interior sheathing surfaces in walls and roof assemblies to reduce the likelihood of condensation during cold weather

Cold Climate Building Techniques & Concepts: Furring In an Outside Wall

Video

Video describing a furring in framing technique to further insulate a pre-existing Alaskan house.

Install Top Plates or Blocking at the Top of Walls Adjoining Unconditioned Spaces

Guide

Guide describing how to correctly air-seal a wall with missing top plates or open wall cavities.

Knauf Insulation Air Duct Fabrication Manual for 1", 1-1/2", and 2"

Reference

Website providing information about Knauf Insulation.

Exterior Edge Insulation for Existing Foundation Slabs

Guide

Guide describing how to install slab edge insulation when retrofitting existing slab-on-grade foundations.

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.

Batt Insulation for Existing Vented Attics

Guide

Guide describing how to increase insulation in existing homes by installing batt insulation on the ceiling plane of a vented attic.

Insulating Crawl Space Floors in Existing Homes

Guide

Guide describing how to upgrade a crawlspace floor in an existing home by adding insulation.

Blown Insulation for Existing Vented Attic

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate a vented attic in an existing home using blown insulation added to the attic floor.

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Walls, Windows, and Doors

Information Guide

Information guide describing things to consider before retrofitting walls, windows, and doors, including wiring, moisture protection, and lead paint.

Rigid Foam Insulation Installed over Existing Foundation Slabs

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate an existing slab floor by adding rigid foam insulation over the slab then installing a floating subfloor.

Measure Guideline: Deep Energy Enclosure Retrofit for Double-Stud Walls

Reference

Report on two approaches to retrofitting existing double-stud walls.

Extended Plate and Beam Wall System: Concept Investigation and Initial Evaluation

Reference

Report on high-R wall design called extended plate and beam that uses foam sheathing insulation with wall framing.

Hygric Redistribution in Insulated Assemblies: Retrofitting Residential Envelopes Without Creating Moisture Issues

Reference

Report exploring four questions to determine the level of risk associated with adding drained exterior insulation to the exterior of an existing home during an energy retrofit.

Spray Foam Insulation Applied to Existing Attic Floor

Guide

Guide describing how to apply spray foam insulation to the floor of the attic in existing homes.

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.

The Performance Check Between Whole Building Thermal Performance Criteria and Exterior Wall Measured Clear Wall R-Value, Thermal Bridging, thermal mass and airtightness

Reference

Paper that illustrates a performance check between the thermal performance of a Massive Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) wall system mocked up and Whole Building Performance criteria such as total space heating and cooling loads (thermal comfort).