BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

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.

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.

Image

Designing Houses That Keep Their Cool

Reference

Article from Green Building Advisor on strategies to take when building homes to reduce the need for air conditioning, including insulation, windows, site selection, and roofing.

Radiant Barrier: Effect of Radiant Barriers on Heating and Cooling Bills

Reference

Fact sheet describing analysis of potential heating and cooling savings from radiant barriers in attics.

How Many Hours-of-Safety Do Our Homes Have in Extreme Weather?

Reference

Article from RMI on how climate change is leading to an increase in critical extreme heat hours and what smart building strategies can be taken to mitigate some of these effects including paint color and insulation.

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.