BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

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

Insulating sheathing is installed on exterior of an existing framed wall with water control between existing sheathing and insulating sheathing

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 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.

Continuous Rigid Insulation Sheathing/Siding (1)

Publication Date

September, 2015

Video describing exterior rigid foam insulation.

Application of Spray Foam Insulation Under Plywood and OSB Roof Sheathing

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to air seal attic rafters with spray foam.

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.

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

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

October, 2013

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

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

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

November, 2013

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

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

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Sloped roof with cavity spray foam insulation, strapping, and gypsum board thermal barrier

Publication Date

Fri, 05/01/2015 - 12:00

Flat roof with cavity spray foam plus loose-fill insulation and gypsum board thermal barrier.

Publication Date

Fri, 05/01/2015 - 12:00

Wrong – If the insulated sheathing will serve as an air barrier and drainage plane, any cuts and seams must be taped or sealed.

This farmhouse was retrofit by removing the existing siding and adding taped insulated sheathing and battens before installing new siding

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

Sloped roof with cavity spray foam insulation sprayed on underside of roof deck and covered with sprayed-on thermal or ignition barrier coating.

Publication Date

Fri, 05/01/2015 - 12:00

Right - Foil-faced polyisocyanurate insulating rigid foam sheathing is installed below the floor framing of this house built on piers; however, the seams should be sealed with metal taped and the plumbing elevated and protected.

Publication Date

Fri, 09/18/2009 - 12:00

Roof/Attic to Exterior Wall Air Control Upgrade

Guide outlining how to retrofit an exterior wall and/or attic to provide continuous air sealing.

Condensation Control for Walls in Cold Weather

Guide describing ways to construct wall assemblies in cold climates to minimize the likelihood of condensation formation inside the walls.

Fire-Resistant Wall Assemblies

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

Wrong – Either this tape was not pressed down firmly or the surface was wet or dirty so the tape is not sticking properly even during construction.

Publication Date

Sun, 04/01/2012 - 12:00

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

Right - Foil-faced polyisocyanurate rigid foam is attached to the existing exterior wall with vertical wood furring strips

Right – Ripped OSB provides furring strips for a ventilation gap behind the wood siding.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

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

Right – This foil-faced foam sheathing has taped seams and proper flashing details so it can serve as a drainage plane.

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 - This foil-faced polyisocyanurate rigid foam is installed on an existing exterior wall and the seams are taped so the rigid foam can serve as a water control layer

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Pine Mountain Builders, Pine Mountain, Georgia

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

January, 2013

Case study describing a builder in Georgia that designs energy-efficient homes for a green community, yielding homes with HERS scores as lowas 59 and electric bills as low as $50 a month.

An Inset Shear Panel constructed with 2x4 dimensional lumber installed into a 2x6 stud bay

Publication Date

Thu, 08/12/2021 - 12:00

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.

Typical Concrete Tile Roofs in Florida

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.

Structural Sheathing (plywood/OSB) in Exterior Walls

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

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.