BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Continuous Rigid Insulation Sheathing

Guide describing continuous rigid insulation installation procedures to reduce thermal bridging and help provide thermal protection.

Advanced Framing: Insulated Corners

Guide describing how to frame and insulate corners to reduce heat losses and gains though structural framing.

Stucco Over Rigid Foam Insulation

Guide describing how to install stucco over rigid foam insulation in new and existing homes.

Above Deck Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Roofs

Guide describing the installation of insulating sheathing above the roof deck on existing homes. This retrofit assembly is appropriate for homes with conditioned attics or where the retrofit is intended to create a conditioned attic.

Install continuous rigid foam insulation or insulated siding to help reduce thermal bridging through wood- or metal-framed exterior walls.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Continuous rigid insulation has been installed

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Rigid insulation is being installed with cap nails

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Insulated sheathing has been taped and sealed at seams

Publication Date

Sat, 10/01/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Insulated sheathing seams should align with framing members

No insulated sheathing seams are visible from the inside during framing

Wrong – Rigid insulation is being installed without cap nails

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – All insulated sheathing boards are installed according to the manufacturer’s recommended fastening schedule and taping specifications

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

Rigid foam insulated sheathing placed exterior to house wrap, interior to house wrap, or take the place of the house wrap

Publication Date

Mon, 10/01/2007 - 12:00

Wrong – A visible gap in the insulated sheathing introduces unwanted outside air, creating a thermal bypass and encouraging convective air flow

Wrong – When insulated sheathing is installed correctly, you should not see daylight. Nail holes were also left unplugged.

Right – Structural insulated sheathing can provide racking strength (lateral load resistance), and serve as an air barrier and thermal barrier if installed according to manufacturer’s specifications with taped, sealed seams

Vinyl Siding with Integrated Rigid Foam for Existing Walls

Guide describing the design and installation considerations for recladding of above grade walls using insulated vinyl siding.

Proper flashing around windows is especially important when the rigid foam serves as the drainage plane in the wall

Publication Date

Mon, 10/01/2007 - 12:00

Lay out the rigid foam sheathing joints so they do not align with the window and door edges

Publication Date

Mon, 10/01/2007 - 12:00

With a quality installation, tape can last a long time

Publication Date

Sun, 04/01/2012 - 12:00

Use flashing tape to seal around any pipes or vents that penetrate through the foam

Publication Date

Sun, 04/01/2012 - 12:00

Two layers of XPS are installed with staggered seams over a liquid-applied membrane on the structural sheathing

Publication Date

Sun, 04/01/2012 - 12:00

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

Technology Solutions Case Study: Preventing Thermal Bypass

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

October, 2012

Case study describing techniques used to prevent thermal bypass in new homes.

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.

Are the Walls Closing In?

Author(s)

Kochkin

Organization(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Webinar describing research on moisture performance in high-R walls.