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.

Batt Insulation for Existing Vented Attics

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

Stucco Over Rigid Foam Insulation

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

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.

Certified Insulated Siding: Quality, Comfort and Energy Performance

Author(s)

Dobson,

Brignati

Organization(s)

Vinyl Siding Institute,

Newport Ventures

This presentation will help you define insulated siding, understand R-value testing of insulated siding, describe proper installation of insulated siding, comply with energy codes and understand building energy performance program and software recognition.

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

Structural Testing of Screws through Thick Exterior Insulation

Author(s)

Tatara Jun,

Ricketts Lorne

Organization(s)

RDH Building Science Inc.,

Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology,

CCBST

Publication Date

January, 2017

Conference paper describing testing of the performance of fasteners used to attach rigid foam insulation to the exterior of walls.

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

Stud Walls With Continuous Exterior Insulation for Factory Built Housing

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

January, 2014

Case study describing a panelized construction method for stud walls with continuous rigid foam insulation.

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

Continuous Insulation – Cladding/Furring Attachment - Code Compliance Brief

Guidance is needed for code-compliant installations of various cladding materials when installed over thicker foam sheathing also known as insulated sheathing or continuous insulation (c.i.).

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.

Expanded polystyrene insulation is installed with joints taped and lath attached in preparation for the application of stucco

Cladding Attachment Solutions for Exterior Insulated Commercial Walls, RDH Technical Bulletin No. 011

Author(s)

Finch Graham,

Higgins James

Organization(s)

RDH

Publication Date

December, 2015

Article describing correct ways to attach rigid insulation to the exterior of commercial and residential buildings.

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

Right-Wall-insulating sheathing is extended up to roof rafters and sealed around the framing with spray foam

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

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

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.

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

Stucco is installed over rigid insulation, which is installed over a drainage plane consisting of a drainage gap and building wrap layer over the sheathing

Standard Practice for the Installation of Mounting Flange Windows into Walls Utilizing Foam Plastic Insulating Sheathing (FPIS) with a Separate Water-Resistive Barrier (WRB), FMA/AAMA/WDMA 500-16

Author(s)

Fenestration Manufacturers Association,

American Architectural Manufacturers Association,

Window & Door Manufacturers Association

Organization(s)

FMA,

AAMA,

WDMA

Publication Date

April, 2016

Guide describing the installation of windows in walls that have foam plastic insulating; guide provides several methods for attaching, supporting, and flashing windows in walls with rigid foam sheathing. (Note: The link only goes to the table of contents for the guide, the full guide can be...

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

ROXUL Mineral Wool | Madrona Passive House

Publication Date

February, 2015

Video describing the installation of mineral wool monolithic exterior insulation.

Roof/Attic to Exterior Wall Air Control Upgrade

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

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

Passive House Wall Assembly Mock | Hammer & Hand

Publication Date

March, 2015

Video showing a mock wall assembly used in Hammer and Hand’s passive houses.

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.

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

Moisture Management in Residential Construction Series - Building Enclosure: Exterior Wall Overview

Publication Date

January, 2011

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Organization(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Video from Home Innovation Research Labs giving an overview of moisture problems common to exterior walls and how to mitigate these problems with proper framing, flashing, sheathing, cladding, and insulation.

They All Laughed, BSI-026

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2017

Article describing the evolution of the IRC to permit class 3 vapor retarders (latex paint) in walls coupled with exterior continuous insulation to allow drying and reduce condensation risk.

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

Mastic Home Exteriors Installation Guide

Author(s)

Ply Gem Siding Group

Organization(s)

Ply Gem Siding Group

Publication Date

April, 2015

Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.

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.

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

Rigid foam serves as the sheathing on these 2x6 24-inch on center walls; plywood is used only at the corners for wind bracing.

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

Waverly Home Addition | Exterior Cladding Details

Publication Date

February, 2014

Video describing the exterior cladding details of a residential home addition project.

These factory-built walls consist of 9.5-inch I-studs sheathed with coated OSB, faced with OSB, and dense-packed with cellulose; a second interior surface of drywall is added to provide a 1.5-inch cavity for electrical wiring.

Are the Walls Closing In?

Author(s)

Kochkin

Organization(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

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

Over the taped rigid foam board, 2x4 furring strips provide a ventilating air gap and drainage plane under the engineered wood lap siding. The furring strips were attached with structural screws to provide an attachment surface for the siding.

Right: All joints in the rigid foam are taped to keep stucco out of joints for even drying. Mesh tape (shown here) is used with expanded polystyrene (EPS); acrylic sheathing tape or self-adhered membrane is used with XPS

All About Water-Resistive Barriers

Author(s)

Holladay Martin

Organization(s)

Green Building Advisor

Publication Date

January, 2011

Article about different types of weather resistant barrier.

Building in Extreme Cold, BSI-031

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

February, 2010

Article describing the control layers (air, thermal, and vapor barriers) needed to build homes successfully in very cold locations.

Building America Building Science Advisor

Author(s)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

ORNL,

DOE

Publication Date

January, 2019

Web based tool providing decision-making guidance for selecting wall assembly components.

Exterior Walls (Air Sealing Sheathing)

Publication Date

June, 2017

Video showing a technique for airtight sheathing installation on exterior walls using foam gasket strips.

2021 IBC and IRC Adopt Improved Vapor Retarder Requirements

Author(s)

Crandell Jay H

Organization(s)

Applied Building Technology Group,

ABTG

Publication Date

February, 2021

Article describing vapor retarder requirements in the International Residential Code and International Building Code 2021.

Unvented roof assembly at eave retrofitted with rigid foam, spray foam, and taped top edge of existing house wrap or building paper

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

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

Author(s)

Wiehagen Joseph,

Kochkin Vladimir

Organization(s)

Partnership for Home Innovation,

PHI,

Home Innovation Research Labs,

HIRL

Publication Date

August, 2015

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

Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2020

Report providing extensive guidance on controlling moisture in building envelopes through proper selection and installation on air, water, thermal, and vapor barriers.

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.

Advanced Extended Plate and Beam Wall System in a Cold-Climate House

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Organization(s)

HIRL

Publication Date

February, 2016

Case study describing a zero energy ready home (ZERH) that was recently completed featuring an innovative wall system. This highly insulated (high-R) light-frame wall system, called the extended plate and beam (EP&B), is for use above grade in residential buildings.