BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Slab Edge Insulation

Guide describing how to insulate slabs on grade in climate zones 3 and higher.

Unvented Attic Insulation

Guide describing methods for insulating an unvented attic along the roof line.

Measure the depth of insulation

Publication Date

Fri, 01/01/2010 - 12:00

Insulation Below Attic Platforms

Guide describing how to install insulation below attic platforms

Attic Eave Minimum Insulation

Guide providing guidance on insulating attic eaves in new and existing single-family homes and multifamily buildings.

Advanced Framing: Insulated Headers

Guide describing how to insulate headers over doors and windows to reduce heat loss and heat gain through solid wood framing.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing structural insulated panels.

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.

Properly installed rigid insulation

Double Walls for More Insulation

Guide describing construction and insulation techniques for double wall framing.

Attic Eave Minimum Insulation (3)

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing raised heel trusses for minimum attic eave insulation.

Stucco Over Rigid Foam Insulation

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

3-stud corner with rigid insulation

DWG

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Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

Guide describing how to install insulated concrete forms to block excessive heat loss and gain though structural framing.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

This measure guides describes how to install structural insulated panels to block excessive heat loss and gain though structural framing.

Wrong – Insulation will not be aligned with air barrier

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Framing allows corner to be insulated

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Framing allows corner to be insulated

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Interior details of an insulated closed crawlspace

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Insulation Installation (RESNET Grade 1) - Part 2

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to properly install insulation.

The attic kneewall and the open floor cavities under kneewall are both sealed and insulated in one step with spray foam insulation

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/2009 - 12:00

Interior intersecting wall with 2 studs and rigid insulation

DWG

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Right – Slab insulation extends to the top of the slab

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Slab insulation extends to the top of the slab

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Framing does not allow corner to be insulated

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Framing does not allow corner to be insulated

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Framing does not allow corner to be insulated

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Excessive framing will not allow corner to be insulated

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – The framing will not allow for required insulation depth.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – The framing allows for required insulation depth.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Verify continuous rigid insulation is installed

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Construct exterior walls with structural insulated panels (SIPs) to provide an airtight wall with consistent insulation and very little thermal bridging.

Publication Date

Sat, 10/01/2011 - 12:00

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

Rigid Foam Board Insulation for Band Joists (1)

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to properly insulate band joists in crawlspaces.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Insulating Concrete Forms

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

October, 2012

Case study describing the incorporation of insulating concrete forms (ICFs) into new home design and construction.

Rigid Foam Board Insulation for Existing Band Joists

Guide describing principles of insulating and air sealing band joists as a stand alone energy upgrade, or as part of creating a closed crawlspace.

Structured insulated panels (SIPS) as band joist

DWG

PDF

Advanced Framing: Insulated Interior/Exterior Wall Intersections

Guide describing how to frame and insulate exterior-to-interior wall intersections to reduce heat losses and gains though structural framing.

Wrong – Slab insulation does not extend to the top of the slab

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Slab insulation does not extend to the top of the slab

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

Right – Gap in framing will allow corner to be filled with insulation

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Insulated sheathing seams should align with framing members

No insulated sheathing seams are visible from the inside during framing

Turned down concrete slab - 3/4 inch rigid insulation

DWG

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Turned down concrete slab - 1 1/2 inch rigid insulation

DWG

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1 inch exterior insulation sheathing as attic eave baffle and vent

DWG

PDF

Right – HVAC platform installed to allow for proper insulation depth

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Insulation installed to correct depth and will be aligned with air barrier

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Rigid insulation is being installed without cap nails

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Install insulation under platforms constructed in the attic for storage or equipment.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Ladder blocking allows for insulation behind the wall intersection

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Construct exterior walls with insulated concrete forms (ICFs) that provide insulation without thermal bridging, as well as air sealing, a drainage plane, and high structural strength.

Publication Date

Sat, 10/01/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – The framing and wind baffle installation will not allow for required insulation depth.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Inset band joist at mudsill - 1 1/2 inch rigid insulation

DWG

PDF

A standard site-built roof of rafters may pinch the insulation at the eaves

Publication Date

Sat, 01/01/2011 - 12:00

Advanced framing details include insulated headers over windows and doors.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Verify two member headers with rigid insulation between are installed

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Verify single member headers with insulation on one side are installed

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

An insulated spline is another option for avoiding thermal bridging at SIP panel seams

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2008 - 12:00

In cold climates, install slab edge insulation when pouring slab on grade foundations.

Wrong – Conventional T-post detail is extremely difficult to insulate and usually doesn't happen

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Limited attic access can make inspections for missing air barriers and insulation challenging

Publication Date

Wed, 04/01/2015 - 12:00

Advanced framing details include framing aligned to allow for insulation at interior-exterior wall intersections.

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

Design the roof with raised heel trusses to allow full insulation over the top plates of the exterior walls.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Full length 2x6 nailer has been installed to allow space for insulation at wall intersection

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Rigid air barrier installed between double-wall assembly. Inside cavity will be insulated

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

ICFs provide continuous wall insulation from the roof to the footing with very little thermal bridging

Publication Date

Thu, 01/01/2009 - 12:00

In cathedral ceilings, parallel chord trusses allow thicker insulation levels over the exterior wall top plates.

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

Special molded corners provide continuous insulation layer at the corners to improve structural strength and minimize thermal bridging

Publication Date

Sun, 01/01/2012 - 12:00

Standard roof trusses are narrow at the eaves, preventing full insulation coverage over the top plate of the exterior walls

Publication Date

Sat, 01/01/2011 - 12:00

Right – This attic knee wall and the floor joist cavity openings beneath it are being sealed and insulated with spray foam.

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/2009 - 12:00

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

Advanced framing details include corners that are constructed with fewer studs or studs aligned so that insulation can be installed in the corner.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Ladder blocking where exterior walls intersect interior walls provides more space for insulation and reduces thermal bridging.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/01/2011 - 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.

Wrong - Batt insulation does not provide complete coverage across the attic floor so ceiling joists are exposed resulting in thermal bridging.

For slabs on grade in CZ 4 and higher, 100% of slab edge insulated to ≥ R-5 at the depth specified by the 2009 IECC and aligned with thermal boundary of the walls

Publication Date

Sat, 10/01/2011 - 12:00

Right-- IR photo shows how effectively spray foam insulated/air sealed attic kneewall and the floor cavities under kneewall

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/2009 - 12:00

Limited attic access may make it necessary to use a bore scope when inspecting for missing air barriers and insulation in existing buildings.

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/2009 - 12:00

With balconies in multifamily buildings, it is important to establish correct structural attachment while also providing insulation in a way that minimizes thermal bridging where the balcony attaches to the building

Publication Date

Sat, 06/01/2024 - 12:00

Infrared thermography during depressurization testing reveals air leakage at corner of spray foam-insulated room where wood-to-wood seams in framing were not air sealed

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

Vented versus Unvented Attic

Guide describing options for designing and locating the thermal boundary at either the attic floor or along the roof line in new and existing homes.

Monolithic slab with a grade beam

Publication Date

Fri, 05/01/2009 - 12:00

Slab independent of foundation wall

Publication Date

Fri, 05/01/2009 - 12:00

Wind Washing

Guide describing wind washing and how to prevent it.

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

High-Performance Homes - A Simpler Design Strategy

Author(s)

Tom Patton

Organization(s)

Fox Blocks,

EEBA

Publication Date

August, 2020

Webinar from Tom Patton of Fox Blocks on how changes to building codes are driving changes to framing assemblies and insulation, highlighting how ICFs can take over for traditional wood frame wall assemblies. Free EEBA login required.