BASC Search

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

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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

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

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

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The vertical Z-bar passes lengthwise through the sheathing and forms a significant thermal bridge through the insulation to the steel wall studs; it should be avoided

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This image shows a cross section of a vertical Z-bar cladding anchor that forms a thermal bridge through the insulation to the steel wall studs and should be avoided

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In multistory insulating concrete form (ICF) buildings, the concrete floor slabs are integrated into the ICF exterior walls and structurally supported by the reinforced concrete wall cores

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Synthetic stucco wraps all four sides of the window openings and creates a pan flashing on the sills in exterior walls created from insulated concrete forms (ICF)

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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

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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

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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

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Insulate a post-tensioned monolithic concrete slab: A) Install rigid foam in form before pouring concrete for slab, B) After concrete cures, install a second layer of rigid foam and protection board on the exterior perimeter of the wall

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Reducing Thermal Bridging in Mass and Steel-Framed Multifamily Buildings

Guide

Guide describing common areas of thermal bridging in mass (concrete) and steel-framed multistory buildings and methods and materials for addressing those points of thermal bridging.

Monolithic slab with a grade beam

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Slab independent of foundation wall

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

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

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Advanced Framing vs Traditional Framing

Video

Video describing traditional 2x4 16 inch on center framing versus advanced framing with 2x6 stud walls at 24 inch on center, insulated corners and headers, wall stud-ceiling joist alignment, etc. providing a strong wall with more room for insulation.

With a quality installation, tape can last a long time

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High-Performance Homes - A Simpler Design Strategy

Presentation

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.

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

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

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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.

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This technique for installing electrical wiring avoids the need to cut into the SIP panel

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Install a housewrap drainage plane between the SIP panels and the exterior cladding

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After installing the house wrap over the SIPS, window flashing is installed

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Technology Solutions Case Study: Stand-Off Furring in Deep Energy Retrofits

Case Study

Case study describing a stand-off furring strategy that minimizes the physical connections to each existing wall stud, uses spray foam to encapsulate existing siding materials (including lead paint), and creates a vented rain screen assembly to promote drying.

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

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

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

The vertical Z-bar passes lengthwise through the sheathing and forms a significant thermal bridge through the insulation to the steel wall studs; it should be avoided

This image shows a cross section of a vertical Z-bar cladding anchor that forms a thermal bridge through the insulation to the steel wall studs and should be avoided

In multistory insulating concrete form (ICF) buildings, the concrete floor slabs are integrated into the ICF exterior walls and structurally supported by the reinforced concrete wall cores

Synthetic stucco wraps all four sides of the window openings and creates a pan flashing on the sills in exterior walls created from insulated concrete forms (ICF)

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

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

Insulate a post-tensioned monolithic concrete slab: A) Install rigid foam in form before pouring concrete for slab, B) After concrete cures, install a second layer of rigid foam and protection board on the exterior perimeter of the wall

Reducing Thermal Bridging in Mass and Steel-Framed Multifamily Buildings

Monolithic slab with a grade beam

Slab independent of foundation wall

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

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

Advanced Framing vs Traditional Framing

With a quality installation, tape can last a long time

High-Performance Homes - A Simpler Design Strategy

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

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

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.

This technique for installing electrical wiring avoids the need to cut into the SIP panel

Install a housewrap drainage plane between the SIP panels and the exterior cladding

After installing the house wrap over the SIPS, window flashing is installed

Technology Solutions Case Study: Stand-Off Furring in Deep Energy Retrofits

SIP panel walls are less susceptible to air leakage and convection issues than stick-built walls

A surface spline reduces thermal bridging much more than a structural spline at SIP panel seams

A structural spline made of a solid 2x is used where needed to meet structural load requirements at SIP panel seams