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Moisture Management in Residential Construction Series - Brick Installation Drainage Cavity Wall

Video

Video from Home Innovation Research Labs showing how to correctly install brick cladding on exterior walls with a drainage cavity behind it for moisture prevention.

Building America Existing Home Case Study: Insulated Siding Retrofit in a Cold Climate, New Paltz, New York

Case Study

Case study describing the application of insulated siding on an existing home.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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2021 IECC Climate Zone 1A: Unvented Flat Roof, 2x4 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade

2021 IECC Climate Zone 1A: Unvented Flat Roof, 2x4 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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

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

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Right - Continuous wall sheathing and blocking has been installed to brace the raised heel trusses.

Right - Continuous wall sheathing and blocking has been installed to brace the raised heel trusses.

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Make sure the beads of caulk are continuous the full length at each SIP panel seam, such as at the wall-roof seam, to maintain air barrier continuity

Make sure the beads of caulk are continuous the full length at each SIP panel seam, such as at the wall-roof seam, to maintain air barrier continuity

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Foil-faced rigid foam and spray foam can be used to insulate a basement on the interior; use good moisture management techniques to keep the basement dry

Foil-faced rigid foam and spray foam can be used to insulate a basement on the interior; use good moisture management techniques to keep the basement dry

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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.

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

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

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Rigid foam is installed behind the brick veneer and at the slab edge and perimeter to thermally isolate the concrete floor slab from the stem wall

Rigid foam is installed behind the brick veneer and at the slab edge and perimeter to thermally isolate the concrete floor slab from the stem wall

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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

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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This basement is insulated on the exterior with rigid foam over dampproofing, with granular backfill and footing drains to facilitate drainage away from the foundation, a termite shield to protect from pests, and cellular PVC to protect the rigid foam.

This basement is insulated on the exterior with rigid foam over dampproofing, with granular backfill and footing drains to facilitate drainage away from the foundation, a termite shield to protect from pests, and cellular PVC to protect the rigid foam.

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A 1- and ½-story home with a room located in the attic and the thermal boundary located at either a) the walls and ceiling of the attic room with small vented attic spaces or b) the roof line for an unvented attic

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Rigid foam provides intermittent thermal breaks in a continuous slab floor with triple-pane-glass exterior wall panels in this multistory, multifamily building; stainless steel rebar provides structural support through the thermal break

Rigid foam provides intermittent thermal breaks in a continuous slab floor with triple-pane-glass exterior wall panels in this multistory, multifamily building; stainless steel rebar provides structural support through the thermal break

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These prefabricated rebar assemblies use stainless steel and rigid foam to provide a thermal break where a concrete floor slab passes through the exterior wall of a multistory building; the stainless steel is connected to carbon steel rebar

These prefabricated rebar assemblies use stainless steel and rigid foam to provide a thermal break where a concrete floor slab passes through the exterior wall of a multistory building; the stainless steel is connected to carbon steel rebar

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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.

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.

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

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

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Dropped Ceiling/Soffit Below Unconditioned Attic

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate and air-seal dropped ceilings and soffits to prevent air leakage.

Corner installed plywood or OSB as shear bracing

Corner installed plywood or OSB as shear bracing

CAD File

2-stud corner with 1x4 backer

2-stud corner with 1x4 backer

CAD File

Garage Rim/Band Joist Adjoining Conditioned Space

Guide

Guide describing the air-sealing of rim joists on walls connecting homes and attached garages.

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