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The below-grade wall assembly includes dampproofing, draining details, and insulation.

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This house design in the Hot-Humid climate uses a slab foundation, masonry walls, and an Exterior Insulation Finish System (EIFS) cladding.

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Vapor-permeable mineral wool insulation is installed on the exterior side of the sill beam during an exterior wall retrofit to allow the sill beam to dry to the outside

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No Vapor Retarders on Interior Side of Air-Permeable Foundation Insulation

Guide

Vapor retarder plastic should not be installed over fibrous insulation on basement or crawlspace walls; rigid foam or spray foam should be installed directly against the concrete, behind the blanket insulation.

This exterior wall retrofit permits drying to the exterior of a sill plate installed on an untreated flat foundation wall

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Technology Solutions Case Study: Moisture Durability of Vapor Permeable Insulating Sheathing

Case Study

Case study describing research about using exterior, vapor permeable insulation of retrofit walls with vapor permeable cavity insulation.

Class I Vapor Retarders Not Installed in Above-Grade Walls in Warm-Humid Climate

Guide

Guide describing vapor retarder permeability, insulation interaction, and example construction in a hot-humid climate.

Capillary Break Beneath Slab - Polyethylene Sheeting or Rigid Insulation over Aggregate or Sand and Geotextile Mat

Guide

Guide describing how to install a capillary break under a slab foundation using either polyethylene sheeting or rigid insulation installed over aggregate or over sand and geotextile matting.

Wrong - Class I vapor retarder over framed basement walls can cause condensation, mold, and rotting because plastic prevents drying to the inside; the outside should have waterproofing and vertical drainage, and the framing should be spaced from the wall.

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Rigid foam insulation can serve as the drainage plane when all seams are taped. Furring strips provide an air gap behind the cladding.

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The below-grade wall assembly includes dampproofing, draining details, and insulation.

This house design in the Hot-Humid climate uses a slab foundation, masonry walls, and an Exterior Insulation Finish System (EIFS) cladding.

Vapor-permeable mineral wool insulation is installed on the exterior side of the sill beam during an exterior wall retrofit to allow the sill beam to dry to the outside

No Vapor Retarders on Interior Side of Air-Permeable Foundation Insulation

This exterior wall retrofit permits drying to the exterior of a sill plate installed on an untreated flat foundation wall

Technology Solutions Case Study: Moisture Durability of Vapor Permeable Insulating Sheathing

Class I Vapor Retarders Not Installed in Above-Grade Walls in Warm-Humid Climate

Capillary Break Beneath Slab - Polyethylene Sheeting or Rigid Insulation over Aggregate or Sand and Geotextile Mat

Wrong - Class I vapor retarder over framed basement walls can cause condensation, mold, and rotting because plastic prevents drying to the inside; the outside should have waterproofing and vertical drainage, and the framing should be spaced from the wall.

Rigid foam insulation can serve as the drainage plane when all seams are taped. Furring strips provide an air gap behind the cladding.

Cement Board Installed behind Tile and Panel Tub and Shower Enclosures

Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

Building Science Introduction - Moisture Flow