BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

Guide describing techniques for installing insulating sheathing as a continuous drainage plane on walls.

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.

Building Enclosure: Stone Veneer Installation Interior Drainage Plane

The sheathing has rotted because there was not a sufficient drainage gap behind the stucco cladding

Right – Furring strips provide a drainage gap between the rigid foam and the siding.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Right – The building felt is installed on all exterior walls and provides a complete drainage system

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Install all layers of the drainage plane to overlap, not underlap, to direct bulk water down and out of the wall.

Publication Date

Thu, 11/01/2007 - 12:00

Right – The water-resistant barrier covers the entire house and the seams are taped to provide a complete drainage system

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

House wrap is sealed at all seams and overlaps flashing to serve as a continuous drainage plane over the exterior walls.

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Right – The rigid insulation covers all exterior walls and all seams are taped to provide a complete drainage system

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

A plastic fiber drainage mat rainscreen provides uniform support for the siding and allows moisture to flow horizontally and diagonally in addition to vertically.

Publication Date

Tue, 06/29/2021 - 12:00

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

Publication Date

Sun, 04/01/2012 - 12:00

Good water management practices like sloping grade away from house, and installing gutters, perimeter drain pipe, a capillary break, and free-draining soils or drainage mat protect the foundation from water saturation.

Publication Date

Thu, 03/01/2012 - 12:00

Moisture-, Impact-, Fire-, and Pest-Resistant Exterior Siding

Guide describing how to select the siding materials best suited to withstand hazards the home is likely to face within its lifetime.

Step and Kick-Out Flashing at Roof-Wall Intersections

Guide describing how to install step and kick-out flashing on roofs.

Flashing of Roof-Wall Intersections in Existing Homes

Guide describing how to install and properly integrate flashing at the intersection of the wall and roof on an existing home.

Flashing of Wall Penetrations in Existing Homes

Guide describing how to install flashing that is integrated with air and water control layers around piping, vents, and other wall penetrations as part of an exterior wall retrofit.

Windows and Doors are Fully Flashed

Guide describing how to install flashings to help direct water down and out of windows and doors openings in exterior walls.

Hurricanes and High Winds Overview

Overview guide outlining home construction techniques used in hurricane and high wind areas.

Structural Sheathing (plywood/OSB) in Exterior Walls

Guide describing the need for adequate structural sheathing in exterior walls in homes in high-wind areas.

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.