BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

In this exterior wall retrofit of a masonry brick home, first the brick was covered with a fluid-applied water and air control layer (white), then 2x4 furring strips and two layers of rigid foam insulation, then 1x4 furring strips to attach cladding to

Publication Date

Fri, 08/13/2021 - 12:00

Plan view of exterior masonry brick wall retrofitted with furring strips, three layers of rigid mineral wool insulation staggered and taped at the seams, and topped with metal hat channel providing a ventilation gap surface to nail under the lap siding

Publication Date

Fri, 08/13/2021 - 12:00

Advanced framing techniques including 2x6 walls spaced at 24 inches on center and ladder blocking at wall intersections allow more space for insulation in the wall cavities while open-web floor joists provide space between floors for ducting.

Publication Date

Mon, 01/01/2018 - 12:00

HVAC ducts, cavities used as ducts, and combustion inlets and outlets may pass perpendicularly through exterior walls but shall not be run within exterior walls unless at least R-6 continuous insulation is provided on exterior side of the cavity

Right – The window header is filled with spray foam and sealant is used to air seal wood-to-wood seams; however, it would be preferable to design the wall to avoid so many stacked studs around the windows because they prevent wall insulation installation.

Publication Date

Fri, 12/31/2021 - 12:00

This close-up of an exterior wall retrofit of a masonry brick home shows the fluid-applied water and air control layer (white), 2x4 furring strips and two layers of rigid foam insulation (pink), then 1x4 furring which provides a ventilation gap

Publication Date

Fri, 08/13/2021 - 12:00

Each floor of this two-story modular home is constructed in a factory, including the 2x6, 24-inch on-center walls, R-21 fiberglass batt cavity insulation, and rigid exterior foam, housewrap, windows, and trim, then connected on site.

The exterior walls are double walls consisting of two 2x4 stud walls set 3 inches apart to form a 10-inch-thick wall cavity that is filled with blown-in fiberglass to provide a continuous R-40 blanket of insulation around the home.

Skylight Shaft Walls

Guide describing insulation techniques for skylight shaft walls.

Walls Adjoining Porch Roof

This guide describes how to install a rigid air barrier to separate the porch attic from the conditioned space.

Double Wall Framing - Code Compliance Brief

Double stud wall wood framing is not specifically addressed in the International Residential Code (IRC) or International Energy Conservation Code (IECC); it is neither encouraged nor discouraged. Recommendations of where the vapor retarder and air barrier should be placed, based on research and testing are further defined in this Code Compliance Brief.

ROXUL Mineral Wool | Madrona Passive House

Publication Date

February, 2015

Video describing the installation of mineral wool monolithic exterior insulation.

Roof/Attic to Exterior Wall Air Control Upgrade

Guide outlining how to retrofit an exterior wall and/or attic to provide continuous air sealing.

Double-Wall Architectural Feature

Guide describing air barrier installation, insulation installation, and air-sealing for double walls (half or full walls included in a home design as an architectural feature that provides a more dimensional appearance).

Attic Knee Walls

Guide describing how to insulate and air-seal attic knee walls and floor joist cavities under knee walls.

Fold-Form

Author(s)

Owens Corning Insulation

Organization(s)

Owens Corning Insulation

Publication Date

August, 2006

Information sheet with manufacturer specifications about insulated concrete forms.

Walls Behind Showers and Tubs (1)

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to properly insulate walls behind showers and tubs.

Continuous Air Barrier in Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to install continuous air barriers in exterior walls.

Easy access

Publication Date

Tue, 05/01/2012 - 12:00

Building Materials with High Moisture Content Not Enclosed

Guide describing how to avoid using wet materials and reduce moisture exposure in construction.

Dropped Ceiling/Soffit Below Unconditioned Attic

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

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

Passive House Wall Assembly Mock | Hammer & Hand

Publication Date

March, 2015

Video showing a mock wall assembly used in Hammer and Hand’s passive houses.

High Performance Builder Spotlight: Scott Homes Inc.

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

January, 2011

Case study describing a new home construction project in the marine climate.

Advanced Framing vs Traditional Framing

Publication Date

December, 2012

Author(s)

Risinger

Organization(s)

Build with Matt Risinger

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.

Staircase Walls

Guide describing how to create a fully aligned air barrier behind a staircase.

Walls Behind Showers and Tubs

This guide describes how to install a rigid air barrier to walls behind showers and tubs.

Connection of a concrete foundation wall to SIP wall panel with a sill plate and floor joist

DWG

PDF

Install Top Plates or Blocking at the Top of Walls Adjoining Unconditioned Spaces

Guide describing how to correctly air-seal a wall with missing top plates or open wall cavities.

The Perfect Wall Explained

Publication Date

September, 2020

Author(s)

Todd Usher

Organization(s)

Addison Homes

Video describing a technique to insulate walls to a higher R-value using a foam board on the exterior side.

Walls Behind Fireplaces

This guide describes how to install a rigid air barrier to walls behind fireplaces.

DOE ZERH HIA 2017 Case Study: United Way of Long Island, United Veterans Beacon House, Huntington Station, NY

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2017

Case study showing project and performance data and energy-efficiency measures for a DOE 2017 Housing Innovation Award winning home that was certified to the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home criteria.

Cold Climate Building Techniques & Concepts: Furring In an Outside Wall

Publication Date

January, 2017

Author(s)

Benesch

Organization(s)

Cold Climate Housing Research Center,

CCHRC

Video describing a furring in framing technique to further insulate a pre-existing Alaskan house.

Condensation Control for Walls in Cold Weather

Guide describing ways to construct wall assemblies in cold climates to minimize the likelihood of condensation formation inside the walls.

Water Managed Existing Sill Beams and Sill Plates

Guide describing how to insulate the sill beam or sill plate on the exterior side in a way that allows drying to the exterior, as part of an exterior wall upgrade.

Seismic and Thermal Resistance in Slab-on-Grade Foundations with Turned-Down Footings (Monolithic Slabs)

Guide describing how to construct and retrofit homes built on slab-on-grade foundations in earthquake-prone areas to withstand seismic forces by properly installing wall to foundation connections.

Concrete Solutions, BSI-118

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

October, 2020

Report covering insulating crawlspaces.

Garage Rim/Band Joist Adjoining Conditioned Space

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

Air Sealing Drywall to Top Plate

Guide describing ways to seal drywall to the top plate of an exterior wall to air-seal the wall cavity.

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

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2008 - 12:00

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

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2008 - 12:00

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

Author(s)

IBACOS

Organization(s)

IBACOS

Publication Date

May, 2014

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.

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

Publication Date

Mon, 10/01/2007 - 12:00

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

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2008 - 12:00

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

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2008 - 12:00

Analysis of Joint Masonry Moisture Content Monitoring

Author(s)

Ueno Kohta

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

October, 2015

Report on adding insulation to load-bearing mass masonry buildings.

ETW: Wall - ICF Wall Construction

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

November, 2014

Information sheet that summarizes Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction including advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.

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

Publication Date

Wed, 11/14/2012 - 12:00

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

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2008 - 12:00

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

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

Builders Challenge High Performance Builder Spotlight: David Weekley Homes, Houston, Texas

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

December, 2009

Case study describing new home construction in the hot-humid climate, optimizing thermal enclosure, HVAC, water heating and lighting measures.

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

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2008 - 12:00

Air Sealing Duct and Flue Shafts

Guide describing how to air-seal duct and flue shafts.

Burlingame Ranch Phase I

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

February, 2009

Case study describing a building project in the cold and very-cold climate zones.

With a quality installation, tape can last a long time

Publication Date

Sun, 04/01/2012 - 12:00

Moisture Management in Residential Construction Series - Building Enclosure: Exterior Wall Overview

Publication Date

January, 2011

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Organization(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Video from Home Innovation Research Labs giving an overview of moisture problems common to exterior walls and how to mitigate these problems with proper framing, flashing, sheathing, cladding, and insulation.

Building Code Training - Residential Thermal Envelope - Air Sealing

Author(s)

Southface Energy Institute

Organization(s)

SEI

Publication Date

May, 2020

Presentation describing the Georgia State Minimum Standard Energy Code air barrier requirements, envelope concepts including air flow and thermal properties, and common missed insulation and air-sealing opportunities.

They All Laughed, BSI-026

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2017

Article describing the evolution of the IRC to permit class 3 vapor retarders (latex paint) in walls coupled with exterior continuous insulation to allow drying and reduce condensation risk.

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

Publication Date

Sun, 04/01/2012 - 12:00

A pumper is used to place the concrete into the foam form walls

Publication Date

Thu, 03/01/2012 - 12:00

ICF forms are filled with the use of a concrete pumper truck

Publication Date

Thu, 03/01/2012 - 12:00

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

Publication Date

Sun, 04/01/2012 - 12:00

HVAC Ducts Shall Not Be Run within Exterior Walls

Guide describing the use of building cavities as supply or return ducts.

High-Thermal-Mass Construction

Guide describing materials and methods for incorporating thermal mass into the construction of a home for temperature regulation, energy savings, and resistance to extreme heat and cold.

The ICF consists of foam forms that are held in place with plastic or metal spacers and reinforced with metal rebar

Publication Date

Thu, 03/01/2012 - 12:00

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.

Publication Date

Sun, 04/01/2012 - 12:00

Corner installed plywood or OSB as shear bracing

DWG

PDF

2-stud corner with 1x4 backer

DWG

PDF

Mastic Home Exteriors Installation Guide

Author(s)

Ply Gem Siding Group

Organization(s)

Ply Gem Siding Group

Publication Date

April, 2015

Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.

Building America Special Research Project - High-R Foundations Case Study Analysis, RR-1003

Author(s)

Smegal Jonathan,

Straube John

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

August, 2010

Research study describing a number of promising foundation and basement insulation strategies that can meet the requirement for better thermal control in colder climates while enhancing moisture control, health, and comfort.

Advanced Framing: Minimum Wall Studs

Guide describing how to frame a wall with minimal wall studs to prevent heat losses and gains through walls.

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: SMUD's Energy Efficient Remodel Demonstration Project

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

October, 2010

Case study describing a retrofit project in the hot-dry climate.

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: SMUD's Energy Efficient Remodel Demonstration Project: Sacramento, CA

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

October, 2010

Case study describing a retrofit project in the hot-dry climate.

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Retrofit of 1915 Home, Dayton, Washington

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

December, 2011

Case study describing an energy efficient renovation in the cold climate.

Interior intersecting wall with 1x6

DWG

PDF

2-stud corner with drywall clips

DWG

PDF

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

Tape horizontal joint with minimum 3" wide tape placing tape offset high on the joint, adhearing to the upper sheet without wrinkles

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

DOE ZERH HIA 2017 Case Study: Thrive Home Builders, Courtyard Rows, Lone Tree, CO

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2017

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2017 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 41 without PV and 8 with PV.

Mini truss header - section

DWG

PDF

Outset header with head plate

DWG

PDF

Interior intersecting wall with drywall clips

DWG

PDF

Interior intersecting wall with ladder blocking

DWG

PDF

Air Sealing Sill Plates

Guide describing how to air-seal sill plates in single-family homes and multifamily buildings.

Air Sealing Bathroom and Kitchen Exhaust Fans

Guide describing how to air-seal bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans.

Advanced Framing: Minimal Framing at Doors and Windows

Guide describing how to minimize framing around doors and windows to reduce heat losses and gains through structural framing.

Case Study: Rural Development, Inc., Wisdom Way Solar Village, Greenfield, MA

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL,

ORNL

Publication Date

December, 2010

Case study describing a 20-unit community of energy-efficient duplexes in Massachusetts incorporating solar water heating and photovoltaics.

Extended Plate Wall System Expands Adoption of High-R Envelope Solutions

Author(s)

Burkett Lena,

Gunderson Patti

Organization(s)

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

August, 2020

Fact sheet describing the Extended Plate Wall (EPW) a system that incorporates a 2-inch layer of foam plastic insulative sheathing within the framing for top and bottom plates, streamlining air sealing, window and door installation, weather resistive barrier application, and cladding attachment for...