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Measure Guideline: Three High Performance Mineral Fiber Insulation Board Retrofit Solutions

Reference

Report describing the use of mineral fiber insulating sheathing in a high performance enclosure retrofit package.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Cladding Attachment Over Thick Exterior Insulating Sheathing

Case Study

Case study describing optimal design and limitations of cladding attachments over exterior sheathings.

This home’s double-wall construction provides a 9-inch wall cavity for insulation.

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Larsen trusses made of 9-inch I joists, set perpendicular to the exterior wall at 16 inches on center, provide a second wall cavity that can be filled with blown insulation, greatly increasing the insulation value in the walls.

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Right – Netted blown fiberglass insulation completely fills the wall cavities with no gaps or voids.

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Hygric Redistribution in Insulated Assemblies: Retrofitting Residential Envelopes Without Creating Moisture Issues

Reference

Report exploring four questions to determine the level of risk associated with adding drained exterior insulation to the exterior of an existing home during an energy retrofit.

Deep energy retrofit showing insulation sprayed on exterior of walls over existing siding

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Dense-packed blown fiberglass insulation completely fills the wall cavities with no gaps or voids.

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Closed-cell spray foam insulation is added to the wall cavities of an existing exterior wall

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In cold climates, install slab edge insulation when pouring slab on grade foundations.

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Right – Ladder blocking allows the exterior wall to be insulated where intersected by an interior wall.

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Taped plywood provides an air barrier beneath the cork insulation installed on the exterior of this home.

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Single framed wall converted to double wall and insulated with closed-cell spray foam

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Expanded polystyrene insulation is installed with joints taped and lath attached in preparation for the application of stucco

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Wrong – The insulated concrete forms at the foundation do not have a damp-proof coating

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Wrong – Conventional T-post detail is extremely difficult to insulate and usually doesn't happen

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Single framed wall converted to double wall and insulated with open-cell spray foam

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Monitoring of Unvented Roofs with Fibrous Insulation, Diffusion Vents, and Interior Vapor Control in a Cold Climate

Reference

Report detailing a three-winter study on unvented roof assemblies in a cold climate, assessing insulation material, ridge diffusion vent presence, vapor control membranes, relative humidity, and interstitial airflow. Results indicate that utilizing air-permeable fibrous fill insulations in unvented...

Monitoring of Unvented Roofs with Fibrous Insulation, Diffusion Vents, and Interior Vapor Control in a Cold Climate

Reference

Report detailing a three-winter study on unvented roof assemblies in a cold climate, assessing insulation material, ridge diffusion vent presence, vapor control membranes, relative humidity, and interstitial airflow; results indicate that utilizing air-permeable fibrous fill insulations in unvented...

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

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A typical Las Vegas hot-dry climate home made of wood frame construction and insulated with R-25 expanded polystyrene externally over a drainage plane, with an unvented wood frame insulated attic and roof assembly.

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Measure Guideline: Three High Performance Mineral Fiber Insulation Board Retrofit Solutions

Technology Solutions Case Study: Cladding Attachment Over Thick Exterior Insulating Sheathing

This home’s double-wall construction provides a 9-inch wall cavity for insulation.

Larsen trusses made of 9-inch I joists, set perpendicular to the exterior wall at 16 inches on center, provide a second wall cavity that can be filled with blown insulation, greatly increasing the insulation value in the walls.

Right – Netted blown fiberglass insulation completely fills the wall cavities with no gaps or voids.

Hygric Redistribution in Insulated Assemblies: Retrofitting Residential Envelopes Without Creating Moisture Issues

Deep energy retrofit showing insulation sprayed on exterior of walls over existing siding

Dense-packed blown fiberglass insulation completely fills the wall cavities with no gaps or voids.

Closed-cell spray foam insulation is added to the wall cavities of an existing exterior wall

In cold climates, install slab edge insulation when pouring slab on grade foundations.

Right – Ladder blocking allows the exterior wall to be insulated where intersected by an interior wall.

Taped plywood provides an air barrier beneath the cork insulation installed on the exterior of this home.

Single framed wall converted to double wall and insulated with closed-cell spray foam

Expanded polystyrene insulation is installed with joints taped and lath attached in preparation for the application of stucco

Wrong – The insulated concrete forms at the foundation do not have a damp-proof coating

Wrong – Conventional T-post detail is extremely difficult to insulate and usually doesn't happen

Single framed wall converted to double wall and insulated with open-cell spray foam

Monitoring of Unvented Roofs with Fibrous Insulation, Diffusion Vents, and Interior Vapor Control in a Cold Climate

Monitoring of Unvented Roofs with Fibrous Insulation, Diffusion Vents, and Interior Vapor Control in a Cold Climate

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

A typical Las Vegas hot-dry climate home made of wood frame construction and insulated with R-25 expanded polystyrene externally over a drainage plane, with an unvented wood frame insulated attic and roof assembly.

Cladding Attachment Solutions for Exterior Insulated Commercial Walls, RDH Technical Bulletin No. 011

Measure Guideline: Wall Air Sealing and Insulation Methods in Existing Homes - An Overview of Opportunity and Process

Air barrier at garage band joist - 1 inch rigid insulation with 1x3 wood furring

Air barrier at garage band joist - 1 inch rigid insulation with 2x2 wood furring

Air barrier at garage band joist - 1 1/2 inch rigid insulation with 2x4 sleepers

Headers over windows on non-load-bearing walls are open to allow room for insulation.

Right - Ladder blocking allows insulation to be installed in exterior walls at interior-exterior wall intersections.

Unfaced batt and blown fiberglass wall insulation are installed to RESENET Grade 1 standards with no gaps or voids.

Wrong - Rigid insulation blocking is installed but not air-sealed with spray foam around edges.