BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

After attaching netting to the 2x6 studs, workers fill the wall cavities with R-23 of blown fiberglass made from recycled bottles.

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/2015 - 12:00

Right – Housewrap was properly shingled and taped on this wall assembly which places the housewrap beneath the rigid foam sheathing; wall cavities will be filled with spray foam.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

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

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Masonry wall interior retrofit with parge coat, fluid-applied water control layer, spray foam, and wood or metal stud service cavity

Publication Date

Fri, 08/13/2021 - 12:00

Building Science Education 3.14: Calculating R-Values for a Wall Part 3

Author(s)

Paul Torcellini

Organization(s)

NREL

Publication Date

July, 2021

Video demonstrating how to calculate R-values for a simple wall construction.

IECC Climate Zone 1A: Flat Roof, Unvented, 2x6 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Fri, 09/29/2023 - 12:00

IECC Climate Zone 2A: Flat Roof, Unvented, 2x6 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Wed, 10/18/2023 - 12:00

IECC Climate Zone 3A: Vented Cathedral Celling, 2x6 Wall, Vented Crawl Space

Publication Date

Wed, 10/18/2023 - 12:00

IECC Climate Zone 3A: SIP Roof, SIP Wall, Stem Wall, Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Wed, 10/18/2023 - 12:00

IECC Climate Zone 3B: SIP Roof, SIP Wall, Stem Wall, Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Wed, 10/18/2023 - 12:00

IECC Climate Zone 4A: SIP Roof, SIP Wall, Stem Wall, Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Wed, 10/18/2023 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 4A: Vented Cathedral Ceiling, 2x6 Wall, Slab on Grade (with notes)

Publication Date

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 4B: Vented Cathedral Ceiling, 2x6 Wall, Slab on Grade (with notes)

Publication Date

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 4C: Vented Cathedral Ceiling, 2x6 Wall, Slab on grade (with notes)

Publication Date

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 4C: Vented Attic, ICF Wall, ICF Basement Foundation (with notes)

Publication Date

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:00

Other Exterior Walls

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to properly air seal exterior walls.

Double Walls

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing double stud walls.

Right – This foil-faced foam sheathing has taped seams and proper flashing details so it can serve as a drainage plane.

2021 IECC Climate Zone 2A: Flat Roof, Unvented, 2x6 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade (with notes)

Publication Date

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 2B: Flat Roof, Unvented, 2x6 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade (with notes)

Publication Date

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 1A: Flat Roof, Unvented, 2x6 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade (with notes)

Publication Date

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 3A: Vented Cathedral Ceiling, 2x6 Wall, Vented Crawl Space (with notes)

Publication Date

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 2A: Unvented Attic with Spray Foam at Roof Deck, 2x6 Wall-CMU Wall, Elevated Slab

Publication Date

Thu, 01/11/2024 - 12:00

The double walls form a 12-inch cavity that was sheathed with a coated OSB then coated with 3 inches of closed-cell spray foam; they will be filled with 9 inches of blown fiberglass.

Cement Board Installed behind Tile and Panel Tub and Shower Enclosures

Guide describing how to install moisture-resistant materials on walls behind showers and tubs to help manage moisture.

Step 5. Install sheathing tape flashing over the duct or pipe and wood blocking on either side for later attachment of trim.

Step 6. Install vent hood trim block, metal cap flashing; seal top edge of flashing with sheathing tape.

Damp-Proof Exterior Surface of Below-Grade Walls

Guide describing how to apply water management strategies to below grade walls.

Right - This foil-faced polyisocyanurate rigid foam is installed on an existing exterior wall and the seams are taped so the rigid foam can serve as a water control layer

Masonry wall interior retrofit with fluid-applied water control layer, mineral wool rigid foam, and wood or metal stud service cavity (climate zones 1-4 only)

Publication Date

Fri, 08/13/2021 - 12:00

Building Science Education 3.5: Area Calculations

Author(s)

Paul Torcellini

Organization(s)

NREL

Publication Date

July, 2021

Video that explains how to calculate the cross sectional area and net area of a building's walls, which are concepts that are necessary for analyzing the heat transfer.

IECC Climate Zone 2A: Unvented Attic with Spray Foam at Roof Deck, 2x6 Wall/CMU Wall, Elevated Slab

Publication Date

Wed, 10/18/2023 - 12:00

IECC Climate Zone 2A: Unvented Attic with Spray Foam at Roof Deck, 2x6 Wall/CMU Wall, Elevated Slab

Publication Date

Wed, 10/18/2023 - 12:00

SIP Details: Insulspan Technical Information

Author(s)

Insulspan

Organization(s)

Insulspan

Publication Date

February, 2014

Website providing information about INSULSPAN structurally insulated panels.

This home’s exterior walls consist of two 2x4 walls; the R-49 double wall cavity is filled with 2 inches of closed-cell spray foam plus dense-packed cellulose.

Connector plate and drywall clips

Publication Date

Mon, 02/01/2010 - 12:00

In this gut rehab, drywall was removed then a sprayer-applied sealant was used to seal all large cracks and seams and then the 2x4 walls were filled with spray foam.

After spraying the 2x6 wall cavities with 2 inches (R-13) of closed-cell spray foam, the walls are covered with netting and an additional 3.5 inches of fiberglass (R-13) is blown in.

Publication Date

Thu, 01/01/2015 - 12:00

Masonry wall interior retrofit with parge coat, fluid-applied water control layer, mineral wool rigid foam, and wood or metal stud service cavity (climate zones 1-4 only)

Publication Date

Fri, 08/13/2021 - 12:00

Spray Foam Upper Walls Adjoining Unconditioned Attics

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to insulate skylight shafts and knee walls correctly.

Advances in Manufactured Home Energy Efficient Design

Author(s)

ARIES

Organization(s)

ARIES Collaborative

Webinar explaining advances in energy efficient design for manufactured homes.

Wall Assembly | Madrona Passive House

Publication Date

December, 2014

Video describing the wall assembly of a passive house.

Interior wall attached with top plate metal connector, drywall clips support drywall, side view

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Waverly Home Addition | Exterior Cladding Details

Publication Date

February, 2014

Video describing the exterior cladding details of a residential home addition project.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Imagine Homes: Stillwater Ranch, San Antonio, TX

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

April, 2012

Case study describing a new home builder that strives to address health, safety, and durability issues in a hot and humid climate.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Insight Homes: Deep Creek, Seaford, Delaware

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

April, 2012

Case study describing a home builder that has refined its home designs to achieve HERS scores of 49 to 56 on 40 to 70 homes per year.

These factory-built walls consist of 9.5-inch I-studs sheathed with coated OSB, faced with OSB, and dense-packed with cellulose; a second interior surface of drywall is added to provide a 1.5-inch cavity for electrical wiring.

Are the Walls Closing In?

Author(s)

Kochkin

Organization(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Webinar describing research on moisture performance in high-R walls.

The OSB roof decking product comes with an adhered radiant foil barrier which helps to prevent heat transfer in or out of the vented attic, while R-13 unfaced fiberglass fills the advanced-framed 2x6 walls.

Completed wall retrofit of masonry home (on right) showing new lap siding attached over four inches of rigid foam; windows were boxed with plywood to accommodate depth of foam plus 1x4 furring strips

Publication Date

Fri, 08/13/2021 - 12:00

Your Northern Home: Walls

Publication Date

February, 2012

Author(s)

Benesch

Organization(s)

Cold Climate Housing Research Center,

CCHRC

Video describing how walls in cold climates must address three key issues: air leakage, moisture movement, and conductive heat losses.

Polyethylene is being attached to the crawlspace floor and walls with plywood furring strips

Publication Date

Wed, 02/01/2012 - 12:00

The Larsen-truss 9-inch wall cavities were covered with a smart vapor membrane that was fastened to the trusses with furring strips, which also provide an air gap behind the wood siding; each truss cavity is then filled with blown cellulose.

Publication Date

Wed, 12/29/2021 - 12:00

Vinyl Siding Installation Manual

Author(s)

Vinyl Siding Institute

Organization(s)

Vinyl Siding Institute

Publication Date

October, 2022

Publication with installation guidance for vinyl siding.

Attach the interior 2x4 wall to the exterior wall top plate with a flat metal connector plate

Publication Date

Tue, 06/26/2012 - 12:00

Utilities are commonly recessed into cutouts in the foam after concrete has been poured

Publication Date

Sun, 01/01/2012 - 12:00

Drywall was removed and the existing 2x4 walls were filled with 3.5 inches of dense-packed cellulose. Outside, the ½-inch plywood was topped with house wrap, 1.5 inches closed-cell rigid foam, 1x3 furring strips, and fiber cement siding.

Multi-Family Construction Air Sealing Guide

Author(s)

Steven Winter Associates

Organization(s)

SWA

Publication Date

January, 2013

Report providing guidance to air-sealing multifamily homes.

Over the taped rigid foam board, 2x4 furring strips provide a ventilating air gap and drainage plane under the engineered wood lap siding. The furring strips were attached with structural screws to provide an attachment surface for the siding.

Joni Mitchell, Water and Walls, BSI-071

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

BSC,

Building Science Corporation

Publication Date

November, 2013

Article describing walls and moisture development on them.

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.

Foundation wall interior polyisocyanurate, foil-faced, exposed

DWG

PDF

Termite shield with exterior rigid foam above and below

DWG

PDF

There is no polyethylene sheeting installed in the crawlspace

Furred-out siding

Publication Date

Sun, 10/01/2000 - 12:00

Install the starter strip for the vinyl siding along a chalk line

Publication Date

Wed, 04/01/2015 - 12:00

This kneewall has no top plate and the resulting gap provides a wide-open pathway for air and vapor to travel between the living space and the attic

Right: All joints in the rigid foam are taped to keep stucco out of joints for even drying. Mesh tape (shown here) is used with expanded polystyrene (EPS); acrylic sheathing tape or self-adhered membrane is used with XPS

Wrong – No top plate was installed.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

All About Water-Resistive Barriers

Author(s)

Holladay Martin

Organization(s)

Green Building Advisor

Publication Date

January, 2011

Article about different types of weather resistant barrier.

All About Larsen Trusses

Author(s)

Holladay Martin

Organization(s)

Green Building Advisor

Publication Date

July, 2011

Website article interviewing the inventor of the Larsen truss, a history of its use, and a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages.

Deep-Dish Retrofits, BSI-079

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

August, 2014

Report covering exterior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.

Flow-Through Assemblies, BSI-091

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2016

Article discussing flow-through assemblies of walls.

Providing a Thermal Break in Gut Rehabs

Author(s)

Steven Winter Associates,

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings

Organization(s)

CARB,

SWA

Publication Date

August, 2006

Information sheet about how to reduce thermal bridging in walls.

Spray foam on a stone or rubble foundation

DWG

PDF

Right – Verify SIP headers are installed

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Ladder framing detail side view

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2002 - 12:00

Hurricane Straps

Publication Date

September, 2020

Author(s)

FLASH Strong Home

Organization(s)

FLASH

Video describing hurricane ties and how they make your home more ready for severe weather by strengthening structural connections.

Wrong – No rigid backing was installed on the attic knee wall.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Spray foam on concrete foundation wall with framed interior wall

DWG

PDF

Right – Polyethylene sheeting vapor barrier is installed and sealed to the crawlspace walls with mastic

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – The polyethylene sheeting vapor barrier is not attached to the piers with mechanical fasteners

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Interior wall post support detail side view

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2002 - 12:00

Flood-hardy, drainable, dryable wall

Publication Date

October, 2017

Video explaining a design option for homes in the case of a flood that would negate the need for gutting the home post-flood. Recommendations from LSU AgCenter.

This home has heat loss through the roof, leading to ice dam formation and structural issues during winter months.

Publication Date

Mon, 02/04/2013 - 12:00

Small Commercial Building Fact Sheet - Building Envelope

Author(s)

Southface Energy Institute

Organization(s)

SEI

Publication Date

November, 2016

Fact sheet describing building envelope performance measures applicable to residential and small commercial construction.

Pumpkin Ridge Passive House Video #007: Wall-To-Roof Air Barrier Details

Publication Date

January, 2013

Video describing the wall-to-roof air barrier details of a passive house.

Polyethylene completely covers the floor of this crawlspace and is attached to the walls and piers as well

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2008 - 12:00

Building in Extreme Cold, BSI-031

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

February, 2010

Article describing the control layers (air, thermal, and vapor barriers) needed to build homes successfully in very cold locations.

Measure Guideline: Deep Energy Enclosure Retrofit for Double-Stud Walls

Author(s)

Loomis Honorata,

Pettit Betsy

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

June, 2015

Report on two approaches to retrofitting existing double-stud walls.

Pumpkin Ridge Passive House Video #009: Wall-To-Roof Air Barrier (Part II)

Publication Date

December, 2013

Video describing the wall-to-roof air barrier details of a passive house.

The “institutional” perfect wall works in all climate zones; water, air, vapor, and thermal control layers are exterior of the sheathing, assembly allows drying to interior and exterior

Publication Date

Thu, 07/01/2010 - 12:00

Building America Building Science Advisor

Author(s)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

ORNL,

DOE

Publication Date

January, 2019

Web based tool providing decision-making guidance for selecting wall assembly components.

Foam Shrinks, and Other Lessons, PA-1201

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

March, 2012

Journal article describing lessons learned from updating a 16-year-old deep-energy retrofit.

BSC Information - Common Advanced Framing Details for All Climates, Sheet 201

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

May, 2009

Brochure explaining the essential basis for advanced framing and some of the more common advanced framing details.

Right - Basement slab with a capillary break of either gravel or a drainage mat.

Publication Date

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 12:00

Pumpkin Ridge Passive House Video #13: Completed Wall-to-Attic Air Barrier Details

Publication Date

February, 2013

Video describing the wall-to-attic air barrier details of a passive house.

Interior Walls (Air Sealing Top and Bottom Plates)

Publication Date

June, 2017

Video showing a technique for airtight drywall installation on interior walls using foam gasket strips.

Exterior Walls (Air Sealing Sheathing)

Publication Date

June, 2017

Video showing a technique for airtight sheathing installation on exterior walls using foam gasket strips.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Hygrothermal Performance of a Double-Stud Cellulose Wall

Author(s)

Steven Winter Associates

Organization(s)

CARB,

SWA

Publication Date

June, 2015

Case study describing the moisture content in homes with double wall framing.