BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

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.

Water management detail for a solar panel rack mounting block installed in rigid foam that was installed over an existing roof

Publication Date

Fri, 05/01/2015 - 12:00

Measure Guideline: Water Management at Tub and Shower Assemblies

Author(s)

Dickson Bruce

Organization(s)

Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,

IBACOS,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

December, 2011

Report covering the fundamental waterproofing strategies for tub and shower assemblies.

Rain and Groundwater Management Technote

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs,

National Association of Home Builders

Organization(s)

HIRL,

NAHB

Publication Date

December, 2017

Fact sheet describing design and construction practices to reduce the likelihood of water intrusion in walls and foundations in residential construction.

Moisture Management for High R-Value Walls

Author(s)

LePage Robert,

Schumacher Christopher,

Lukachko Alex

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

November, 2013

Report explaining moisture-related concerns for high R-value wall assemblies and discusses past Building America research work that informs this study.

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

Wall Performance by Design: Role of Rainscreens in Moisture Management

Author(s)

Building Enclosure Moisture Management Institute

Organization(s)

BEMMI

Publication Date

January, 2016

A presentation about the need for rainscreens including the damage water and moisture ingress into a home’s siding and framing can cause, and ways to design a resilient wall that drains and ventilates well.

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.

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.

Existing flat roof and wood-framed walls are retrofitted with a new fully adhered air barrier membrane plus polyisocyanurate rigid foam insulation and a roofing membrane water control layer

Publication Date

Fri, 05/01/2015 - 12:00

Existing low-slope (“flat”) roof and brick masonry walls with a new fully adhered air barrier membrane plus polyisocyanurate rigid foam insulation and a roofing membrane water control layer

Publication Date

Fri, 05/01/2015 - 12:00

Exterior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate a new foundation wall or an existing foundation wall by adding rigid insulation to the exterior side.

Spray Foam Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate an existing foundation wall by adding spray foam insulation to the interior side of the wall.

Building America Case Study Technology Solutions for Existing Homes: Concord Four Square Retrofit

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2012

Case study describing a four-square Concord home retrofitted by Building Science Corporation in Massachusetts.

Spray Foam Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to insulate the walls of an existing home with spray foam insulation.

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.

Blown Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing blown insulation into exterior wall cavities of existing homes with minimal disruption to occupants.

This farmhouse was retrofit by removing the existing siding and adding taped insulated sheathing and battens before installing new siding

Sealing and Insulating Existing Exterior Walls - Code Compliance Brief

Publication Date

May, 2016

The intent of this brief is to provide code-related information about sealing and insulating existing walls in existing residential buildings to help ensure that the measures will be accepted as being in compliance with the code. Providing notes for code officials on how to conduct plan reviews and field inspections can provide jurisdictional officials with information for acceptance. Providing the same information to builders, contractors, designers, and others is expected to result in increased compliance and fewer innovations being questioned at the time of plan review and/or field inspection.

Rigid Foam Board Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate closed crawlspace walls and band joist areas with rigid foam board insulation.

Retrofit of Existing Roofs for Hurricane, High Wind, and Seismic Resistance

Guide describing ways to retrofit an existing roof to increase its resistance to damage during hurricanes, high winds, and earthquakes.

Existing wall-to-lower roof transition retrofitted with a new strip of fully adhered air control transition membrane, new step flashing, new roof underlayment, and new cladding

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

Existing wall-to-lower roof transition with a new strip of fully adhered air control transition membrane, new step flashing, new roof underlayment, and new cladding – view from eave

Existing wall-to-lower roof with attic transition with a new strip of fully adhered air control transition membrane, new step flashing, new roof underlayment, and new cladding – view from eave

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

Certified Insulated Siding: Quality, Comfort and Energy Performance

Author(s)

Dobson,

Brignati

Organization(s)

Vinyl Siding Institute,

Newport Ventures

This presentation will help you define insulated siding, understand R-value testing of insulated siding, describe proper installation of insulated siding, comply with energy codes and understand building energy performance program and software recognition.

Designing and Building Resilient Wall Systems with Engineered Rainscreen Products.

Author(s)

Lolley Keith,

Dalgleish Laverne

Organization(s)

Building Enclosure Moisture Management Institute

Publication Date

March, 2016

Conference paper describing the use of engineered rainscreen products to provide air flow and water drainage space in wall assemblies in residential and commercial buildings.

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

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

October, 2013

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

Building America Top Innovations 2013: Exterior Rigid Insulation Best Practices

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

Home Innovation Research Labs,

Building Science Corporation,

University of Minnesota

Organization(s)

PNNL,

PHI,

HIRL,

BSC,

NorthernSTAR

Publication Date

September, 2013

Case study describing a 2013 DOE Building America Top Innovation for the installation of rigid foam insulation on the exterior of home roofs and walls as a thermal, air, and moisture barrier.

Requirements for Flood Openings in Foundation Walls and Walls of Enclosures, Technical Bulletin 1

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

March, 2020

Technical bulletin describing National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements for flood openings in foundation walls and walls of enclosures below elevated buildings.

Hockey Pucks and Hydrostatic Pressure, BSI–057

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2012

Report covering control of hydrostatic pressure in wall assemblies.

Parapets – Where Roofs Meet Walls, BSI-050

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

April, 2012

Report covering wind loading on roofing assemblies.

Masonry Detailing Series

Author(s)

International Masonry Institute

Organization(s)

International Masonry Institute

Publication Date

May, 2021

Webpage featuring hundreds of illustrations of masonry construction details for brick, congrete, stone, tile, stucco, etc.

Drain the Rain…On the Plane…the Drainage Plane, BSI–112

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

November, 2019

Report covering the rainwater performance of building assemblies.

Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2020

Report providing extensive guidance on controlling moisture in building envelopes through proper selection and installation on air, water, thermal, and vapor barriers.

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.

FAQs -- After Gutting a Flooded Home

Author(s)

Louisiana State University College of Agriculture

Organization(s)

LSU AgCenter

Publication Date

September, 2020

Webpage from LSU AgCenter answering frequently asked questions after gutting a flooded home, including mitigation strategies for future floods.

High-R Walls for Remodeling: Wall Cavity Moisture Monitoring

Author(s)

Wiehagen Joseph,

Kochkin Vladimir

Organization(s)

NAHB Research Center,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

December, 2012

Research study presenting results of an existing home monitoring project designed to measure wall cavity moisture characteristics.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Predicting Envelope Leakage in Attached Dwellings

Author(s)

Steven Winter Associates

Organization(s)

CARB,

SWA

Publication Date

November, 2013

Case study describing the measurement of envelope leakage in multifamily buildings.

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

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W,

Smegal Jonathan

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2013

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.

Rain Control in Buildings, BSD-013

Author(s)

Straube John

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

October, 2006

Document covering basic moisture control principles in the design of above-grade building enclosures; driving rain as a moisture load on walls; a classification system of the various rain control strategies available for walls; and good design practises for walls.

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.

Flashing at Bottom of Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to apply flashing to the bottom of exterior walls to create a continuous drainage plane.

Expert Meeting Report: Interior Insulation Retrofit of Mass Masonry Wall Assemblies

Author(s)

Ueno Kohta,

Van Straaten R

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

February, 2012

Expert Meeting about interior insulation retrofit of mass masonry wall assemblies held on July 30, 2011.

Standard Specification for Manufactured Polymeric Drainage and Ventilation Materials Used to Provide a Rainscreen Function, ASTM E2925–19a

Author(s)

ASTM International

Organization(s)

ASTM

Publication Date

August, 2019

Specification describing criteria for manufactured polymeric materials used to provide a rainscreen function, a means for the drainage of liquid moisture and the ventilation of vapor moisture that enters an above-grade exterior wall assembly which was published in the year 2019, and is available for...

Exterior XPS basement insulation is correctly installed to completely cover the foundation wall

Publication Date

Mon, 10/01/2012 - 12:00

Because the above-grade potions of the wall lack exterior insulation, condensation and even ice form during cold winter conditions

Publication Date

Thu, 08/31/2017 - 12:00

Measure Guideline: Internal Insulation of Masonry Walls

Author(s)

Schumacher Christopher,

Ueno Kohta,

Straube John

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

July, 2012

Report summarizing the importance of properly insulating and air sealing masonry walls, providing step by step instructions and approaches.

Stucco Over Rigid Foam Insulation

Guide describing how to install stucco over rigid foam insulation in new and existing homes.

Exterior fiberglass insulation on this new home was (incorrectly) cut to terminate below-grade after backfill, which will expose the above-grade portions of the foundation wall to cold temperatures

Publication Date

Mon, 10/01/2012 - 12:00

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.

Capillary Break at Crawlspace Floors - Polyethylene Lapped Up Walls and Piers or Secured in the Ground

Guide describing how to create a capillary break at all crawlspace floors using polyethylene sheeting to manage moisture in crawlspaces.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: M Street Homes, Smartlux on Greenpark Houston, TX

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2014

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2014 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 45 without PV and 32 with PV and is the first home in the world to use a tri-generation system to supply electricity, heating, and cooling on site.

Building Materials with High Moisture Content Not Enclosed

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

Step and Kick-Out Flashing at Roof-Wall Intersections

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

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.

Pest Control Overview Guide

Information guide providing an overview of pest-resistant construction practices and guides in the Building America Solution Center for home builders.

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.

Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

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

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Walls, Windows, and Doors

Information guide describing things to consider before retrofitting walls, windows, and doors, including wiring, moisture protection, and lead paints.

Air Sealed, Insulated Basements

Guide describing how to insulate a basement to improve the overall thermal performance of the building and provide more dry, usable conditioned space for home occupants and HVAC equipment.

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.

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.

Roof/Attic to Exterior Wall Air Control Upgrade

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

Walls Behind Showers and Tubs

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

Continuous Rigid Insulation Sheathing

Guide describing continuous rigid insulation installation procedures to reduce thermal bridging and help provide thermal protection.

Continuous Load Path Provided with Connections from the Roof through the Wall to the Foundation

Guide describing how to provide a strong continuous load path from the roof through the wall to the foundation to ensure a structurally sound building and increase racking resistance in hurricanes, high winds, tornados, and earthquakes.

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.

Air Sealing Sill Plates

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

Air Sealing and Compartmentalization in Multifamily Buildings

Guide describing the principal of compartmentalization in multifamily buildings - the separation of dwelling units from each other and from common areas in terms of air flow. Locations where air-sealing is critical to maintain separation of air spaces and air-sealing methods especially for party walls are also described.

Double Walls for More Insulation

Guide describing construction and insulation techniques for double wall framing.

Continuous Insulation – Cladding/Furring Attachment - Code Compliance Brief

Guidance is needed for code-compliant installations of various cladding materials when installed over thicker foam sheathing also known as insulated sheathing or continuous insulation (c.i.).