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Capillary Break Beneath Slab - Polyethylene Sheeting or Rigid Insulation over Aggregate or Sand and Geotextile Mat

Guide

Guide describing how to install a capillary break under a slab foundation using either polyethylene sheeting or rigid insulation installed over aggregate or over sand and geotextile matting.

Right - Retrofit of an existing basement slab by adding dimple plastic mat, rigid foam insulation, and a floating subfloor.

Right - Retrofit of an existing basement slab by adding dimple plastic mat, rigid foam insulation, and a floating subfloor.

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Technology Solutions Case Study: BA-1312: Application of Spray Foam Insulation Under Plywood and OSB Roof Sheathing

Case Study

Case study describing research about spray foam roof insulation and moisture management.

Tape the joint between the top insulation sheet and the Z-flashing with 2" wide tape to improve air tightness

Tape the joint between the top insulation sheet and the Z-flashing with 2" wide tape to improve air tightness

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Right – The flashing is properly installed to create a complete drainage system with continuous rigid insulation sheathing/siding

Right – The flashing is properly installed to create a complete drainage system with continuous rigid insulation sheathing/siding

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An uninsulated (or existing insulated) basement slab is retrofitted to reduce moisture transmission by sealing with epoxy paint.

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The base of the plywood parapet is air sealed with spray foam and fibrous insulation is installed in the rafter cavities in this flat roof retrofit

The base of the plywood parapet is air sealed with spray foam and fibrous insulation is installed in the rafter cavities in this flat roof retrofit

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

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

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

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

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Right - The existing basement slab is retrofitted by installing a dimple plastic drainage mat, rigid foam insulation, and a floating subfloor.

Right - The existing basement slab is retrofitted by installing a dimple plastic drainage mat, rigid foam insulation, and a floating subfloor.

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Cost Analysis of Roof-Only Air Sealing and Insulation Strategies on 1-1/2 Story Homes in Cold Climates, Minneapolis, MN

Reference

This case study describes costs associated with the External Thermal and Moisture Management System developed by the NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership for retrofitting roofs with rigid foam over the roof deck, especially on one and a half-story homes.

Right - Below-grade concrete has been properly sealed against moisture and is now having insulation installed.

Right - Below-grade concrete has been properly sealed against moisture and is now having insulation installed.

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Right – The insulated concrete forms that are below-grade have a damp-proof coating to prevent moisture seeping into the foundation

Right – The insulated concrete forms that are below-grade have a damp-proof coating to prevent moisture seeping into the foundation

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

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

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Wood blocking for future PV panel installation is installed in the layers of polyisocyanurate rigid foam insulation during a flat roof retrofit

Wood blocking for future PV panel installation is installed in the layers of polyisocyanurate rigid foam insulation during a flat roof retrofit

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Windows are installed as “outies” in this wall assembly using a self-adhered membrane water and air control layer with continuous exterior insulation

Windows are installed as “outies” in this wall assembly using a self-adhered membrane water and air control layer with continuous exterior insulation

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This flood-resistant masonry wall design with metal framing and rigid foam insulation will limit moisture damage in exterior walls.

This flood-resistant masonry wall design with metal framing and rigid foam insulation will limit moisture damage in exterior walls.

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Step 1. Apply roof underlayment over roof deck and up the sidewall over the rigid foam insulation

Step 1. Apply roof underlayment over roof deck and up the sidewall over the rigid foam insulation

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Install insulating foam sheathing and tape all seams to serve as a continuous drainage plane behind the home’s cladding.

Install insulating foam sheathing and tape all seams to serve as a continuous drainage plane behind the home’s cladding.

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Terminate 4" tape with 2" wide tape placing tape offset high on the joint, 2/3 of the tape should be adhered to the sheet of insulation

Terminate 4" tape with 2" wide tape placing tape offset high on the joint, 2/3 of the tape should be adhered to the sheet of insulation

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This house design in the Hot-Humid climate uses a slab foundation, masonry walls, and an Exterior Insulation Finish System (EIFS) cladding.

This house design in the Hot-Humid climate uses a slab foundation, masonry walls, and an Exterior Insulation Finish System (EIFS) cladding.

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Step 5. Apply self-adhesive flashing over top edge of the wall flashing, diverter, and rigid foam insulation

Step 5. Apply self-adhesive flashing over top edge of the wall flashing, diverter, and rigid foam insulation

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

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

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Rigid mineral wool insulation is covered with ¼-inch wood battens which provides a air and drainage gap under the cedar and fiber cement siding.

Rigid mineral wool insulation is covered with ¼-inch wood battens which provides a air and drainage gap under the cedar and fiber cement siding.

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A roof drain is installed in an existing flat roof retrofitted with above-deck rigid foam insulation that is integrated with new air and water control layers

A roof drain is installed in an existing flat roof retrofitted with above-deck rigid foam insulation that is integrated with new air and water control layers

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Before sealing and insulating the crawlspace, the windows were sealed, the window wells backfilled, and sumps pumps were installed that discharged to the gutter downspouts

Before sealing and insulating the crawlspace, the windows were sealed, the window wells backfilled, and sumps pumps were installed that discharged to the gutter downspouts

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Vapor-permeable mineral wool insulation is installed on the exterior side of the sill beam during an exterior wall retrofit to allow the sill beam to dry to the outside

Vapor-permeable mineral wool insulation is installed on the exterior side of the sill beam during an exterior wall retrofit to allow the sill beam to dry to the outside

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Foil-faced rigid foam and spray foam can be used to insulate a basement on the interior; use good moisture management techniques to keep the basement dry

Foil-faced rigid foam and spray foam can be used to insulate a basement on the interior; use good moisture management techniques to keep the basement dry

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Spray foam extends down the foundation wall to the slab, which has been retrofitted by adding dimple plastic drainage mat and rigid foam insulation.

Spray foam extends down the foundation wall to the slab, which has been retrofitted by adding dimple plastic drainage mat and rigid foam insulation.

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The wood blocking for future PV panel installation extends above the surface of the top layer of polyisocyanurate rigid foam insulation installed as part of a flat roof retrofit

The wood blocking for future PV panel installation extends above the surface of the top layer of polyisocyanurate rigid foam insulation installed as part of a flat roof retrofit

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