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Install rigid insulation and finish material below the framing and cavity insulation of a building overhang

Install rigid insulation and finish material below the framing and cavity insulation of a building overhang

Publication Date
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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.
Guide

Continuous Rigid Insulation Sheathing/Siding

Author(s)
National Association of Home Builders Research Center,
U.S. Department of Energy,
Green Building Advisor,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center,
DOE,
GBA,
ORNL,
EPA
Publication Date
Document presenting step-by-step process for installing rigid insulating sheathing over wood studs or house wrap.
Reference
Insulating sheathing is installed on exterior of an existing framed wall with water control between existing sheathing and insulating sheathing

Insulating sheathing is installed on exterior of an existing framed wall with water control between existing sheathing and insulating sheathing

Publication Date
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The attic kneewall and the open floor cavities under kneewall are both sealed and insulated in one step with spray foam insulation

The attic kneewall and the open floor cavities under kneewall are both sealed and insulated in one step with spray foam insulation

Publication Date
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Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to apply an air control layer directly over existing wall sheathing and cover with two layers of insulating sheathing held in place by vertical furring strips.
Guide
Certified Insulated Siding: Quality, Comfort and Energy Performance

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.
Presentation

Above Deck Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Roofs

Guide describing the installation of insulating sheathing above the roof deck on existing homes. This retrofit assembly is appropriate for homes with conditioned attics or where the retrofit is intended to create a conditioned attic.
Guide

Sealing and Insulating Existing Exterior Walls - Code Compliance Brief

Publication Date
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.
Code Compliance Brief

Sealing and Insulating Existing Vented Attics - Code Compliance Brief

Publication Date
The intent of this brief is to provide code-related information about sealing and insulating existing vented attics to help ensure that the measure will be accepted as being in compliance with the code. Providing the same information to all interested parties (e.g., code officials, builders, contractors, designers, etc.) is expected to result in increased compliance and fewer innovations being questioned at the time of plan review and/or field inspection.
Code Compliance Brief

UMN NorthernSTAR: DOE Building America: Exterior Foundation Insulation

Publication Date
Author(s)
University of Minnesota,
NorthernSTAR
Organization(s)
UMN,
NSTAR
Video describing an “excavationless” retrofit technique developed by the University of Minnesota to install exterior insulation around the foundation of an existing home by using high-pressure water to cut a trench through the dirt along the edge of a concrete foundation, remove the mud with a...
Video

Energy Renovations Insulation - A Guide for Contractors to Share with Homeowners, Volume 17

Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Adams Karen T,
Hefty Marye G,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Document providing descriptions of the many insulation options available to homeowners, along with guidance on where, when, and how to install insulation throughout your house.
Reference
Limited attic access can make inspections for missing air barriers and insulation challenging

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

Publication Date
Image
Right – This attic knee wall and the floor joist cavity openings beneath it are being sealed and insulated with spray foam.

Right – This attic knee wall and the floor joist cavity openings beneath it are being sealed and insulated with spray foam.

Publication Date
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Right-- IR photo shows how effectively spray foam insulated/air sealed attic kneewall and the floor cavities under kneewall

Right-- IR photo shows how effectively spray foam insulated/air sealed attic kneewall and the floor cavities under kneewall

Publication Date
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Limited attic access may make it necessary to use a bore scope when inspecting for missing air barriers and insulation in existing buildings.

Limited attic access may make it necessary to use a bore scope when inspecting for missing air barriers and insulation in existing buildings.

Publication Date
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Skylight Shaft Walls

Guide describing insulation techniques for skylight shaft walls.
Guide

Walls Adjoining Porch Roof

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

Attic Knee Walls

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

Vented versus Unvented Attic

Guide describing options for designing and locating the thermal boundary at either the attic floor or along the roof line in new and existing homes.
Guide

Controlling Moisture in Unvented Attics - Code Compliance Brief

Publication Date
The intent of this brief is to provide code-related information about controlling moisture in unvented attics by installing a vapor diffusion port/vent that would convey water vapor from an unvented attic to the outside when air-permeable insulation materials are installed and can be verified as being in compliance with the related codes and standards for residential construction. Providing consistent information to document compliance with codes and standards to all relevant parties responsible for verifying compliance (e.g., code officials, builders, contractors, designers, etc.) is expected to result in increased compliance and more timely, less challenging and more uniform plan review and field inspections.
Code Compliance Brief

Wind Washing

Guide describing wind washing and how to prevent it.
Guide

Advanced Framing vs Traditional Framing

Publication Date
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.
Video

Mea Culpa Roofs, BSI-083

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing methods for insulating and air sealing vented and unvented roofs in various climates zones.
Reference

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

Author(s)
IBACOS
Organization(s)
IBACOS
Publication Date
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.
Case Study

Building Code Training - Residential Thermal Envelope - Air Sealing

Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute
Organization(s)
SEI
Publication Date
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.
Presentation

Technology Solutions Case Study: Complete and Fully Aligned Air Barrier

Author(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Organization(s)
PNNL
Publication Date
Case study describing the elimination of excessive humidity in the attic of a multi-floor, single-family home that was causing condensation and water damage along the roof and eaves.
Case Study

Mastic Home Exteriors Installation Guide

Author(s)
Ply Gem Siding Group
Organization(s)
Ply Gem Siding Group
Publication Date
Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.
Reference

Attic Radiant Barriers

Guide describing application of a radiant barrier layer in the attic to block radiant heat transfer between hot surfaces and heat-absorbing surfaces.
Guide