BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Air sealing at skylight shaft

CAD File

Air Sealed, Insulated Basements

Guide

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.

Air sealing at corner vertical bathtub chase

CAD File

Conceptual air sealing strategy - lower wall section

CAD File

Conceptual air sealing strategy - upper wall section

CAD File

Air Sealing and Insulating Walls to Reduce Heat Gain

Information Guide

Information guide listing Building America Solution Center guides that describe ways to air-seal and insulate a new or existing home's walls to resist heat gain.

Air sealing behind shower with thin-profile sheathing

CAD File

Air sealing behind shower with cavity rigid insulation

CAD File

Air sealing behind tub with cavity rigid insulation

CAD File

Right – The knee wall is properly insulated and air sealed.

Image

Building Code Training - Residential Thermal Envelope - Air Sealing

Presentation

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.

Conceptual air sealing strategy at upper floor band joist

CAD File

Air sealing behind tub with thin-profile sheathing - section

CAD File

Insulating and Air Sealing Existing Floors above Unconditioned Spaces

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate a floor over an uninsulated basement or crawl space.

Right – The backing on this knee wall was air sealed prior to insulation.

Image

Wrong – The backing on this knee wall was not air sealed prior to adding insulation.

Image

Air sealing wall between a porch roof and attic with 1 inch of rigid insulation

CAD File

Wrong – The batt insulation on this knee wall is not properly supported and there is no air sealed rigid backing to provide a solid air barrier.

Image

To ensure a complete air barrier between the garage and the house, the wall between the garage and the house was insulated and air-sealed with four inches of high-density spray foam.

Image

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

Image

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

Image

Right - These attic knee walls are insulated with rigid foam and sealed with spray foam to form a continuous air barrier at the gable end of this cathedral ceiling.

Image

Roofing paper protects the top of the new plywood parapet while the base of the parapet is air sealed with spray foam and fibrous insulation is installed in the rafter cavities in this flat roof retrofit

Image

Roof/Attic to Exterior Wall Air Control Upgrade

Guide

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

Wrong - Foil air barrier was ripped to install wiring; foil should be replaced with a solid air barrier and wiring hole should be caulked.

Image

Technology Solutions Case Study: Complete and Fully Aligned Air Barrier

Case Study

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.

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

Image

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

Image

The home is sheathed with rigid foam insulation and all seams and holes are taped to provide a continuous air barrier.

Image

Wrong - Wall cavities behind shower are not completely filled with insulation and are lacking the solid interior air barrier.

Image