BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

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.

Material Properties of Rigid foam Insulation

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

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Continuous Rigid Insulation Sheathing/Siding (1)

Video

Video describing exterior rigid foam insulation.

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.

The soffit dam and baffle allow air to flow through the vents without disturbing the insulation covering the top plates

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

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

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Attic Knee Walls

Guide

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

Inspection of taped joint

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The mistake of not staggering siding and foam sheathing joints

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

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The thermal boundary for a gable roof can be located at either a) the flat ceiling with a vented attic or b) the roof line for an unvented attic

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A low-sloped shed roof with the thermal boundary located at either a) the flat ceiling with a vented attic or b) the roof line for an unvented attic

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Furred-out siding

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A 1- and ½-story home with a room located in the attic and the thermal boundary located at either a) the walls and ceiling of the attic room with small vented attic spaces or b) the roof line for an unvented attic

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Flood-hardy, drainable, dryable wall

Video

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.

Wrong – The gable end wall failed because the rigid foam sheathing was not backed up by plywood or OSB.

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Technology Fact Sheet: Weather-Resistive Barriers

Reference

Brochure with information about how to select and install house wrap and other weather-resistive barriers.

Mass Save Deep Energy Retrofit Builder Guide, GM-1302

Reference

Guidebook providing useful examples of high performance retrofit techniques for the building enclosure of wood frame residential construction in a cold and somewhat wet climate.