BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Builders Challenge Technology Information Packages - Cold Climate: Chicago

Case Study

Case study describing building in cold and very cold climates.

No Class I Vapor Retarders on Interior Side of Exterior Walls in Warm-Humid Climates

Video

Video describing vapor retarders used in Warm-Humid climates.

Building America Existing Home Case Study: Insulated Siding Retrofit in a Cold Climate, New Paltz, New York

Case Study

Case study describing the application of insulated siding on an existing home.

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

Image

The “institutional” perfect wall works in all climate zones; water, air, vapor, and thermal control layers are exterior of the sheathing, assembly allows drying to interior and exterior

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The builder in this very cold climate installed three layers of unfaced mineral wool batt in the double wall with a code-required vapor barrier between the middle and inner layers of wall insulation that is taped to barriers in the ceiling and floor.

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Continuous Air Barrier in Exterior Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to install continuous air barriers in exterior walls.

Air Barriers - Tub, Shower and Fireplace Enclosures, Info-407

Reference

Brochure about creating an air barrier at tub, shower and fireplace walls.

Air Barriers - Airtight Drywall Approach, Info-401

Reference

Brochure about creating an air barrier by sealing drywall assemblies.

Air Sealing That Works

Reference

Article describing how an airtight home shell helps achieve a tight envelope that is energy efficient and cost effective.

Moisture Performance of High-R Wall Systems

Reference

The next generation of building enclosures is a key step toward achieving high-performance goals through decreasing energy load demand and enabling advanced space-conditioning systems. Yet the adoption of high-R enclosures and particularly high-R walls has been a slow-growing trend because...

Walls Behind Fireplaces

Guide

This guide describes how to install a rigid air barrier to wall framing behind fireplaces.

Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

Reference

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

Double-Wall Architectural Feature

Guide

Guide describing air barrier installation, insulation installation, and air-sealing for double walls (half or full walls included in a home design as an architectural feature that provides a more dimensional appearance).

Advanced Framing: Insulated Corners

Guide

Guide describing how to frame and insulate corners to reduce heat losses and gains though structural framing.

Walls Behind Showers and Tubs

Guide

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

Attic Knee Walls

Guide

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

Staircase Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to create a fully aligned air barrier behind a staircase.

Garage Rim/Band Joist Adjoining Conditioned Space

Guide

Guide describing the air-sealing of rim joists on walls connecting homes and attached garages.

Rigid Foam Insulation Installed Between Existing House and Garage Walls

Guide

Guide describing how to upgrade walls that separate the garage from the house by providing a continuous air control layer on the garage side of the wall and adding rigid foam insulation.