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Failure in attic insulation effectiveness caused by wind washing pushing insulation away from the edges of the attic space.

Failure in attic insulation effectiveness caused by wind washing pushing insulation away from the edges of the attic space.

Publication Date
Image
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
Image

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 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
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

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

Author(s)
Ojczyk Cindy
Organization(s)
University of Minnesota,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
NothernSTAR
Publication Date
Report exploring alternative methods to find long-term solutions to energy loss in 1 ½-story homes to save energy, improve comfort, prevent frost buildup on the underside of the roof deck, and reduce the risk of ice dam formation/reformation.
Reference
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
Image
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
Image
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
Image

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

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

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