BASC Search

This drawing shows key jamb details for an “outie” window installation using a fluid-applied flashing on a wall with a fluid-applied water and air control layer and continuous insulation

Image

This drawing shows key sill details for an “outie” window installation using a fluid-applied flashing on a wall with a fluid-applied water and air control layer and continuous insulation

Image

Right – Closed-cell spray foam insulation in the shared wall between the garage and living space helps to air-seal the wall and protect occupants from garage pollutants.

Image

When rigid foam insulation is applied to the exterior side of the wall cavity under the cladding, with seams taped and an air gap provided, it acts as a vapor barrier, air barrier, and rain screen.

Image

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.

Image

Retrofit an existing roof by installing rigid foam above the roof deck with a ventilation space between the rigid foam and the new roof sheathing plus new moisture and air control layers and cavity insulation in the roof rafters.

Image

Horizontal furring strips are installed over a taped smart membrane that serves as an air and vapor barrier and holds in insulation; the furring strips will provide a nailing surface for tongue-and-groove wood porch ceiling cladding.

Image

Skylight Shaft Walls

Guide

Guide describing insulation techniques for skylight shaft walls.

Floor Above Garage

Guide

Guide describing how to create an air barrier between the garage and the conditioned space above it to prohibit pollutants from entering a home's interior.

Walls Adjoining Porch Roof

Guide

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

Floor Above Unconditioned Basement or Vented Crawlspace

Guide

Guide describing how to air-seal and insulate the floor above an unconditioned basement or crawl space.

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.

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).

Attic Knee Walls

Guide

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

Continuous Air Barrier in Exterior Walls

Guide

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

Passive House Wall Assembly Mock | Hammer & Hand

Video

Video showing a mock wall assembly used in Hammer and Hand’s passive houses.

Dropped Ceiling/Soffit Below Unconditioned Attic

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate and air-seal dropped ceilings and soffits to prevent air leakage.

Advanced Framing vs Traditional Framing

Video

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.

Air Sealing Attic Access Panels/Doors/Stairs

Guide

Guide describing how to air-seal attic access panels, doors, and stairs to provide a continuous air barrier at the ceiling.

Staircase Walls

Guide

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

Cantilevered Floor

Guide

Guide describing how to air-seal and insulate a cantilevered floor.

Walls Behind Showers and Tubs

Guide

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

Install Top Plates or Blocking at the Top of Walls Adjoining Unconditioned Spaces

Guide

Guide describing how to correctly air-seal a wall with missing top plates or open wall cavities.

Mea Culpa Roofs, BSI-083

Reference

Article describing methods for insulating and air sealing vented and unvented roofs in various climates zones.

Walls Behind Fireplaces

Guide

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

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

Case Study

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.

This drawing shows key jamb details for an “outie” window installation using a fluid-applied flashing on a wall with a fluid-applied water and air control layer and continuous insulation

This drawing shows key sill details for an “outie” window installation using a fluid-applied flashing on a wall with a fluid-applied water and air control layer and continuous insulation

Right – Closed-cell spray foam insulation in the shared wall between the garage and living space helps to air-seal the wall and protect occupants from garage pollutants.

When rigid foam insulation is applied to the exterior side of the wall cavity under the cladding, with seams taped and an air gap provided, it acts as a vapor barrier, air barrier, and rain screen.

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.

Retrofit an existing roof by installing rigid foam above the roof deck with a ventilation space between the rigid foam and the new roof sheathing plus new moisture and air control layers and cavity insulation in the roof rafters.

Horizontal furring strips are installed over a taped smart membrane that serves as an air and vapor barrier and holds in insulation; the furring strips will provide a nailing surface for tongue-and-groove wood porch ceiling cladding.

Skylight Shaft Walls

Floor Above Garage

Walls Adjoining Porch Roof

Floor Above Unconditioned Basement or Vented Crawlspace

Roof/Attic to Exterior Wall Air Control Upgrade

Double-Wall Architectural Feature

Attic Knee Walls

Continuous Air Barrier in Exterior Walls

Passive House Wall Assembly Mock | Hammer & Hand

Dropped Ceiling/Soffit Below Unconditioned Attic

Advanced Framing vs Traditional Framing

Air Sealing Attic Access Panels/Doors/Stairs

Staircase Walls

Cantilevered Floor

Walls Behind Showers and Tubs

Install Top Plates or Blocking at the Top of Walls Adjoining Unconditioned Spaces

Mea Culpa Roofs, BSI-083

Walls Behind Fireplaces

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

Garage Rim/Band Joist Adjoining Conditioned Space

Building Code Training - Residential Thermal Envelope - Air Sealing

Air Sealing Duct and Flue Shafts

This house wrap assembly can work in all climates except extreme cold.