BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Air-Seal Windows and Doors

Author(s)

Sloggatt Mike

Organization(s)

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Publication Date

October, 2012

Article describing how to stop air leaks around the windows and doors of a home.

Wallingford Passive House | Exterior Insulation Window Detail

Publication Date

December, 2015

Video describing the exterior insulation window details of a passive house.

Thin Triple-Pane Windows: Coming Soon to a Hardware Store Near You!

Author(s)

Gilbride Theresa L

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

Publication Date

May, 2023

Fact sheet poster describing the energy efficiency and comfort benefits of thin triple-pane windows as compared to standard triple-pane and double-pane windows.

The windows in this building are connected to the fully adhered water and air control layer using fluid-applied flashing

Publication Date

Mon, 08/05/2024 - 12:00

Right - A smart vapor barrier wraps the walls and window frames of this home. Seams are taped to provide an air- and water-resistant barrier.

Publication Date

Wed, 12/29/2021 - 12:00

Windows are installed as “outies” in this wall assembly using a self-adhered membrane water and air control layer with continuous exterior insulation

Publication Date

Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00

This drawing shows key sill details for a window installation using a fluid-applied flashing on a wall with a mechanically attached water and air control layer

Publication Date

Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00

This drawing shows key head details for a window installation using a fluid-applied flashing on a wall with a mechanically attached water and air control layer

Publication Date

Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00

This drawing shows key jamb details for a window installation using a fluid-applied flashing on a wall with a mechanically attached water and air control layer

Publication Date

Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00

This drawing shows key head details for a window installation using a fluid-applied flashing on a wall with a fluid-applied water and air control layer

Publication Date

Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00

This drawing shows key jamb details for a window installation using a fluid-applied flashing on a wall with a fluid-applied water and air control layer

Publication Date

Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00

This drawing shows key sill details for a window installation using a fluid-applied flashing on a wall with a fluid-applied water and air control layer

Publication Date

Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00

This drawing shows key head details for a window installation using a fluid-applied flashing on a wall with a mechanically attached water and air control layer and continuous insulation

Publication Date

Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00

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

Publication Date

Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00

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

Publication Date

Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00

This drawing shows key head details for a window installation using a self-adhered membrane tape flashing on a wall with a mechanically attached water and air control layer

Publication Date

Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00

This drawing shows key jamb details for a window installation using a self-adhered membrane tape flashing on a wall with a mechanically attached water and air control layer

Publication Date

Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00

This drawing shows key sill details for a window installation using a self-adhered membrane tape flashing on a wall with a mechanically attached water and air control layer

Publication Date

Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00

This drawing shows key head 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

Publication Date

Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00

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

Publication Date

Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00

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

Publication Date

Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00

Vinyl Siding with Integrated Rigid Foam for Existing Walls

Guide describing the design and installation considerations for recladding of above grade walls using insulated vinyl siding.

Conceptual line of continuous air barrier - upper wall section

DWG

PDF

Insulated cantilever floor - cavity insulation with 1 inch rigid insulation closure

DWG

PDF

Existing band joist insulation retrofit with spray foam

DWG

PDF

Conceptual air sealing strategy - lower wall section

DWG

PDF

Conceptual insulation practice at attic-style truss system - above unconditioned space

DWG

PDF

Conceptual insulation practice at attic-style truss system - above conditioned space

DWG

PDF

Conceptual insulation at cape-style roof - ceiling and knee wall cavity insulation

DWG

PDF

Conceptual insulation at cape-style roof - roof cavity insulation with rigid insulation closure

DWG

PDF

Insulated floor above garage - cavity insulation with 1 1/2 inch rigid insulation with 1x3 wood furring

DWG

PDF

Insulated floor above garage - cavity insulation with 1 inch rigid insulation with 1x3 wood furring

DWG

PDF

Insulated floor above garage - cavity insulation with 1 inch rigid insulation with 2x2 wood furring

DWG

PDF

Insulated floor above garage - cavity insulation with 1 1/2 inch rigid insulation with 2x4 sleepers

DWG

PDF

Insulated cantilever floor - cavity insulation with 1 1/2 inch rigid insulation closure

DWG

PDF

Conceptual air sealing strategy at upper floor band joist

DWG

PDF

Existing band joist insulation retrofit with 1 1/2 inch rigid insulation

DWG

PDF

Air sealing behind shower with thin-profile sheathing

DWG

PDF

Air sealing behind shower with cavity rigid insulation

DWG

PDF

Air sealing at corner vertical bathtub chase

DWG

PDF

Air sealing behind tub with thin-profile sheathing - section

DWG

PDF

Air sealing behind tub with cavity rigid insulation

DWG

PDF

Stucco Over Rigid Foam Insulation

Guide describing how to install stucco over rigid foam insulation in new and existing homes.

Conceptual air sealing strategy - upper wall section

DWG

PDF

Air barrier at garage band joist - 1 1/2 inch rigid insulation with 2x4 sleepers

DWG

PDF

Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to apply an air control layer directly over existing wall sheathing and cover with two layers of insulating sheathing held in place by vertical furring strips.

DOE ZERH HIA 2017 Case Study: Thrive Home Builders, Lowry Plan, Denver, CO

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2017

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2017 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 38 without PV and 4 with PV.

Certified Insulated Siding: Quality, Comfort and Energy Performance

Author(s)

Dobson,

Brignati

Organization(s)

Vinyl Siding Institute,

Newport Ventures

This presentation will help you define insulated siding, understand R-value testing of insulated siding, describe proper installation of insulated siding, comply with energy codes and understand building energy performance program and software recognition.

Fully Sealed Continuous Weather Resistance Barrier (3)

Publication Date

September, 2015

Video describing how to fully seal a continuous weather resistance barrier.

Install all layers of the drainage plane to overlap, not underlap, to direct bulk water down and out of the wall.

Publication Date

Thu, 11/01/2007 - 12:00

Mastic Home Exteriors Installation Guide

Author(s)

Ply Gem Siding Group

Organization(s)

Ply Gem Siding Group

Publication Date

April, 2015

Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.

Builders Challenge Technology Information Packages - Cold Climate: Chicago

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

December, 2008

Case study describing building in cold and very cold climates.

Building America Case Study Technology Solutions for Existing Homes: Bedford Farmhouse High Performance Retrofit Prototype

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

December, 2013

Case study describing project conducted by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell (HfHGL) and Building Science Corporation (BSC).

Building America Efficient Solutions for New Homes: Case Study: Concord Cape Prototype

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

July, 2010

Case study describing a Concord Cape Cod style home designed in August 2008 by architects and engineers at Building Science Corporation, who developed the drawing set and specifications for the high performance custom home in Concord, Massachusetts.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: Southeast Volusia Habitat for Humanity, Edgewater, FL

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

February, 2014

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2014 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 49 without PV.

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Deep Energy Retrofit in the Pacific Northwest

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

December, 2011

Case study describing a whole-house, deep energy retrofit project in the marine climate.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: One Sky Homes, Cottle Zero Net Energy Home, San Jose, CA

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2014

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2014 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 69 without PV and -1 with PV.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Complete and Fully Aligned Air Barrier

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

August, 2012

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.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Lancaster County Career and Technology Center Green Home 3 - Mount Joy, Pennsylvania

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Organization(s)

HIRL

Publication Date

December, 2014

Case study describing the Green Home 3 project, which achieved a 44% whole-house energy savings over the Building America New Construction B10 Benchmark, DOE Zero Energy Ready Home certification, and National Green Building Standard Gold-level certification.

Mechanical Ventilation for Attached Garage

Guide describing how to install an exhaust fan in an attached garage to pull fumes out of the garage and to depressurize the garage with reference to the home.

Roof/Attic to Exterior Wall Air Control Upgrade

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

Skylight Shaft Walls

Guide describing insulation techniques for skylight shaft walls.

Insulated Interior Exterior Wall Intersections – Code Compliance Brief

The intent of this brief is to provide code-related information about insulated interior/exterior wall intersections to help ensure that the feature will be accepted as being in compliance with the code.

Air Sealing and Insulating Garage Walls - Code Compliance Brief

This brief provides an overview of the 2009 through 2015 IRC/IECC code requirements related to air sealing and insulating attached garage walls.

Air Sealing and Compartmentalization in Multifamily Buildings

Guide describing the principal of compartmentalization in multifamily buildings - the separation of dwelling units from each other and from common areas in terms of air flow. Locations where air-sealing is critical to maintain separation of air spaces and air-sealing methods especially for party walls are also described.