BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Cold Climate Building Techniques and Concepts: Cathedral Roofs

Video

Video describing roof and attic construction for cold climates, including cathedral roof design and insulation strategies, from Cold Climate Housing Research Center.

Your Northern Home: Attics/Air leakage/Stack effect

Video

Video from Cold Climate Housing Research Center on how warm air typically leaks out of homes through attics via the stack effect and how to mitigate these effects through building practices.

Unvented Attic Insulation

Guide

Guide describing methods for insulating an unvented attic along the roof line.

Air Sealing Recessed Light Fixtures Below Unconditioned Space

Guide

Guide describing how to air-seal around recessed light fixtures below unconditioned space.

Insulating Existing Floors over Garage

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate and air seal the floor joists over a garage when there is loving space above the garage.

Skylight Shaft Walls

Guide

Guide describing insulation techniques for skylight shaft walls.

Thermal Protection in Recessed Luminaires

Reference

Article on thermal protectors in recessed light fixtures.

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.

Small Commercial Building Fact Sheet - Building Envelope

Reference

Fact sheet describing building envelope performance measures applicable to residential and small commercial construction.

Building Code Training - Residential Thermal Envelope - Air Sealing

Presentation

Presentation describing the Georgia State Minimum Standard Energy Code air barrier requirements, envelope concepts including air flow and thermal properties, and common missed insulation and air-sealing opportunities.

Air Leakage in Recessed Lighting

Reference

Article describing recessed lighting, which if installed incorrectly may contribute to air leakage and compromise building envelope efficiency.

The original corner seam is air-sealed with caulk, then rigid foam is installed on the existing garage ceiling and walls, and finally covered with drywall.

Image

Dropped Ceiling/Soffit Below Unconditioned Attic

Guide

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

Rigid foam insulating sheathing is installed on existing garage ceiling and covered with a new gypsum board fire protection layer installed over the foam.

Image

Rigid foam insulating sheathing installed over an existing garage ceiling with retrofits to air seal exterior wall before adding exterior wall insulating sheathing

Image

Spray Foam Insulation Applied to Existing Attic Floor

Guide

Guide describing how to apply spray foam insulation to the floor of the attic in existing homes.

Air seal at duct soffit

CAD File

Air sealing at attic hatch - finish screws

CAD File

Air seal at cabinet soffit - two-story

CAD File

Air seal at cabinet soffit - single-story

CAD File

Air sealing at skylight shaft

CAD File

Air sealing at interior wall between conditioned space and unconditioned attic

CAD File

Moving Ducts Inside: Big Builders, Scientists Find Common Ground

Reference

Conference paper making the case that moving ducts to conditioned space saves energy, is practical for production builders (when accompanied by careful pre-planning), and creates significant andmarketable energy savings for homebuyers.