BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Air Sealing Sill Plates

Guide

Guide describing how to air-seal sill plates in single-family homes and multifamily buildings.

Air Sealing Drywall to Top Plate

Guide

Guide describing ways to seal drywall to the top plate of an exterior wall to air-seal the wall cavity.

Conceptual air sealing strategy - lower wall section

CAD File

Air-seal drywall to top plates at all attic/wall interfaces to minimize air leakage.

Image

Air-seal above-grade sill plates adjacent to conditioned space to minimize air leakage.

Image

Wrong - There is no foam gasket or air-sealing beneath the sill plate.

Image

Seal the drywall to the top plates as part of the home’s continuous air barrier

Image

Wrong – There is no foam gasket or air-sealing between the sill plate and masonry foundation.

Image

Wrong - The caulk is too far from the sill plate to effectively air-seal the gap.

Image

Right - Seal the sill plate to the rim joist with caulk.

Image

Wrong – Top plate to drywall connection not sealed

Image

Wrong – Top plate to drywall connection not sealed

Image

Wrong – Top plate to drywall connection not sealed

Image

Selecting Healthy Insulation and Air Sealants

Presentation

Webinar from Rebecca Stamm of Healthy Building Network and Roberto Valle of HomeFree describing policies surrounding environmental and human health impacts of insulation and air sealing materials. Free EEBA login required.

Right – Top plate to drywall connection sealed from attic with foam

Image

Right – Top plate to drywall connection sealed from attic with caulk

Image

Right – Top plate to drywall connection sealed from attic with foam sealant

Image

Non-hardening removable putty can be used to seal around wiring holes in the HVAC cabinet

Image

Spray foam provides a critical seal between the subfloor, rim joist, and sill plate

Image

Aeroseal: Our Process

Reference

A website explaining the process of sealing a home with Aeroseal & how the technology is used to seal holes in the air ducts and vents of the home.

Install a sill gasket between the sill plate and the foundation wall

Image

Caulk or glue along top plates before installing drywall

Image

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Tom Walsh & Co., New Columbia, Portland, OR

Case Study

Case study describing a new construction building project of 20 homes that earned HERS scores that represent greater than 50% energy savings in heating and cooling over the 2004 IECC.