BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

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

Right - Attach exterior insulation with insulation washers and tape the seams of the insulation is used as an air barrier.

Publication Date

Wed, 10/07/2020 - 12:00

Sprinkler Insulation

Author(s)

Merrifield Brian

Organization(s)

Fire Protection Research Foundation,

FPRF,

National Fire Protection Association,

NFPA

Publication Date

July, 2011

Literature review from NFPA on the use of insulation to protect the piping in home fire sprinkler systems from freezing conditions.

Foundation wall exterior board insulation with above-grade wall insulation

DWG

PDF

Insulate Your Basement, Part 3: Insulate the Walls and Rim Joists

Publication Date

July, 2016

Author(s)

Fink Justin

Organization(s)

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Video describing how to use foam insulation on masonry walls, and how to properly insulate the rim joist area with rigid foam and batt insulation.

Duct and HVAC Insulation

Author(s)

North American Insulation Manufacturers Association

Organization(s)

NAIMA

Publication Date

January, 2010

Information sheet with HVAC duct insulation, testing, maintenance and performance information.

Unvented Attic Insulation

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

Foundation Wall Exterior board insulation without above-grade wall insulation

DWG

PDF

Why Seal and Insulate?

Author(s)

ENERGY STAR

Organization(s)

ENERGY STAR

Publication Date

August, 2020

Introductory guide to air sealing the envelope of a home to reduce wasted energy and save on energy costs.

Spray foam insulation air-seals and insulates the floor above the garage; the joist will be filled with fibrous insulation in this flash-and-batt approach.

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

DWG

PDF

Install rigid insulation and finish material below the framing and cavity insulation of a building overhang

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

Insulating Existing Floor Overhang

Guide describing how to upgrade a wall with a floor overhang (or cantilever) on an existing home by adding insulation (rigid insulating sheathing and/or closed-cell spray foam) and air-sealing.

Air Sealed, Insulated Basements

Guide describing how to insulate a basement to improve the overall thermal performance of the building and provide more dry, usable conditioned space for home occupants and HVAC equipment.

Unvented Attic Insulation (2)

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to spray foam unvented attics.

Unvented Attic Insulation (1)

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to spray foam unvented attics.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing structural insulated panels.

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing insulated concrete forms.

Sealed and Insulated Flex Ducts

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to seal and insulate flex ducts.

Sealed and Insulated Metal Ducts

Guide describing how to air seal and insulate metal ducts.

Sealed and Insulated Flex Ducts

Guide describing how to air seal and insulate flex ducts.

Ducts Buried in Attic Insulation

Guide describing buried ducts in loose-fill attic insulation, a method that can only be used in dry climates.

Spray foam insulation insulates and air seals around plumbing pipes and top plates in the attic.

Sealing the vent area insulation

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Wrong – Insulation is in direct contact with this non-insulation contact (IC)-rated recessed light fixture

Batt insulation is installed in two layers in perpendicular directions against the baffle to full required insulation height

Publication Date

Thu, 09/10/2015 - 12:00

Insulating Existing Floors over Garage

Guide with information about how to upgrade a garage ceiling when a portion of the interior of the house is located directly above the attached garage by adding insulation and air sealing.

Batt Insulation for Existing Vented Attics

Guide describing how to increase insulation in existing homes by installing batt insulation on the ceiling plane of a vented attic.

Blown Insulation for Existing Vented Attic

Guide describing how to insulate a vented attic in an existing home using blown insulation added to the attic floor.

Stucco Over Rigid Foam Insulation

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

Installation of Cavity Insulation, Info-501

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

May, 2009

Article explaining installing cavity insulation.

Selecting Healthy Insulation and Air Sealants

Author(s)

Rebecca Stamm,

Roberto Valle Kinloch

Organization(s)

Healthy Building Network,

HomeFree,

EEBA

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.

Batt insulation is installed in two layers with offset seams against the baffle to full code-required insulation height

Publication Date

Thu, 09/10/2015 - 12:00

Insulating sheathing is installed on exterior of an existing framed wall with water control between existing sheathing and insulating sheathing

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

Band joist insulation and air sealing

Interior details of an insulated closed crawlspace

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Sealed and Insulated Fiber Board Ducts

Guide describing how to air seal and insulate fiber board ducts.

Prepare chase with adhesive for bottom insulation

Rim joists are insulated with R-20 of open-cell spray foam which is air sealing and insulating but vapor permeable.

Insulation does not cover boot and is not sealed

Air seal and insulate light tube

Publication Date

Sat, 09/22/2012 - 12:00

Right - The attic access panel is insulated and weather stripped and a dam is built to hold back the blown attic floor insulation

Right - Section view showing how to air-seal and insulate a basement wall with perforated blanket insulation by installing it over air-sealed rigid insulation board to reduce condensation risk in the fiberglass blanket.

Publication Date

Fri, 01/01/2021 - 12:00

Blown Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing blown insulation into exterior wall cavities of existing homes with minimal disruption to occupants.

The attic kneewall and the open floor cavities under kneewall are both sealed and insulated in one step with spray foam insulation

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/2009 - 12:00

Insulated whole-house fan cover

Publication Date

Mon, 03/01/1999 - 12:00

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.

Wrong - This attic access hatch cover is not insulated

Continuous Rigid Insulation Sheathing/Siding (2)

Publication Date

September, 2015

Video describing how to properly install continuous rigid insulation sheathing and siding.

Band joist insulation air sealing detail

Insulation Installation Guide: Air Sealing Garage

Publication Date

June, 2017

Video describing a technique for airtight drywall installation on garage walls using foam gasket strips.

Air Sealing and Insulating Walls to Reduce Heat Gain

Information guide listing Building America Solution Center guides that describe ways to air-seal and insulate a new or existing home's walls to resist heat gain.

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.

Second layer of rigid insulation is adhered with foam

Spray Foam Insulation Applied to Existing Attic Floor

Guide describing how to apply spray foam insulation to ceilings in existing homes.

Rigid Foam Board Insulation for Band Joists (1)

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to properly insulate band joists in crawlspaces.

Measure Guideline: Sealing and Insulating Ducts in Existing Homes

Author(s)

Aldrich Robb,

Puttagunta Srikanth

Organization(s)

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Publication Date

December, 2011

Report describing the sealing and insulating of HVAC duct systems in existing homes.

Wrong – Fibrous insulation does not air seal

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right - A continuous layer of rigid foam insulation is installed against the foundation, and the perforated fiberglass insulation blanket is installed over that and covered with a semipermeable facing.

Publication Date

Fri, 01/01/2021 - 12:00

Air sealing behind shower with cavity rigid insulation

DWG

PDF

Air Sealing Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) Seams

Guide describing how to correctly seal structural insulated panel (SIP) seams.

Right - This attic catch cover is insulated with rigid foam

Turned down concrete slab - 1 inch rigid insulation

DWG

PDF

Foundation wall interior rigid insulation with furring strips

DWG

PDF

Right – The rim joists above the pre-insulated basement walls are sealed and insulated with spray foam to prevent air leakage at this juncture in the building envelope.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00

Foundation wall interior rigid insulation with framed wall

DWG

PDF

Right - Foil-faced polyisocyanurate insulating rigid foam sheathing is installed rather than fibrous insulation below the floor framing of this house built on piers

Air sealing behind tub with cavity rigid insulation

DWG

PDF

Pumpkin Ridge Passive House video #006: Insulation Details

Publication Date

December, 2012

Video describing the EPS foam used to insulate the exterior of a passive house.

Boot has been covered with insulation and sealed with mastic

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Interior removable storm windows insulate and air seal

Insulating and Air Sealing Existing Floors above Unconditioned Spaces

Guide describing how to insulate a floor over unconditioned space with conditioned space above by adding insulation and air-sealing.

Builders Guide to Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) for all Climates

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2015

A book about structurally insulated panels.

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.

Sealing and Insulating Existing Exterior Walls - Code Compliance Brief

Publication Date

May, 2016

The intent of this brief is to provide code-related information about sealing and insulating existing walls in existing residential buildings to help ensure that the measures will be accepted as being in compliance with the code. Providing notes for code officials on how to conduct plan reviews and field inspections can provide jurisdictional officials with information for acceptance. Providing the same information to builders, contractors, designers, and others is expected to result in increased compliance and fewer innovations being questioned at the time of plan review and/or field inspection.

Attic Air Sealing, Insulating, and Ventilating for Ice Dam Prevention

Information guide describing proper attic air-sealing, insulation, and ventilation to combat ice dam formation on roofs in cold climate zones.

Sealing and Insulating Existing Vented Attics - Code Compliance Brief

Publication Date

May, 2016

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.

Expert Meeting Report: Cladding Attachment Over Exterior Insulation

Author(s)

Baker Peter

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

October, 2013

Report about an expert meeting focused on issues surrounding cladding attachment and performance of walls with exterior insulating sheathing.

A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Sealing and Insulating with Energy Star

Author(s)

ENERGY STAR

Organization(s)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

EPA,

ENERGY STAR

Publication Date

July, 2016

Guide for homeowners describing how to find and seal basement and attic air leaks, determine if attic insulation is adequate, make improvements safely, and reduce energy bills.

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.

Insulating and Air Sealing Existing Non-ICAT Recessed Lights

Guide describing air-sealing of non-ICAT recessed lights installed in accessible attics of existing homes.

High Performance Building Details - Insulation and Air Sealing II

Author(s)

Steven Winter Associates,

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings

Organization(s)

CARB,

SWA

Publication Date

July, 2010

Brochure describing insulation and air-sealing details.

This exterior insulated slab-on-grade monolithic grade beam foundation is protected from pests by termite shield at the sill plate, borate-treated framing, flashing at end of wall insulation, brick veneer over slab-edge insulation, and rock ground cover.

Publication Date

Mon, 03/01/2021 - 12:00

Measure Guideline: Guidance on Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

November, 2014

Case study about how to properly tape insulating sheathing drainage planes.

Spray foam insulation used for raised ceiling duct chase

Key elements of a wall system clad with insulated vinyl siding

Rigid Foam Board Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate closed crawlspace walls and band joist areas with rigid foam board insulation.

Turned down concrete slab - 3/4 inch rigid insulation

DWG

PDF

Turned down concrete slab - 1 1/2 inch rigid insulation

DWG

PDF

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

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

1 inch exterior insulation sheathing as attic eave baffle and vent

DWG

PDF

Air seal and insulate drawer and closet boxes in attic kneewalls

Reference

Retrofit Techniques and Technologies: Air Sealing, Volume 10

Author(s)

Baechler Michael C,

Gilbride Theresa L,

Hefty Marye G,

Cole Pam C,

Williamson Jennifer,

Love Pat M

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report identifying the steps to take, with the help of a qualified home performance contractor, to seal unwanted air leaks while ensuring healthy levels of ventilation and avoiding sources of indoor air pollution.

Publication Date

Mon, 04/12/2010 - 12:00

Air Sealing, Insulating, and Venting Attics and Roofs to Reduce Heat Gain

Information guide providing links to guides describing specific ways to air-seal, insulate, and ventilate attics and roofs to minimize heat gain in new and existing homes.

Right - Spray foam insulation has been sprayed onto the underside of the sloped roof and the gable end wall to provide a sealed, insulated attic for housing the HVAC ducts

Seal bottom layer of rigid insulation with adhesive, tape and nails

Application of Spray Foam Insulation Under Plywood and OSB Roof Sheathing

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to air seal attic rafters with spray foam.

Spray foam insulation used for raised ceiling duct chase.

Sealing and Insulating Existing Crawl Space Walls - Code Compliance Brief

Publication Date

May, 2016

The intent of this brief is to provide code-related information about sealing and insulating crawl space walls in existing residential buildings to help ensure that the measures 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.

Rigid Foam Insulation Installed Between Existing House and Garage Walls

Guide describing how to upgrade walls that separate the garage from the house by providing a continuous air control layer on the garage side of the wall and adding rigid foam insulation.