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Application of window and door nonexpanding foam sealant

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Caulk applied against the backer rod to seal a window rough opening

Caulk applied against the backer rod to seal a window rough opening

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High Performance Building Details - Insulation and Air Sealing II

Reference

Brochure describing insulation and air-sealing details.

Fiberglass duct board typically comes in sheets 4 foot wide by 10 foot long

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Fiber board sheets are available with pre-cut shiplapped ends

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Assembled section of fiber board duct

Assembled section of fiber board duct

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Hand tools for cutting fiber board sheets include a knife, straight edge, and color-coded edge-cutting tools

Hand tools for cutting fiber board sheets include a knife, straight edge, and color-coded edge-cutting tools

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Cut fiber board with a red V-groove tool and a gray shiplap tool to create mitered corners and a shiplapped edge for duct sections

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Seal seams in fiber board ducts with out-clinching staples, UL-181A-approved tape, and mastic

Seal seams in fiber board ducts with out-clinching staples, UL-181A-approved tape, and mastic

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To prepare for a total duct test at rough-in, cover all of the supply outlets and return inlets

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To prepare for a total duct test at final, cover all of the supply outlets and return inlets

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Sample results from a total duct leakage test at rough-in

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Sample results from a total duct leakage test at final

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Right – This attic knee wall and the floor joist cavity openings beneath it are being sealed and insulated with spray foam.

Right – This attic knee wall and the floor joist cavity openings beneath it are being sealed and insulated with spray foam.

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

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

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Right-- IR photo shows how effectively spray foam insulated/air sealed attic kneewall and the floor cavities under kneewall

Right-- IR photo shows how effectively spray foam insulated/air sealed attic kneewall and the floor cavities under kneewall

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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.

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.

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Wrong - The faced batt insulation does not provide an air barrier in the joist bay between the garage and the conditioned space of the home.

Wrong - The faced batt insulation does not provide an air barrier in the joist bay between the garage and the conditioned space of the home.

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Wrong - Rigid insulation blocking is installed but not air-sealed with spray foam around edges.

Wrong - Rigid insulation blocking is installed but not air-sealed with spray foam around edges.

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Wrong – An opportunity to use structural members as a natural air barrier was missed in this home and blocking was not initially planned for between the garage and living space.

Wrong – An opportunity to use structural members as a natural air barrier was missed in this home and blocking was not initially planned for between the garage and living space.

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Reinforce concrete slab and foundation walls to minimize future cracks that could let in pests

Reinforce concrete slab and foundation walls to minimize future cracks that could let in pests

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Install termite shields and use solid concrete or filled concrete block for the top of foundation walls to deter termites and other pests

Install termite shields and use solid concrete or filled concrete block for the top of foundation walls to deter termites and other pests

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Install mesh insect barrier along the tops and bottoms of the rain screen behind the exterior cladding of above-grade walls.

Install mesh insect barrier along the tops and bottoms of the rain screen behind the exterior cladding of above-grade walls.

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Right – Apply caulk at the slab-to-wall joint to reduce pest intrusion

Right – Apply caulk at the slab-to-wall joint to reduce pest intrusion

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Right – Apply sealant around penetrations through foundation walls and along foundation wall seams

Right – Apply sealant around penetrations through foundation walls and along foundation wall seams

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Measure Guideline: Wall Air Sealing and Insulation Methods in Existing Homes - An Overview of Opportunity and Process

Reference

Document providing renovators and retrofit contractors an overview of considerations when including wall air sealing and insulation in an energy retrofit project.

Right - New flashing has been installed to complete the air and water control layers at the window openings of this wall retrofit that includes insulating the wall cavities with spray foam

Right - New flashing has been installed to complete the air and water control layers at the window openings of this wall retrofit that includes insulating the wall cavities with spray foam

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Right - Closed-cell spray foam insulation fills the wall cavities of the exterior walls in this home retrofit

Right - Closed-cell spray foam insulation fills the wall cavities of the exterior walls in this home retrofit

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

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

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The duct sealing spray injection system includes a blower/heater (background) and the sealant injection unit (foreground)

The duct sealing spray injection system includes a blower/heater (background) and the sealant injection unit (foreground)

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