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Mold on the sheathing in this attic occurred after attic ventilation was increased

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

Information Guide

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

Clean the attic floor of debris prior to installing new attic insulation. Use baffles to provide a path for ventilation air entering the attic from the soffit vents

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Ventilation air comes directly from outdoors, not from adjacent dwelling units, garages, crawlspaces, or attics

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Unvented Attic Insulation

Guide

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

Attic Air Sealing Guide and Details, GM-1001

Reference

Document providing background and approach for the prep work necessary prior to adding attic insulation - focusing on combustion safety, ventilation for indoor air quality, and attic ventilation for durability.

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

Information Guide

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.

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.

Seal all drywall-to-top plate seams and penetrations at the attic floor

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Air seal the attic access panel with weatherstripping.

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Air seal and insulate drawer and closet boxes in attic kneewalls

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1 inch rigid insulation as attic eave baffle cut around manufactured vent

CAD File

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

CAD File

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

CAD File

Air seal the attic access pull-down stairs opening with weatherstripping.

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Air Sealing Attic Access Panels/Doors/Stairs

Guide

Guide describing how to air-seal attic access panels, doors, and stairs to provide a continuous air barrier at the ceiling.

Dropped Ceiling/Soffit Below Unconditioned Attic

Guide

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

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

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

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Seal the drywall to top-plate seams and the lower edge of baffles to the top plate to prevent the air coming from soffit vents from flowing under baffles into insulation.

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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.

Garage Rim/Band Joist Adjoining Conditioned Space

Video

Video describing best practices for air sealing an attached garage during construction using plywood and spray foam in the band joist and providing an exhaust fan to ventilate and depressurize the attic.

The polyethylene ceiling vapor barrier is sealed to form an air barrier around the exhaust fan in this very cold climate location (≥ CZ 6).

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Mold on the sheathing in this attic occurred after attic ventilation was increased

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

Clean the attic floor of debris prior to installing new attic insulation. Use baffles to provide a path for ventilation air entering the attic from the soffit vents

Ventilation air comes directly from outdoors, not from adjacent dwelling units, garages, crawlspaces, or attics

Unvented Attic Insulation

Attic Air Sealing Guide and Details, GM-1001

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

Spray Foam Insulation Applied to Existing Attic Floor

Seal all drywall-to-top plate seams and penetrations at the attic floor

Air seal the attic access panel with weatherstripping.

Air seal and insulate drawer and closet boxes in attic kneewalls

1 inch rigid insulation as attic eave baffle cut around manufactured vent

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

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

Air seal the attic access pull-down stairs opening with weatherstripping.

Air Sealing Attic Access Panels/Doors/Stairs

Dropped Ceiling/Soffit Below Unconditioned Attic

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

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

Seal the drywall to top-plate seams and the lower edge of baffles to the top plate to prevent the air coming from soffit vents from flowing under baffles into insulation.

Cold Climate Building Techniques and Concepts: Cathedral Roofs

Garage Rim/Band Joist Adjoining Conditioned Space

The polyethylene ceiling vapor barrier is sealed to form an air barrier around the exhaust fan in this very cold climate location (≥ CZ 6).

Encapsulated Ducts

Builders Challenge High Performance Builder Spotlight: David Weekley Homes, Houston, Texas

Install Top Plates or Blocking at the Top of Walls Adjoining Unconditioned Spaces

Technology Solutions Case Study: Complete and Fully Aligned Air Barrier

Home Performance Assessment

DOE ZERH HIA 2017 Case Study: Thrive Home Builders, Courtyard Rows, Lone Tree, CO

Air Sealing Bathroom and Kitchen Exhaust Fans