BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

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

Publication Date

Mon, 02/01/2010 - 12:00

Right - Baffles are installed in attic to keep blown insulation from blocking soffit vents and ventilation path

A simple vented attic with good air-sealing of the drywall ceiling air barrier, air flow from soffit vents to ridge vents protected by ventilation baffles, and lots of insulation covering the attic floor is unlikely to encourage ice dams.

Publication Date

Wed, 08/15/2012 - 12:00

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.

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.

Attic Radiant Barriers

Guide describing application of a radiant barrier layer in the attic to block radiant heat transfer between hot surfaces and heat-absorbing surfaces.

Spray Foam Insulation Applied to Existing Attic Floor

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

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

Publication Date

Mon, 02/01/2010 - 12:00

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

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

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.

Publication Date

Mon, 02/01/2010 - 12:00

Below Deck Spray Foam Insulation for Existing Roofs

Guide describing how to add spray foam insulation to the underside of the existing roof deck as part of the conversion of a vented attic to an unvented, insulated attic.

Wind Resistant Roof Systems

Publication Date

September, 2008

Video describing attic ventilation methods for wind and water-resistant roofs to comply with FLASH Strong Home guidelines and improve hurricane resitance.

Water Managed Roof – Re-roofing and Adding Insulation Over a Sloped Roof

Guide describing how to re-roof an existing home with a sloped and add insulation above the roof deck.

Support at Intervals for Flex Ducts

Guide describing how to hang ducts with supporting straps or saddles to adequately support ducts so they do not sag and are not pinched or compressed in a manner that would cause damage to the ducts, the duct insulation, or the duct air barrier covering.

Building Cavities Not Used as Supply or Return Ducts

Guide describing the use of building cavities as supply or return ducts.