BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Air seal the attic access panel with weatherstripping.

Image

Air sealing at attic hatch - finish screws

Air sealing at attic hatch - finish screws

CAD File

Air seal at cabinet soffit - single-story

Air seal at cabinet soffit - single-story

CAD File

Air sealing at attic pull down attic stair

Air sealing at attic pull down attic stair

CAD File

Air-seal the attic kneewall door opening with weatherstripping.

Air-seal the attic kneewall door opening with weatherstripping.

Image

Air seal attic access panels and drop-down stairs to minimize air leakage.

Air seal attic access panels and drop-down stairs to minimize air leakage.

Image

Right – The knee wall is properly insulated and air sealed.

Right – The knee wall is properly insulated and air sealed.

Image

Air seal and insulate drawer and closet boxes in attic kneewalls

Air seal and insulate drawer and closet boxes in attic kneewalls

Image

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.

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.

Insulate and air seal the shaft around a skylight in a vented attic

Image

Right – The backing on this knee wall was air sealed prior to insulation.

Right – The backing on this knee wall was air sealed prior to insulation.

Image

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

Image

Spray foam insulates and air seals the underside of the attic roof and walls.

Spray foam insulates and air seals the underside of the attic roof and walls.

Image

Wrong – The backing on this knee wall was not air sealed prior to adding insulation.

Wrong – The backing on this knee wall was not air sealed prior to adding insulation.

Image

Duct boots and other ceiling penetrations are air-sealed using spray foam

Duct boots and other ceiling penetrations are air-sealed using spray foam

Image

Wrong – The batt insulation on this knee wall is not properly supported and there is no air sealed rigid backing to provide a solid air barrier.

Wrong – The batt insulation on this knee wall is not properly supported and there is no air sealed rigid backing to provide a solid air barrier.

Image

Spray foam insulates and air-seals the ceiling deck and top plates of this vented attic.

Image

The baffle is air sealed in place with spray foam before installing fiberglass or cellulose insulation

The baffle is air sealed in place with spray foam before installing fiberglass or cellulose insulation

Image

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

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

Image

One way to air seal and insulate kneewalls – add insulation and a rigid air barrier along roof line of unconditioned attic space outside kneewall

One way to air seal and insulate kneewalls – add insulation and a rigid air barrier along roof line of unconditioned attic space outside kneewall

Image

Right - Spray foam insulation air-seals the ceiling-to-drywall seams at the wall top plate.

Image

Right - Closed-cell spray foam covers the ceiling and joists to insulate and air-seal the ceiling deck.

Right - Closed-cell spray foam covers the ceiling and joists to insulate and air-seal the ceiling deck.

Image

Air seal floor joist cavities under kneewall with rigid foam, plywood, or OSB caulked in place

Image

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.

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.

Image

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

Image

Wrap the air-sealed chimney with mineral wool insulation to prevent contact with the warm brick when attic insulation is re-installed around the chimney

Wrap the air-sealed chimney with mineral wool insulation to prevent contact with the warm brick when attic insulation is re-installed around the chimney

Image

Right - These attic knee walls are insulated with rigid foam and sealed with spray foam to form a continuous air barrier at the gable end of this cathedral ceiling.

Right - These attic knee walls are insulated with rigid foam and sealed with spray foam to form a continuous air barrier at the gable end of this cathedral ceiling.

Image

Right - A technician applies a thin layer of closed-cell foam to air-seal an unvented attic assembly before filling the ceiling joists with batt or blown insulation.

Right - A technician applies a thin layer of closed-cell foam to air-seal an unvented attic assembly before filling the ceiling joists with batt or blown insulation.

Image

Vented roof assembly at eave retrofitted with rigid foam, spray foam, and fully adhered membrane to air seal the top of wall-to-roof transition

Vented roof assembly at eave retrofitted with rigid foam, spray foam, and fully adhered membrane to air seal the top of wall-to-roof transition

Image