BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Guide describing how to air-seal and insulate a ceiling where the insulation is installed on top of the ceiling (on the attic floor) in a vented attic.

Above Deck Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Roofs

Guide describing the installation of insulating sheathing above the roof deck on existing homes. This retrofit assembly is appropriate for homes with conditioned attics or where the retrofit is intended to create a conditioned attic.

Spray Foam Insulation Applied to Existing Attic Floor

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

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.

Protect Your Family from Asbestos - Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation

Author(s)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Organization(s)

EPA

Publication Date

January, 2015

This page provides important information on how to protect yourself and your family if you suspect that you might have vermiculite insulation from Libby, Montana.

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.

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.

Application of Spray Foam Insulation Under Plywood and Oriented Strand Board Roof Sheathing, BA-1312

Author(s)

Grin Aaron,

Smegal Jonathan,

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

September, 2013

Report covering moisture and leakage issues associated with spray foam insulation application to the underside of roof sheathing.

Cost Analysis of Roof-Only Air Sealing and Insulation Strategies on 1 1/2-Story Homes in Cold Climates

Author(s)

Ojczyk Cindy

Organization(s)

University of Minnesota,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE,

NothernSTAR

Publication Date

December, 2014

Report exploring alternative methods to find long-term solutions to energy loss in 1 ½-story homes to save energy, improve comfort, prevent frost buildup on the underside of the roof deck, and reduce the risk of ice dam formation/reformation.

There are three potential locations for an attic radiant barrier – adhered to the underside of the roof decking, hanging from the rafters, or on the ceiling insulation

Publication Date

Wed, 06/01/2005 - 12:00

Roof/Attic to Exterior Wall Air Control Upgrade

Guide outlining how to retrofit an exterior wall and/or attic to provide continuous air sealing.

Attic Knee Walls

Guide describing how to insulate and air-seal attic knee walls and floor joist cavities under knee walls.

Vented versus Unvented Attic

Guide describing options for designing and locating the thermal boundary at either the attic floor or along the roof line in new and existing homes.

Wind Washing

Guide describing wind washing and how to prevent it.

Dropped Ceiling/Soffit Below Unconditioned Attic

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

Air Sealing Attic Access Panels/Doors/Stairs

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

Ducts in Raised Ceiling Sections

Guide describing method for designing and installing ducts in a raised ceiling chase.

Compact Buried Ducts in a Hot-Humid Climate House

Author(s)

Mallay David

Organization(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs,

HIRL

Publication Date

January, 2016

Report on heating and cooling air-distribution ducts that are insulated, installed close to the ceiling in a vented attic and covered with attic insulation to minimize energy loss.

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

Guide describing how to correctly air-seal a wall with missing top plates or open wall cavities.

Encapsulated Ducts

Guide that illustrates how and when to encapsulate ductwork in unconditioned attics, increases the R-value of duct insulation, mitigating condensation issues and reducing air leakage.

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.

Air Sealing Drywall to Top Plate

Guide describing ways to seal drywall to the top plate of an exterior wall to air-seal the wall cavity.

Ceilings and Attics

Author(s)

Southface Energy Institute,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Organization(s)

ORNL,

SEI

Publication Date

February, 2000

Information sheet with information about insulating and ventilating attics.

Air Sealing Duct and Flue Shafts

Guide describing how to air-seal duct and flue shafts.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Complete and Fully Aligned Air Barrier

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

August, 2012

Case study describing the elimination of excessive humidity in the attic of a multi-floor, single-family home that was causing condensation and water damage along the roof and eaves.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Field Testing an Unvented Roof with Asphalt Shingles in a Cold Climate

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

September, 2015

Case study describing an experiment to build and instrument unvented test roofs using air-permeable insulation in a cold climate and to analyze the moisture effects over time.

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.

Air Sealing Bathroom and Kitchen Exhaust Fans

Guide describing how to air-seal bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans.

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Attics, Ceilings, and Roofs

Information guide describing things to consider in the attic, ceiling, or roof before attempting retrofits of items including HVAC, wiring, or structural systems.

Kick the Can! No Recessed Lights in the Building Envelope

Author(s)

Bailes Allison

Organization(s)

Energy Vanguard

Publication Date

April, 2011

Article discussing the downside to recessed can lights.

Building Cavities Not Used as Supply or Return Ducts

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

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Retrofitting a 1960s Split-Level Cold-Climate Home

Author(s)

Steven Winter Associates

Organization(s)

CARB,

SWA

Publication Date

September, 2015

Case study describing the retrofit of a 1960s split-level home.

Attic Air Sealing Guide and Details, GM-1001

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

February, 2010

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.

Field Testing Unvented Roofs with Asphalt Shingles in Cold and Hot-Humid Climates

Author(s)

Ueno Kohta,

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2015

Report to understand the long-term moisture performance of unvented roof assemblies with fibrous insulation.

Measure Guideline: Guide to Attic Air Sealing

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation

Publication Date

September, 2014

Guideline describing information and specifications relevant to air-seal existing attics.

Investigating Solutions to Wind Washing Issues in 2-Story Florida Homes; Phase 1

Author(s)

Cummings James B,

Withers Charles R,

LaHiff Ian L

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

December, 2009

Research study describing field testing performed in 32 two-story Florida homes to characterize wind washing failures of the house air and thermal boundary.

Opportunities for Energy Conservation and Improved Comfort From Wind Washing Retrofits in Two-Story Homes - Part I

Author(s)

Withers Charles R,

Cummings James B

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

September, 2010

Report highlighting the evaluation methods used and extent of wind washing found in a study analyzing wind washing in thirty-two two-story homes.

Ducts in Dropped Ceilings

Guide describing method for installing ducts in a duct chase above a dropped ceiling.

Attic or Roof? An Evaluation of Two Advanced Weatherization Packages, BA-1205

Author(s)

Neuhauser Ken

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

June, 2012

Report about a project that examines implementation of advanced retrofit measures in the context of a large-scale weatherization program and the archetypal Chicago, Illinois, brick bungalow.

Field Evaluation of Four Novel Roof Designs for Energy-Efficient Manufactured Homes

Author(s)

Dentz Jordan,

Ansanelli Eric,

Dadia D,

Levy Emanuel,

Barker Greg M,

Rath Pournamasi

Organization(s)

Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions,

ARIES

Publication Date

December, 2015

Report of a field evaluation of four novel roof designs to see how each design would reduce space-conditioned energy use so that the knowledge gained could be applied to the design of new manufactured homes.

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Deep Energy Retrofit in the Pacific Northwest

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

December, 2011

Case study describing a whole-house, deep energy retrofit project in the marine climate.