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Measure the depth of insulation

Measure the depth of insulation

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Attic Eave Minimum Insulation

Guide

Guide providing guidance on insulating attic eaves in new and existing single-family homes and multifamily buildings.

Attic Eave Minimum Insulation (3)

Video

Video describing raised heel trusses for minimum attic eave insulation.

Wrong – Insulation will not be aligned with air barrier

Wrong – Insulation will not be aligned with air barrier

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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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Wrong – The framing will not allow for required insulation depth.

Wrong – The framing will not allow for required insulation depth.

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Right – The framing allows for required insulation depth.

Right – The framing allows for required insulation depth.

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1 inch exterior insulation sheathing as attic eave baffle and vent

1 inch exterior insulation sheathing as attic eave baffle and vent

CAD File

Install insulation under platforms constructed in the attic for storage or equipment.

Install insulation under platforms constructed in the attic for storage or equipment.

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Right – HVAC platform installed to allow for proper insulation depth

Right – HVAC platform installed to allow for proper insulation depth

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Right – Insulation installed to correct depth and will be aligned with air barrier

Right – Insulation installed to correct depth and will be aligned with air barrier

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A standard site-built roof of rafters may pinch the insulation at the eaves

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Wrong – The framing and wind baffle installation will not allow for required insulation depth.

Wrong – The framing and wind baffle installation will not allow for required insulation depth.

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Limited attic access can make inspections for missing air barriers and insulation challenging

Limited attic access can make inspections for missing air barriers and insulation challenging

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Design the roof with raised heel trusses to allow full insulation over the top plates of the exterior walls.

Design the roof with raised heel trusses to allow full insulation over the top plates of the exterior walls.

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In cathedral ceilings, parallel chord trusses allow thicker insulation levels over the exterior wall top plates.

In cathedral ceilings, parallel chord trusses allow thicker insulation levels over the exterior wall top plates.

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Standard roof trusses are narrow at the eaves, preventing full insulation coverage over the top plate of the exterior walls

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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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Wrong - Batt insulation does not provide complete coverage across the attic floor so ceiling joists are exposed resulting in thermal bridging.

Wrong - Batt insulation does not provide complete coverage across the attic floor so ceiling joists are exposed resulting in thermal bridging.

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Limited attic access may make it necessary to use a bore scope when inspecting for missing air barriers and insulation in existing buildings.

Limited attic access may make it necessary to use a bore scope when inspecting for missing air barriers and insulation in existing buildings.

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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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Thin-profile attic eave baffle and vent

CAD File

The thermal boundary for a gable roof can be located at either a) the flat ceiling with a vented attic or b) the roof line for an unvented attic

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A low-sloped shed roof with the thermal boundary located at either a) the flat ceiling with a vented attic or b) the roof line for an unvented attic

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A 1- and ½-story home with a room located in the attic and the thermal boundary located at either a) the walls and ceiling of the attic room with small vented attic spaces or b) the roof line for an unvented attic

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Right - Continuous wall sheathing and blocking has been installed to brace the raised heel trusses.

Right - Continuous wall sheathing and blocking has been installed to brace the raised heel trusses.

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

Reference

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

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

Case Study

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