Showing results 1 - 91 of 91
Description
Guide describing methods for insulating an unvented attic along the roof line.
Description
Guide describing how to install insulation below attic platforms
Description
Guide providing guidance on insulating attic eaves in new and existing single-family homes and multifamily buildings.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet presenting techniques for installing cellulose insulation.
Description
Guide describing buried ducts in loose-fill attic insulation, a method that can only be used in dry climates.
Description
Guide describing construction of sloped roofs that are unvented and are insulated above the roof deck.
Description
Guide describing how to increase insulation in existing homes by installing batt insulation on the ceiling plane of a vented attic.
Description
Guide describing how to insulate a vented attic in an existing home using blown insulation added to the attic floor.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article explaining installing cavity insulation.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet presenting the correct methods for building an insulated cathedral ceiling.
Description
Guide describing approaches to burying and encapsulating ducts in unconditioned attics to increase the overall R-value of duct insulation.
Description
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.
Description
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.
Description
Guide describing how to apply spray foam insulation to ceilings in existing homes.
Description
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.
Description
Information guide describing proper attic air-sealing, insulation, and ventilation to combat ice dam formation on roofs in cold climate zones.
Publication Date
Overview
The intent of this brief is to provide code-related information about sealing and insulating existing vented attics to help ensure that the measure will be accepted as being in compliance with the code. Providing the same information to all interested parties (e.g., code officials, builders, contractors, designers, etc.) is expected to result in increased compliance and fewer innovations being questioned at the time of plan review and/or field inspection.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
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.
Description
Guide describing air-sealing of non-ICAT recessed lights installed in accessible attics of existing homes.
Organization(s)
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
Case study describing the options and techniques one should consider when trying to insulate attic knee walls in order to reduce air leakage.
Description
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.
Description
Table adapted from Table R402.1.1 in the 2009 and 2012 IECC and Table R402.1.2 in the 2015 and 2018 IECC (Table N1102.1 in 2009 IRC, Table 1102.1.1 in 2012 IRC, and Table N1102.1.2 in 2015 and 2018 IRC).
Overview
Air sealing and insulating attic knee walls to code.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Description
Presentation describing issues with condensation in unvented attics insulated with open-cell spray foam.
Description
Guide describing how to re-roof an existing home with a sloped and add insulation above the roof deck.
Publication Date
Description
Video describing how homeowners can measure the amount of insulation installed in their attic.
Organization(s)
Washington State University Extension Energy Program,
WSU Extension Energy Program,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report describing the costs, benefits, and challenges of attic insulation retrofits in HUD-code manufactured homes.
Organization(s)
ARIES,
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
Case study describing a DOE Building America 2014 Top Innovation about the development and testing of a new attic insulation method for dense packing the shallow attic space in manufactured homes with blown fiberglass insulation based on research conducted by the Levy Partnership.
Application of Spray Foam Insulation Under Plywood and Oriented Strand Board Roof Sheathing, BA-1312
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering moisture and leakage issues associated with spray foam insulation application to the underside of roof sheathing.
Description
Guide outlining how to retrofit an exterior wall and/or attic to provide continuous air sealing.
Description
Guide describing how to insulate and air-seal attic knee walls and floor joist cavities under knee walls.
Description
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.
Description
Guide describing how to insulate and air-seal dropped ceilings and soffits to prevent air leakage.
Description
Guide describing how to air-seal attic access panels, doors, and stairs to provide a continuous air barrier at the ceiling.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report describing sloped roof assemblies with high levels of thermal performance.
Description
Guide describing method for designing and installing ducts in a raised ceiling chase.
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs,
HIRL
Publication Date
Description
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.
Description
Guide describing how to correctly air-seal a wall with missing top plates or open wall cavities.
Description
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.
Description
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.
Description
Guide describing causes of condensation in attics and roof assemblies during cold weather and ways to reduce this condensation.
Description
Guide describing ways to seal drywall to the top plate of an exterior wall to air-seal the wall cavity.
Organization(s)
ORNL,
SEI
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet with information about insulating and ventilating attics.
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the building science implications of insulating vented or unvented attics.
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the research into insulating vented versus unvented attics.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing issues with condensation in unvented attics insulated with open-cell spray foam.
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how insulating and air sealing unfinished attic spaces can lead to reduced energy bills in some homes.
Description
Guide describing application of a radiant barrier layer in the attic to block radiant heat transfer between hot surfaces and heat-absorbing surfaces.
Description
Guide describing how to air-seal bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans.
Description
Information guide describing things to consider in the attic, ceiling, or roof before attempting retrofits of items including HVAC, wiring, or structural systems.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.
Organization(s)
Energy Vanguard
Publication Date
Description
Article discussing the downside to recessed can lights.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report describing Net Zero house design with sloped roof assemblies.
Publication Date
Description
Video describing the attic truss details in a passive house.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.
Organization(s)
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety,
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Report covering the migration of wind-blown embers in roof vents.
Publication Date
Description
Video describing the interior attic air barrier details in a passive house.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article outlining moisture accumulation in open cell spray polyurethane foam.
Description
Guide describing the use of building cavities as supply or return ducts.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the difference between conditioned or unvented attics and unconditioned or vented attics.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the control layers (air, thermal, and vapor barriers) needed to build homes successfully in very cold locations.
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Project discussing buried or encapsulated ducts and their pros and cons.
Publication Date
Description
Video describing the wall-to-attic air barrier details of a passive house.
Organization(s)
Steven Winter Associates
Description
Presentation with technical training covering several possible approaches to locating ducts within the home’s air and thermal barriers, and then dig into design considerations and details for the spray foam encapsulation approach.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report to understand the long-term moisture performance of unvented roof assemblies with fibrous insulation.
Organization(s)
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing analysis of potential heating and cooling savings from radiant barriers in attics.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Guideline describing information and specifications relevant to air-seal existing attics.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Research study describing field testing performed in 32 two-story Florida homes to characterize wind washing failures of the house air and thermal boundary.
Description
Guide describing method for installing ducts in a duct chase above a dropped ceiling.
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report on the use of vapor diffusion ports to reduce moisture issues with buried ductwork in unvented attics in hot-humid climates.
Organization(s)
Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions,
ARIES
Publication Date
Description
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.
Description
Guide describing the installation of roof vents that are resistant to damage from high winds and entry of wind-borne rain, wildfire embers, or pests.
Description
Guide describing the use of attic ventilation fans to mechanically pull outside air through the attic in an attempt to cool the attic, control moisture, and prevent ice dams.
Description
Guide describing air-sealing of the seams and holes in HVAC air handler and furnace cabinets.
Description
Information guide describing how to calculate attic passive ventilation with example calculations.
Description
Guide describing how to select and install whole-house ventilation systems for existing homes.
Description
Guide describing how to brace gable end walls to resist wind pressures.