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Right - The attic access panel is insulated and weather stripped and a dam is built to hold back the blown attic floor insulation

Right - The attic access panel is insulated and weather stripped and a dam is built to hold back the blown attic floor insulation

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Schematic of exterior insulated roof assembly

Schematic of exterior insulated roof assembly

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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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Air Sealing and Insulating Ceilings in Vented Attics

Guide

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.

Right – Spray foam insulates the unvented attic.

Right – Spray foam insulates the unvented attic.

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Wrong - This attic access hatch cover is not insulated

Wrong - This attic access hatch cover is not insulated

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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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Detail of an unvented cathedralized attic showing air-impermeable spray foam insulation plus batt insulation installed on the underside of the roof deck.

Detail of an unvented cathedralized attic showing air-impermeable spray foam insulation plus batt insulation installed on the underside of the roof deck.

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Second layer of rigid insulation is adhered with foam

Second layer of rigid insulation is adhered with foam

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Above Deck Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Roofs

Guide

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

Guide describing how to apply spray foam insulation to the floor of the attic in existing homes.

Ducts Encapsulated in Spray Foam and Buried in Attic Insulation

Video

Video describing various ways to bring HVAC ducts installed in an attic within the thermal envelope of the home by insulating the attic or by covering the ducts with spray foam and burying them in fibrous insulation.

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

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Below Deck Spray Foam Insulation for Existing Roofs

Guide

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.

Right - This attic catch cover is insulated with rigid foam

Right - This attic catch cover is insulated with rigid foam

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

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

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The enhanced comfort attic insulation consists of an ultra-efficient 25-inch-thick layer of blown cellulose providing a substantial R-90 insulation value.

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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

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2x4 Raised Truss - Insulation Below Roof Deck CAD

2x4 Raised Truss - Insulation Below Roof Deck CAD

CAD File

Protect Your Family from Asbestos - Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation

Reference

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.

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.

Insulating and Air Sealing Existing Non-ICAT Recessed Lights

Guide

Guide describing how to air seal and insulate a non-ICAT recessed "can" light from an accessible attic in an existing home.

Building America Energy Performance Brief: Insulating Attic Kneewalls

Case Study

Case study describing the options and techniques one should consider when trying to insulate attic knee walls in order to reduce air leakage.

Spray foam insulation used for raised ceiling duct chase

Spray foam insulation used for raised ceiling duct chase

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

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Right – Baffles maintain air flow above attic insulation

Right – Baffles maintain air flow above attic insulation

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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 an air barrier on the exterior of attic knee wall insulation.

Install an air barrier on the exterior of attic knee wall insulation.

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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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