BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Radiant Barrier: Effect of Radiant Barriers on Heating and Cooling Bills

Reference

Fact sheet describing analysis of potential heating and cooling savings from radiant barriers in attics.

Building America Top Innovations 2013: Attic Air Sealing Guidelines

Reference

Fact sheet describing research sponsored by DOE's Building America program to research the importance of attic air-sealing and best practice attic air-sealing techniques for new and existing homes.

Measure Guideline: Guide to Attic Air Sealing

Reference

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

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

Reference

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

Measure Guideline: Air Sealing Attics in Multifamily Buildings

Reference

Guideline describing the importance of the different types of multifamily building attics and their unique challenges, and outlines strategies and materials used in air-sealing them.

Retrofit of Blown Attic Insulation in Existing HUD-Code Manufactured Homes: Needs Assessment Report

Reference

Report describing the costs, benefits, and challenges of attic insulation retrofits in HUD-code manufactured homes.

Unvented-Cathedralized Attics: Where We've Been and Where We're Going, RR-9904

Reference

Report focusing on the performance and durability of unvented-cathedralized attics in hot-humid climates with both tile and asphalt shingle roofing.

Encapsulated Ducts

Guide

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

Unvented Attic Insulation

Guide

Guide describing methods for insulating an unvented attic along the roof line.

Spray foam insulation is applied along the underside of the roof deck to provide a conditioned and non-vented attic space for ducts and air handlers.

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Framing is sequenced to install an air barrier of OSB, plywood, or rigid foam between the porch and the attic.

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Building America Top Innovations 2014: Cost-Optimized Attic Insulation Solution for Factory-Built Homes

Case Study

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.

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

Reference

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.

Water Managed Roof – Re-roofing and Adding Insulation Over a Sloped Roof

Guide

Guide describing how to re-roof an existing home with a sloped roof and add insulation above the roof deck.

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.

Attic Knee Walls

Guide

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

Attic Eave Minimum Insulation

Guide

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

How to Keep Attic Vent From Freezing Up in Winter

Video

Video describing techniques to prevent attic plumbing vents from freezing during Alaskan winters.

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.