BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

A dimpled plastic water barrier protects the insulated concrete form basement walls and carries any ground water down the walls to the footing drain to minimize the opportunity for water intrusion and frost heave.

Publication Date

Mon, 01/01/2018 - 12:00

This basement is insulated on the exterior with rigid foam over dampproofing, with granular backfill and footing drains to facilitate drainage away from the foundation, a termite shield to protect from pests, and cellular PVC to protect the rigid foam.

Publication Date

Mon, 03/01/2021 - 12:00

Right - Reduce condensation risks to blanket insulation by installing perforated vapor retarder covered fiberglass blankets over rigid foam that is air-sealed at all edges; staple the blanket to nailers and top/bottom plates and tape over the seams.

Publication Date

Fri, 01/01/2021 - 12:00

Wrong - Plastic-covered blanket insulation that is installed directly against concrete walls with no rigid foam or closed-cell spray foam covering the concrete could trap moisture coming through the concrete, leading to mold, moisture, and odor problems.

Publication Date

Thu, 10/26/2006 - 12:00

Spray foam insulation extends down the foundation wall to the slab, which has been retrofitted by cutting the slab to install drainage mat against the wall and a new perimeter footing drain, along with rigid foam plastic above the slab.

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

Floor Above Unconditioned Basement or Vented Crawlspace

Guide describing how to air-seal and insulate the floor above an unconditioned basement or crawl space.

Termite-Resistant Foundations and Walls

Guide describing techniques and measures for increasing the termite resistance of a home's foundations.

ICF bricks are stacked to form hollow walls that are reinforced with steel rebar before the concrete is poured in

Publication Date

Mon, 10/01/2012 - 12:00

Increase Seismic Resistance and Thermal Performance of Basement, Crawl Space, and Crawl Space with Cripple Wall Foundations

Guide describing different options for providing seismic and thermal resistance for homes with basement foundations, crawlspace foundations, or crawlspace foundations with a "cripple" wall.

Upgrading Below Grade Spaces

Author(s)

University of Minnesota

Organization(s)

NorthernSTAR,

NSTAR

Presentation describing basement insulation and potential problems.

Water Management of Existing Basement Floor

Guide describing how to retrofit an existing basement floor or slab to reduce moisture issues.

Water Management of Existing Crawlspace Floor

Guide providing information about treating bulk water drainage issues and moisture control measures in existing basements and crawl spaces.

Foundation Design Handbook

Author(s)

Carmody John,

Mosiman Garrett,

Handeen Daniel,

Huelman Patrick H,

Christian Jeffrey E

Organization(s)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

University of Minnesota

Publication Date

January, 2013

Handbook providing guidance on the design and construction of foundations for homes, including insulation, air sealing, and water management details for basements, crawlspaces, and slabs.

Upgrading Below Grade Spaces - Residential Energy Efficiency Stakeholder

Author(s)

Huelman Patrick H,

Breidenbach Sam,

Schirber Steve

Organization(s)

NorthernSTAR,

University of Minnesota,

UMN,

NSTAR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

March, 2012

Presentation describing the challenges of insulating an existing basement, presented to the Building America residential energy-efficiency stakeholder meeting.

Home Performance Assessment

Information guide describing how to apply a whole-house approach to home improvement with energy efficiency upgrades, improved indoor air quality, and increased comfort.

Innovation in Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)

Green Home Institute

Organization(s)

Green Home Institute

Publication Date

January, 2019

Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.

Innovation in Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)

Green Home Institute

Organization(s)

Green Home Institute

Publication Date

January, 2019

Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.

DOE ZERH HIA 2017 Case Study: Thrive Home Builders, Courtyard Rows, Lone Tree, CO

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2017

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2017 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 41 without PV and 8 with PV.

Flood-Resistant Crawlspace Foundations

Guide describing how to design or retrofit a crawlspace to reduce the risk of damage during a flood event.

Right - Rigid foam board is attached to the interior surface of the basement walls.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Right – Construction adhesive is applied to the rigid foam panels that will be installed on the interior basement walls.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Right - Closed-cell spray foam was applied to the interior of a foundation wall.

The daylight basement walls are made of concrete walls with integrated rigid foam and steel-faced concrete studs.

Right - The basement walls are wrapped with 3 inches of XPS rigid foam that will be taped at the seams then covered with a dimpled plastic water barrier.

Right - Closed-cell spray foam covers the interior of the foundation wall and wall framing is placed to the inside of the spray foam.

The basement is constructed with precast concrete walls lined with R-21.3 foil-faced rigid foam while an R-10 layer of XPS rigid foam covers the ground under the slab.

No Ducts or Air Handlers Located in Garage

Guide describing how to design HVAC systems to be located within the conditioned space of the home, either in a utility closet or in an air sealed conditioned attic, basement, or crawl space.

Damp-Proof Exterior Surface of Below-Grade Walls

Guide describing how to apply water management strategies to below grade walls.

The basement walls’ interior framing is set in 3 inches from the concrete to allow space for closed-cell foam that is sprayed directly on the concrete, then blown cellulose is added to fill the wall cavity.

Floor Above Unconditioned Basement or Vented Crawlspace

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to properly air-seal floors above unconditioned basements and vented crawlspaces.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Insight Homes: Deep Creek, Seaford, Delaware

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

April, 2012

Case study describing a home builder that has refined its home designs to achieve HERS scores of 49 to 56 on 40 to 70 homes per year.

DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: Preferred Builders, Old Greenwich, Connecticut

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

April, 2013

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2013 Housing Innovation Award Winner in Old Greenwich CT, that scored HERS 42 without PV and HERS 20 with PV.

Passive House Basement Foundation Walls: Karuna Video #3

Publication Date

January, 2012

Video describing the details of the basement foundation walls in a passive house.

Foundation wall interior polyisocyanurate, foil-faced, exposed

DWG

PDF

Termite shield with exterior rigid foam above and below

DWG

PDF

Concrete Floor Problems, BSI-003

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

June, 2008

Information guide describing issues with concrete floors, in multiple climate zones.

Evaluation of Crawlspace Retrofits in Multifamily Buildings

Author(s)

Rudd Armin

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2014

Report analyzing results in crawlspace retrofits in multifamily buildings.

Spray foam on a stone or rubble foundation

DWG

PDF

Spray foam on concrete foundation wall with framed interior wall

DWG

PDF

Structural system components of a basement

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations Reduce Costs, Save Energy

Author(s)

Hooker Kenneth A

Organization(s)

Concrete Construction

Publication Date

December, 2014

Article describing frost-protected shallow foundations with construction drawing details.

Cold Climate Building Techniques and Concepts: building a raised floor

Publication Date

April, 2014

Author(s)

Cold Climate Housing Research Center

Organization(s)

CCHRC

Video from Cold Climate Housing Research Center describing building a raised floor in cold climates for air-sealing and insulation purposes.

Small Commercial Building Fact Sheet - Building Envelope

Author(s)

Southface Energy Institute

Organization(s)

SEI

Publication Date

November, 2016

Fact sheet describing building envelope performance measures applicable to residential and small commercial construction.

Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations 1

Author(s)

Holladay Martin

Organization(s)

Fine Homebuilding

Publication Date

November, 2010

Guides describing frost-protected shallow foundations as an alternative method for building an energy-efficient foundation for a house in a cold climate that uses less concrete and saves on labor.

Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)

Williams Randy

Organization(s)

Green Building Advisor,

GBA

Publication Date

July, 2022

Article describing what the building codes say about frost-protected shallow foundations as a cost-saving alternative to conventional concrete foundations.

Termite control techniques for basements, footing detail

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Radon control techniques for basements, footing detail

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Termite control techniques for basements, sill detail

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Radon control techniques for basements, sill detail

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Drainage and waterproofing system components in a basement, footing detail

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Drainage and waterproofing system components of a basement, sill detail

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

The goal of foundation moisture management is to construct the basement, crawlspace, or slab in a way that keeps moisture from getting in in the first place

Publication Date

Thu, 03/01/2012 - 12:00

Drainage and waterproofing system components in a basement, single perimeter drain system, footing detail

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Right - Closed-cell spray foam is used to retrofit an existing rubble basement foundation wall.

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

Radon Fan

Guide describing how to install a radon mitigation fan with various types of house foundations.

Spray foam extends down the inside of the foundation wall to the uninsulated slab; because the wall lacked exterior perimeter drainage, the slab was cut and an interior footing drain was installed.

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

Revised Builder’s Guide to Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,

Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing,

National Association of Home Builders

Organization(s)

HUD,

PATH,

NAHB Research Center

Publication Date

September, 2004

Report describing how to construct a frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF) as a practical alternative to a deeper, more-costly foundation in cold regions with seasonal ground freezing and the potential for frost heave.