Image Structural insulated panels offer a continuous layer of thermal protection and draft resistance around the home and come from the factory precut for fast assembly.
Image This Heat Pump Water Heater has Pipe insulation installed on the hot water line (on left) and on the cold water line (on right) Publication Date Wed, 05/01/2024 - 12:00
Image Unvented roof assembly at rake retrofitted with spray foam installed along the underside of the roof deck and extended to the rake edge to insulate and air seal the attic Publication Date Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00
Image Spray foam extends down the foundation wall to the slab, which has been retrofitted by adding dimple plastic drainage mat and rigid foam insulation. Publication Date Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00
Image Right - Closed-cell spray foam is installed as a skim coat to provide air tightness to an exterior wall cavity before installing batt or blown cavity insulation. Publication Date Fri, 01/01/2010 - 12:00
Image Right - A technician applies a thin layer of closed-cell foam to air-seal an unvented attic assembly before filling the ceiling joists with batt or blown insulation. Publication Date Fri, 01/01/2010 - 12:00
Image Clean the attic floor of debris prior to installing new attic insulation. Use baffles to provide a path for ventilation air entering the attic from the soffit vents Publication Date Mon, 02/01/2010 - 12:00
Image Right - Concrete masonry unit (CMU) basement wall showing exterior insulation and sill detail; above-grade wall has sheathing to the inside of the rigid foam. Publication Date Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00
Image Because this ICF and spray foamed house is so well insulated, the HVAC system is smaller, the round metal ducts are smaller diameter, and the duct layout is more compact. Publication Date Wed, 01/01/2014 - 12:00
Image Rigid insulation can be used as a thermal break between a garage slab with a heated plenum space and a separately cast garage slab without a heated plenum space. Publication Date Sat, 09/14/2024 - 12:00
Image Right – After installing the insulated concrete foundation wall panels, the builder installed underslab rigid foam, which was topped by 4 inches of crushed rock then the poured slab. Publication Date Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00
Image Right - The slab-on-grade foundation is insulated with two layers (R-20) of XPS foam under the-slab and R-10 on the exterior of the stem walls. Publication Date Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00
Image The wood blocking for future PV panel installation extends above the surface of the top layer of polyisocyanurate rigid foam insulation installed as part of a flat roof retrofit
Image This whole house fan is suspended from rafters and connected to the intake grille by a curved insulated duct, greatly reducing vibration and noise in the occupied space Publication Date Sat, 01/01/2022 - 12:00
Image To ensure a complete air barrier between the garage and the house, the wall between the garage and the house was insulated and air-sealed with four inches of high-density spray foam.
Image Raised heel energy trusses extend past the exterior wall and are deeper at the wall allowing room for full insulation coverage over the top plate of the exterior walls. Publication Date Sat, 01/01/2011 - 12:00
Image Exterior surface of below-grade walls finished as follows: For poured concrete, concrete masonry, and insulated concrete forms, finish with damp-proof coating Publication Date Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00
Image Right - This ceiling-mounted mini whole-house fan has built-in insulated covers to reduce heat loss when the fan is not in use Publication Date Sat, 10/01/2011 - 12:00
Image Air-seal the floor above a garage when there is living space above the garage and make sure floor insulation is in full contact with the underside of the subfloor. Publication Date Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00
Image Exterior fiberglass insulation on this new home was (incorrectly) cut to terminate below-grade after backfill, which will expose the above-grade portions of the foundation wall to cold temperatures Publication Date Mon, 10/01/2012 - 12:00
Image 2021 IECC Window Detail: Framed Wall with Plywood or OSB Sheathing, a WRB, Thick Rigid Insulation, and Siding (Wood, Fiber Cement, Aluminum or Vinyl) Publication Date Tue, 03/26/2024 - 12:00
Image Z flashing is installed behind the rigid foam and metal lathe that goes behind the stucco siding to protect the transition between the wall sheathing and the exterior foundation insulation.
Image Continuous rigid insulation coupled with thin (1/4-inch) spacer strips that provide drainage behind the wall cladding without increasing the fire risk of the assembly. Publication Date Mon, 06/28/2021 - 12:00
Image Right – The floor and wall system on this open-foundation home use rigid foam rather than fibrous cavity insulation to reduce risk of water damage. Publication Date Wed, 09/01/2021 - 12:00
Image Retrofit of cantilevered wall showing details at the outside corner for installing air sealing and rigid foam insulation in the wall and closed-cell spray foam in the overhanging floor
Image Right – The HVAC unit installed in the insulated attic uses a heat pump to provide heating and cooling while also providing dehumidification and fresh air ventilation. Publication Date Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00
Image FEMA recommends techniques like open lower wall cavities with exterior rigid foam insulation and paperless drywall for flood-resistant, dryable wall interiors. Publication Date Thu, 09/01/2011 - 12:00
Image Side view showing air-sealing and rigid foam insulation is installed over existing wall and ceiling under a room above, then covered with new gypsum board. Publication Date Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00
Image Wrong - Tub or shower floor is not insulated and air-sealed with a solid barrier material between the floor joists and the tub. Plumbing pipes shouldn't be located in a cantilever. Publication Date Wed, 07/07/2021 - 12:00
Image Seal the drywall to top-plate seams and the lower edge of baffles to the top plate to prevent the air coming from soffit vents from flowing under baffles into insulation. Publication Date Mon, 02/01/2010 - 12:00
Image HVAC ducts can be encapsulated in 3 inches of closed-cell spray foam, then buried in R-49 of blown fiberglass insulation after the ceiling drywall is installed in the vented attic.
Image The floor slab is completely insulated with ICF foundation walls and R-20 (3 inches) of closed-cell foam that is sprayed directly onto the ground before pouring the slab.
Image The basement slab is wrapped in a blanket of insulation including R-27 of closed-cell spray foam under the slab and R-22 ICF blocks wrapping the slab edges.
Image Wrong - Craft faced batt insulation is not cut to fit around wiring and eletrical boxes and is squished into corners forming voids which could encourage cold spots in wall. Publication Date Fri, 01/17/2014 - 12:00
Image ICF foundation walls wrap the floor slab in R-22 of insulation while the entire space under the slab is covered with 4.3 inches of closed-cell spray foam.
Image This vaulted ceiling has 7 inches of closed-cell spray foam plus an R-22 unfaced mineral wool batt for a total attic insulation value of R-68.
Image Wrong – Don’t use nails to fasten poly vapor barrier around flex ducts; it will allow moist air to reach the ducts where it could condense and ruin the insulation. Publication Date Tue, 04/13/2021 - 12:00
Image Installing ladder blocking at interior-exterior wall intersections rather than three solid studs in the exterior wall as the supporting surface allows room for insulation in the exterior wall.
Image Right – Two inches of rigid foam was installed on the ground before pouring the basement floor slab while precast, pre-insulated concrete panels comprise the basement walls. Publication Date Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00
Image Right- This concrete block home in the hot-humid climate is insulated on the interior with rigid EPS foam; all framing uses mold- and termite-resistant borate-treated lumber. Publication Date Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00
Image Right - New flashing has been installed to complete the air and water control layers at the window openings of this wall retrofit that includes insulating the wall cavities with spray foam
Image Right - This unvented crawlspace is insulated along interior walls with rigid foam and air-sealed by covering the floor with vapor retarder that is sealed to the rigid foam which is taped at the seams. Publication Date Sat, 01/01/2011 - 12:00
Image The mechanical curb for a skylight is integrated with the water management and air control layers on a flat roof retrofitted to include new above-deck rigid foam insulation Publication Date Fri, 05/01/2015 - 12:00
Image Right – A gap separates the two wall layers in this double-stud wall assembly allowing room for insulation to stop thermal bridging between the inner and outer wall
Image Window attachments like insulated blinds, solar screens, and low-e storm windows provide many benefits including heating and cooling savings at a low first cost Publication Date Mon, 01/01/2024 - 12:00
Image Window coverings like insulated blinds, cellular shades, sun-blocking roller shades, and low-e storm windows can provide heating and cooling energy savings Publication Date Mon, 01/01/2024 - 12:00
Image Above the 20 inches of blown cellulose ultra-efficient attic insulation, Near Zero Maine installed a walkway in the attic to provide easy access to electric wiring. Publication Date Wed, 01/01/2014 - 12:00
Image Ultra-efficient, R-9, triple-pane windows have insulated wood frames, argon gas between the panes, and low-emissivity coatings to slow heat transfer.
Image In warm-humid climates, do not install Class 1 vapor retarders on the interior side of air-permeable insulation in above-grade walls, except at shower and tub walls.
Image Retrofit of cantilevered wall with beam showing details at the outside corner for installing air sealing and rigid foam insulation plus water control membrane in the wall and overhanging floor Publication Date Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00
Image Side view showing how the existing garage wall and ceiling are air-sealed prior to installing rigid foam insulation on the garage side of the shared wall of an existing home. Publication Date Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00
Image The 2x4 wall studs are staggered along the 2x6 sill plate providing space to weave insulation around each stud to stop thermal bridging through the wall.
Image With balconies in multifamily buildings, it is important to establish correct structural attachment while also providing insulation in a way that minimizes thermal bridging where the balcony attaches to the building Publication Date Sat, 06/01/2024 - 12:00
Image This drawing shows key head details for a window installation using a fluid-applied flashing on a wall with a mechanically attached water and air control layer and continuous insulation Publication Date Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00
Image This drawing shows key jamb details for a window installation using a fluid-applied flashing on a wall with a mechanically attached water and air control layer and continuous insulation Publication Date Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00
Image This drawing shows key sill details for a window installation using a fluid-applied flashing on a wall with a mechanically attached water and air control layer and continuous insulation Publication Date Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00
Image Install a sealed enclosure over a non-IC rated recessed light fixture to air-seal the can and to prevent insulation from touching the recessed can light.
Image Between the ICF foundation walls, the builder sprayed closed-cell spray foam directly onto the gravel base to provide a vapor barrier and continuous layer of insulation under the slab. Publication Date Thu, 01/01/2015 - 12:00
Image Underneath the roof sheathing and two exterior layers of rigid foam, the builder stapled netting to the underside of the rafters and filled the roof cavities of the unvented attic with blown-in fiberglass insulation.
Image Right - XPS foam insulation is attached to the existing exterior wall with wood furring strips that serve as a nail base for the siding and are installed vertically to allow for drainage and drying behind the siding
Image Extruded polystyrene (XPS) rigid foam is taped at the seams to provides a continuous air and weather-resistant barrier so no house wrap is needed; it also provides a continuous layer of insulation.
Image The unvented attic is insulated along the underside of the roof deck with 7 inches (R-49) of closed-cell spray foam, providing vaulted ceilings and a conditioned knee wall space for ducting.
Image Right – This National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label shows the insulation U-Factor, solar heat gain coefficient, visible transmittance, and condensation resistance for this triple-pane window. Publication Date Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00
Image Roofing paper protects the top of the new plywood parapet while the base of the parapet is air sealed with spray foam and fibrous insulation is installed in the rafter cavities in this flat roof retrofit
Image Concrete is poured into the rigid foam shell of the insulated concrete form (ICF) walls; a plastic water barrier has already been installed to protect the below-grade wall surfaces.
Image Infrared thermography during depressurization testing reveals air leakage at corner of spray foam-insulated room where wood-to-wood seams in framing were not air sealed
Image Water-proof materials cover the exterior side of crawlspace windows in a crawlspace retrofit, while foil-faced rigid foams seals and insulates the inside face of the openings Publication Date Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00
Image Even with R-30 of insulation in the wall, its overall R-value is R-5 if it has single-pane windows; triple-pane windows bring that up to R-16 Publication Date Mon, 01/01/2024 - 12:00
Image Triple-Pane windows can be used as a tradeoff for continuous wall insulation or stricter air sealing targets when showing compliance with the 2021 IECC using the UA path Publication Date Mon, 01/01/2024 - 12:00
Image Rigid insulation and air-sealing can be used to thermally isolate garages from multifamily row houses/town houses with basement foundations in IECC Climate Zones 3 or higher. Publication Date Sat, 09/14/2024 - 12:00
Image Furring strips provide a mounting surface for siding over the smart house wrap membrane which serves as a drainage plane over cork insulation installed on the exterior of this home. Publication Date Wed, 12/29/2021 - 12:00
Image Pipe insulation helps retain heat in the pipes which provide hot water from the air-to-water heat pump for domestic hot water and space heating.
Image This drawing shows key head details for an “outie” window installation using a fluid-applied flashing on a wall with a fluid-applied water and air control layer and continuous insulation Publication Date Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00
Image This drawing shows key sill details for an “outie” window installation using a fluid-applied flashing on a wall with a fluid-applied water and air control layer and continuous insulation Publication Date Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00
Image This drawing shows key jamb details for an “outie” window installation using a fluid-applied flashing on a wall with a fluid-applied water and air control layer and continuous insulation Publication Date Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:00
Image Right – Closed-cell spray foam insulation in the shared wall between the garage and living space helps to air-seal the wall and protect occupants from garage pollutants.
Image This wall assembly for above-grade garage walls uses cavity insulation and should only be used in IECC Climate Zones 4 or lower due to the risk of condensation on the interior surface of the concrete wall. Publication Date Tue, 09/17/2024 - 12:00
Image Side and plan views of window-to-wall interface in masonry wall retrofit including three layers of rigid foam exterior insulation, box extensions, and flashing around new windows. Publication Date Fri, 08/13/2021 - 12:00
Image Masonry wall interior retrofit with parge coat, fluid-applied water control layer, wood-framed wall with cavity insulation, smart vapor barrier, and wood or metal service cavity Publication Date Fri, 08/13/2021 - 12:00
Image The foundation walls are ICF block providing two continuous layers (R-23) of insulation around the slab, which will sit on an additional 4 inches (R-20) of low-VOC EPS foam.
Image To attach the flex duct to a main trunk duct or any other connection, the flex duct is pulled over the connecting collar at least 2 inches past the raised bead, then the insulation is pulled back
Image Ladder blocking where interior and exterior walls intersect uses less wood and provides more room for insulation than stacking studs in the exterior wall to nail the interior wall to.
Image Advanced framing details include open headers and reduced framing around windows and two-stud corners to allow more room for insulation in the wall cavities while reducing lumber costs. Publication Date Thu, 09/01/2011 - 12:00
Image Right – Structural insulated sheathing can provide racking strength (lateral load resistance), and serve as an air barrier and thermal barrier if installed according to manufacturer’s specifications with taped, sealed seams
Image Right - This new sealed attic has 5.5 inches (R-20) of spray foam insulation along the underside of the roof deck providing a conditioned attic space for the heating and cooling ducts.
Image Brick veneer framed wall supported by a concrete slab-on-grade foundation with a turn-down footing insulated on its top surface, showing anchorage of the wall to the foundation for seismic resistance Publication Date Tue, 08/24/2021 - 12:00
Image Multi-layer honeycomb cellular shades such as these can provide summertime energy savings by blocking and reflecting solar heat, as well as wintertime energy savings by providing added insulation. Publication Date Thu, 10/01/2015 - 12:00
Image Retrofit an existing roof by installing rigid foam, new moisture and air control layers, new sheathing, and new cladding plus cavity insulation in the roof rafters to create an unvented attic Publication Date Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00
Image For homes built on an open foundation, provide a continuous air barrier by sealing all joints between the rigid insulation, floor support beams, rim joist, and bottom wall plate Publication Date Sat, 01/01/2022 - 12:00
Image Closed-cell spray foam insulates the floor above an open foundation; a protection board made of fiber cement is screwed in place under the floor joists to keep out pests Publication Date Sat, 01/01/2022 - 12:00
Image The floor of the sealed insulated crawlspace is covered with a heavy plastic vapor-barrier sheathing that is taped at all seams and around the foundation piers to prevent water vapor from moving into the crawlspace. Publication Date Thu, 08/17/2023 - 12:00
Image Wrong - The basement blanket insulation is loosely attached to the interior of the basement wall, does not cover the entire wall, is not sealed at the edges, and is not installed over rigid foam that covers the entire surface of the foundation walls. Publication Date Fri, 01/01/2021 - 12:00
Image Right – The walls of this home were constructed with “insulated studs” fashioned on site by adding 2-inch-thick strips of rigid foam to the inside face of 2x4 studs then topping that with a plywood nailing surface. Publication Date Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00
Image Right - Foil-faced polyisocyanurate insulating rigid foam sheathing is installed below the floor framing of this house built on piers; however, the seams should be sealed with metal taped and the plumbing elevated and protected. Publication Date Fri, 09/18/2009 - 12:00
Image Wrong: Closed-cell spray foam roof insulation was not thick enough to meet IRC levels so the foam surface is colder than the dew point of the interior air and condensation formed on surface of the foam Publication Date Sun, 12/01/2013 - 12:00
Image Closed-cell spray foam insulates the floor above a vented crawlspace; a protection board made of fiber cement is screwed in place under the floor joists to keep out pests Publication Date Sat, 01/15/2022 - 12:00
Image Right - This crawlspace, which is insulated on the floor, has a complete vapor barrier over the floor and up the walls that is sealed at all seams and termite inspection gap at the top of the vapor retarder. Publication Date Sat, 01/01/2005 - 12:00
Image Existing low-slope (“flat”) roof and brick masonry walls with a new fully adhered air barrier membrane plus polyisocyanurate rigid foam insulation and a roofing membrane water control layer Publication Date Fri, 05/01/2015 - 12:00
Image Right - Additional potential locations for slab-on-grade insulation include (a) under the slab and outside the perimeter with optional underground moisture block, (b) under the whole foundation, or (c) on top of the slab. Publication Date Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00
Image Joints between SIP panels can be connected with solid lumber splines or SIP panel pieces. SIP panel pieces help to ensure a continuous layer of insulation across the building shell.
