BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

Guide describing techniques for installing insulating sheathing as a continuous drainage plane on walls.

Drainage Plane Behind Exterior Wall Cladding

Guide describing installation of a fully sealed continuous weather resistant barrier to provide a drainage plane to keep rainwater out of above-grade walls.

Stucco Over Rigid Foam Insulation

Guide describing how to install stucco over rigid foam insulation in new and existing homes.

Below-Grade Water Management for Urban Sites

Guide describing methods to manage groundwater in and around urban multifamily buildings.

Footing Drain Pipe

Guide describing how to help drain water away from the perimeter footing.

Rigid Foam Insulation Installed over Existing Foundation Slabs

Guide describing how to insulate an existing slab floor by adding rigid foam insulation over the slab then installing a floating subfloor.

Fire-Resistant Wall Assemblies

Guide describing wall assemblies and materials that are resistant to destruction from wildfires.

Damp-Proof Exterior Surface of Below-Grade Walls

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

Gutters and Downspouts

Guide describing the installation of gutters, downspouts, and alternate options for managing rainwater run-off from roofs.

Flashing at Bottom of Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to apply flashing to the bottom of exterior walls to create a continuous drainage plane.

Spray Foam Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate an existing foundation wall by adding spray foam insulation to the interior side of the wall.

Insulation for Existing Crawl Space Floors

Guide describing how to upgrade a crawlspace floor in an existing home by adding insulation.

Slab Edge Insulation

Guide describing how to insulate slabs on grade in climate zones 3 and higher.

Blown Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing blown insulation into exterior wall cavities of existing homes with minimal disruption to occupants.

Capillary Break Beneath Slab - Polyethylene Sheeting or Rigid Insulation over Aggregate or Sand and Geotextile Mat

Guide describing how to install a capillary break under a slab foundation using either polyethylene sheeting or rigid insulation installed over aggregate or over sand and geotextile matting.

Final Grade Slopes Away from Foundation

Guide describing how to properly grade a site so water will flow away from the foundation.

Moisture-, Impact-, Fire-, and Pest-Resistant Exterior Siding

Guide describing how to select the siding materials best suited to withstand hazards the home is likely to face within its lifetime.

Swales, Drains, and Site Grading for Stormwater Control

Guide describing the use of swales, French drains, and site grading to minimize saturation of foundations and ponding of stormwater runoff on sites.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

This measure guides describes how to install structural insulated panels to block excessive heat loss and gain though structural framing.

Step and Kick-Out Flashing at Roof-Wall Intersections

Guide describing how to install step and kick-out flashing on roofs.

Drain or Sump Pump Installed in Basements or Crawlspaces

Guide describing installation of sump pumps in the basement or crawlspace of a home.

Sump Pump Cover Gasket

Guide describing the need for covers on sump pumps in the basement or crawlspace of a home.

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.

Above Deck Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Roofs

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.

Rigid Foam Board Insulation for Existing Band Joists

Guide describing principles of insulating and air sealing band joists as a stand alone energy upgrade, or as part of creating a closed crawlspace.

Patio Slabs, Porch Slabs, Walkways, and Driveways Slope Away from House

Guide describing how to correctly slope solid surfaces outside a home so rainwater flows away from the home.

Exterior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate a new foundation wall or an existing foundation wall by adding rigid insulation to the exterior side.

Flashing of Roof-Wall Intersections in Existing Homes

Guide describing how to install and properly integrate flashing at the intersection of the wall and roof on an existing home.

Class I Vapor Retarders Not Installed in Above-Grade Walls in Warm-Humid Climate

Guide describing vapor retarder permeability, insulation interaction, and example construction in a hot-humid climate.

Flashing of Wall Penetrations in Existing Homes

Guide describing how to install flashing that is integrated with air and water control layers around piping, vents, and other wall penetrations as part of an exterior wall retrofit.

Low-E Exterior Storm Windows

Guide describing how to install low-e exterior storm windows.

Continuous Rigid Insulation Sheathing

Guide describing continuous rigid insulation installation procedures to reduce thermal bridging and help provide thermal protection.

Rigid Foam Board Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate closed crawlspace walls and band joist areas with rigid foam board insulation.

Air Sealed, Insulated Basements

Guide describing how to insulate a basement to improve the overall thermal performance of the building and provide more dry, usable conditioned space for home occupants and HVAC equipment.

Water Managed Existing Sill Beams and Sill Plates

Guide describing how to insulate the sill beam or sill plate on the exterior side in a way that allows drying to the exterior, as part of an exterior wall upgrade.

Erosion Control for Slopes, Stream Banks, and Dunes

Guide describing methods for short-term control of erosion during construction and long-term measures for controlling erosion on sloped sites or sites with river banks or shore lines.

Condensing HVAC has Corrosion-Resistant Condensate Drain Pan

Guide describing how to install a corrosion-resistant drain pan in condensate-producing HVAC equipment.

Flashing of Penetrations in Existing Roofs

Guide describing how to provide a continuous water control layer across the roof assembly by sealing all penetrations for pipes, vents, etc. in existing roofs.

Landscaping to Reduce Cooling Load

Guide describing ways to use landscaping to keep a home cooler.

Spray Foam Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to insulate the walls of an existing home with spray foam insulation.

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

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

Walls Behind Showers and Tubs

This guide describes how to install a rigid air barrier to walls behind showers and tubs.

Capillary Break at Crawlspace Floor - Polyethylene Sheeting under Concrete Slab

Guide describing how to install a capillary break to help manage moisture in foundations.

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

Guide describing how to install insulated concrete forms to block excessive heat loss and gain though structural framing.

Toilets

Guide describing toilet and urinal requirements and selection for EPA's WaterSense program.

Vinyl Siding with Integrated Rigid Foam for Existing Walls

Guide describing the design and installation considerations for recladding of above grade walls using insulated vinyl siding.

Exterior Edge Insulation for Existing Foundation Slabs

Guide describing how to install slab edge insulation when retrofitting existing slab-on-grade foundations.

Windows and Doors are Fully Flashed

Guide describing how to install flashings to help direct water down and out of windows and doors openings in exterior walls.

Radon Fan

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

Mechanical Ventilation for Attached Garage

Guide describing how to install an exhaust fan in an attached garage to pull fumes out of the garage and to depressurize the garage with reference to the home.

Water-Efficient Landscape Design

Guide describing how to design a water-efficient landscape that will minimize the need for supplemental water by using the WaterSense® Water Budget Tool.

Managing Indoor Humidity and Ventilation in Cold Weather

Guide describing steps to take to minimize indoor humidity in preparation for cold winter weather.

Capillary Break at Crawlspace Floors - Polyethylene Lapped Up Walls and Piers or Secured in the Ground

Guide describing how to create a capillary break at all crawlspace floors using polyethylene sheeting to manage moisture in crawlspaces.

Retrofit Existing Crawl Space Foundations with Cripple Walls to Increase Seismic Resistance and Thermal Performance

Guide describing different options for providing seismic and thermal resistance for homes with 'cripple' wall crawlspace foundations, which are known for their instability.

Water Managed Roof – Re-roofing and Adding Insulation over a Flat Roof

Guide describing an approach to re-roofing an existing flat roof to improve thermal, water, and air control performance.

Spray Foam Insulation Applied over the Siding of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to install spray foam on the exterior of the existing home after framing over the existing siding.

Structural Sheathing (plywood/OSB) in Exterior Walls

Guide describing the need for adequate structural sheathing in exterior walls in homes in high-wind areas.

Walls Adjoining Porch Roof

This guide describes how to install a rigid air barrier to separate the porch attic from the conditioned space.

Window Sash Retrofit

Guide describing how to modify an existing window sash for high-efficient windows.

Hip Roof vs Gable Roof

Guide describing the advantages and disadvantages of gable roofs and hip roofs and how both designs react under high wind loads.

Decks are Wildfire-Resistant

Guide describing how to properly construct decks and other building attachments to be resistant to ignition in the event of a wildfire.

Unvented Attic Insulation

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

Reduce Pest Intrusion

Guide describing ways builders can block off entry points and otherwise make homes inhospitable to all manner of pests.

Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to apply an air control layer directly over existing wall sheathing and cover with two layers of insulating sheathing held in place by vertical furring strips.

Flood-Resistant Raised-Slab Foundations

Guide describing ways to construct a raised-slab foundation to increase a home's resistance to floods.

No Vapor Retarders on Interior Side of Air-Permeable Foundation Insulation

Vapor retarder plastic should not be installed over fibrous insulation on basement or crawlspace walls unless rigid foam or spray foam is installed directly against the concrete, behind the blanket insulation.

Insulating Garages in Multifamily Buildings

Guide describing how to properly insulate garages in multifamily buildings.

Heat Pump Water Heaters for Single-Family Homes

Guide describing the planning and installation process for Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWHs) in single-family homes, including model selection, installation location, thermal resource adequacy, and condensate removal.

Unvented Conditioned Attic with Spray Foam Insulation Below Roof Deck

Guide describing a method for insulating an unvented attic by spraying foam insulation along the underside of the roof deck.

Metal Roofs

Guide discussing disaster resistance related to metal roofing when installing roofing on new construction or when repairing or replacing roofing on existing homes.

Ducts in Interstitial Floor Framing

Guide for designing and installing interior ducts in an interstitial floor cavity in new and existing homes.

Managing Snow Loads on Roofs and Decks

Guide describing how to construct homes and decks to manage heavy snow loads in winter weather.

High-Thermal-Mass Construction

Guide describing materials and methods for incorporating thermal mass into the construction of a home for temperature regulation, energy savings, and resistance to extreme heat and cold.

Existing Skylights Repaired or Replaced and Fully Flashed

Guide describing how to repair or replace skylights in existing homes.

Air Sealing Doors Adjacent to Unconditioned Space

Guide describing how to air-seal doors that are next to unconditioned spaces.

Asphalt Shingle Roofs

Guide discussing disaster resistance related to asphalt shingle roofing when installing roofing on new construction or when repairing or replacing roofing on existing homes.

Window Performance Grades and Installation Details for Multifamily Buildings

Guide providing flashing and air sealing details for windows in multifamily buildings, and describing the window type classifications per the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance.

Condensation Control for Walls in Cold Weather

Guide describing ways to construct wall assemblies in cold climates to minimize the likelihood of condensation formation inside the walls.

Termite-Resistant Foundations and Walls

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