BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

2021 IECC Climate Zone 5C: Vented Attic, ICF Wall, ICF Basement Foundation

Publication Date

Tue, 01/16/2024 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 5C: Unvented Roof, 2x6 Wall, Vented Crawl Space

Publication Date

Tue, 01/16/2024 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 6A: Vented Cathedral Ceiling, 2x6 Wall, Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Wed, 01/17/2024 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 6A: Vented Attic, ICF Wall, ICF Basement Foundation

Publication Date

Wed, 01/17/2024 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 6A: Unvented Roof, 2x6 Wall, Vented Crawl Space

Publication Date

Wed, 01/17/2024 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 6B: Unvented Roof, 2x6 Wall, Vented Crawl Space

Publication Date

Wed, 01/17/2024 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 6B: Vented Cathedral Ceiling, 2x6 Wall, Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Wed, 01/17/2024 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 6B: Vented Attic, ICF Wall, ICF Basement Foundation

Publication Date

Wed, 01/17/2024 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zones 7 and 8: Unvented Roof, 2x6 Wall, Vented Crawl Space

Publication Date

Wed, 01/17/2024 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zones 7 and 8: Vented Attic, ICF Wall, ICF Basement Foundation

Publication Date

Wed, 01/17/2024 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zones 7 and 8: Vented Cathedral Ceiling, 2x6 Wall, Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Wed, 01/17/2024 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 4B: Vented Cathedral Ceiling, 2x6 Wall, Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:00

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.

Install wood framing cross pieces in the attic rafter bays on each side of the duct chase

Wrong: Ducts are not laid across the lower truss cords or ceiling, but are hung from the rafters by straps. As a result, ductwork is not buried

Wrong: Ducts are held from the rafters with strapping and a large beam prevents ducts from properly lying on the ceiling plane

Right - Foil-faced polyisocyanurate rigid foam is attached to the existing exterior wall with vertical wood furring strips

Spray foam and rigid foam were used under the slab while rigid foam wraps the exterior of the foundation walls.

Rigid foam serves as the sheathing on these 2x6 24-inch on center walls; plywood is used only at the corners for wind bracing.

Southern Energy Homes worked with DOE researchers to develop an efficient way to dense-pack blown fiberglass into the low attics of manufactured homes.

Seams in the ICF block are sealed so the EPS foam surface can serve as the drainage plane; no house wrap is needed.

Right – Ripped OSB provides furring strips for a ventilation gap behind the wood siding.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Step 8. Attach the new cladding to the furring strips over the rigid foam for the exterior wall retrofit.

Building Science Education 3.2: Fourier's Law Part 1

Author(s)

Paul Torcellini

Organization(s)

NREL

Publication Date

July, 2021

Video that introduces Fourier's Law (the law of heat transfer), and discusses how heat flows.

Building Science Education 3.7: Calculating R-Values for a Wall Part 1

Author(s)

Paul Torcellini

Organization(s)

NREL

Publication Date

July, 2021

Video demonstrating how to calculate R-values for a simple wall construction.

Building Science Education 3.8: Calculating R-Values for a Wall Part 2

Author(s)

Paul Torcellini

Organization(s)

NREL

Publication Date

July, 2021

Video demonstrating how to calculate R-values for a simple wall construction.

Closed Crawlspace - Finished Tour

Publication Date

July, 2020

Author(s)

Todd Usher

Organization(s)

Addison Homes

Video showing the components and design of an unvented, insulated crawlspace that provides a temperate climate for HVAC ducts.

IECC Climate Zone 3A: Unvented Attic, 2x6 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Wed, 10/18/2023 - 12:00

IECC Climate Zone 2A: Unvented Attic, 2x6 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Wed, 10/18/2023 - 12:00

IECC Climate Zone 2B: Unvented Attic, 2x6 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Wed, 10/18/2023 - 12:00

IECC Climate Zone 3A: Vented Attic, 2x6 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Wed, 10/18/2023 - 12:00

IECC Climate Zone 3B: Unvented Attic, 2x6 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Wed, 10/18/2023 - 12:00

IECC Climate Zone 3B: Vented Attic, 2x6 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Wed, 10/18/2023 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 4A: Vented Cathedral Ceiling, 2x6 Wall, Vented Crawl Space

Publication Date

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 2A: Flat Roof, Unvented, 2x6 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Mon, 01/29/2024 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 1A: Flat Roof, Unvented, 2x6 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Mon, 01/29/2024 - 12:00

IECC Climate Zone 1A: Unvented Attic with Spray foam at Roof Deck, 2x6 Wall-CMU Wall, Elevated Slab

Publication Date

Thu, 01/11/2024 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 2B: Flat Roof, Unvented, 2x6 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 3A: Vented Cathedral Ceiling, 2x6 Wall, Vented Crawl Space

Publication Date

Mon, 01/29/2024 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 4B: Vented Cathedral Ceiling, 2x6 Wall, Vented Crawl Space

Publication Date

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:00

Two pieces of flex duct are spliced together with a metal sleeve, nylon draw bands, mastic, metal tape, and more mastic

Seal seams in fiber board ducts with out-clinching staples, UL-181A-approved tape, and mastic

After attaching netting to the 2x6 studs, workers fill the wall cavities with R-23 of blown fiberglass made from recycled bottles.

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/2015 - 12:00

Right – Housewrap was properly shingled and taped on this wall assembly which places the housewrap beneath the rigid foam sheathing; wall cavities will be filled with spray foam.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Right – Furring strips provide a drainage gap between the rigid foam and the siding.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Masonry wall interior retrofit with parge coat, fluid-applied water control layer, spray foam, and wood or metal stud service cavity

Publication Date

Fri, 08/13/2021 - 12:00

Energy Efficient Log Cabin Construction Workshop

Publication Date

May, 2013

Organization(s)

Cold Climate Housing Research Center,

CCHRC

Video describing log cabin wall construction and insulation in Alaska.

Right – Joists between floors are air sealed to the ceiling drywall with canned spray foam along each joist-to-drywall-seam.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00

Building Science Education 3.3: Fourier's Law Part 2

Author(s)

Paul Torcellini

Organization(s)

NREL

Publication Date

July, 2021

Video that defines building envelope, and explains how the 3 modes of heat transfer can be applied to building science.

Building Science Education 3.14: Calculating R-Values for a Wall Part 3

Author(s)

Paul Torcellini

Organization(s)

NREL

Publication Date

July, 2021

Video demonstrating how to calculate R-values for a simple wall construction.

Wrong: This exhaust fan duct is too long and terminates in the attic instead of going through the roof and it is improperly supported; it needs straps all along its length to prevent sagging.

Wrong - Cold spots along the top plate combined with lack of ventilation have encouraged mold growth along this bathroom ceiling.

Publication Date

Sun, 01/27/2019 - 12:00

IECC Climate Zone 1A: Flat Roof, Unvented, 2x6 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Fri, 09/29/2023 - 12:00

IECC Climate Zone 2A: Flat Roof, Unvented, 2x6 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Wed, 10/18/2023 - 12:00

IECC Climate Zone 3A: Vented Cathedral Celling, 2x6 Wall, Vented Crawl Space

Publication Date

Wed, 10/18/2023 - 12:00

IECC Climate Zone 3A: SIP Roof, SIP Wall, Stem Wall, Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Wed, 10/18/2023 - 12:00

IECC Climate Zone 3B: SIP Roof, SIP Wall, Stem Wall, Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Wed, 10/18/2023 - 12:00

IECC Climate Zone 4A: SIP Roof, SIP Wall, Stem Wall, Slab on Grade

Publication Date

Wed, 10/18/2023 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 4A: Vented Cathedral Ceiling, 2x6 Wall, Slab on Grade (with notes)

Publication Date

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 4B: Vented Cathedral Ceiling, 2x6 Wall, Slab on Grade (with notes)

Publication Date

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 4C: Vented Cathedral Ceiling, 2x6 Wall, Slab on grade (with notes)

Publication Date

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 4C: Vented Attic, ICF Wall, ICF Basement Foundation (with notes)

Publication Date

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:00

Wallingford Passive House | Foundation Details

Publication Date

June, 2015

Video discussing the foundation details of a passive house.

Other Exterior Walls

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to properly air seal exterior walls.

Double Walls

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing double stud walls.

Hand tools for cutting fiber board sheets include a knife, straight edge, and color-coded edge-cutting tools

Right – This foil-faced foam sheathing has taped seams and proper flashing details so it can serve as a drainage plane.

Right - The rigid metal HVAC ducting is installed between the floor joists rather than in an unconditioned attic or crawl space to minimize heat loss.

Wrong – Roof underlayment is not fully adhered and roof deck seams are not sealed so roof is susceptible to high-wind events

Right – Roof underlayment is fully adhered and roof deck seams are sealed so roof is resistant to high-wind events

2021 IECC Climate Zone 2A: Flat Roof, Unvented, 2x6 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade (with notes)

Publication Date

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 2B: Flat Roof, Unvented, 2x6 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade (with notes)

Publication Date

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 1A: Flat Roof, Unvented, 2x6 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade (with notes)

Publication Date

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 3A: Vented Cathedral Ceiling, 2x6 Wall, Vented Crawl Space (with notes)

Publication Date

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:00

2021 IECC Climate Zone 2A: Unvented Attic with Spray Foam at Roof Deck, 2x6 Wall-CMU Wall, Elevated Slab

Publication Date

Thu, 01/11/2024 - 12:00

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County, Lake Worth, Florida

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

January, 2012

Case study describing an energy efficient retrofit project in hot-humid climates.

Building America Top Innovations 2013: Zero Energy-Ready Single-Family Homes

Author(s)

Davis Energy Group,

Steven Winter Associates,

Florida Solar Energy Center,

Building Science Corporation,

Home Innovation Research Labs,

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

ARBI,

CARB,

SWA,

FSEC,

BA-PIRC,

BSC,

IBACOS,

PHI,

HIRL,

PNNL

Publication Date

September, 2013

Case study describing a 2013 DOE Building America Top Innovation about construction of net-zero energy ready homes, by several builders working with various DOE Building America research partners including Steven Winter Associates, Building Science Corporation, Home Innovation Research Labs, IBACOS...

Tornado/Hail Resistant Home

Tornados pose a serious threat in the midsection and southern parts of the nation, but many other regions are also at risk. Designers and builders can choose from a variety of features to help minimize losses from high winds and the impact of flying debris. Measures are available to fortify all...

An IR camera image shows gaps around HVAC flue pipes allow conditioned air to leak through blown fiberglass into the attic

Publication Date

Tue, 12/17/2013 - 12:00

Closed-cell spray foam fills the roof joist cavities forming an air barrier between the masonry parapet wall and the roof sheathing

Right – R-25 of open-cell spray foam lines this new home’s attic ceiling, to protect HVAC ducts from heat and cold.

This builder applied an air-sealing layer of spray foam along the underside of the roof deck and the inside of the walls before filling the wall cavities with blown cellulose.

The double walls form a 12-inch cavity that was sheathed with a coated OSB then coated with 3 inches of closed-cell spray foam; they will be filled with 9 inches of blown fiberglass.

Right - Open-cell polyurethane spray foam to R-28 on underside of roof turns new attic into conditioned space for HVAC.

Wrong - Foil air barrier was ripped to install wiring; foil should be replaced with a solid air barrier and wiring hole should be caulked.

Publication Date

Sat, 04/10/2021 - 12:00

Heated recirculation plenum spaces can be installed in parking garages in cold climates to prevent pipes from freezing and warm the floor of occupied space directly above the garage.

Publication Date

Sat, 09/14/2024 - 12:00

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.

Dropped Ceiling/Soffit Below Unconditioned Attic

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to air-seal soffits below attics.

Cement Board Installed behind Tile and Panel Tub and Shower Enclosures

Guide describing how to install moisture-resistant materials on walls behind showers and tubs to help manage moisture.

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.