BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Sealed and Insulated Fiber Board Ducts

Guide describing how to air seal and insulate fiber board ducts.

Insulation does not cover boot and is not sealed

No insulation installed in cavity and not air sealed

Right - The attic access panel is insulated and weather stripped and a dam is built to hold back the blown attic floor insulation

Schematic of exterior insulated roof assembly

Wet-applied insulation that is still drying.

Air seal and insulate light tube

Publication Date

Sat, 09/22/2012 - 12:00

Batt insulation is not an effective air barrier

Wrong - Moisture from within the basement foundation wall can migrate into the insulation cavity in a conventional blanket insulation installation.

Publication Date

Thu, 10/26/2006 - 12:00

Right - Section view showing how to air-seal and insulate a basement wall with perforated blanket insulation by installing it over air-sealed rigid insulation board to reduce condensation risk in the fiberglass blanket.

Publication Date

Fri, 01/01/2021 - 12:00

Insulation Installation (RESNET Grade 1) - Part 2

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to properly install insulation.

Insulating Heated Garage Plenums in Multifamily Buildings

Guide providing methods for insulating heated garage plenums in multifamily parking garages.

Right - Potential locations for basement insulation in new construction, slab insulation should always be underneath, with walls insulated (a) inside, (b) outside, (c) sandwiched inside, or (d) inside and outside of walls.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

This hot climate zone home uses high quality batt insulation between studs to insulate this connecting garage wall.

Publication Date

Thu, 01/01/2015 - 12:00

Insulation Installation (RESNET Grade 1) - Part 1

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to properly install the OPTIMA insulation system.

Rigid insulation and water control layers are installed on the exterior of a flat foundation wall; spray foam insulates the rim joist

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

The attic kneewall and the open floor cavities under kneewall are both sealed and insulated in one step with spray foam insulation

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/2009 - 12:00

Blown Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

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

Wall assembly with non-combustible brick cladding and fire-resistant or retardant rigid insulation, sheathing, framing and cavity insulation.

Publication Date

Mon, 06/28/2021 - 12:00

Right--The polyethylene ground cover for this insulated crawlspace is taped at seams and around posts before the insulation and slab are installed.

Right – This floor system on a column foundation is insulated using closed-cell spray foam rather than fibrous insulation

Publication Date

Wed, 09/01/2021 - 12:00

Adding Exterior Insulation when Re-Siding

Re-siding of an existing home presents an excellent opportunity to install continuous rigid insulation over the walls while the old siding is pulled off and before the new siding is installed.

The moisture level of the cellulose wall insulation is tested with a moisture meter to verify that the insulation is sufficiently dry before installing drywall.

Exterior Edge Insulation for Existing Foundation Slabs

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

Faced fiberglass batt insulation incorrectly installed

Reference

Energy Renovations Insulation - A Guide for Contractors to Share with Homeowners, Volume 17

Author(s)

Baechler Michael C,

Adams Karen T,

Hefty Marye G,

Gilbride Theresa L,

Love Pat M

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Document providing descriptions of the many insulation options available to homeowners, along with guidance on where, when, and how to install insulation throughout your house.

Publication Date

Tue, 05/01/2012 - 12:00

EPS Foam Insulation | Madrona Passive House

Publication Date

December, 2014

Video discussing the EPS foam insulation used on the floor of a passive house.

ReVision Home: Exterior Insulation Finish (EIFS)

Author(s)

Steven Winter Associates,

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings

Organization(s)

CARB,

SWA

Publication Date

January, 2010

Information sheet about exterior insulation in the hot-dry climate zones.

Air Sealing and Insulating Ceilings in Vented Attics

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.

Interior intersecting wall with 2 studs and rigid insulation

DWG

PDF

Measure Guideline: Hybrid Foundation Insulation Retrofits

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W,

Ueno Kohta

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

May, 2012

Document providing information on basement insulation, air sealing and water management retrofits.

Building Science Education 3.9: Insulation Materials

Author(s)

Paul Torcellini

Organization(s)

NREL

Publication Date

July, 2021

Video describing various insulation materials used in the building industry.

Insulate Steam Distribution and Condensate Return Lines

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

January, 2012

Fact sheet describing principles of insulating steam distribution and condensate return lines as an effective way to prevent energy loss.

Insulated whole-house fan cover

Publication Date

Mon, 03/01/1999 - 12:00

Moisture Durability with Vapor-Permeable Insulating Sheathing

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W,

LePage Robert

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

September, 2013

Report about exterior sheathing insulation and inward driven moisture issues.

Measure Guideline: Internal Insulation of Masonry Walls

Author(s)

Schumacher Christopher,

Ueno Kohta,

Straube John

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

July, 2012

Report summarizing the importance of properly insulating and air sealing masonry walls, providing step by step instructions and approaches.

Wrong – Insulation is misaligned with floor above

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Insulation is in contact with floor above

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Insulation is misaligned with air barrier

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Insulation has compression and misalignment

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Crawl Spaces: Exterior vs Interior Insulation

Publication Date

November, 2011

Organization(s)

Cold Climate Housing Research Center,

CCHRC

Video describing insulation adjacent to crawlspaces and the heat exchanges that result in cold areas like Alaska.

Assembly Sequence for Concrete Wall with Exterior Insulation

Publication Date

January, 2013

Author(s)

University of Minnesota

Organization(s)

ORNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

University of Minnesota

Video animation showing an assembly sequence for a concrete basement wall with exterior insulation

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.

Insulated Concrete Forms - Installation Training Video

Publication Date

November, 2018

Author(s)

ICFbuildings

Organization(s)

ICFbuildings

Video from ICFbuildings on how to design and install ICF on an entire home.

Builder's Guide to Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

Author(s)

Lukachko Alex

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

April, 2009

Presentation describing details for installing structural insulated panels (SIPs).

Insulating Concrete Forms for Multifamily Residential Construction

Author(s)

Lemay Lionel,

Peng Tien

Organization(s)

Civil + Structural Engineers

Publication Date

June, 0019

Article describing methods for designing and constructing multifamily buildings with insulating concrete forms (ICFs).

Single framed wall converted to double wall and insulated with closed-cell spray foam and loose-fill fibrous insulation

Publication Date

Fri, 05/01/2015 - 12:00

Benefits of foundation insulation and other design improvements

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Concrete crawl space wall with interior insulation

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Concrete crawl space wall with exterior insulation

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Concrete masonry basement wall with exterior insulation.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Duct is located in unconditioned space and is properly insulated

Right - The slab-edge insulation is finished with stucco.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Wrong - No insulation was installed behind the shower surround.

Publication Date

Tue, 02/19/2019 - 12:00

Wrap the insulation around the pipe in a spiral fashion

Wrong - Insulation was not sliced to wrap around wiring.

Publication Date

Tue, 02/19/2019 - 12:00

Wrong - Rim joist cavity missing insulation

Right – Spray foam insulates the unvented attic.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Taped vertical joint of lower wall insulation

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Evaluation of the Thermal and Moisture Performance of Insulating Shades

Author(s)

Cort Katherine A,

Pilet Tyler J,

Mullaly Stephen,

Bauer Eric

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

Publication Date

September, 2022

DOE-sponsored report describing a study investigating condensation buildup on windows when using insulating shades.

RESNET Grade I installation of spray foam insulation

Excavationless Exterior Foundation Insulation Exploratory Study

Author(s)

Mosiman Garrett,

Wagner Terence L,

Schirber Tom

Organization(s)

NorthernSTAR,

University of Minnesota,

U.S. Department of Labor,

DOE

Publication Date

February, 2013

Research study searching for combinations of existing technologies that could enable a minimally invasive, cost-competitive, easily deployable method of upgrading soil-side foundation insulation in existing buildings.

Cantilever floor with insulation and air blocking

Reference

Building America Best Practices Series - 40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Cold and Very Cold Climates, Volume 12

Author(s)

Baechler Michael C,

Gilbride Theresa L,

Hefty Marye G,

Cole Pam C,

Love Pat M

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Guide describing measures that builders in the cold and very cold climates can take to build homes that have whole-house energy savings of 40% over the Building America benchmark with no added overall costs for consumers.

Publication Date

Fri, 04/20/2012 - 12:00

Wrong - This attic access hatch cover is not insulated

Insulating a crawlspace foundation with “cripple wall” in warm climates; in Climate Zones 5+ replace the foil- or plastic-faced fiberglass batt/roll insulation with impermeable rigid insulation or closed-cell spray polyurethane foam

Continuous Rigid Insulation Sheathing/Siding (1)

Publication Date

September, 2015

Video describing exterior rigid foam insulation.

Continuous Rigid Insulation Sheathing/Siding (2)

Publication Date

September, 2015

Video describing how to properly install continuous rigid insulation sheathing and siding.

Wrong – Insulation has misalignment, compression, and gaps

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – RESNET grade I installation of batt insulation

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – RESNET Grade I installation of blown insulation

Right – Slab insulation extends to the top of the slab

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Slab insulation extends to the top of the slab

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Framing does not allow corner to be insulated

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Framing does not allow corner to be insulated

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Framing does not allow corner to be insulated

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Excessive framing will not allow corner to be insulated

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Band joist insulation air sealing detail

Wrong – The framing will not allow for required insulation depth.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – The framing allows for required insulation depth.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Verify continuous rigid insulation is installed

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Insulating and Air Sealing Floors Above Garages

Author(s)

Steve Easley & Associates

Organization(s)

Steve Easley & Associates

HVAC Sizing Methodology for Insulated Concrete Homes

Author(s)

Gajda John,

Marceau Medgar,

VanGeem Martha

Organization(s)

Construction Technology Laboratories Inc.,

CTL Group,

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,

HUD

Publication Date

February, 2004

A report describing the development of a methodology to properly size heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment for concrete homes in the US and Canada.

Insulation Installation Guide: Air Sealing Garage

Publication Date

June, 2017

Video describing a technique for airtight drywall installation on garage walls using foam gasket strips.

Wrong: Insulation not fully enclosing duct chase

Reference

Measure Guideline: Summary of Interior Ducts in New Construction, Including an Efficient, Affordable Method to Install Fur-Down Interior Ducts

Author(s)

Beal David,

McIlvaine Janet E R,

Fonorow Ken,

Martin Eric

Organization(s)

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Document illustrating guidelines for efficient installation of interior duct systems in new housing.

Publication Date

Tue, 11/01/2011 - 12:00

Seismic and Insulation Retrofits of Solid Masonry Walls

Guide describing how to retrofit older solid masonry homes to withstand seismic activity while including energy efficient retrofits.

Interior Foundation Insulation Upgrade—Minneapolis Residence

Author(s)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

University of Minnesota

Organization(s)

ORNL

Publication Date

October, 2013

Case study describing a basement remodel of a 1928 Minneapolis home that involved installing dimple drain mat and closed-cell spray foam on interior of basement wall and an interior footing drain to manage moisture before finishing an existing basement.

These below-grade walls are insulated along the exterior with R-5 of bug-resistant high-density rigid fiberglass insulation installed over damproofing.

Construct exterior walls with structural insulated panels (SIPs) to provide an airtight wall with consistent insulation and very little thermal bridging.

Publication Date

Sat, 10/01/2011 - 12:00

Detail of an unvented cathedralized attic showing air-impermeable spray foam insulation plus batt insulation installed on the underside of the roof deck.

Right – Battens were installed above the cork insulation to provide a ventilating layer between the insulation and the roof sheathing on this “hot roof” design.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Air Sealing and Insulating Walls to Reduce Heat Gain

Information guide listing Building America Solution Center guides that describe ways to air-seal and insulate a new or existing home's walls to resist heat gain.

Certified Insulated Siding: Quality, Comfort and Energy Performance

Author(s)

Dobson,

Brignati

Organization(s)

Vinyl Siding Institute,

Newport Ventures

This presentation will help you define insulated siding, understand R-value testing of insulated siding, describe proper installation of insulated siding, comply with energy codes and understand building energy performance program and software recognition.