BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Spray Foam Insulation Applied to Existing Attic Floor

Guide describing how to apply spray foam insulation to ceilings in existing homes.

Blown fiberglass insulation fills netted wall cavities

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

Fri, 05/03/2013 - 12:00

Insulating and Sealing Structural Headers - Code Compliance Brief

The intent of this brief is to provide code-specific information about insulated headers to help ensure that the measure will be accepted as being in compliance with the code.

Structural insulated panels provide a continuous layer of insulation sandwiched between two continuous layers of OSB for thermal protection and sturdy construction.

These graphite-enhanced structural insulated panels come to the job site pre-cut and ready for quick assembly into an airtight, continuously insulated structure.

Rigid Foam Board Insulation for Band Joists (1)

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to properly insulate band joists in crawlspaces.

Ducts Encapsulated in Spray Foam and Buried in Attic Insulation

Publication Date

September, 2015

Video describing various ways to bring HVAC ducts installed in an attic within the thermal envelope of the home by insulating the attic or by covering the ducts with spray foam and burying them in fibrous insulation.

Building Science Education 3.10: Insulation Applications

Author(s)

Paul Torcellini

Organization(s)

NREL

Publication Date

July, 2021

Video describing how various insulation materials can be applied in buildings.

Cladding Attachment Over Thick Exterior Insulated Sheathing

Author(s)

Baker Peter,

Eng P,

LePage Robert

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2014

Report on the stability of furring strips as a means for cladding attachment over walls with thick exterior rigid insulation.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Insulating Concrete Forms

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

October, 2012

Case study describing the incorporation of insulating concrete forms (ICFs) into new home design and construction.

Energy Code - Module 5: Insulation Installation Requirements

Author(s)

Nebbia

Organization(s)

Newport Partners

Publication Date

December, 2021

Webinar that explores important changes in the 2021 IECC, focusing on Insulation.

Structural Testing of Screws through Thick Exterior Insulation

Author(s)

Tatara Jun,

Ricketts Lorne

Organization(s)

RDH Building Science Inc.,

Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology,

CCBST

Publication Date

January, 2017

Conference paper describing testing of the performance of fasteners used to attach rigid foam insulation to the exterior of walls.

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.

External Insulation of Masonry Walls and Wood Framed Walls

Author(s)

Baker Peter

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

January, 2013

Research study developing baseline engineering analysis to support the installation of thick layers of exterior insulation (2 in. to 8 in.) on existing masonry walls and wood framed walls.

Measure Guideline: Sealing and Insulating Ducts in Existing Homes

Author(s)

Aldrich Robb,

Puttagunta Srikanth

Organization(s)

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Publication Date

December, 2011

Report describing the sealing and insulating of HVAC duct systems in existing homes.

Polyethylene sheeting or rigid insulation over aggregate

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Assembly Sequence for Concrete Crawl Space with Interior Insulation

Publication Date

January, 2013

Author(s)

University of Minnesota (1536

Organization(s)

ORNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

University of Minnesota

Video animation showing an assembly sequence for an unvented crawl space wall with interior insulation.

Exterior Insulation Implications on Heating and Cooling in Cold Climates

Author(s)

Herk Anastasia,

Poerschke Andrew

Organization(s)

Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,

IBACOS

Publication Date

April, 2015

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is interested in finding cost-effective solutions for deep energy retrofits (DERs) related to exterior wall insulation in a cold climate, with targets of 50% peak load reduction and 50% space conditioning energy savings.

Wrong – Fibrous insulation does not air seal

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong--No insulation installed behind fireplace

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Hot Spot: Closed Crawlspace - Installing Wall Insulation

Publication Date

March, 2021

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Organization(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Video from Home Innovation Research Labs on installing different insulation types in a closed crawlspace foundation.

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.

Below Deck Spray Foam Insulation for Existing Roofs

Guide describing how to add spray foam insulation to the underside of the existing roof deck as part of the conversion of a vented attic to an unvented, insulated attic.

Loose-Fill Insulation

What this tool does This tool will help determine the information you need for insulating an attic with loose-fill insulation. The insulation can be cellulose, fiberglass, rock wool, or any other loose-fill insulation. Four results can be calculated, including the all-important number of bags of...

Dense-Pack Insulation

What this tool does This tool will help determine the information you need for installing dense-pack insulation, including the number of bags of insulation and the installed density. A choice of two framing options is given, hidden and exposed, to help you accurately calculate the framing-factor and...

Right - The blanket fiberglass insulation is installed over a continuous layer of rigid foam insulation; the fiberglass is covered with a vapor retarder that is tape sealed at the seams.

Publication Date

Fri, 01/01/2021 - 12:00

Prescriptive Path: Supply ducts in unconditioned attic have insulation ≥ R-8. Performance Path: Supply ducts in unconditioned attic have insulation ≥ R-6

Drop-in ceiling assemblies consisting of suspended ceiling tiles (common in multifamily buildings) are often insulated with fiberglass or mineral wool batt insulation.

Publication Date

Sat, 09/14/2024 - 12:00

Vented crawl space with concrete walls and insulated ceiling

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Concrete masonry crawl space wall with exterior insulation

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Right - A continuous layer of rigid foam insulation is installed against the foundation, and the perforated fiberglass insulation blanket is installed over that and covered with a semipermeable facing.

Publication Date

Fri, 01/01/2021 - 12:00

Air sealing behind shower with cavity rigid insulation

DWG

PDF

Pull the insulation and outer liner of the flex duct over the collar to come in full contact with the liner and insulation of the trunk line or fitting and tape in place

Costs and Benefits of Insulating Concrete Forms for Residential Construction

Author(s)

National Association of Home Builders Research Center,

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,

Office of Policy Development and Research,

Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing

Organization(s)

NAHB Research Center,

HUD,

PDR,

PATH

Publication Date

November, 2001

Information sheet with construction details, pros and cons of insulated concrete forms.

Right – Fiberglass insulation is blown in to fill wall cavities.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00

Tubular pipe insulation sleeves come with a precut seam

Wrong - Insulation does not fill double wall cavity

Unfaced batt insulation completely fills the wall cavities.

Building Science Education 3.4: R-Values and Insulation

Author(s)

Paul Torcellini,

Marcus Bianchi

Organization(s)

NREL

Wrong - Fiberglass insulation is poorly installed in wall cavities.

Publication Date

Mon, 04/03/2017 - 12:00

Wrong - Insulation does not fill double wall cavity

Right – Rigid foam insulation is installed in the window header.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Upper wall insulation installation with butyl z-flashing

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Attic Retrofits Using Nail-Base Insulated Panels

Author(s)

Mallay David,

Kochkin Vladimir

Organization(s)

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE,

Home Innovation Research Labs,

HIRL

Publication Date

March, 2018

This report outlines research activities that are expected to facilitate the adoption of energy retrofits by remodeling contractors and roofing contractors using retrofit panels which applicable to many existing house designs in most climates and markets.

Air Sealing Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) Seams

Guide describing how to correctly seal structural insulated panel (SIP) seams.

Structured insulated panels (SIPS) as band joist

DWG

PDF

Right - This attic catch cover is insulated with rigid foam

Foundation Insulation Effectiveness: Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Publication Date

September, 2012

Author(s)

North Dakota State University Extension

Organization(s)

NDSU Extension,

Solution Design Inc

Video describing how to install a frost-protected shallow foundation.

Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) Training and Continuing Education

Author(s)

Fox Blocks

Organization(s)

Fox Blocks

Publication Date

September, 2024

Turned down concrete slab - 1 inch rigid insulation

DWG

PDF

NPMA examines spray foam insulation and termite control

Publication Date

November, 2019

Author(s)

PMP TV

Organization(s)

PMP TV

Video from PMP TV explaining interactions between termites and spray foam insulation.

Wallingford Passive House | Exterior Insulation Window Detail

Publication Date

December, 2015

Video describing the exterior insulation window details of a passive house.

Advanced Framing: Insulated Interior/Exterior Wall Intersections

Guide describing how to frame and insulate exterior-to-interior wall intersections to reduce heat losses and gains though structural framing.

Foundation wall interior rigid insulation with furring strips

DWG

PDF

Wrong – Slab insulation does not extend to the top of the slab

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Slab insulation does not extend to the top of the slab

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

The builder staggers 2x4 studs on 2x6 top and bottom plates which provides gaps to fill in insulation around the framing for a continuous blanket of insulation.

Right – Continuous rigid insulation has been installed

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Rigid insulation is being installed with cap nails

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Insulated sheathing has been taped and sealed at seams

Publication Date

Sat, 10/01/2011 - 12:00

Right – The knee wall is properly insulated and air sealed.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – The rim joists above the pre-insulated basement walls are sealed and insulated with spray foam to prevent air leakage at this juncture in the building envelope.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00

Foundation wall interior rigid insulation with framed wall

DWG

PDF

Right - Potential locations for slab-on-grade stem insulation in new construction: slab insulation should always be underneath, with stem walls insulated (a) inside, (b) outside, (c) not at all, or (d) outside with underground extension to repel moisture.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

The enhanced comfort attic insulation consists of an ultra-efficient 25-inch-thick layer of blown cellulose providing a substantial R-90 insulation value.

This 4-inch layer of rigid foam insulation (R-20) will be sandwiched between two layers of concrete poured on site for a highly insulated foundation wall.

Right - Foil-faced polyisocyanurate insulating rigid foam sheathing is installed rather than fibrous insulation below the floor framing of this house built on piers

Rigid foam insulation was installed at the perimeter of the one-level apartments before installing ceiling drywall to ensure a minimum R-21 attic perimeter insulation.

Right - This poured concrete basement wall is insulated on the exterior and under the slab with rigid insulation; footing details include interior and exterior footing drain pipe.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Existing band joist insulation retrofit with spray foam

DWG

PDF

One way to air seal and insulate kneewalls – add insulation and a rigid air barrier along roof line of unconditioned attic space outside kneewall

Publication Date

Mon, 11/01/1999 - 12:00

Air sealing behind tub with cavity rigid insulation

DWG

PDF

Rigid Foam Board Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Publication Date

September, 2015

Video describing how to properly insulate crawlspaces.

Cover the skylight shaft insulation with a rigid air barrier

Cover bottom of cantilever area with rigid foam insulation

Publication Date

Tue, 03/20/2012 - 12:00

2x4 Raised Truss - Insulation Below Roof Deck CAD

DWG

PDF

Pumpkin Ridge Passive House video #006: Insulation Details

Publication Date

December, 2012

Video describing the EPS foam used to insulate the exterior of a passive house.

Boot has been covered with insulation and sealed with mastic

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Inadequate amount of insulation installed with compression, misalignment, and voids

Interior removable storm windows insulate and air seal

Insulating and Air Sealing Existing Floors above Unconditioned Spaces

Guide describing how to insulate a floor over unconditioned space with conditioned space above by adding insulation and air-sealing.

Building America Energy Performance Brief: Insulating Plumbing Pipes

Author(s)

Gilbride Theresa L

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

September, 2011

Case study describing the steps involved and subsequent benefits of insulating plumbing pipes in a home.

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.

Install rigid insulation or another wall sheathing product

Builders Guide to Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) for all Climates

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2015

A book about structurally insulated panels.

Insulated Interior Exterior Wall Intersections – Code Compliance Brief

The intent of this brief is to provide code-related information about insulated interior/exterior wall intersections to help ensure that the feature will be accepted as being in compliance with the code.

Sealing and Insulating Existing Exterior Walls - Code Compliance Brief

Publication Date

May, 2016

The intent of this brief is to provide code-related information about sealing and insulating existing walls in existing residential buildings to help ensure that the measures will be accepted as being in compliance with the code. Providing notes for code officials on how to conduct plan reviews and field inspections can provide jurisdictional officials with information for acceptance. Providing the same information to builders, contractors, designers, and others is expected to result in increased compliance and fewer innovations being questioned at the time of plan review and/or field inspection.

The combustible rigid foam insulation is protected by a non-combustible layer of mineral wool insulation; a 7/8 inch “hat-channel” provides the ventilation and drainage gap.

Publication Date

Mon, 06/28/2021 - 12:00

Don't Be Dense - Cellulose and Dense-Pack Insulation, BSI-043

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

December, 2010

Information about dense pack, cellulose insulation.

BSD-163: Controlling Cold-Weather Condensation Using Insulation

Author(s)

Straube John

Organization(s)

BSC,

Building Science Corporation

Publication Date

October, 2011

Article describing selecting insulation for minimizing condensation risks.

Stud Walls With Continuous Exterior Insulation for Factory Built Housing

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

January, 2014

Case study describing a panelized construction method for stud walls with continuous rigid foam insulation.

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.

Attic Air Sealing, Insulating, and Ventilating for Ice Dam Prevention

Information guide describing proper attic air-sealing, insulation, and ventilation to combat ice dam formation on roofs in cold climate zones.

Sealing and Insulating Existing Vented Attics - Code Compliance Brief

Publication Date

May, 2016

The intent of this brief is to provide code-related information about sealing and insulating existing vented attics to help ensure that the measure will be accepted as being in compliance with the code. Providing the same information to all interested parties (e.g., code officials, builders, contractors, designers, etc.) is expected to result in increased compliance and fewer innovations being questioned at the time of plan review and/or field inspection.

High-Performance Slab-on-Grade Foundation Insulation Retrofits

Author(s)

Goldberg Louise F,

Mosiman Garrett

Organization(s)

NorthernSTAR,

NSTAR,

University of Minnesota,

UMN

Publication Date

September, 2015

Report assessing slab-on-grade foundation insulation energy savings.

Protect Your Family from Asbestos - Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation

Author(s)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Organization(s)

EPA

Publication Date

January, 2015

This page provides important information on how to protect yourself and your family if you suspect that you might have vermiculite insulation from Libby, Montana.

Expert Meeting Report: Cladding Attachment Over Exterior Insulation

Author(s)

Baker Peter

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

October, 2013

Report about an expert meeting focused on issues surrounding cladding attachment and performance of walls with exterior insulating sheathing.

Controlling Cold-Weather Condensation Using Insulation, BSD-163

Author(s)

Straube John

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

October, 2011

Article describing research encouraging use of exterior insulation to warm interior sheathing surfaces in walls and roof assemblies to reduce the likelihood of condensation during cold weather

A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Sealing and Insulating with Energy Star

Author(s)

ENERGY STAR

Organization(s)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

EPA,

ENERGY STAR

Publication Date

July, 2016

Guide for homeowners describing how to find and seal basement and attic air leaks, determine if attic insulation is adequate, make improvements safely, and reduce energy bills.

Air Sealing and Insulating Garage Walls - Code Compliance Brief

This brief provides an overview of the 2009 through 2015 IRC/IECC code requirements related to air sealing and insulating attached garage walls.