BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Wrong – Fibrous insulation is not an air barrier and cannot be used for sealing holes.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Fibrous insulation is not an air barrier and cannot be used for sealing holes.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – The band joist over this wall was properly insulated and air-sealed.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong - Wind baffle installation will not allow insulation over the top plate.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

1 inch rigid insulation as attic eave baffle cut around manufactured vent

DWG

PDF

Right - Spray foam insulates and air-seals the stone walls of this unvented crawlspace.

Publication Date

Thu, 11/01/2012 - 12:00

Right – The insulation has been located to the exterior of the thermal mass in this wall section

Wrong – No blocking installed to prevent attic insulation from falling into stairs and opening

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

This attic was insulated with 5 inches of closed-cell spray foam on the underside of the roof deck plus 6.5 inches of blown fiberglass covered with sheetrock as a firebreak for a total R-58 roof assembly insulation value.

Building America Energy Performance Brief: Air Sealing and Insulating Fireplace Enclosures

Author(s)

Gilbride Theresa L

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

September, 2011

Case study describing how to air seal and insulate fireplace enclosures in order to limit the large amount of air leakage that their presence can bring and obscure from view.

Field Testing of an Unvented Roof with Fibrous Insulation, Tiles, and Vapor Diffusion Venting

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W,

Ueno Kohta

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

February, 2016

Report describing research about a test implementation of an unvented tile roof assembly in a hot-humid climate.

Trade-Friendly Retrofit Insulated Panels for Existing Buildings, Albany New York

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

HIRL,

DOE

Publication Date

March, 2016

Case study about a structural sheathing product composed of enhanced EPS rigid foam with OSB adhered on one side.

Right – Spray foam air seals and insulates the walls including the walls behind the fireplace and covers the underside of the roof deck of this mixed-dry climate home to provide an insulated attic space for HVAC ducts.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00

The attic knee walls were constructed from 2x6s and insulated with R-19 batt, backed with 1 inch of XPS foam board with taped joints to provide a solid air barrier over the insulated surfaces.

Publication Date

Thu, 08/17/2023 - 12:00

How to measure your attic’s insulation level – Rule Your Attic! with ENERGY STAR

Publication Date

October, 2015

Video describing how homeowners can measure the amount of insulation installed in their attic.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Innovative Retrofit Foundation Insulation Strategies, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Author(s)

University of Minnesota

Organization(s)

NorthernSTAR,

NSTAR

Publication Date

August, 2015

Case study describing methods to retrofit foundations and basements in climate zones 6 and 7.

This floor assembly above a vented crawlspace controls vapor and heat transmission by using foil-faced isocyanurate rigid foam insulation installed underneath the floor joists and fiberglass insulation in the floor joist cavities

Publication Date

Sat, 01/15/2022 - 12:00

2012 IECC Code Level Insulation – DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Requirements

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing insulation and air sealing strategies to meet 2012 IECC code levels.

2015 IECC Code Level Insulation – DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Requirements

This guide describes IECC 2015 and DOE Zero Energy Ready Home insulation requirements.

Garage ceiling with spray foam, flash air-seal, and batt insulation.

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

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Air sealing wall between a porch roof and attic with 1 inch of rigid insulation

DWG

PDF

Measure Guideline: Three High Performance Mineral Fiber Insulation Board Retrofit Solutions

Author(s)

Neuhauser Ken

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

January, 2015

Report describing the use of mineral fiber insulating sheathing in a high performance enclosure retrofit package.

Conceptual insulation practice at attic-style truss system - above unconditioned space

DWG

PDF

Conceptual insulation practice at attic-style truss system - above conditioned space

DWG

PDF

Technology Solutions Case Study: Cladding Attachment Over Thick Exterior Insulating Sheathing

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

November, 2013

Case study describing optimal design and limitations of cladding attachments over exterior sheathings.

Cleaning Fibrous Glass Insulated Duct (Ductboard / Duct Board) Systems - Recommended Practices

Author(s)

North American Insulation Manufacturers Association

Organization(s)

NAIMA

Publication Date

June, 2019

Manual showing duct cleaning contractors how to identify the different types of insulated air ducts, how to open each type for access by cleaning equipment and personnel, how to close and seal openings after cleaning.

Adhesive caulk is used to seal seams and attach the multiple layers of rigid insulation

Publication Date

Wed, 10/08/2014 - 12:00

Right: Spray foam air seals and insulates raised ceiling duct chase

Right – The foundation wall consists of prefab concrete wall panels with integrated insulation.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Assembly Sequence for Slab-on-Grade Foundation with Integral Grade Beam and 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 slab-on-grade foundation with integral grade beam and exterior insulation.

Right – Raised heel trusses allow room for insulation over the exterior wall top plates, while baffles direct ventilation air to flow above the insulation from the soffit vents to the ridge vents.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00

Plumbing penetrations through the below slab insulation are sealed with tape and spray foam.

This home’s double-wall construction provides a 9-inch wall cavity for insulation.

The rough opening around this window is air sealed and insulated with nonexpanding spray foam.

Wrong - Duct insulation and vapor barrier do not cover all of the flex duct.

Publication Date

Fri, 12/07/2018 - 12:00

This Heat Pump Water Heater is Sitting on an Insulation Pad to Reduces Heat Losses

Publication Date

Wed, 05/01/2024 - 12:00

New Code Options for Insulating, Sealing, and Controlling Moisture in Unvented Attics in Residential Buildings

Author(s)

Cole,

Lstiburek

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Webinar explaining new code options for insulating, sealing, and controlling moisture in unvented attics in residential buildings.

Insulating the exterior and garage-side faces of the plaza deck can reduce thermal bridging. If the garage is heated or partially heated, the faced batt insulation on the garage side of the plaza deck should extend to perimeter of garage.

Publication Date

Tue, 09/17/2024 - 12:00

Heated or partially heated garages with podium decks should be thermally isolated from both ambient exterior space and interior conditioned space by insulating the interior of the garage walls and ceiling and extending the insulation below grade.

Publication Date

Tue, 09/17/2024 - 12:00

Larsen trusses made of 9-inch I joists, set perpendicular to the exterior wall at 16 inches on center, provide a second wall cavity that can be filled with blown insulation, greatly increasing the insulation value in the walls.

Publication Date

Wed, 12/29/2021 - 12:00

Right - These roof insulation panels are installed in multiple layers with joints offset both vertically and horizontally. The plywood nail base fastened to the roof framing holds the insulation layers together snuggly thus minimizing gaps

This house with an insulated slab is protected from pests with a termite shield at the sill plate, borate-treated framing, insect screen covering bottom of furring air gap, and brick veneer over slab-edge insulation

Publication Date

Mon, 03/01/2021 - 12:00

Technology Solutions Case Study: Field Testing an Unvented Roof with Fibrous Insulation and Tiles

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

February, 2016

Case study describing field testing of an unvented roof with fibrous insulation and tiles.

Unvented crawl space with interior insulation - designed for termite resistance in heavily infested areas

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Hygric Redistribution in Insulated Assemblies: Retrofitting Residential Envelopes Without Creating Moisture Issues

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W,

Smegal Jonathan

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2013

Report exploring four questions to determine the level of risk associated with adding drained exterior insulation to the exterior of an existing home during an energy retrofit.

Right - The concrete basement wall is insulated on the interior with rigid foam; the footing detail is shown.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Right – Netted blown fiberglass insulation completely fills the wall cavities with no gaps or voids.

Publication Date

Fri, 12/31/2021 - 12:00

Capillary Break Beneath Slab - Polyethylene Sheeting or Rigid Insulation Over Aggregate

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to install a capillary break beneath concrete slabs.

Deep energy retrofit showing insulation sprayed on exterior of walls over existing siding

The attic is insulated along the underside of the roof deck with 8 inches of open-cell spray foam.

Dense-packed blown fiberglass insulation completely fills the wall cavities with no gaps or voids.

Right - The wall top plates are sealed with foam before installing insulation on the ceiling deck.

Right - Rigid foam insulation is installed along the exterior edge of an existing foundation slab.

Wrong - Craft faced batt insulation is not cut to fit around PEX plumbing pipe.

Publication Date

Fri, 01/17/2014 - 12:00

High-density closed-cell spray foam insulates the attic of this home in New Orleans.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/01/2011 - 12:00

Spray foam insulates and air-seals the ceiling deck and top plates of this vented attic.

Publication Date

Fri, 02/01/2013 - 12:00

Right - This rigid insulation is correctly installed in a level layer over aggregate; the seams will be taped

In cold climates, install slab edge insulation when pouring slab on grade foundations.

Closed-cell spray foam insulation is added to the wall cavities of an existing exterior wall

Right – Ladder blocking allows the exterior wall to be insulated where intersected by an interior wall.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

Taped plywood provides an air barrier beneath the cork insulation installed on the exterior of this home.

Publication Date

Wed, 12/29/2021 - 12:00

Single framed wall converted to double wall and insulated with closed-cell spray foam

Right - Raised-heel roof trusses allow more room at the eaves for attic insulation.

Expanded polystyrene insulation is installed with joints taped and lath attached in preparation for the application of stucco

Right – Furring strips provide a drainage and ventilation gap between the siding and the cork insulation.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/30/2019 - 12:00

A site-built rafter roof with a raised top plate allows for more insulation underneath.

Publication Date

Sat, 01/01/2011 - 12:00

CPVC fire sprinkler piping is insulated using the tent method, as described in NFPA 13D.

Publication Date

Wed, 06/23/2021 - 12:00

Wrong – The insulated concrete forms at the foundation do not have a damp-proof coating

Publication Date

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Fibrous insulation is not an air barrier and cannot be used to air-seal openings.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Conventional T-post detail is extremely difficult to insulate and usually doesn't happen

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong - Flex duct insulation is overly compressed in 3 ways; Zip-tie fastener is over the insualtion not under the insulation at the duct boot collar, duct turning radius is too tight, and support strap is too tight.

Publication Date

Sat, 01/19/2019 - 12:00

Right: This heat pump water heater is installed in a garage next to the furnace where there is a lot of space for accessing the unit, and for intake and exhaust; a foam pad insulates the base; the condensate line is correctly drained and pipe insulation

Publication Date

Wed, 02/14/2024 - 12:00

Single framed wall converted to double wall and insulated with open-cell spray foam

Publication Date

Fri, 05/01/2015 - 12:00

Sloped roof with cavity spray foam insulation, strapping, and gypsum board thermal barrier

Publication Date

Fri, 05/01/2015 - 12:00

Right - Workers installed rigid foam on the floor and the sill plates of these pre-cast, pre-insulated concrete wall panels to provide a continuous layer of insulation under and around the not-yet-poured basement floor slab.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00

Limited attic access can make inspections for missing air barriers and insulation challenging

Publication Date

Wed, 04/01/2015 - 12:00

Air-Impermeable Insulation for Condensation Control in Unvented Attics, per IRC Table 806.5.

Publication Date

Wed, 04/08/2020 - 12:00

Monitoring of Unvented Roofs with Fibrous Insulation, Diffusion Vents, and Interior Vapor Control in a Cold Climate

Author(s)

Ueno Kohta,

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

September, 2020

Report detailing a three-winter study on unvented roof assemblies in a cold climate, assessing insulation material, ridge diffusion vent presence, vapor control membranes, relative humidity, and interstitial airflow. Results indicate that utilizing air-permeable fibrous fill insulations in unvented...

Monitoring of Unvented Roofs with Fibrous Insulation, Diffusion Vents, and Interior Vapor Control in a Cold Climate

Author(s)

Ueno Kohta,

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

September, 2020

Report detailing a three-winter study on unvented roof assemblies in a cold climate, assessing insulation material, ridge diffusion vent presence, vapor control membranes, relative humidity, and interstitial airflow; results indicate that utilizing air-permeable fibrous fill insulations in unvented...

Mechanical System Piping Insulation and Service Hot Water Systems - Code Compliance Brief

Publication Date

October, 2016

The intent of this brief is to provide code-related information about mechanical system piping insulation and service hot water systems to help ensure that what is proposed regarding insulating these systems will be accepted as being in compliance with the code. Providing consistent information to document compliance with codes and standards to all relevant parties responsible for verifying with those codes and standards (e.g., code officials, builders, contractors, designers, etc.) is expected to result in increased compliance and timely, less challenging, and more uniform plan review and field inspections.

Conventional three-stud corners leave a cavity that must be insulated by the framers—not good

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

Tue, 04/17/2012 - 12:00

High-density fiberglass pipe insulation comes with a vapor barrier cover and self-adhesive seam

Publication Date

Sun, 01/01/2017 - 12:00

DOE Siding and Windows Retrofit: Insulating Concrete Block Walls, Phoenix AZ

Author(s)

Theresa Gilbride,

Kohta Ueno

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

December, 2022

Case study describing a wall and window retrofit of a 1940s home in Phoenix AZ that included adding 2 inches of rigid foam and new stucco siding and solar screens as part of a comprehensive retrofit of the concrete block home.

A typical Las Vegas hot-dry climate home made of wood frame construction and insulated with R-25 expanded polystyrene externally over a drainage plane, with an unvented wood frame insulated attic and roof assembly.

Publication Date

Tue, 02/16/2010 - 12:00

Cladding Attachment Solutions for Exterior Insulated Commercial Walls, RDH Technical Bulletin No. 011

Author(s)

Finch Graham,

Higgins James

Organization(s)

RDH

Publication Date

December, 2015

Article describing correct ways to attach rigid insulation to the exterior of commercial and residential buildings.

Specifying Rigid Foam Insulation for NFPA 285 Fire Requirements - Safety Meets Energy Efficiency

Author(s)

MacGregor Pierce

Organization(s)

Walls & Ceilings

Publication Date

November, 2017

Factsheet describing the use of rigid foam insulation to meet energy efficiency requirements and minimize fire risks.

Impact Resistance of Advanced Framed Wall Systems with Insulating Sheathing as the Primary Sheathing, RR-0603

Author(s)

Baker Peter,

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

May, 2009

Research study describing the impact resistance performance of advanced framed wall systems with insulating sheathing as the primary sheathing from wind blown debris.

Measure Guideline: Wall Air Sealing and Insulation Methods in Existing Homes - An Overview of Opportunity and Process

Author(s)

Stephenson R,

Roberts David

Organization(s)

NAHB Research Center Industry Partnership,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2012

Document providing renovators and retrofit contractors an overview of considerations when including wall air sealing and insulation in an energy retrofit project.

Retrofit of Blown Attic Insulation in Existing HUD-Code Manufactured Homes: Needs Assessment Report

Author(s)

Lubliner Michael,

Ueno Kohta,

Burkett Lena

Organization(s)

Washington State University Extension Energy Program,

WSU Extension Energy Program,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

July, 2019

Report describing the costs, benefits, and challenges of attic insulation retrofits in HUD-code manufactured homes.

Project Overcoat - An Exploration of Exterior Insulation Strategies for 1-1/2 Story Roof Applications in Cold Climates

Author(s)

Ojczyk Cindy,

Mosiman Garrett,

Schirber Tom,

Yost Peter,

Murray Tessa,

Huelman Patrick H

Organization(s)

NorthernSTAR,

University of Minnesota,

NSTAR

Publication Date

April, 2013

Research report describing study of exterior retrofit approach for air sealing, insulating, and water management conducted by the NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership team run by University of Minnesota.

Assembly Sequence for Slab-on-Grade Foundation with Concrete Stem Wall and Under Slab 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 slab-on-grade foundation with stem wall and under slab insulation.

Standard 2 in. by 4 in. stud secures duct chase - made of rigid insulation in this example

Right – Flex ducts are properly supported with straps that don’t pinch the insulation; closed-cell spray foam will be applied to the underside of the roof deck of this hot-humid climate home to provide an insulated attic space for the HVAC ducts.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00