Insulation & Air Sealing

EnergyStar Checklist: Videos, Podcasts, Articles

There are six sections and 22 subsections to the Thermal Bypass Checklist. These 16 videos, animations, articles, and podcasts cover all six sections.
April 3, 2020

SECTION 2: WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR WALLS OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES

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Insulation & Air Sealing

Energy Star 2.1: Walls Behind Tubs and Showers

Tight makes right behind tubs and showers—because they can be *ruff* to retrofit
April 4, 2016
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Insulation & Air Sealing

Insulate and Airseal Behind Tubs and Showers

The biggest hole in the bathroom
March 4, 2016

SECTION 1: OVERALL AIR BARRIER and THERMAL BARRIER ALIGNMENT

EPA.gov, adapted from Building Science Corporation
Advanced Framing
Framing

Advanced Framing Do's and Don't Bothers

A carpenter's take on less wood in walls
Sept. 14, 2016
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Tile, Flooring, Drywall

Moisture Management Design Rule 3: Use Moisture Tolerant Materials

A closer look at using moisture-resistant materials for wet locations.
Aug. 11, 2016
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Concrete & Masonry

Building Performance Begins on the Blueprints

Thermal shorts and good design don't mix
March 28, 2016
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Insulation & Air Sealing

Airtight Drywall: Step by Step

With blower door tests in the building code, it is up to more than just the insulators or the GC to deliver results: many trades have a stake.
March 14, 2016
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Framing

Sill Seal with Flashing Tape Air Barrier

The biggest crack in the house, revisited for #ThrowbackThursday
Nov. 10, 2015
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Framing

Airtight Walls From the Inside

Regular walls just won't cut it anymore. Higher-achieving energy codes mean higher-performance walls, airtightness targets, and home energy rating system (HERS) scores. Here are...
April 20, 2015
Dan Morrison
Advance Framed Wall
Framing

Advanced Framing: The Best Way to Frame

When using lumber to frame a building, less is more, more or less. Less wood and more thought
March 29, 2021

Size up the Job

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Siding & Exterior Trim

Rainscreen Walls Using A Dimple Sheet Membrane

Walls that can drain and dry last a lot longer than walls that stay wet.
Feb. 8, 2016
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Siding & Exterior Trim

Rainscreen Walls Using Furring Strips

Walls that can drain and dry last a lot longer than walls that stay wet. An air gap between the siding and sheathing lets both dry independently. Furring strips are one way to...
Jan. 18, 2016
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Siding & Exterior Trim

Rainscreen Walls: Drainage Mesh Behind Siding

Walls that dry are walls that last for a long, long, time.
Feb. 1, 2016

Jobsite Knowhow

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Siding & Exterior Trim

Prepping Rainscreen Walls for Siding

Old walls are wavy. Old walls with a lot of foam on them are easy to make flat.
March 8, 2016
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Framing

Rainscreen Wall with Exterior Rock Wool Insulation Board

Why a rain screen wall is important to the energy and durability detailing on a Passive House.
Dec. 10, 2015
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Siding & Exterior Trim

Fiber-Cement Panel Siding on a Rainscreen Wall

Large flat panels of fiber-cement make a modern-looking siding. Metal track keeps the lines clean
March 29, 2016
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Siding & Exterior Trim

Rainscreen Walls in British Columbia

Felt, furring strips, and flashing keeps rain out of the walls
Feb. 19, 2016

Details: Scope of Work

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Insulation & Air Sealing

Flashing Pipes, Framing, and Exhaust Vents in Exterior Walls

For walls with a pre-applied weather barrier, make sure the tape is compatible with the WRB coating—or use a primer
April 25, 2017
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Tile, Flooring, Drywall

Moisture Management Design Rule 3: Use Moisture Tolerant Materials

A closer look at using moisture-resistant materials for wet locations.
Aug. 11, 2016
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WRB & Flashing

Window and WRB: Integration Keeps Water Out of Walls

Sealing the layers—and overlapping them right—is how high-performance building gets done
Sept. 8, 2016
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Insulation & Air Sealing

Weather Barrier #DoneRight

Weather Barriers done right means weather barriers that go to work on more than just sunny days
March 7, 2016

Background Info

EPA.gov
Capilarity
Construction Phase

Moisture Management Design Rule 1: Control Liquid Water

Rain is the biggest water threat that houses face, but there are some slow and steady mechanisms that can snowball on you, too
May 8, 2015
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Siding & Exterior Trim

A Supervisor's Guide to Siding—BOWA

What you need to know about wood siding, stucco, stone, and brick installations. From one of the top design/build/remodeling companies in the US.
April 15, 2016

SECTION 3: FLOORS BETWEEN CONDITIONED AND EXTERIOR SPACES

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Framing

A Slick Transition from Foundation Insulation to Wall Sheathing

Outside insulation is an effective way to keep heat in. The devil is in the details, such as this one
May 3, 2018
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Framing

Airseal the Rim Joist and Wall Framing Connection

Glue the rim joist, caulk the gaps, and overhang the wall sheathing to tighten this leaky building assembly
Sept. 29, 2017

SECTION 4: SHAFTS

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HVAC & Mechanicals

Sealing Holes in Bath Fan Ventilation Duct System (Energy Star 5.1.4)

A tight path to the outdoors keeps the indoors fresh and you can call it a day because you’re one step closer to the Energy Star
May 2, 2016
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Framing

Sill Seal with Flashing Tape Air Barrier

The biggest crack in the house, revisited for #ThrowbackThursday
Nov. 10, 2015

SECTION 5: ATTIC/ CEILING INTERFACE

attic-insulation-ventilation-solutions-IMG_0973.jpg
Attic Insulation Ventilation Solutions Img 0973
Insulation & Air Sealing

There's More to Attic Insulation Than Attic Insulation: There is Venting, Air Sealing, and Misery

How to reduce ice dams, improve thermal performance, and boost the durability of homes with vented, insulated attics
April 7, 2022
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Framing

Airtight Dropped Soffit for Ducts, Fans, or Can Lights

Keep mechanical equipment within the envelope to improve the quality of houses and homes
April 17, 2017

SECTION 6: COMMON WALLS BETWEEN DWELLING UNITS

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Framing

Airtight Walls From the Inside

Regular walls just won't cut it anymore. Higher-achieving energy codes mean higher-performance walls, airtightness targets, and home energy rating system (HERS) scores. Here are...
April 20, 2015

About the Author

Dan Morrison

Dan Morrison is a founding editor of ProTradeCraft.com, where he is also the editor-in-chief. Fun fact: Dan is also a founding editor of Green Building Advisor and executive editor of Fine Homebuilding.

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