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Thermal Bridging: Small Details with a Large Impact

This presentation explains the types of thermal bridges, their impacts, how to account for them, and practical ways to address them with efficient detailing and insulation strategies, including continuous insulation.

2021 IECC Commercial Envelope

Presented as a live, full-day course at the 2024 Colorado Chapter of ICC Educational Institute, Jay Crandell, P.E. and Thomas Culp, Ph.D. cover the importance of the building thermal envelope in the context of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code.

Continuous Insulation & Foam Plastics: Coordinating Energy Code & Building Code Compliance

Presented as a live, full-day course at the 2024 Colorado Chapter of ICC Educational Institute, Eric Banks and Jay Crandell, P.E. discuss the code-compliant use of insulation, including ci and foam plastic, which requires coordination across multiple building code requirements that integrate fire safety, moisture/vapor control, water-resistive barrier, cladding installation, window installation, etc.

Decarbonization of Buildings: A Review of Climate Science, Policies, Practices, Data, and Recommended Actions for Buildings and Building Materials

This “open file” research report was written to provide a comprehensive review of climate science, climate policy, the status of US energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the decarbonization of US buildings. The report discusses the importance of a “total carbon” approach when setting policy or making decisions related to insulation materials, which deliver substantial benefits for energy efficiency and the avoidance of building operational GHG emissions.

Assessment of Moisture Control & Insulation Requirements in Vermont’s Final Draft 2015 Residential Building Energy Standard (RBES) and Handbook

Concerns regarding moisture control performance can affect walls of any thickness, with or without the added protection of exterior continuous insulation. One purpose of this Research Report is to present data to evaluate and substantiate an appropriate application of continuous insulation in an R20+5 assembly (e.g., R20 cavity insulation plus R-5 continuous insulation on the exterior).

Commercial Details Using Foam Sheathing

The following details were produced by the Boston Society of Architects Building Envelope Committee for the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards. The details represent several possible solutions for integrating foam sheathing continuous insulation into the building envelope. Download PDFs below:

Assembly	Description

Building Designer Resources

We've gathered these resources to create and promote design tools that will make engineering evaluation, specification and implementation of innovative products easier. As this group of resources grows, these tools will range from design examples to “calculator” like tools. Please check back regularly for the latest state-of-the-art design support information.