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Save Energy with Rigid-Foam Insulation

Exterior siding is typically applied directly on top of housewrap covered plywood or OSB sheathing. But a growing number of builders interested in energy-efficient construction are singing the praises of using rigid-foam insulation between the wall sheathing and the exterior siding, creating a continuous insulating layer. Contributing editor Rick Arnold explains why this extra investment in labor and materials has a significant long-term payoff and tells how to detail the installation.

Water Resistive Barriers: How Do They Compare?

In general, the description of any building, whether a high-rise or a warehouse, can be simplified into two basic components: 1) the building structure, which gives the building its overall shape and resists forces from sources such as wind, snow, people, furniture (live loads), and the weight of fixed building components (dead loads); and 2) the building envelope, which separates the indoor and outdoor environments, keeping the weather outside and conditioned air inside.

Technical & Engineering Expertise

Building Science & Engineering Research

Airspace R-Value

The presence of an airspace enclosed within a building envelope assembly is known to contribute to the overall thermal performance of the assembly. But, the actual R-value of an airspace can vary significantly depending on various conditions of use, such as the air-tightness of the assembly of materials enclosing an airspace. This research report reviews current technical knowledge and regulatory requirements to provide guidance for appropriate R-value characterization and limitations of use for airspaces within building assemblies for code compliance.

Polyiso Continuous Insulation for Code-Compliant, High-Performance Walls

With the rise in importance of the energy code (IECC) continuous exterior insulation has become part of the solutions discussion.

This educational program and related modules are focused on the appropriate use of Polyiso sheathing and its application with respect to codes, standards, and other information useful for the proper installation by the construction industry.

FSC Wall Calculator: I-Code Differences

The FSC Steel and Wood Wall Calculator tools provide water vapor control guidance to the user. The technical basis for the water vapor control checks has served as the basis for recent IBC and IRC code editions, including the latest 2024 editions of the IBC and IRC. While the calculator strives for code consistency, it has maintained a more conservative position or provided additional features that are omitted from the codes. The reasoning and relevant building science for each case is outlined below as it relates to the 2021 and 2024 editions of the IBC and IRC.

Continuous Insulation & Foam Plastics in the Building Envelope

Presented as a full-day, live course at the 2025 Colorado Chapter of ICC Educational Institute, Eric Banks, Jay Crandell, P.E. and Marcin Pazera cover the important aspects of using foam plastic insulating sheathing (FPIS) continuous insulation (ci) in the building envelope. The presentation slides cover:

Moisture Drive & Code-Compliant Building Envelopes

This program introduces the importance and functions of the Building Thermal Envelope (BTE) and then covers code compliance issues with regard to thermal insulation and water/air/vapor control.

Ci by Climate Zone in Commercial Energy & Building Codes

This program introduces the importance and functions of the Building Thermal Envelope (BTE) and then covers code compliance with the commercial energy and building codes for appropriate use of continuous insulation in all climate zones.

To download the full presentation, choose a link below.

2024 IECC Commercial Envelope

Presented as a live, full-day course at the 2025 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 2024 International Energy Conservation Code. The presentation slides cover: