Spray Foam Exterior Insulation with Stand-Off Furring

Technical Report · Sat Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1127282· OSTI ID:1127282

Herk, Anastasia ^[1]; Baker, Richard ^[1]; Prahl, Duncan ^[1]

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1. IBACOS, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)

IBACOS, in collaboration with GreenHomes America, was contracted by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to research exterior wall insulation solutions. This research investigated cost-effective deep energy retrofit (DER) solutions for improving the building shell exterior while achieving a cost-reduction goal, including reduced labor costs to reach a 50/50 split between material and labor. The strategies included exterior wall insulation plus energy upgrades as needed in the attic, mechanical and ventilation systems, and basement band joist, walls, and floors. The work can be integrated with other home improvements such as siding or window replacement. This strategy minimizes physical connections to existing wall studs, encapsulates existing siding materials (including lead paint) with spray foam, and creates a vented rain screen assembly to promote drying. GreenHomes America applied construction details created by IBACOS to a test home. 2x4 framing members were attached to the wall at band joists and top plates using 'L' clips, with spray foam insulating the wall after framing was installed. Windows were installed simultaneously with the framing, including extension jambs. The use of clips in specific areas provided the best strength potential, and 'picture framing' the spray foam held the 2x4s in place. Short-term testing was performed at this house, with monitoring equipment installed for long-term testing. Testing measurements will be provided in a later report, as well as utility impact (before and after), costs (labor and materials), construction time, standard specifications, and analysis for the exterior wall insulation strategy.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); IBACOS, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Building Technologies Office (EE-5B)
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 1127282
• Report Number(s): DOE/GO--102014-4399; KNDJ-0-40341-04
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
Building America
GreenHomes America
IBACOS
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
cold climate
deep energy retrofit (DER)
energy retrofit
existing home
exterior wall insulation
insulation
residential
residential buildings
spray foam
stand-off furring
window installation