Extended Plate Wall System Expands Adoption of High-R Envelope Solutions

Program Document · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 2020

OSTI ID:1646979

Burkett, Lena; Gunderson, Patti

For decades, the residential building industry has worked to expand opportunities to increase the thermal resistance of walls. Multiple high-R wall construction methods have been developed, yet market adoption remains low because of perceived complexity and cost. One appealing solution is an extended plate wall system (EPW). Framing for top and bottom plates is one nominal dimension larger than for studs, which provides space for a 2-inch layer of foam plastic insulative sheathing (FPIS). Wood structural sheathing (OSB or plywood) is then installed on the exterior, fastened directly to the plates and nailed through the foam to the studs. In contrast to the conventional method of installing FPIS as a fully exterior layer, the EPW greatly simplifies air sealing, installation and detailing of windows and doors, an application of a weather resistive barrier, and attachment of cladding.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Building Technologies Office (EE-5B) (Building America)
• OSTI ID: 1646979
• Report Number(s): DOE/GO-102020-5273; 8227
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

Building America
Commercial Construction
High-R Envelope Solution
Home Builder
Residential Construction
U.S. Department of Energy Building Technologies Office
walls