Exterior Wall Insulation Design

Building codes and green building standards are continuing to raise the bar on energy efficiency and high performance in buildings.

Exterior wall insulation design.

It s installed over the exterior walls of the home and can have several purposes from lending structural support to helping to insulate the home. Exterior sheathing is a board or panel that may be made of several different materials. Insulation for 2x4 walls most wall assemblies especially those in older homes are built with two by four 2x4 studs. In most wall applications you will use r 13 or r 15 kraft faced fiberglass insulation rolls for these two by four stud walls.

Non structural exterior wall sheathing also called insulating sheathing is installed on the exterior wall to add insulation and provide a radiant barrier. The energy performance of exterior walls is enhanced by continuous insulation between the siding and the framing which may also influence the selection of a vapor retarder in the wall. These are pre cut sections of insulation that are usually fiberglass although cellulose mineral wool natural fibers and plastic versions are also available. For this third wall to work almost everywhere except alaska and north of flyn flon where we would not insulate even within a relatively non conductive wood structural frame we would split the thermal resistance of the insulation on the exterior of the structural frame with this insulation within the structural frame at least 50 50.

Non structural exterior wall installation of the sheathing is on the exterior or interior side of the structural sheathing. The entire 14 inch cavity between the exterior and interior wythes is filled with dense packed cellulose insulation r 53. Having a central screw that attaches the panel to the wall and a separate screw attaching exterior furring strips to the rail breaks the thermal bridge. Lower exterior wall clad in 1 inch thick stone veneer atop a backerboard with a pressure treated 2x4 attached vertically to allow additional roxul batts in the 1 1 2 inch cavity for insulation and drainage.

A continuous layer of insulating sheathing applied to the exterior surface of a wall will minimize condensation and moisture levels. So in an. If the exterior wall sheathing is below the dew point temperature condensation will form on the sheathing. Condensation and elevated moisture levels cause rot mold and mildew.

As these walls are your home s first line of defense it s important that the insulation you use accounts for all of the changing weather conditions outside. Best for unfinished walls floors and ceilings. The advantages are plenty here panels are between 4 5 inches and 8 inches thick the exterior insulation is continuous and they can be attached with 6 inch 10 screws from 4 to 6 inches long. Designed for easy handling and use between framing such as studs and joists making it among the best insulation for walls.