Building Plans for the Thermal Bypass Checklist

How to Build an Energy Star Home: Construction Details That Help You Build Tight Houses — The First Time

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SECTION 1: OVERALL AIR BARRIER and THERMAL BARRIER ALIGNMENT

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1.1 Overall Alignment Throughout Home
Air sealing strategy (lower) — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Air sealing strategy (upper) — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Overall alignment (lower) — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Overall alignment (upper) — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

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1.2 Garage/Living Space Separation — Rim Joist

1" rigid foam with 1x3 wood furring — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
1" rigid foam with 2x2 wood furring — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

Free Sample!
1-1/2 in. rigid foam/2x4 sleepers — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

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1.3 Attic Ventilation Solutions

Thin-profile attic baffle — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
1in. rigid foam baffle — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
1in. Exterior rigid foam baffle — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

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1.4 Slab-edge Insulation
Monolithic Slab w/ 3/4 in. rigid foam — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Monolithic Slab w/ 1 in. rigid foam — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Monolithic Slab w/ 1.5 in. rigid foam — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

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BEST PRACTICES — ENCOURAGED. NOT REQ'D:

1.5 Air Barrier At All Band Joists (Climate Zones 4 and higher)
Air sealing upper-floor band joist — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Air sealing with 1 1/2" rigid foam — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Air sealing with spray foam — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

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1.6 Minimize Thermal BridgingHeat flow that occurs across more conductive components in an otherwise well-insulated material, resulting in disproportionately significant heat loss. For example, steel studs in an insulated wall dramatically reduce the overall energy performance of the wall, because of thermal bridging through the steel.
3D advanced framing concept — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
2'-0" module layout concept — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Stacked framing concept — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Complete Advanced Framing Package
Complete Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) Package

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SECTION 2: WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR WALLS OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES

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2.1 Wall Behind Shower/Tub
Thin sheathing behind shower — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Rigid foam behind shower — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Wall behind tub w/ corner chase — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Thin sheathing behind tub — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Rigid foam behind tub — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Corner vertical chase — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

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2.2 Wall Behind Fireplace
Fireplace over cantilevered floor — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Fireplace on platform — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

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2.3 Insulated Attic Slopes/Walls
Attic truss over unconditioned space — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Attic truss over conditioned space — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

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2.4 Attic Knee Walls
Knee wall inside conditioned space — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Knee wall defines conditioned space — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

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2.5 Skylight Shaft Walls
Air sealing at Skylight Shaft — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

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2.6 Wall Adjoining Porch Roof
Air Sealing for Porch Roof- 1/2 Foam — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Air Sealing for Porch Roof- 1 Foam — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

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2.7—Staircase — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
2.8 —Double Walls — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

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SECTION 3: FLOORS BETWEEN CONDITIONED AND EXTERIOR SPACES

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3.1 Insulated Floor Above Garage
1 1/2 in. rigid foam, 1x3 furring — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
1 in. rigid foam, 1x3 furring — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
1 in. rigid foam, 2x2 furring — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
1 1/2 in. rigid foam, 2x4 furring — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

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3.2 Cantilevered Floor
1 1/2 in. rigid foam — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
1 in. rigid foam — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

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SECTION 4: SHAFTS

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4.1 —Sealed duct shaft — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
4.2 — Pipe through top plate — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
4.2 — Wire through top plate — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
4.3 —Flue Shaft (plan view) — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

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SECTION 5: ATTIC/ CEILING INTERFACE

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5.1 Attic Access Panel
Air-tight attic hatch — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

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5.2 Attic Drop-down Stair
Air Sealing at Pull-Down Attic Stair — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

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5.3 Dropped Ceiling/Soffit
Dropped Soffit — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Built-out soffit — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Cabinet soffit — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Duct soffit — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

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5.4 Recessed Lighting Fixtures
Recessed Lighting - Site-Built Box — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG
Recessed Lighting - Pre-made Box — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

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5.5 Whole-house Fan
Air-sealing details — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

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SECTION 6: COMMON WALLS BETWEEN DWELLING UNITS

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6.1 Common Wall Between Dwelling Units
Common Wall Between Units — DOWNLOAD: PDF | DWG

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