GBA Logo horizontal Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram YouTube Icon Navigation Search Icon Main Search Icon Video Play Icon Plus Icon Minus Icon Picture icon Hamburger Icon Close Icon Sorted

Community and Q&A

Under filling wall cavity

| Posted in Energy Efficiency and Durability on

I’m building a home in climate zone 5 and have an average temp of Dec, Jan, Feb of 20 degrees. 

the wall assembly I’m considering is 2×6, 24 inch on Center with 2inch zip R sheathing.  I know in climate zone 5, the chart says that with a cavity R value of 19 the exterior insulation should be at least 7.5.  However after doing the calculation, Interface temp. = Indoor temp. – [(Indoor temp. – Outdoor temp.) X (Cavity R / Total R)]

I found I will actually need a higher exterior insulation R value.  Currently the zip R I’m using is R9, so I can’t fill the entire cavity up to R19 without causing the interior face of the zip R foam to fall below the dew point.  My proposed solution is to fill the 5.5 inch 2×6 cavity with 1 inch closed cell spray foam against the zip R foam, effectively bringing the “exterior insulation” up to 15.  Then I plan to fill the remaining 4.5 inches with a 3.5 inch Roxul batt.  This would keep the foam definitely above the dew point, but would also leave 1 inch of vacant space between the drywall and the roxul batt.  Would the roxul batt stay secured in place against the foam or would it need to be secured?  Thanks.  I’ve added a mock up to show what I mean.

GBA Prime

Join the leading community of building science experts

Become a GBA Prime member and get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

Replies

Log in or create an account to post an answer.

Community

Recent Questions and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |