Wood-frame Above Grade Walls with Foam Plastic Insulating Sheathing – Continuous Insulation
This part of the Design and Detailing guide is based on use of foam plastic insulating sheathing continuous insulation (FPIS-ci) on conventional or engineered wood frame walls that comply with the locally applicable building code. It provides a methodical step-by-step design decision-making sequence to result in an efficient exterior wood frame wall assembly with FPIS-ci.
The appropriate, code-compliant use of continuous insulation provides a means to meet or exceed energy code requirements while also protecting moisture-sensitive wood framing materials, particularly exterior sheathing materials like plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), or gypsum sheathing. From an initial concept to a finished detail, the steps shown below provide an aid for compliance with relevant building code requirements and best practices related to the application of FPIS-ci on exterior wood-frame walls.
Follow the steps in sequence or click on the step that applies to your specific need:
- STEP 1 - Energy Code Compliance
- STEP 2 - Fire Safety Code Compliance
- STEP 3 - Moisture and Air Leakage Control Code Compliance
- STEP 4 - Cladding Connections
- STEP 5 - Wind Resistance
- STEP 6 - Wall Bracing Integration
- STEP 7 - Mitigating Thermal Bridging at Assembly Interfaces
- STEP 8 - Standard Detail Library for Construction Plans
Where “codes” are referred to in this guide, it should be taken to mean the locally adopted version of one of the following model codes unless otherwise indicated:
- International Building Code (IBC)
- International Residential Code (IRC)
- International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
The FPIS-ci materials addressed in this guide are:
- EPS – expanded polystyrene per ASTM C578
- XPS – extruded polystyrene per ASTM C578
- PIC – polyisocyanurate per ASTM C1289