Foam plastic insulating sheathing (FPIS) is one of many products used to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, due to its beneficial thermal performance values, used alone or in combination with conventional sheathing and between the studs insulation.

The code compliant use of FPIS for energy code applications requires consideration of appropriate methods for connection of claddings through FPIS materials of various thicknesses and various substrates. This issue is a critical one in the market currently as everyone from architects to cladding manufacturers search for best practices.

To that end, Applied Building Technology Group (ABTG) has developed a step-by-step guide for attachment of exterior wall coverings through FPIS. This comprehensive approach also includes installer instructions, installer and building inspector installation checklists, and a code compliance research report, “Attachment of Exterior Wall Coverings Through Foam Plastic Insulating Sheathing (FPIS) to Wood or Steel Wall Framing.”

Currently, these documents all support the 2015 editions of the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC).