This On Demand CEU is a recorded presentation from a previously live webinar event. Building codes and green building standards are continuing to raise the bar on energy efficiency and high performance in buildings. In wood-framed buildings designing for thermal and moisture management in wall cavities, as well as the air tightness of the building enclosure, are all core components to creating advanced building enclosures. This presentation will discuss the need for exterior insulation to manage heat transfer and reduce condensation in exterior walls by providing step-by-step examples of how to determine the amount of continuous insulation required to meet prescriptive code requirements depending on climate zone.

Learning Objectives

  • Define the commercial and residential wood frame wall insulation requirements found in the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
  • Identify the practical and green building characteristics of continuous insulation as part of the exterior wall sheathing compared with other alternatives.
  • Explain the concept of thermal bridging and how it impacts building energy usage in green and sustainable building design.
  • Explain how condensation forms in wall cavities and investigate strategies to mitigate risk of damage to construction while maintaining sustainable and healthy indoor environments.

Pre-Requisite: Basic knowledge of the wall assembly requirements of the International Energy Conservation Code.