November 2006
by Ted Cushman
Contributing R-3 to R-7.5 per inch, sheet foam is a handy way to boost a wall's total R-value without adding too much thickness. Rigid foam sheathing can also function well as a drainage plane to help keep wind-blown water out of walls, and it can act as both an air barrier and as a vapor barrier too. These properties make it a good choice in most coastal climates — but only if you get the details right. Ted Cushman explains how to design and detail a foam-sheathed wall system with all functions in mind, taking into account the site's climate and weather exposure.
First 100 Words:
Robust Walls At the right thickness and with the right details, rigid foam on walls provides a strong defense against moisture Ted Cushman Because of its versatility and convenience, rigid foam sheathing has become more and more common throughout the U.S. Contributing anywhere from R-3 to R-7.5 per inch, sheet foam is a handy way to boost the wall's total R-value without adding too much thickness. But foam sheathing does more than simply improve the thermal performance of a building: Located just inboard of the wall cladding, sheet foam can also function well as an augmented drainage plane to help
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