Energy-Efficient Building Enclosure Design

Guidelines for Wood-Frame Buildings

!   Graham Finch, MASc, P.Eng

Principal, Building Science Research Specialist
RDH Building Engineering Ltd.

October 29, 2013 – Wood WORKS! Vancouver

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© RDH Building Engineering Ltd.

 Program Education Credit Information

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of British Columbia and the Engineering Institute of Canada. Credit earned on completion of
this program will be reported on behalf of members of each CES provider for those who
complete a participation form at the registration counter. Certificates of Completion for non-
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This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such,
it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or
endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling,
using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific
materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.
 Learning Objectives

1.  Learn about the new wood-design resource for architects, builders, and
engineers: the Guide for Designing Energy Efficiency Building Enclosures
for Wood-Frame Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
2.  Understand how upcoming building and energy code changes will
impact typical wood-frame construction practices, and learn the best
strategies to design, insulate, air-seal, and detail new wood frame wall
and roof assemblies.
3.  Learn about the building enclosure design considerations for heavy
timber structures utilizing CLT and post-and-beam components.
4.  Understand the importance of “critical barriers” in building enclosure
detailing with examples of wall, roof and window details for highly
insulated wood buildings.
Overview

!   Background
!   Overview of the new Guide for
Designing Energy Efficient
Building Enclosures for
Wood-frame Buildings
!   Available as free download
from FP Innovations
Evolution Wood-frame Building Enclosure Design Guides

!   Original 1999/2011 Wood Frame

Envelopes in the Coastal Climate of
British Columbia - Best Practice Guide
(CMHC)
!   Emphasis on moisture control on the
west coast
!   2011 Building Enclosure Design Guide –
Wood-frame Multi-Unit Residential
Buildings (HPO)
!   Emphasis on best practices, moisture and
new energy codes
!   2013 Guide (FP Innovations)
!   Focus on highly insulated wood-frame
assemblies to meet current and upcoming
energy codes
!   Passive design and green buildings
Why a New Building Enclosure Guide?

!   Energy Codes across North America have

incrementally raised the bar to the point where
conventional wood-frame assemblies (i.e. 2x6 walls)
no longer provide enough insulating value
!   Increased awareness of passive design
strategies and green building programs dictate
even higher enclosure performance
!   Little guidance on building durable and highly
insulated enclosure assemblies and details
!   Desire to build taller and taller more exposed wood-
frame buildings (4-6 stories and higher)
!   Increased use of cross-laminated timber & other
engineered wood products dictates alternate
assemblies
What Types of Buildings & Structures is the Guide For?

!   Multi-Unit Residential
Buildings are the
focus of the guide
(and one of most
challenging building
types)
!   Relevant for other
building types as well
utilizing platform
framing, cross
laminated timber,
wood frame infill, &
post and beam.
!   Also applies to houses
Where is the Guide Applicable

!   North American Guide

!   Marine, Cold and Very
Cold Climate Zones
!   Energy Code Climate
Zones 4 through 7
!   Details used as examples
are west coast focused
(i.e. rainscreen)
!   Guidance can also be
applied to other climate
zones (i.e. Far-North or
Southern US) with
engineering judgement &
local experience
Overview: What is in the Guide

!   Chapter 1: Introduction
!   Context of Guide
!   Chapter 2: Building and
Energy Codes across
North America
!   Canadian Building and
Energy Codes
!   US Building and Energy
Codes
!   Performance Rating
Systems & Green
Building Programs
!   Differences between
NECB & ASHRAE 90.1
Overview: What is in the Guide

!   Chapter 3: Moisture, Air and Thermal Control

!   Building as a System
!   Climate Zones
!   Interior Climate, HVAC Interaction
!   Critical Barrier Concept
!   Control of Rainwater Penetration
!   Control of Air Flow
!   Controlling Condensation
!   Construction Moisture
!   Controlling Heat Flow and Insulation
!   Whole Building Energy Efficiency
!   Computer Simulation Considerations for Wood-frame
Enclosures
Overview: What is in the Guide

!   Chapter 4: Energy Efficient Wall and Roof Assemblies

!   Above Grade Wall Assemblies
•  Split Insulated, Double Stud/Deep Stud, Exterior Insulated
•  Infill Walls for Concrete Frame
!   Below Grade Wall Assemblies
•  Interior and Exterior Insulated
!   Roof Assemblies
•  Steep Slope & Low Slope
!   Chapter 5: Detailing
!   2D CAD (colored) and 3D build-sequences for various
typical enclosure details
!   Chapter 6: Further Reading & References
Chapter 2: Building and Energy Codes

!   Review of effective R-values &

Consideration for Thermal Bridging
!   Energy Use in Wood-frame MURBs
!   Enclosure R-value Targets and
Airtightness Requirements
!   Canadian Building Codes
•  2010 NBC
•  2011 NECB
•  ASHRAE 90.1 (2001 through 2010
versions)
!   US Buildings Codes
!   Performance Rating and Green
Building Programs
Canadian Energy Codes –NECB 2011 vs ASHRAE 90.1

NECB 2011
Climate  Zone  and  HDD(°C)    
Wood-­‐frame,  above-­‐grade  wall   Wood-­‐frame  roof,  flat  or  sloped:    
NECB has higher
effective R-value
[R-­‐value  (RSI)]   [R-­‐value  (RSI)]  
Zone  4:  <3000  HDD   18.0     25.0    
(3.17)   (4.41)  

requirements
Zone  5:  3000  to  3999  HDD   20.4     31.0    
(3.60)   (5.46)  
Zone  6:  4000  to  4999  HDD   23.0     31.0    
(4.05)   (5.46)  
Zone  7a:  5000  to  5999  HDD   27.0     35.0    
(4.76)   (6.17)  
Zone  7b:  6000  to  6999  HDD   27.0     35.0    
(4.76)   (6.17)  
Zone  8:  >7000  HDD   31.0     40.0    
(5.46)   (7.04)  

ASHRAE 90.1 - 2010

 

Wood-­‐frame  roof—insulation  
Climate   Wood-­‐frame,  above-­‐grade  wall   entirely  above  deck   Wood-­‐frame  roof—attic  and  other  
Zone   Effective   Nominal   Effective   Nominal   Effective   Nominal  
[R-­‐value  (RSI)]   [R-­‐value  (RSI)]   [R-­‐value  (RSI)]   [R-­‐value  (RSI)]   [R-­‐value  (RSI)]   [R-­‐value  (RSI)]  
Zone  1     11.2     13.0     20.8     20.0  ci     37.0     38.0    
(A  &  B)   (2.0)   (2.3)   (3.7)   (3.5  ci)   (6.5)   (6.7)  
Zone  2     11.2     13.0     20.8     20.0  ci     37.0     38.0    
(A  &  B)   (2.0)   (2.3)   (3.7)   (3.5  ci)   (6.5)   (6.7)  
Zone  3     11.2     13.0     20.8     20.0  ci     37.0     38.0    
(A,  B,  &  C)   (2.0)   (2.3)   (3.7)   (3.5  ci)   (6.5)   (6.7)  
Zone  4     15.6     13.0  +  3.8  ci   20.8     20.0  ci     37.0     38.0    
(A,  B,  &  C)   (2.7)   (2.3  +  0.7  ci)   (3.7)   (3.5  ci)   (6.5)   (6.7)  
Zone  5     19.6     13.0  +  7.5  ci   20.8     20.0  ci     37.0     38.0    
(A,  B,  &  C)   (3.5)   (2.3  +  1.3  ci)   (3.7)   (3.5  ci)   (6.5)   (6.7)  
Zone  6     19.6     13.0  +  7.5  ci   20.8     20.0  ci     37.0     38.0    
(A  &  B)   (3.5)   (2.3  +  1.3  ci)   (3.7)   (3.5  ci)   (6.5)   (6.7)  
Zone  7   19.6     13.0  +  7.5  ci   20.8     20.0  ci     37.0     38.0    
(3.5)   (2.3  +  1.3  ci)   (3.7)   (3.5  ci)   (6.5)   (6.7)  
Zone  8   27.8     13.0  +  15.6  ci   20.8     20.0  ci     47.6     49.0    
(4.9)   (2.3  +  2.7  ci)   (3.7)   (3.5  ci)   (8.4)   (8.6)  
ci  =  continuous  insulation,  where  denoted  
 
ASHRAE 90.1-2010 vs NECB 2011 – Effective Dec 20, 2014

Climate   Wall  –  Above   Roof  –  Sloped  or   Window:  

Zone   Grade:  Min.     Flat:  Min.  R-­‐value   Max.  U-­‐value  
R-­‐value  (IP)   (IP)   (IP)    

NECB 2011 8   31.0   40.0   0.28  

7A/7B   27.0   35.0   0.39  
6   23.0   31.0   0.39  
5   20.4   31.0   0.39  
4   18.6   25.0   0.42  
ASHRAE 90.1-2010 –

Climate   Wall  (Mass,   Roof  (ASc,   Window  (Alum,  

Residential Building

Zone   Wood,  Steel):   Cathedral/Flat):   PVC/fiberglass):  

Min.  R-­‐value  (IP)   Min.  R-­‐value  (IP)   Max.  U-­‐value  (IP)  
8   19.2,  27.8,  27.0   47.6,  20.8   0.45,  0.35  
*7A/7B 7A/7B   14.1,  19.6,  23.8   37.0,  20.8   0.45,  0.35  
combined in
ASHRAE 90.1 6   12.5,  19.6,  15.6   37.0,  20.8   0.55,  0.35  
No Zone 4 in 5   12.5,  19.6,  15.6   37.0,  20.8   0.55,  0.35  
ASHRAE 90.1
US Energy Codes – IECC vs ASHRAE 90.1

!   Adoption of IECC and

ASHRAE 90.1 varies
by State
!   Effective R-value
tables provided
!   Airtightness
requirements covered
!   Washington State
and Seattle (<0.40
cfm/ft2 @75Pa)
!   US Army Corps (<0.25
cfm/ft2 @75Pa)
 Performance Rating Programs & R-value Targets

!   Consideration for “above-code” enclosure

performance & green building programs
!   Performance rating and energy modeling
considerations
!   Target “high-performance” building
enclosure R-values by climate Zone

Wood-­‐frame  roof—insulation   Wood-­‐frame  roof—attic  and  

Wood-­‐frame,  above-­‐grade  wall   entirely  above  deck:   other:  
Climate  Zones  
  [R-­‐value  (RSI)]   [R-­‐value  (RSI)]   [R-­‐value  (RSI)]  
Zones  1  to  3:  hot,   R-­‐16  to  R-­‐22     R-­‐25  to  R-­‐30   R-­‐40  to  R-­‐50  
cooling  dominated     (2.8  to  3.9)   (4.4  to  5.3)   (7.0  to  8.8)  
Zones  4  to  5:   R-­‐22  to  R-­‐28   R-­‐30  to  R-­‐40   R-­‐50  to  R-­‐60  
mixed,  heating   (3.9  to  4.9)   (5.3  to  7.0)   (8.8  to  10.6)  
and  cooling    
Zones  6  to  8:  cold,   R-­‐28  to  R-­‐40   R-­‐40  to  R-­‐50   R-­‐60  to  R-­‐80  
heating   (4.9  to  7.0)   (7.0  to  8.8)   (10.6  to  14.1)  
dominated    
 
Chapter 3: Climate Considerations

!   Exterior Climate
!   Temperature &
Humidity
!   Rainfall
!   Interior Climate
!   HVAC systems
!   Ventilation
!   Architectural Form
& Enclosure
Design
Chapter 3: Building Science Fundamentals

!   Deflection, Drainage,
Drying and Durability
!   Wetting and Drying
Mechanisms
!   Critical Barriers &
Continuity
!   Water Shedding Surface
!   Water Resistive Barrier
!   Air Barrier
!   Thermal Insulation
!   Rainwater Penetration
control fundamentals
Chapter 3: Air Flow Control – Air Barrier Strategies

!   Air Barrier Systems

(Fundamentals, Materials,
Performance, testing)
!   Sealed Poly/Sheet
Membranes
!   Airtight drywall
!   Sprayfoam
!   Sealed-Sheathing Approaches
•  Unsupported sheet membranes
•  Supported sheet membranes with
vertical strapping
•  Sandwiched membranes behind
exterior insulation
•  Self-Adhered and liquid applied
membranes
!   Other Approaches
Chapter 3: Condensation Control

!   Relative Humidity control

!   Maintaining high interior
surface temperatures
!   Reducing thermal bridging
!   Use of better windows
!   Controlling air movement
(air barrier systems)
!   Controlling vapour diffusion
(vapour retarders)
Managing Construction Moisture & Wood Shrinkage

!   Keeping wood dry during

transportation and construction
and limiting built-in moisture
!   Careful use of impermeable
materials/membranes
!   Controlling and accounting for
wood-frame shrinkage
!   Detailing for differential shrinkage
Chapter 3: Heat Flow Control & Insulation

!   Control of Heat Flow

!   Solar Control, Minimizing
Conductive Losses,
Minimizing Air Leakage
!   Placement of Insulation
within assemblies
!   Wood framing factors
!   Types of insulation, R-values
and typical uses
!   Thermal bridging and
effective R-values
Chapter 3: Effective R-values

!   All Energy Codes now consider

effective R-values
!   Nominal R-values = Rated R-values of
insulation which do not include
impacts of how they are installed
!   For example R-20 batt insulation or
R-10 foam insulation
!   Effective R-values include impacts of
insulation installation and thermal
bridges
!   For example nominal R-20 batts within
steel studs becoming ~R-9 effective, or
in wood studs ~R-15 effective
Chapter 3: Wood Framing Factor Impact

!   Framing factors for studs @ 16” o.c = 25%

!   Taller wood-frame structures framing factors >30-40%
depending on structural destign
Insulation Placement and Assembly Design Considerations

Interior Exterior Split

Insulation Insulation Insulation
Getting to Higher R-values – Placement of Insulation

Exterior Insulation – R-20 to R-40+ effective

Baseline •  Constraints: cladding attachment, wall thickness
2x6 w/ R-22
batts = R-16
effective
Deep/Double Stud–
R-20 to R-40+
effective
•  Constraints wall
thickness

Split Insulation–
R-20 to R-40+ effective
•  Constraints: cladding
attachment
Chapter 3: Insulation Placement – Above Grade Walls

         
2x4  (or  2x6)  stud  
2x6  stud  wall   Double-­‐stud  wall   CLT/mass  timber   2x4  (or  2x6)  stud  wall  
wall  
Split-­‐insulated  wall  
Interior-­‐insulated  wall  assemblies   Exterior-­‐insulated  wall  assemblies  
assembly  
 
Cladding Attachment through Exterior Insulation

Longer cladding
Fasteners directly
through rigid
insulation (up to 2” Long screws through
for light claddings) vertical strapping and rigid
insulation creates truss
(8”+) – short cladding
fasteners into vertical
strapping Rigid shear block type connection
through insulation, cladding to
vertical strapping
Cladding Attachment through Exterior Insulation
 Insulation Placement – Below Grade Walls

     
Interior-­‐insulated  wall        Exterior-­‐insulated  wall   Interior-­‐    and  exterior-­‐
insulated  wall  (ICF)  
 
 Insulation Placement - Roofs

 
 

     
Interior-­‐insulated  pitched  roof   Low-­‐slope  roof:  conventionally   Low-­‐slope  roof:  inverted  
insulated  
 
Chapter 3: Whole Building Energy Efficiency

!   Whole building energy

efficiency considerations
!   Impact of Wall, Window and
Roof R-values on overall heat-
loss and energy consumption
!   Example calculations of
whole building R-values
!   Thermal mass impacts of
Heavy timber structures
!   Hygrothermal and Thermal
simulation guidance
Chapter 4: Energy Efficient Walls – Split Insulated

!   Material selection &

guidance
!   Control Functions
!   Critical Barriers
!   Effective R-value
Tables
Nominal  stud-­‐
Exterior  insulation  
space  
insulation   R-­‐4     R-­‐8     R-­‐12     R-­‐16     R-­‐20     R-­‐24    
Wood   [R-­‐value   None   (1  inch)   (2  inches)   (3  inches)   (4  inches)   (5  inches)   (6  inches)  
framing   (RSI)]   [R-­‐value   [R-­‐value   [R-­‐value   [R-­‐value   [R-­‐value   [R-­‐value   [R-­‐value  
    (RSI)]   (RSI)]   (RSI)]   (RSI)]   (RSI)]   (RSI)]   (RSI)]  
2x4   R-­‐12   10.7     15.0   18.8   22.5   26.2   29.7   33.2  
(2.1)   (1.9)   (2.6)   (3.3)   (4.0)   (4.6)   (5.2)   (5.8)  
R-­‐14   11.5   15.8   19.6   23.2   27.0   30.5   34.0  
(2.5)   (2.0)   (2.8)   (3.4)   (4.1)   (4.8)   (5.4)   (6.0)  
2x6   R-­‐19   15.5   19.8   23.7   27.3   31.0   34.5   38.0  
(3.3)   (2.7)   (3.5)   (4.2)   (4.8)   (5.5)   (6.1)   (6.7)  
R-­‐22   16.6   21.0   24.8   28.5   32.2   35.7   39.2  
(3.9)   (2.9)   (3.7)   (4.4)   (5.0)   (5.7)   (6.3)   (6.9)  
 
Exterior & Split Insulated Wood Assemblies

!   Wood-frame and Heavy Timber

Building Wall R-value Targets
!   R-19.6 ASHRAE 90.1
!   R-18.6 to R-20.4 NECB
!   Can only get ~R-16 effective
within a 2x6 framed wall
!   Industry shift towards split and
exterior insulated wood-frame walls
Chapter 4: Energy Efficient Walls – Double Stud/Deep Stud

!   Material selection &

guidance
!   Control Functions
!   Critical Barriers
!   Effective R-value Tables

Wood   Nominal  fill   Gap  width  between  stud  walls  

framing   insulation   No  gap   1-­‐inch     2-­‐inches     3-­‐inches     4-­‐inches     5-­‐inches     6-­‐inches  
  [R-­‐value/inch   [R-­‐value   [R-­‐value   [R-­‐value   [R-­‐value   [R-­‐value   [R-­‐value   [R-­‐value  
  (RSI/cm)]   (RSI)]   (RSI)]   (RSI)]   (RSI)]   (RSI)]   (RSI)]   (RSI)]  
Double-­‐ R-­‐3.4/inch   19.1   22.9   26.5   30.0   33.4   36.9   40.3  
stud  2x4   (0.24/cm)   (3.4)   (4.0)   (4.7)   (5.3)   (5.9)   (6.5)   (7.1)  
R-­‐4.0/inch   20.5   25.1   29.4   33.4   37.4   41.5   45.4  
(0.28/cm)   (3.6)   (4.4)   (5.2)   (5.9)   (6.6)   (7.3)   (8.0)  
 
Double/Deep Stud Insulated Walls

!   Double 2x4/2x6 stud, single deep 2x10, 2x12, I-Joist etc.

!   Common wood-frame wall assembly in many passive houses (and
prefabricated highly insulated walls)
!   Often add interior service wall – greater control over airtightness
!   Inherently at a higher risk for damage if sheathing gets wet (rainwater,
air leakage, vapor diffusion) – due to more interior insulation
 Chapter 4: Energy Efficient Walls – Exterior Insulated

!   Material selection &

guidance
!   Control Functions
!   Critical Barriers
!   Effective R-value
Tables

Wood   Exterior   Exterior  insulation  thickness    

framing   insulation   3  inches   4  inches   5  inches   6  inches   7  inches   8  inches  
  [R-­‐value/inch   R-­‐value   [R-­‐value   [R-­‐value   [R-­‐value   [R-­‐value   [R-­‐value  
  (RSI/cm)]   (RSI)]   (RSI)]   (RSI)]   (RSI)]   (RSI)]   (RSI)]  
R-­‐4/inch   17.2   20.9   24.4   27.9   31.6   35.0  
3½-­‐inch-­‐
(0.28/cm)   (3.0)   (3.7)   (4.3)   (4.9)   (5.6)   (6.2)  
thick  CLT  
R-­‐5/inch   19.8   24.4   28.7   32.9   37.3   41.5  
panels  
(0.34/cm)   (3.5)   (4.3)   (5.1)   (5.8)   (6.6)   (7.3)  
 
Cross Laminated Timber Construction - Considerations
Cross Laminated Timber Construction – Wall Assemblies
CLT Panel Construction - Unique Details for Consideration
CLT Panel Details Requiring Attention – Panel Joints

Sealants, tapes, & membranes applied on either side can’t

address this type of airflow path through the CLT lumber gaps
CLT Panel Details Requiring Attention - Parapets

Airflow increased by stack

Roofing membrane applied,
effect and pressures at parapet
path becomes longer – but
corners
doesn’t go away – even if
clamped, sealed etc.
CLT Panel Details Requiring Attention - Corners

Airflow path more

convoluted – lower
leakage rates, but still a
consideration
Guidance for CLT Assembly Air Barriers

!   CLT panels air-tight as a material,

but not as a system
!   Recommend use of self-adhered
sheet product air barrier
membranes or thick liquid
applied membrane on exterior of
panels (exterior air-barrier
approach)
!   Use of loose-applied sheets
(House-wraps) not generally
recommended – more difficult to
make airtight, perforating
attachment, billowing, flanking
airflow behind membrane
CLT Assembly Air Barrier Considerations

!   Structural connections can interfere with air-barrier

membrane installation/sequencing and sharp parts can
damage materials (applied before or after)
Infill Walls – Post & Beam or Concrete Floor Slabs

Concrete frame with

wood-frame infill

Post and Beam with

wood-frame infill
Chapter 4: Below Grade Walls

!   Interior Insulated !   Exterior Insulated

!   Control
Functions
!   Critical
Barriers
!   Effective R-
values
Chapter 4: Pitched-Roof, Vented Attic Assembly

!   Materials & Control

Functions
!   Critical Barriers
!   Effective R-value
Tables (accounting for
insulation reductions
at eaves)
Chapter 4: Pitched-Roof, Exterior Insulated Assembly

!   Materials & Control

Functions
!   Critical Barriers
!   Effective R-values
Chapter 4: Low-Slope Conventional Roof Assembly

!   Materials & Control

Functions
!   Critical Barriers
!   Effective R-values
(Accounting for
tapered insulation
packages)
Chapter 4: Low-Slope Inverted Roof Assembly

!   Materials & Control

Functions
!   Critical Barriers
!   Effective R-values
Chapter 5: Detailing

!   2D CAD details (colored)

provided for typical details
for each wall assembly
type (split insulated,
double stud, exterior
insulated) plus some for
infill walls
!   3D sequence details
provided for window
interfacing (split insulated,
double stud, exterior
insulated)
Detailing – Materials & Critical Barrier Discussion

!   Thermal Continuity
!   Air Barrier Continuity
!   Water Shedding Surface and Water Resistive Barrier
Detailing – From Roof to Grade

!   Details provided for

each main wall
assembly included
!   Split insulated
!   Double Stud
!   CLT
!   And roofs
!   Sloped
!   Low-slope
Detailing – Colored 2D Details
Detailing – Wall to Roof Interfaces
Detailing – Wall Penetrations
Detailing – 2D Window Details
Detailing – 3D Window Installation Sequences
Chapter 6: Further Reading, References & Glossary

!   Further reading
!   Builder & Design Guides
!   Building Science Resources
!   Energy Codes and Standards
!   Other Research Organizations
!   Design Software
!   References
!   Glossary of Building Enclosure, Energy Efficiency and
Wood terms
 Questions?

! gfinch@rdhbe.com - 604-873-1181

!   Guide Available from FP Innovations:

http://www.fpinnovations.ca/ResearchProgram/
AdvancedBuildingSystem/designing-energy-efficient-building-
enclosures.pdf

!   Google: energy efficient building enclosure design guide

 Questions / Comments?
This concludes the:

American Institute of Architects

Architectural Institute of British Columbia
Engineering Institute of Canada

Continuing Education Systems Program

Energy-Efficient Building Enclosure Design Guidelines for Wood-

Frame Buildings