Exterior rigid insulation acts
as a thermal break for the wall, and improves airtightness if
installed properly
Properly attach the vapour
retarder and air barrier, and seal properly
Things to keep in
mind:
When insulating, make sure there
are no gaps in the insulation that are more than 3/4". This can
allow a convection current and air to circulate in the gap. This
increases heat transfer through the wall cavity
Compressing batt insulation will
reduce the effective R-value of the insulation
Taking the proper time and care
to cut and insert batts, and apply spray-foam properly can make a
difference in the air tightness and heat transfer of a wall,
header, or ceiling/attic
When installing the air barrier
make sure anything that penetrates it is properly sealed with
acoustical, approved tape, gaskets, foam sealants or expanding
spray foam
When sealing windows and doors,
remember that the attic hatch should be treated in the same manner.
Unsealed attic hatches and frames are a common source of air
leakage