Wood Frame with 2" Rigid Exterior Insulation & Wall Panels

Flanged Window Detail with 2" Exterior Insulation & Panels

R-25 Wall

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Head

(Detail 1/3)
Head Image

Sill

(Detail 2/3)
Sill Image

Jamb

(Detail 3/3)
Jamb Image

Notes

This window detail uses a two stage seal to insure no water or air can infiltrate into the building. The exterior seal is installed by applying WRB tape over the window head flange. No tape should be applied over the window sill flange to allow the window to drain. The interior seal is added by installing a full perimeter backer rod & sealant joint. Expanding foam or special tapes can be used instead of sealant, however a backer rod should still be installed to prevent the foam from completely filling up the cavity and preventing the system to drain. Plastic shims should be used to level out the window in the rough opening. These shims elevate the window slightly, which creates a space for water the drain.

To create a continuous air barrier, the pre-assembled plywood extension box needs to be sealed to the wall's fully adhered air barrier and the window with sealant joints.

* Whether or not you need a Class II or III Vapor Barrier depends on your climate zone, location and amount of exterior insulation. Refer to Wall Barriers Notes section below for more info.

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Wall Barriers

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Climate Zone

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Option 1/3

Wall Design with Unfaced EPS


Design Requirements

Wall Design with Unfaced EPS

Should you use a vapor retarder?

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Recommendation & calculations are based on the methods described in the Builder’s Guides from the Building Science Corporation and are only valid for residential occupancies.

Notes

This wall is designed with vapor permeable rigid insulation, like unfaced EPS. Whether a Class II or Class III Vapor Retarder should be installed depends on the project's climate zone. In Zone 5, a Class III Vapor Retarder, like Latex Paint, can be used if a vented airspace is provided between the sheathing & cladding. In Zone 6 or 7, a Class II Vapor Retarder needs to be installed. Class II Vapor Retarders can be either a separate membrane, like a 'Smart Vapor Retarder' (SVR), or kraft facing on the cavity insulation.

Product Options

Browse curated materials for this construction detail.

EPS

Rigid foam panels that are water repellent, budget-friendly and have an average thermal performance.

Smart Vapor Retarder (SVR)

Class II vapor retarders with variable permeance that block vapor in low, but not in high humidity conditions.

Fully Adhered Air Barrier

Membranes that are designed to be airtight, but allow water vapor to pass through.

Fiberglass Batts (Kraft Faced)

Batts made from plastic reinforced glass fibers with a Class II vapor retarding facing.

Fiberglass Batts

Batts made from plastic reinforced glass fibers that are budget-friendly and easy to install.

Mineral Wool Batts

Fiberous batts that are vapor permeable, non-combustible and offer good energy performance.

Loose-Fill Fiberglass

Fiberglass particals that are blown in place that are budget-friendly and offer entry-level energy performance.

Cellulose Spray

Cellulose particlas that are blown in place that offer superior energy performance at a premium price point.

Spray Polyurethane Foam (Closed Cell)

Spray applied expanding foam that is water repellent, airtight and offers superior energy performance.

Spray Polyurethane Foam (Open Cell)

Spray aplied expanding foam that is budget-friendly and offers good acoustical and energy performance.

Cladding

Explore different types of cladding that can be used for this construction detail and find suitable products.

Profiled Panels

Thin Panels

Heavy Panels

Profiled Panels Image

Notes

Profiled panels on cladding rails are rainscreen systems. They are usually fixed with fasteners to cladding rails. Hook on systems can be used to hide the fastners from view.
Thin Panels Image

Notes

Thin panels on cladding rails are rainscreen systems. They are usually attached to the rails with fixing clips.The clips can be either visible or hidden.Moldings with wider exposed flanges are sometimes used to hide imperfections in field cuts.
Heavy Panels Image

Notes

Heavy panels are rainscreen systems. They are usually supported by metal support brackets.

Architectural Metal Panel

Sturdy metal panels that come in many shapes and forms with various finishes.

Aluminum Composite Material (ACM)

Lightweight metal sandwhich panels with a polyethylene core that provide excellent durability.

Perforated Metal Panels

Thin metal panels with perforations that provide various degrees of transparency.

Corrugated Metal Sheet

Profiled thin metal panels that are budget-friendly and easy to install.

Terracotta Panels

Panels made of baked clay that offer great durability and recyclability.

Fibercement Panels

Composite panels made of cement, sand and cellulose fibers that offer excellent durability.

Insulated Metal Panel

Metal sandwhich panels with a thick foam core that offer durability and thermal protection.

Precast Concrete

Factory cast concrete panels that can be custom made and have various texture and finish options.

Windows

Find different types of windows suitable for this detail.

Budget-Friendly

Affordable windows without a thermal brake that have entry-range energy performance.

Mid-Range

Common windows with a simple thermal brake that provide solid energy performance.

High-Performance

Frames with multi-chambered thermal brakes that deliver a superior energy performance.

Luxury

Specialty windows with thin frames that have an exquisite performance and aesthetics.