Wood Frame with 4" Rigid Exterior Insulation & Siding

Flanged Recessed Window Detail with 4" Exterior Insulation

R-35 Wall

Disclaimer: The drawings and information displayed on this page are for informational purposes only. These construction details can never be used as construction drawings or in any other form to provide instructions on how to construct a building. Construction drawings always need to be verified by qualified architects or construction professionals. Acelab assumes no responsibility for any construction drawing or instruction based on or derived from the drawings displayed on this page.

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 into the rough opening, onto a back dam and 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.

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

Building Science Courses on Acelab

Adapt this detail & find the right products

Learn how you can adapt this detail based on your climate zone & desired aesthetic

Wall Barriers

Understand how climate affects wall specifications, learn whether you should use a vapor retarder, & discover suitable products.

Climate Zone

- or -
-- Select --

Option 1/3

Wall Design with Unfaced EPS or XPS


Design Requirements

Wall Design with Unfaced EPS or XPS

Should you use a vapor retarder?

Enter your state and county above to see whether you should use a vapor retarder

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 semi-impermeable rigid insulation, like unfaced XPS or EPS. Whether a Class II or Class III Vapor Retarder needs to be used depends on the project's climate zone and the amount of exterior insulation that is installed. Class II Vapor Retarders can be either a separate membrane, like a 'Smart Vapor Retarder' (SVR), or kraft facing on the cavity insulation.

A Class III Vapor Barrier, like Latex Paint, can only be used when the R-value of the exterior insulation is larger than the R-value of the cavity insulation multiplied by a climate coefficient. The formula above shows the climate coefficient after you've selected your state and county.

Product Options

Browse curated materials for this construction detail.

XPS

Rigid foam panels that are water repellent and offer good thermal performance at mid-range prices.

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.

WRB

Learn which WRB works best for your project.

Mechanically Attached

Fluid Applied or Self-Adhering

Integral Sheathing with Water & Air Control Membranes

Mechanically Attached Image

Notes

Mechanically attached WRBs are membranes that are secured with fasteners to the sheathing. They are a budget-friendly option that is well suited for low-rise projects. Because fluttering occurs in windy conditions, they should not be used in tall buildings. These membranes do not provide an air barrier. Learn More
Fluid Applied or Self-Adhering Image

Notes

Fully adhered and fluid applied membranes are fully bonded to the sheathing and provide superior water and air control qualities. They are generally more expensive than other options and require a clean substrate (and sometimes a primer) for proper installation. They are available in varying degrees of vapor permeance and can act as a vapor retarder. Learn More
Integral Sheathing with Water & Air Control Membranes Image

Notes

Integral sheathing with factory applied water & air control membranes are integrated systems that act as structural sheathing as well as air & water control barriers. They offer similar performance to fully adhered or fluid applied membranes at a reduced cost. Learn More

Mechanically Attached Membranes

Membranes attached with fasteners that are budget-friendly, but sensitive to installation quality.

Fluid or Fully Adhered Membranes

Flexible or spray applied membranes that fully bond to the sheathing and offer superior air & water control.

Vapor Retarding Fluid or Fully Adhered Membranes

Flexible or spray applied membranes that fully bond to the sheathing and offer superior air & water control.

Integral Sheathing with WRB

Sheathing panels with factory applied barriers that offer great performance at reduced cost.

Cladding

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

Horizontal Siding

Vertical Siding

Horizontal Siding Image

Notes

Furring strips need to be installed to create a vented airspace between the siding and the sheathing.
Vertical Siding Image

Notes

Furring strips need to be installed behind the horizontal furring strips to create a vented airspace between the siding and the sheathing. The horizontal furring strips need to have a sloped top to allow rainwater to drain.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl panels that do not require maintenance or treatment and are sometimes built to imitate wood.

Metal Siding

Metal panels that are sometimes built to imitate wood & offer superior durability at a premium price point.

Wood Siding

Horizontal wooden panels that offer a traditional aesthetic, but require a treatment & periodic maintenance.

Standing Seam Panels

Metal panels with concealed fasteners and visible interlocking exterior seams.

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.