The OAKS High Performance Home Construction Details
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Energy Efficient Construction Details

· Advanced wall framing
· Rigid insulation on exterior walls
· Energy Star windows
· R-38 in attic
· Passive solar design
· Third party verifications for:
    Airtightness of building shell
    Airtightness of heating ducts

 

Figure 1. Good insulation under and along the perimeter of the slab is crucial.
Figure 2. Rigid insulation in the headers is a great way to increase the overall efficiency of the home. This procedure more than doubles the R-value of this component. Figure 3. Let-in bracing provides the structural strength of sheeting and allows for rigid foam board to insulate the outer shell of the structure.
Figure 4.Energy Star windows with Low E film guarantees great overall performance year round. Figure 5.All plumbing and electrical penetrations were sealed to create and airtight envelope.
Figures 6& 7. Attention to air sealing details assured a very tight home that did not breath from unexpected places
Figure 8. Close attention was paid to air sealing at the eave/insulation baffle to properly direct ventilation air to the attic vent. Figure 9. Raised heel trusses were used to provide extra space along the perimeter of the wall top plates for adequate attic insulation.
Figure 10. The insulation installation was thorough and exceptionally well done. No voids, misalignment, or compressions were allowed anywhere in the structure.

Figure 11. An example of an Advanced Framed partition wall that has full insulation coverage as well as support clips for the drywall.
Figure 12. Where possible the attic joists were insulated to bring all plumbing and heating ducts inside the home. Figure 13. All kneewalls had rigid foam board insulation behind them to provide each a six-sided assemble for the batt insulation to work more effectively.

Figure 14. An properly insulated Advanced Framed corner with support clips for drywall. Figure 15. Tile floor provided an excellent thermal mass for the passive solar design.
Figure 16. A dropped chase was used to bring all the supply ducts inside the home's envelope to reduce heat loss to the attic. The chase was on the backside of the home and worked out well for aesthetics and functionality.
Figure 16. As the Baby Cape got closer to completion the overhang for the passive solar began to prove its worth.
The picture on the right was taken very close to the summer solstice which is the highest point of the suns arc through
the sky. Notice how the overhangs are preventing any uneccessary heat into the space.