Walls

Walls typically represent the largest exterior surface area of a home. As a result, from an energy stand point, the wall system is a major component of the building envelope, particularly in extreme cold climates. When it comes to improving thermal performance, there are many ways to construct a wall, and the details of sealing, sheathing and insulating are even more numerous. At the Cold Climate Housing Research Center, various wall types and building techniques are being evaluated on an ongoing basis. There are many factors that must be taken into account when designing or choosing a wall system:  Energy efficiency, cost, resistance to the elements, availability of materials, and the climate in which the wall is expected to perform, are all important considerations. 

Click below for information on walls:

 

Log Construction

REMOTE Wall

Straw Bale Construction

 
 

Our Research

 

REMOTE Manual
Instructional Manual (PDF)

REMOTE Live Data
Streaming Data

REMOTE
Northern Fundamentals (PDF)

Mobile Test Lab Wall Monitoring Study
Report (PDF)

REMOTE Research Overview
 Report (PDF)

Straw Bale Housing Presentation
Report (PDF)

REMOTE
Snapshot (PDF)

REMOTE Update
Update (PDF)

Our Resources

 

Alaska HomeWise: Exterior Insulation (10/26/09)
part 1 (mp3) | part 2 (mp3)

Alaska HomeWise: Green Star Recycling Roundup (5/11/09)
part 2 (mp3)

Alaska HomeWise: Walls (5/25/09)
part 1 (mp3) | part 2 (mp3)

Ask A Builder: External Insulation
9/30/09 (PDF)

Ask A Builder: Insulating Log Homes
9/23/09 (PDF)

Ask A Builder: Insulation
10/7/09 (PDF)

Ask A Builder: Log Walls
11/11/09 (PDF)

Energy Focus: Insulation Types
2/26/09 (PDF)

Energy Focus: Mold
2/5/09 (PDF)

Energy Focus: REMOTE Walls
6/12/08 (PDF)

 Energy Focus: Vapor Leaks
1/15/09 (PDF)

Energy Focus: Vapor Drive
1/8/09 (PDF)

REMOTE Construction Photos
Photos

REMOTE Diagram
Image

REMOTE Retrofit
Presentation (PDF)

Links

 

High-R Walls: Case Study
Report (PDF)