Exterior Insulation Done Well: Best Systems for Deep Energy Retrofits
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Exterior Insulation Done Well: Best Systems for Deep Energy Retrofits
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In this episode of 7 Minutes of BS, we continue the discussion with engineer Jonathan Smegal of RDH Building Science Laboratories to break down the best exterior insulation retrofit systems based on real-world testing on five identical student housing units.
Jonathan walks through what separates a good system from a great one — fewer layers, less thermal bridging, lightweight claddings, and a dedicated air and water barrier at the sheathing layer. His preferred approach: remove the cladding, add sheathing if needed, apply an air- and water-barrier, then install exterior insulation with strapping on top.
Dan also makes the case for EIFS (Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems), which can be applied directly over existing brick — keeping thermal mass within the envelope, reducing landfill waste, and nearly eliminating thermal bridging when the foam is applied adhesively.
Key takeaways:
- All five tested systems performed well for energy efficiency and durability
- Fewer installation passes = lower cost and less complexity
- Air and water control belong at the sheathing layer, not split across multiple materials
- EIFS offers exceptional design flexibility and near-zero thermal bridging