Installing ZIP System Sheathing: Sheathing-to-Foundation Connection
See 3 methods for making an airtight connection at the bottom of your walls using sealants or tapes that will adhere to concrete.
The base joint—the point where our framing and sheathing connect to the home’s foundation—is another critical joint that needs to be air-sealed properly. Because of how irregular the surface is on a typical concrete foundation, this is a joint that could be a significant source of air infiltration if not detailed properly.
Three common options for bridging this gap are acrylic tapes rated for use with concrete, ZIP System Liquid Flash, and acoustical sealant. The acrylic tape is the cleanest and most straightforward of the three, but you are likely to get a more consistent seal with a liquid-applied sealant because of the rough texture of the concrete foundation. Watch builder Ben Bogie demonstrate all three methods in this Shop Class video to help you decide which technique is right for your project.
