Energy Codes

This Research Report will look specifically at the sill plate requirements according to the 2009, 2012, and 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code (IBC) and clarify if a sill plate is required in the following conditions:

  • Flat truss bottom chord bearing on ICF wall.
  • Flat truss top chord bearing on ICF wall.
  • Roof truss bearing on ICF wall.

This report discusses ways of increasing the energy efficiency requirements of the building envelope within the context of the requirements of the 2009, 2012 and 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) and IECC for ceiling insulation and truss heel heights.

  • When comparing the energy efficiency of cold-formed steel and wood components, the R-value and U-factor are a good place to start.
  • The R-value measures thermal resistance; it is the inverse of the time rate of heat flow through a building thermal envelope element from one of its bounding surfaces to the other for a unit temperature difference between the two surfaces.
  • The U-factor measures thermal transmittance, the coefficient of heat transmission (air to air) through a building component or assembly, equal to the time rate of heat flow per unit area and unit temperature difference between the warm side and cold side air films.