Rim joists and band boards

The cold, leaky strip around the top of the basement wall.

The rim joist, where the floor framing sits on the foundation wall, is a common place for drafts in older Wisconsin homes. Cold air comes in around the sill plate and the floors above feel it on January mornings.

Spray foam is one way to seal it, and rigid foam board with caulk is another; we pick whichever fits the house and tell you why. Tell us the age of the house and whether the basement is finished, and we quote it in writing.