The joint between the top of the foundation and the building's sill plate is a major source of air and moisture infiltration into a structure. One study found that almost 40% of the air leaking in and out of a test structure came in or left through that gap.

Michigan Energy Code requires that some type of sill seal be placed between the foundation and the wall structure, but the type of seal is not specified.

The ¼-inch polyethylene foam sealer most commonly used by Michigan builders meets code, but is not always thick enough to fill all the voids and gaps created by uneven surfaces from warped lumber and concrete shrinkage. Besides leaking air and water, these gaps are also a common entry point for insects and rodents.

There are proprietary sill seal tape products on the market that are thicker and self-adhesive, designed to fill those gaps and reduce air and water leakage. 'Triple Guard' Energy Sill Sealer from ProtectoWrap is one energy saving product example. As more specifiers, builders and homeowners recognize the energy efficiency and cost effective benefits of sill seal tape, specifications and use should continue to increase and Michigan Code Officials will see these products more often.

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