Description
Guide describing how to air-seal doors that are next to unconditioned spaces.
Whole-Building Design Strategies -
Disaster Resistance
Solution Center Guides
Showing results 1 - 80 of 80
Description
Guide describing ways to seal drywall to the top plate of an exterior wall to air-seal the wall cavity.
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Guide describing how to air-seal the rough openings around doors and windows.
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Guide describing ways to secure appliances and furniture to make them resistant to tipping over for safety in a natural disaster and for general household safety.
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Guide discussing disaster resistance related to asphalt shingle roofing when installing roofing on new construction or when repairing or replacing roofing on existing homes.
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Information guide describing proper attic air-sealing, insulation, and ventilation to combat ice dam formation on roofs in cold climate zones.
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Guide providing guidance on insulating attic eaves in new and existing single-family homes and multifamily buildings.
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Guide describing how to insulate and air-seal attic knee walls and floor joist cavities under knee walls.
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Guide describing application of a radiant barrier layer in the attic to block radiant heat transfer between hot surfaces and heat-absorbing surfaces.
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Guide describing the use of attic ventilation fans to mechanically pull outside air through the attic in an attempt to cool the attic, control moisture, and prevent ice dams.
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Guide describing different types of gas shutoff valves that prevent gas spills and can stop the flow of natural gas into a home during an accident or natural disaster.
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Guide describing how to install back-draft dampers in exhaust fans to make a shared duct possible.
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Guide describing Installing blanket fiberglass insulation on the interior walls of a conditioned, unfinished basement as an alternative to best practice solutions.
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Guide describing ways to strengthen roof assemblies for resistance to hurricanes, high winds, and earthquakes.
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Guide providing information about flashing around a chimney to protect the intersection of the roof and chimney walls from water intrusion and anchoring of a chimney to prevent collapse in high winds.
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Guide describing construction of cisterns for fire suppression installed on private residential property.
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Guide discussing disaster resistance related to clay or concrete tile roofing when installing roofing on new construction or when repairing or replacing roofing on existing homes.
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Guide describing sizing methods for cold climate heat pumps.
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Guide describing combustion furnaces with selection and installation guidance.
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Guide describing ways to construct wall assemblies in cold climates to minimize the likelihood of condensation formation inside the walls.
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Guide describing causes of condensation in attics and roof assemblies during cold weather and ways to reduce this condensation.
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Guide describing condensing boilers and hot water heat distribution systems used for home heating.
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Guide describing how ice dams form and how roofs can be constructed to prevent them.
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Guide describing how to provide a strong continuous load path from the roof through the wall to the foundation to ensure a structurally sound building and increase racking resistance in hurricanes, high winds, tornados, and earthquakes.
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Guide providing information on how cool roofing and wall cladding surfaces work, which climates can most benefit from them, and how to find and select cool roofing and wall cladding products.
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Guide describing how to create a designated shelter-from-heat space in a home to help occupants successfully weather an extreme heat event.
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Guide describing how to apply water management strategies to below grade walls.
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Guide describing how to properly construct decks and other building attachments to be resistant to ignition in the event of a wildfire.
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Information guide describing constructed flood protection measures to minimize damage and increase structural resilience during a flood.
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Information guide describing ways to design a home to be resistant to extreme heat.
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Information guide describing defensible space, fire-resistant materials, and other features to include when designing a home for wildfire resistance.
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An information guide describing design considerations for improving occupant safety and minimizing windstorm property damage in new homes in high-wind and hurricane-prone areas.
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Guide describing the installation of roof vents that are resistant to damage from high winds and entry of wind-borne rain, wildfire embers, or pests.
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Overview guide describing how to prepare homes to be resistant to earthquake forces.
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Guide describing methods for providing space cooling and refrigeration during extreme heat events and/or power outages.
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Guide describing space planning for emergency supplies storage.
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Guide describing the use of doors that are insulated and are impact rated or have protective coverings for resistance to hurricane, high winds, wildfires and thermal losses.
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Overview guide providing background information on extreme heat in the United States as it relates to homes and links to guides describing specific ways to make homes more resistant to extreme heat.
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Guide describing wall assemblies and materials that are resistant to destruction from wildfires.
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Guide describing how to provide combustion air for fireplaces and how to test fireplaces for combustion safety.
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Guide describing how to design or retrofit a crawlspace to reduce the risk of damage during a flood event.
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Guide describing how to construct flood-resistant homes using pier, pile, post, or column foundations.
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Guide describing ways to construct a raised-slab foundation to increase a home's resistance to floods.
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Guide describing fuel tank anchoring practices for disaster resistance.
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Guide describing garage doors that are pressure-rated to withstand wind pressures from hurricanes, high winds, and tornados.
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Information guide describing options and considerations for installing a generator for backup power in case of temporary power outages.
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Guide describing the advantages and disadvantages of gable roofs and hip roofs and how both designs react under high wind loads.
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Overview guide outlining home construction techniques used in hurricane and high wind areas.
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Guide describing different options for providing seismic and thermal resistance for homes with basement foundations, crawlspace foundations, or crawlspace foundations with a "cripple" wall.
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Guide describing the design and installation of indoor automatic fire sprinklers in residential settings.
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Guide describing how to install low-e interior storm windows.
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Guide describing how to brace gable end walls to resist wind pressures.
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Guide describing how to install low-e exterior storm windows.
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A guide describing how to install low-sloped ("flat") roofs with insulation above the roof deck that resist wind pressures during high-wind events.
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Guide describing how to construct homes and decks to manage heavy snow loads in winter weather.
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Guide discussing disaster resistance related to metal roofing when installing roofing on new construction or when repairing or replacing roofing on existing homes.
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Guide describing how to select the siding materials best suited to withstand hazards the home is likely to face within its lifetime.
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A guide describing how to elevate and secure HVAC equipment for protection against floods, earthquakes, and high winds.
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Guide describing how to correctly slope solid surfaces outside a home so rainwater flows away from the home.
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Guide describing how to provide a continuous load path with appropriate connectors to improve the wind resistance of attached porches, carports, and decks during high-wind events.
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Information guide describing best practices for ensuring the safety of those returning to a home after a disaster.
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Guide describing home stationary battery storage and associated electric panel and equipment needed to safely supply electricity during a blackout.
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Guide describing different options for providing seismic and thermal resistance for homes with 'cripple' wall crawlspace foundations, which are known for their instability.
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Guide describing ways to retrofit an existing roof to increase its resistance to damage during hurricanes, high winds, and earthquakes.
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Information guide describing roof construction techniques and tactics for fire resistance.
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Guide describing requirements for sheathing and sealing the roof decking in accordance with the requirements of the IBHS Fortified Home Program's Hurricane and High Wind Standards, and other roofing considerations to increase the roof's disaster resistance.
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Guide describing how to apply heavy membranes at eaves in cold climates to help guard against ice dams.
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Guide describing designs and construction retrofits for roof assemblies to resist pressures at roof edges during high-wind events.
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Guide describing options for providing access to the roof via openable skylights, dormer windows, or roof hatches, for occupants of homes in areas prone to severe flooding.
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Guide describing how to seal roof valleys and how to seal around pipes, chimneys, and other roof deck penetrations.
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Guide describing design for shelter-in-place spaces during windstorm storm events.
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Guide describing how to retrofit older solid masonry homes to withstand seismic activity while including energy efficient retrofits.
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Guide describing how to construct and retrofit homes built on slab-on-grade foundations in earthquake-prone areas to withstand seismic forces by properly installing wall to foundation connections.
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Guide describing the need for adequate structural sheathing in exterior walls in homes in high-wind areas.
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Guide describing how to construct the walls of a home with bracing to resist wind and earthquake loads.
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Guide describing how to elevate a water heater above the base flood elevation to protect it from flood damage.
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Overview guide describing wildfire risks and construction strategies to increase the wildfire resistance of homes located in wildland urban interface areas.
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Guide describing how to strengthen or protect windows against wind and wind-borne debris during high-wind events including hurricanes and tornados.
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Information guide providing an overview of winter weather issues for home owners and building science solutions for home builders.