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Whole-Building Design Strategies -
Disaster Resistance

Solution Center Guides

Showing results 1 - 80 of 80

Asphalt Shingle Roofs

Guide discussing disaster resistance related to asphalt shingle roofing when installing roofing on new construction or when repairing or replacing roofing on existing homes.

Attic Eave Minimum Insulation

Guide providing information about constructing a roof with full insulation at the eaves, and insulating eaves in existing homes.

Attic Knee Walls

This guides describes how to insulate and air seal attic knee walls and floor joist cavities under knee walls.

Attic Radiant Barriers

Guide describing application of a radiant barrier layer in the attic to block radiant heat transfer between hot surfaces and heat-absorbing surfaces.

Attic Ventilation Fans

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.

Automatic Gas Shutoff Valves

Guide describing different types of gas shutoff valves to shutoff the flow of natural gas into a home to stop gas spills due to an accident or natural disaster.

Basement Blanket Insulation

Guide describing Installing blanket fiberglass insulation on the interior walls of a conditioned, unfinished basement as an alternative to best practice solutions.

Chimneys Connected to Roof Structure

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.

Clay or Concrete Tile Roofs

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.

Combustion Furnaces

Guide describing combustion furnaces with compliance and installation guidance.

Condensing Boilers

Guide describing condensing boilers and hot water heat distribution systems used for home heating.

Cool Roofs and Walls to Reduce Heat Gain

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.

Decks are Wildfire-Resistant

Guide describing how to properly construct decks and other building attachments to be resistant to ignition in the event of a wildfire.

Design and Retrofit for Flood Protection

To minimize flood risks with new construction, homes should be built on high ground outside of high-risk flood areas and above the base flood elevation (BFE). New homes should be constructed in conformance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and local floodplain management regulations...

Design for Extreme Heat

Information guide describing ways to design a home to be resistant to extreme heat.

Design for Wildfire Resistance

Information guide describing defensible space, fire-resistant materials, and other features to include when designing a home for wildfire resistance.

Design for Windstorm and Tornado Protection

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.

Disaster-Resistant Roof Venting

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.

Earthquake Overview

Overview guide describing how to prepare homes to be resistant to earthquake forces.

Extreme Heat Overview

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.

Flooding Overview

Overview guide describing residential floodproofing steps.

Garage Doors are Pressure Rated

Guide describing garage doors that are pressure-rated to withstand wind pressures from hurricanes, high winds, and tornados.

Hip Roof vs Gable Roof

Guide describing the advantages and disadvantages of gable roof and hip roofs and how both designs react under high wind loads.

Low-Slope ("Flat") Roofs

A guide describing how to install low-sloped ("flat") roofs with insulation above the roof deck that resist wind pressures during high-wind events.

Metal Roofs

Guide discussing disaster resistance related to metal roofing when installing roofing on new construction or when repairing or replacing roofing on existing homes.

Porches, Carports, and Deck Attachments

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.

PV Battery Storage for Power Outages

This guide describes home stationary battery storage and associated electric panel and equipment needed to safely supply electricity during a blackout. As homes become increasingly reliant on electricity for cooking, water heating, and space conditioning, a blackout becomes more disruptive. These...

Roof Deck Sheathing and Sealing for Sloped Roofs

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.

Roof Edge Protection

Guide describing designs and construction retrofits for roof assemblies to resist pressures at roof edges during high-wind events.

Roof Escape Openings for Flood-Prone Areas

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.

Wildfire Overview

Overview guide describing wildfire risks and construction strategies to increase the wildfire resistance of homes located in wildland urban interface areas.

Winter Weather Overview Guide

Information guide providing an overview of winter weather issues for home owners and building science solutions for home builders.