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Library

This library contains research reports produced by the Building America program and other building science resources used to support this Solution Center. The materials cover both new construction and existing homes. Use the search box and/or the filters to explore hundreds of residential building resources. Access to some references not produced by Building America may require purchase from the publisher. Documents are listed alphabetically. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

Showing results 251 - 300 of 502

Foundation Design Handbook

Author(s)
Carmody John,
Mosiman Garrett,
Handeen Daniel,
Huelman Patrick H,
Christian Jeffrey E
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
University of Minnesota
Publication Date
Handbook providing guidance on the design and construction of foundations for homes, including insulation, air sealing, and water management details for basements, crawlspaces, and slabs.

Freeze Protection for CPVC Fire Sprinkler Piping

Author(s)
Prescott Fire Department
Organization(s)
Prescott Fire Department,
City of Prescott Arizona
Publication Date
A guideline containing fire sprinkler insulation requirements from the Prescott, Arizona Fire Department.

Gas safety tips

Author(s)
Pacific Gas & Electric
Organization(s)
PG&E
Publication Date
Webpage describing the safety hazards associated with natural gas and tips on how to avoid these hazards by a step process of turning off natural gas service to a home and restoring service afterwards.

Gas Shutoff Devices

Author(s)
Pacific Gas & Electric
Organization(s)
PG&E
Publication Date
Webpage describing when and how to safely turn off the natural gas to the home during an emergency.

Generator

Author(s)
Guthrie County REC
Organization(s)
Guthrie County REC
Publication Date
Webpage from Guthrie County REC with video and image links illustrating how to safely use backup generation during power outages.

Generator Safety factsheet for consumers

Author(s)
Electrical Safety Foundation International
Organization(s)
ESFI
Publication Date
Webpage describing safe operation of backup electrical generators for use during power outages.

Generator Use During a Power Outage

Author(s)
Washington State Department of Health
Organization(s)
Washington State Department of Health
Publication Date
Webpage from Washington State Department of Health describing how to use backup generators properly to not overload during a power outage.

Gossamer Wind ENERGY STAR Ceiling Fans

Author(s)
FESC
Organization(s)
FESC
Publication Date
Website providing information about the Gossamer Wind Series Ceiling fans, conceived by Danny Parker at the Florida Solar Energy Center as a means of realizing the energy efficiency and comfort potential of ceiling fans.

Great Fire of London, BSI–098

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering the fire performance of combustible cladding over combustible insulation.

Greenguard Certification for Paints and Coatings

Organization(s)
GREENGUARD Environmental Institute
Publication Date
Standard describing GREENGUARD Emission Criteria for use with GREENGUARD Certification Program for Low Emitting Products.

GREENGUARD or GREENGUARD GOLD Certification for Paints and Coatings

Author(s)
Greenguard Certification
Organization(s)
Greenguard Certification
Publication Date
Website explaining GREENGUARD Certification, which helps manufacturers create and helps buyers identify interior products and materials that have low chemical emissions, improving the quality of the air in which the products are used.

Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Report about opportunities for ventilation when traditional methods are limited by weather conditions or by contaminants in the outdoor air.

Guidelines for Installing Flexible Duct

Author(s)
ATCO Rubber Products Inc.,
Air Duct Council
Organization(s)
ADC
Publication Date
Presentation about proper installation of flexible ducts.

HardiPlank Lap Siding Butt Joint Flashing

Author(s)
Todd Fratzel
Organization(s)
Home Construction and Improvement
Publication Date
A article about the best practice method of installing fiber cement siding, to install flashing at the butt joints of the siding boards, rather than face caulking the butt joints afterwards.

Heat your Water with the Sun

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Provides consumers with general information on solar water heating systems and how to select a contractor.

High Hats, Swiss Cheese, and Fluorescent Lighting?

Author(s)
McCullough,
Gordon
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Publication Date
Report discussing the potential energy savings of new high-efficiency downlights, and the results of product testing to date.

High R-Value Wall Assembly-04: Double Stud Wall Construction

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Information sheet briefly summarizing double stud wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.

High Volume Excess Flow Valves

Author(s)
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Organization(s)
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Publication Date
Webpage describing federal regulation related to excess flow valves on residential natural gas lines.

Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition

Author(s)
Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition
Organization(s)
HFSC
Publication Date
Website containing educational and marketing resources for residential fire sprinklers.

Home Fire Sprinkler Cost Assessment – 2013

Author(s)
Newport Partners
Organization(s)
The Fire Protection Research Foundation
Publication Date
Report assessing the costs of home fire sprinkler systems.

Homeowner's and Renter's Guide to Asbestos Cleanup After Disasters

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA,
EPA,
HUD
Publication Date
Guidance from EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on how to deal with asbestos in homes following natural disasters.

Homeowner's and Renter's Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters

Author(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
National Institutes of Health,
Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force
Organization(s)
CDC,
EPA,
FEMA,
HUD,
NIH
Publication Date
Homeowner guidance from CDC, EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on how to safely clean up mold issues following flooding from a natural disaster.

Homeowner's and Renter's Guide to Reducing Lead Hazards After Disasters

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
National Institute of Health Division of Technical Resources
Organization(s)
EPA,
FEMA,
HUD,
NIH
Publication Date
Guidance from EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on homeowner safety dealing with lead contaminants.

Homeowner's and Renter's Guide to Reducing Radon After Disasters

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Organization(s)
EPA,
FEMA,
HUD
Publication Date
Homeowner guidance from EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on dealing with radon following a natural disaster.

Homeowner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety

Author(s)
California Seismic Safety Commission
Organization(s)
SSC
Publication Date
Guidebook that provides information on earthquake hazards that can damage homes, the design and retrofit of earthquake resistant housing, and how to find more information on earthquake safety.

Hot Water Runs Cold

Author(s)
Hoeschele
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing the factors that can lead to inefficient hot water distribution systems in homes.

House Siding Options, Plus Costs, Pros & Cons 2020

Author(s)
Siding Cost Guide
Organization(s)
Siding Cost Guide
Publication Date
A starting point for ballparking and comparing the cost of different siding materials and a brief overview of the pros and cons of different siding materials.

How to Build a Zero Electric Utility Cost House

Author(s)
Christian Jeffrey E
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Report presenting construction methods, building products, appliances and equipment of four single-family houses that achieve dramatic energy reductions and approach “net zero energy” use.

How to Build an Insulated Cathedral Ceiling

Author(s)
Holladay
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Information sheet presenting the correct methods for building an insulated cathedral ceiling.

How to create a naturally cool building

Author(s)
Jeremy Williams
Organization(s)
The Earthbound Report
Publication Date
Article from The Earthbound Report on passive cooling design strategies for homes located in hot climates.

How to Destroy a Wall in Two Easy Steps

Author(s)
Mark Parlee
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
A story about how omission of two small but critical wall details, a kick-out flashing and a weep screed, lead to extensive water damage to a wall.

How to Finish Exterior Foundation Insulation

Author(s)
Green Building Advisor
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Website that explains and provides diagrams for covering up above-grade rigid foam insulation.

How to Install Cellulose Insulation

Author(s)
Holladay
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Information sheet presenting techniques for installing cellulose insulation.

How to Prepare Your Home for Wildfires

Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Factsheet describing defensible space and wildfire risk reduction steps that homeowners can take to make their homes safer during a wildfire.

ICF Wall Construction

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet summarizing ICF wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.

Ignition Resistant Construction Design Manual

Author(s)
Colorado Springs Fire Department
Organization(s)
City of Colorado Springs Colorado
Publication Date
Wildfire guidance for homes located in the wildland urban interface, focused on site design and individual pieces of the home.

Ignition Resistant Construction Guide

Author(s)
FireSafe Montana
Organization(s)
FireSafe Montana
Publication Date
Ignition resistant residential construction and landscaping guidelines from FireSafe Montana.

Impact Resistance of Brick Veneer Structures to Hurricane Debris

Author(s)
Bennett Richard M,
Borchelt Gregg J,
Bryja Jim,
Kjorlien Bill
Organization(s)
Canada Masonry Design Centre,
CMDC
Publication Date
An impact test report from projectile missile tests against brick veneer, verifying that brick veneers perform well to resisting hurricane force wind driven debris.