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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 1 - 50 of 72

Advanced Framing Construction Guide

Author(s)
APA - The Engineered Wood Association
Organization(s)
APA
Publication Date
Detailed guide to advanced framing, a system of construction framing techniques designed to optimize material usage and increase energy efficiency.

Advanced Framing, BSI-030

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report detaining advanced framing techniques, including discussion of cost and energy savings.

Advanced Wall Framing

Author(s)
NAHB,
Southface Energy Institute,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NAHB,
Southface Energy Institute,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Information sheet about advanced wall framing.

Affordable Solid Panel "Perfect Wall" System

Author(s)
Schirber Tom,
Jacobson Rolf,
Handeen Dan,
Mosiman Garrett,
Huelman Patrick
Organization(s)
University of Minnesota,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Publication Date
Technical report describing the SPS (Structural Panel System), an innovative implementation of the "perfect wall" concept, situating environmental control layers on the exterior side of structural components for improved constructability, cost-effectiveness, and performance, validated through the...

All About Larsen Trusses

Author(s)
Holladay
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Website article interviewing the inventor of the Larsen truss, a history of its use, and a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages.

ASTM E1677 - 11: Standard Specification for Air Barrier (AB) Material or System for Low-Rise Framed Building Walls

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Standard that covers the minimum performance and acceptance criteria for an air barrier (AB) material or system for framed walls of low-rise buildings with the service life of the building wall in mind. This link directs to a preview of the version of the standard that was published in the year 2011...

ASTM E1677 - 19: Standard Specification for Air Barrier (AB) Material or Assemblies for Low-Rise Framed Building Walls

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Standard that covers the minimum performance and acceptance criteria for an air barrier (AB) material or system for framed walls of low-rise buildings with the service life of the building wall in mind. This link directs to a preview of the current version of the standard, published in the year 2019...

ASTM E2925 – 19a, Standard Specification for Manufactured Polymeric Drainage and Ventilation Materials Used to Provide a Rainscreen Function

Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Specification describing criteria for manufactured polymeric materials used to provide a rainscreen function, a means for the drainage of liquid moisture and the ventilation of vapor moisture that enters an above-grade exterior wall assembly. The current version of the standard was published in the...

Avoiding Mass Failures, BSI-105

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering interior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.

Brick Masonry Rain Screen Walls

Author(s)
Brick Industry Association
Organization(s)
BIA
Publication Date
Document focusing on the design and wall components that contribute to a pressure equalized rain screen wall, including the frequency of the weep holes and other brick masonry rain screen wall requirements.

Building America Building Science Advisor

Author(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
ORNL,
DOE
Publication Date
Web based tool providing decision-making guidance for selecting wall assembly components.

Classic Rib® Install Guide

Author(s)
Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation
Organization(s)
Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation
Publication Date
Installation manual for installing metal panel siding.

Common Siding Failures

Author(s)
Mark Parlee
Organization(s)
The Building Consultant
Publication Date
An article illustrating common errors found in fiber cement siding installations. Many of these errors and poor flashing examples apply to siding materials beyond fiber cement siding.

Concrete Solutions, BSI-118

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering insulating crawlspaces.

Construction Defects – Mortar Bridging and Mortar Droppings

Author(s)
Stephan Bill
Organization(s)
Metropolitan Engineering Consulting & Forensics,
MECF
Publication Date
An article about how mortar droppings during the installation of a brick veneer can clog the weep holes in the wall assembly causing moisture damage. The article also illustrates products that can be installed in the ventilated cavity to mitigate this problem.

Continuous Load Path

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Short article from FEMA explaining what a continuous load path is and the key connection points that make it up.

Deep-Dish Retrofits, BSI-079

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering exterior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.

Double Wall: Staggered or In-Line Studs?

Author(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Information sheet providing information about investigating the thermal effect of staggering the inner and outer wall studs on double walls in new construction.

Extended Plate Wall System Expands Adoption of High-R Envelope Solutions

Author(s)
Burkett,
Lena; Gunderson,
Patti
Organization(s)
NREL,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing the Extended Plate Wall (EPW) a system that incorporates a 2-inch layer of foam plastic insulative sheathing within the framing for top and bottom plates, streamlining air sealing, window and door installation, weather resistive barrier application, and cladding attachment for...

Fastening Furring Strips to a Foam-Sheathed Wall

Author(s)
Holladay
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Information sheet about what length screws should be used, and how closely to space the screws when fastening furring strips to a foam-sheathed wall.

FEMA P-530: Earthquake Safety at Home

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Guide provides homeowners ways to prepare for an earthquake and protect a home against earthquake damage.

Fire Protection of Facades

Author(s)
Marija Jelčić Rukavina,
Milan Carević,
Ivana Banjad Pečur
Organization(s)
University of Zagreb
Publication Date
A guide for designers, architects, engineers, and fire experts on how to design rainscreen and ventilated cavities such that they don’t contribute to the spread of a fire.

Firebreak: Wildfire Resilience Strategies for Real Estate

Author(s)
Urban Land Institute
Organization(s)
Urban Land Institute
Publication Date
Updated wildfire risk assessment, community impacts, and building science measures following the disastrous 2020 wildfire season in the western U.S.

Firetherm

Author(s)
Firetherm
Organization(s)
Firetherm
Publication Date
An example of commercially available thermally expansive fire stopping products for controlling the spread of fires in a rainscreen cavity.

Flame-Spread Ratings

Author(s)
Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshall
Organization(s)
Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshall
Publication Date
Site showing flame spread ratings and definitions for common building materials.

Foam Shrinks, and Other Lessons, PA-1201

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Journal article describing lessons learned from updating a 16-year-old deep-energy retrofit.

Fold-Form Insulated Concrete Forms

Author(s)
Owens Corning
Organization(s)
Owens Corning
Publication Date
Information sheet with manufacturer specifications about insulated concrete forms.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.