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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 - 38 of 38

Affordable Solid Panel "Perfect Wall" System

Author(s)
Schirber Tom,
Jacobson Rolf,
Mosiman Garrett,
Handeen Daniel,
Huelman Patrick H
Organization(s)
University of Minnesota,
UMN,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
NothernSTAR
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...

Attic Venting, Attic Moisture, and Ice Dams

Author(s)
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Organization(s)
CMHC,
Government of Canada
Publication Date
Article by the Canadian Government on attic ventilation and considerations for moisture and ice dams.

Avoiding Mass Failures, BSI-105

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
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.

Capillarity Sucks, BSI-123

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing the principle of capillarity in construction materials.

Construction & Design Considerations in Warmer Climates

Author(s)
Zero Energy Project
Organization(s)
Zero Energy Project
Publication Date
Guidance from Zero Energy Project on construction techniques for warmer climates, such as home orientation, and insulation requirements.

Construction Defects – Mortar Bridging and Mortar Droppings Still Plague the Industry

Author(s)
Stephan Bill
Organization(s)
Metropolitan Engineering Consulting & Forensics,
MECF
Publication Date
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.

Deep-Dish Retrofits, BSI-079

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

Extended Plate and Beam Wall System

Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
HIRL,
DOE
Publication Date
Report that demonstrates the durability, constructability, and cost-effectiveness of the extended plate and beam (EP&B) wall system for new construction housing projects in compliance with the International Energy Conservation Code, addressing moisture risk management and high-performance envelope...

Field Evaluation of Four Novel Roof Designs for Energy-Efficient Manufactured Homes

Author(s)
Dentz Jordan,
Ansanelli Eric,
Dadia D,
Levy Emanuel,
Barker Greg M,
Rath Pournamasi
Organization(s)
Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions,
ARIES
Publication Date
Report of a field evaluation of four novel roof designs to see how each design would reduce space-conditioned energy use so that the knowledge gained could be applied to the design of new manufactured homes.

Five Things, BSI-039

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
BSC,
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Article describing five fundamental changes to building construction from the last 50 years and their modern construction consequences.

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)
Parlee Mark
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.

Joni Mitchell, Water and Walls, BSI-071

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
BSC,
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Article describing walls and moisture development on them.

Masonry Detailing Series

Author(s)
International Masonry Institute
Organization(s)
International Masonry Institute
Publication Date
Webpage featuring hundreds of illustrations of masonry construction details for brick, congrete, stone, tile, stucco, etc.

Mastic Home Exteriors Installation Guide

Author(s)
Ply Gem Siding Group
Organization(s)
Ply Gem Siding Group
Publication Date
Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.

Moisture Barrier Systems, FEMA 1.9

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing how typical wall moisture barrier systems work, the moisture barrier system and common problems associated with them; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report providing extensive guidance on controlling moisture in building envelopes through proper selection and installation on air, water, thermal, and vapor barriers.

Mold

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Website providing guidance about mold and moisture for homes, schools, multifamily and commercial buildings.

Mold Course

Author(s)
Brennan Terry
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Online course providing an overview of mold prevention and mold remediation.

Mulching to Improve Soil Health, E484A

Author(s)
Sabata,
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
USDA
Publication Date
Article describing mulch requirements and benefits.

New Light in Crawlspaces, BSI-009

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Building science insight into crawlspaces.

Preventing Ice Dams Fact Sheet

Author(s)
Wisconsin Focus on Energy
Organization(s)
Wisconsin Focus on Energy,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Fact sheet from Wisconsin Focus on Energy explaining how to prevent future ice dams on homes by learning about their formation and mitigation of contributing factors.

Protect Your Home from Ice Dams

Author(s)
IBHS DisasterSafety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
List of recommendations from IBHS on how to protect homes from ice dam formation.

Rain Screen Acknowledgement Form

Author(s)
City of Newberg
Organization(s)
City of Newberg
Publication Date
An example of a form a building codes department created to ensure builders are fully aware and have taken steps to provide drainage so that water doesn’t accumulate behind siding. This example is from the city of Newberg, Oregon.

Reexamining Roof Ventilation

Author(s)
Woods Tony
Organization(s)
Home Energy,
National Association for State Community Services Programs,
NASCSP
Publication Date
Article describing moisture and ice dam issues in attics and how to air seal the attic floor.

Standard Guide for Developing Methodology for Evaluating the Ability of Indoor Materials to Support Microbial Growth Using Static Environmental Chambers, ASTM D6329-98(2023)

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Standard that describes a simple, relatively cost-effective approach to evaluating the ability of a variety of materials to support microbial growth using a small chamber method. The current version of this standard was published in the year 2023, and a preview of the standard is available at the...

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

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 which was published in the year 2019, and is available for...

They All Laughed, BSI-026

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing the evolution of the IRC to permit class 3 vapor retarders (latex paint) in walls coupled with exterior continuous insulation to allow drying and reduce condensation risk.

Venting Vapor, BSI-088

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.

Wall Performance by Design: Role of Rainscreens in Moisture Management

Author(s)
Building Enclosure Moisture Management Institute
Organization(s)
BEMMI
Publication Date
A presentation about the need for rainscreens including the damage water and moisture ingress into a home’s siding and framing can cause, and ways to design a resilient wall that drains and ventilates well.

Weep Holes in Brick and Stone Veneer

Author(s)
Don Jackson
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
An article written by Don Jackson of The Journal of Light Construction on how to detail brick veneer siding wall.