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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 98

2017 Florida Building Code – Building, Sixth Edition

Author(s)
International Code Council,
Florida Building Commission
Organization(s)
ICC,
FBC
Publication Date
Florida building code including all the amendments and additions by Florida for the wind-borne debris regions and the high-velocity hurricane zone.

Adding Insulation when Re-Siding

Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa L
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Fact sheet poster describing how to add exterior, continuous, rigid insulation to the exterior walls when replacing siding on an existing home.

Air-Seal Windows and Doors

Author(s)
Sloggatt Mike
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Publication Date
Article providing steps to stop air leaks around the windows and doors of the home.

Be Prepared For Extreme Heat, FEMA V-1004

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Information sheet from FEMA on preparation for extreme heat, including measures for keeping homes cool.

Condensation Between Panes of Double Windows

Author(s)
Wilson Alex
Organization(s)
National Research Council Canada,
NRCC
Publication Date
Document about condensation between the panes, on the inside surface of the outer glass of double pane windows.

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.

Database of Low-e Storm Window Energy Performance across U.S. Climate Zones

Author(s)
Cort Katherine A,
Culp Thomas D
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Birch Point Consulting,
BPC
Publication Date
Research study evaluating energy savings and cost effectiveness of installing low-emissivity (low-e) storm windows over existing windows in residential homes in all climate zones.

Double or TDouble or Triple? Factors Influencing the Window Purchasing Decisions of High-Performance Home Buildersriple? Factors Influencing the Window Purchasing Decisions of High-Performance Home Builders

Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa L,
Selkowitz Stephen,
Dingus Olivia G,
Cort Katherine A
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Technical report describing a market assessment conducted on new home builders' window purchasing practices revealing insights to inform the development of thin triple-pane windows, utilizing a center pane of thin glass and krypton gas fill to achieve the performance of standard triple-pane windows...

Efficient Window Coverings Website

Author(s)
Efficient Window Coverings
Organization(s)
Building Green,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Website sponsored by DOE to provide consumers with intelligent and unbiased guidance on the best window covering for your climate, your needs, and your windows.

Energy Efficient Window Coverings

Author(s)
Energy Saver
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Web page providing an overview of window coverings such as blinds, shades, shutters, films, and storm windows.

Energy Rated for Added Comfort: AERC-Certified Window Attachments

Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa L
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Fact sheet poster describing the certification of window attachment products such as storm windows, roller shades, cellular shade, and solar screens by the Attachment Energy Rating Council (AERC).

Energy Savings from Window Attachments

Author(s)
Curcija Charlie,
Yazdanian Mehry,
Kohler Christian,
Hart Robert,
Mitchell Robin,
Vidanovic Simon
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report describing a comprehensive analysis on energy savings from multiple types of shading devices in multiple climate zones.

ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2024

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Webpage on the ENERGY STAR website that list products that exceed the ENERGY STAR minimum criteria for their category, with links to several product categories, including windows, HVAC, home appliances, and computer monitors.

ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Website for finding rebates and special offers near you on ENERGY STAR certified products. Products that earn the ENERGY STAR label meet strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the U.S. EPA helping you save energy and money while protecting the environment.

Evaluation of Cellular Shades in the PNNL Lab Homes

Author(s)
Peterson Joseph M,
Sullivan Greg P,
Cort Katherine A,
Merzouk Massine B,
Weber JM
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Report describing the methods and results of a field evaluation of the energy performance of cellular shade window coverings.

Evaluation of Cellular Shades in the PNNL Lab Homes

Author(s)
Sullivan Greg P,
Cort Katherine A,
Merzouk Massine B,
Metzger Cheryn E,
Petersen Joseph M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
DOE-sponsored report describing the experimental setup and results of field studies on using interior cellular shading attachments to reduce solar heat gain in summer and reduce heat loss in winter.

Evaluation of CNT Energy Savers Retrofit Packages Implemented in Multifamily Buildings

Author(s)
Farley Jene,
Ruch Russell
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report exploring feasibility of designing prescriptive retrofit measure packages for typical Chicago region multifamily buildings in order to achieve 25% source energy savings.

Evaluation of Exterior Shades at PNNL Lab Homes and Occupied Field Sites

Author(s)
Cort Katherine A,
Hunt Walter E
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
DOE-sponsored report describing the experimental setup and results of field studies on using exterior fabric shading attachments to reduce solar heat gain, reduce glare, and improve comfort.

Evaluation of Interior Cellular Shades in a Residential Building

Author(s)
Bhandari Mahabir,
Kunwar Niraj,
Gehl Anthony,
Curcija Charlie
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
DOE-sponsored report describing a study investigating the energy savings potential of cellular shades in homes.

Evaluation of Savings in Energy-Efficient Public Housing in the Pacific Northwest

Author(s)
Kunkle Rick,
Gordon Andrew,
Lubliner Michael,
Howard Luke
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Research study documenting market-ready energy solutions to improve the efficiency of new affordable housing in the marine climate of Washington State.

Evaluation of the Thermal and Moisture Performance of Insulating Shades

Author(s)
Cort Katherine A,
Pilet Tyler J,
Mullaly Stephen,
Bauer Eric
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
DOE-sponsored report describing a study investigating condensation buildup on windows when using insulating shades.

Expert Meeting Report: Windows Options for New and Existing Homes

Author(s)
Rothgeb Stacey
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Expert meeting report aimed at a greater understanding of the windows research that Building America partners and national laboratories are engaged in to help professionals and consumers choose best practice strategies.

Find Your Climate Zone

Author(s)
Attachments Energy Rating Council
Organization(s)
AERC
Publication Date
Webpage providing assistance with finding the AERC climate zone of particular locations to aid in selecting window attachment products.

Fire Network: Windows Vulnerabilities

Author(s)
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
Organization(s)
UCANR,
University of California Cooperative Extension
Publication Date
A report showing what happens when windows break as a result of temperature differences between the inside and outside of the home, as well as code standards for the State of California regarding window exposure to wildfires.

Floodproofing Non-Residential Buildings, FEMA P-936

Author(s)
Low David K,
Squerciati John,
Sparenberg,
Reeder Adam,
Perotin Manuel,
Mahadevia Amit,
Seelbach Sheldon
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA
Publication Date
Report describing dry floodproofing technologies for non-residential buildings, including information about regulatory requirements, design considerations, and descriptions of floodproofing methods and equipment.

Glazing Hazard Mitigation

Author(s)
Smith Joseph L,
Renfroe Nancy A
Organization(s)
Whole Building Design Guide,
WBDG,
Applied Research Associates Inc.,
National Institute of Building Sciences,
NIBS
Publication Date
Article describing the fundamentals and basics of glazing hazard mitigation practices for both new and existing buildings.

How to Design a Home for a Cold Climate

Author(s)
Diez Roy
Organization(s)
New Home Source
Publication Date
Article summarizing for potential homeowners items to check or demand from the builder in designing a home for a cold climate.

Hurricane Shutter Types

Author(s)
Hurricane Research Division,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Organization(s)
NOAA
Publication Date
NOAA webpage providing images and short descriptions of different types of hurricane shutters.

Impacts of Shading and Glazing Combinations on Residential Energy Use in a Hot Dry Climate

Author(s)
Farrar-Nagy Sara,
Anderson Ren,
Hancock C E,
Reeves Paul
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Partnership for Resource Conservation,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Study evaluating opportunities for reducing cooling energy use in a hot dry climate through the use of shading and window options.

Improving The Passive Survivability of Residential Buildings During Extreme Heat Events in the Pacific Northwest

Author(s)
Rempel Alexandra,
Danis Jackson,
Rempel Alan,
Fowler Michael,
Mishra Sandipan
Organization(s)
Applied Energy,
National Science Foundation,
NSF
Publication Date
Study using simulations to understand the impact that shading and natural ventilation would have had on the survivability of non-air-conditioned buildings during the 2021 heat wave in the Pacific Northwest.

Install Window Shutters

Author(s)
Knowles III Hal S,
Ruppert Kathleen C,
Lenfesty Karla A,
Halderman Barbara
Organization(s)
University of Florida IFAS Extension
Publication Date
This document covers how broken windows can allow wind and rain inside the house and even lead to roof failure.

Keeping Homes and Cities Cool in Extreme Heat

Author(s)
Kyle Mittan
Organization(s)
University of Arizona
Publication Date
Article from University of Arizona on keeping homes cool during extreme heat, both personal and system changes.

Latest North American Fenestration Standard Published

Author(s)
American Architectural Manufacturers Association,
Canadian Standards Association,
Window & Door Manufacturers Association,
Fenestration & Glazing Industry Alliance
Organization(s)
AAMA,
CSA,
CSA Group,
WDMA,
FGIA
Publication Date
2017 version of a standard covering requirements for single- and dual-pane windows, glazed side-hinged door systems, sliding doors, tubular daylighting devices, and unit skylights developed jointly by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), the Canadian Standards Association...

Low-e Storm Windows: Market Assessment and Pathways to Market Transformation

Author(s)
Cort Katherine A
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Technical report assessing the market for Low-e storm windows based on market data, case studies, and recent experience with weatherization deployment programs.

Measure Guideline: Energy-Efficient Window Performance and Selection

Author(s)
Carmody John,
Haglund Kerry
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership,
NorthernSTAR,
University of Minnesota,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Document describing a process to help builders, homeowners, and designers select energy-efficient windows for new and existing residential construction in all U.S. climate zones.

Measure Guideline: Wood Window Repair, Rehabilitation, and Replacement

Author(s)
Baker Peter
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Document providing information and guidance about rehabilitating, retrofitting, and replacing wood window assemblies in residential construction.

Measurement of the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient and U Value of Windows with Insect Screens

Author(s)
Brunger Alfred,
Harrison Stephen,
Dubrous Francois M
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating,
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Technical article presenting the results of an analysis on the effect of insect screens on window solar heat gain coefficients and U-values.

National Fenestration Rating Council Certified Products Directory

Author(s)
National Fenestration Rating Council
Organization(s)
NFRC
Publication Date
Database from the National Fenestration Rating Council providing a directory of NFRC-certified window products searchable by manufacturer, product type, CPD number, or various NFRC label specifications.