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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 51 - 100 of 139

Author(s)
Holladay
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Blog entry describing methods for insulating basement walls on the interior or exterior.
Author(s)
NOAA Office for Coastal Management
Organization(s)
NOAA
Publication Date
Description
Case study describing Alachua County, Florida’s, green infrastructure strategy for land use development that incorporates rain gardens, ponds, swales, and native vegetation to manage stormwater.
Author(s)
Kosar
Organization(s)
BA-PIRC,
Gas Technology Institute
Publication Date
Description
Report targeting the growing number of homes utilizing deep retrofit measures and new construction practices to realize sufficiently lower infiltration levels that require mechanical ventilation as prescribed by ASHRAE Standard 62.2.
Author(s)
Winkler Jon,
Christensen Dane,
Tomerlin Jeff
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report documenting the measured performance of six residential ENERGY STAR vapor compression dehumidifiers.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing landscaping tips for healthy and regionally-based gardens, including maintenance, mulching, water efficiency, and plant resources.
Author(s)
Hart
Organization(s)
ASHI Reporter
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how to properly manage condensing HVAC equipment.
Author(s)
University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Organization(s)
University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Publication Date
Description
A publication describing how to protect coastal investments by adapting to natural processes and protecting coastal environments and shorelines.
Author(s)
International Masonry Institute
Organization(s)
International Masonry Institute
Publication Date
Description
Webpage featuring hundreds of illustrations of masonry construction details for brick, congrete, stone, tile, stucco, etc.
Author(s)
Pettit,
Neuhauser,
Gates
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Guidebook providing useful examples of high performance retrofit techniques for the building enclosure of wood frame residential construction in a cold and somewhat wet climate.
Author(s)
Ply Gem Siding Group
Organization(s)
Ply Gem Siding Group
Publication Date
Description
Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.
Author(s)
Aldrich Robb,
Mantha Pallavi,
Puttagunta Srikanth
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Document describing good practices for insulating basements in new and existing homes.
Author(s)
Metal Construction Association
Organization(s)
MCA
Publication Date
Description
An installation training manual discussing the installation of metal roofing materials and related accessories, for both new construction and retrofit projects.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
A Recovery Advisory guide reccomending practices for designing and installing metal roof systems that will enhance wind resistance in high-wind regions (i.e., greater than 90-miles per hour [mph] gust design wind speed).
Author(s)
Lepage,
Schumacher,
Lukachko
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Report explaining moisture-related concerns for high R-value wall assemblies and discusses past Building America research work that informs this study.
Author(s)
Straube,
Smegal,
Smith
Organization(s)
University of Waterloo,
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document describing a hygrothermal modeling study, including all of the US climate zones, a range of interior humidity levels and numerous arrangements and types of insulation.
Author(s)
Robbins,
Morrell
Organization(s)
Western Wood Products Association
Publication Date
Description
Document addressing common questions about moisture, mold and wood.
Author(s)
Puttagunta
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about mold mitigation.
Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
An NFPA Standard that identifies a method for determining the minimum water supply necessary for structural fire-fighting purposes in areas where it has been determined that there is no water or inadequate water for fire fighting.
Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
An NFPA standards document that provides minimum requirements for the design, construction, installation, and maintenance of tanks and accessory equipment that supply water for private fire protection.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.
Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
A website outlining considerations for planning and installation of a fire-protection.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Website providing guidance on how to reduce the risk of damage to a home from hail.
Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing design and construction practices to reduce the likelihood of water intrusion in walls and foundations in residential construction.
Author(s)
Straube
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document covering basic moisture control principles in the design of above-grade building enclosures; driving rain as a moisture load on walls; a classification system of the various rain control strategies available for walls; and good design practises for walls.
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph,
Brennan Terry
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document with important building science considerations, designed for members of the residential construction and remodeling industries, as well as owners and managers who work in affordable housing.
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph,
Brennan Terry
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report describing steps homeowners can take to improve the indoor air quality in their home, including ventilating, preventing pests, and reducing pollutants in the home.
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet designed for the residential construction and remodeling industries, as well as owners and managers working in affordable housing. This sheet presents building guidance for both new construction and rehabilitation, as well as practices that can be used by property maintenance...
Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet providing homeowners with an overview of approaches for flashing and sealing roof penetrations to help discussion with a roofing contractor.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Home Innovations Research Center
Organization(s)
HUD
Publication Date
Description
Report describing how to construct a frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF) as a practical alternative to a deeper, more-costly foundation in cold regions with seasonal ground freezing and the potential for frost heave.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
A website providing information on how to properly size a water heater based on tank size, volume, peak hour demand and other factors.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Document describing correct construction of swales, designed to trap particulate pollutants (suspended solids and trace metals), promote infiltration, and reduce the flow velocity of storm water runoff.
Author(s)
Guertin Mike
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing ways to protect roofs from water infiltration by using self-adhering underlayment in vulnerable locations such as roof valleys, eave edges (to help deal with ice dams), rake edges, roofs to vertical walls (such as dormers), sidewall protection, the bottom of dormer valleys, and...
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
WaterSense
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Description
Resource manual for builders, designers, architects, plumbers, and others interested in the WaterSense Labeled Homes Program providing an overview of the program, explains how to meet the program requirements, gives descriptions of water-saving technologies, and provides links to further resources.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Brochure with information about how to select and install house wrap and other weather-resistive barriers.