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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 - 13 of 13

Basement Insulation Systems, BA-0202

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Report describing approaches to insulating basements in homes built to meet Energy Star levels of performance of heat loss reduction.

Best Practices Manual

Author(s)
Hammer & Hand
Organization(s)
Hammer & Hand
Publication Date
This Best Practices Manual is the product of Hammer & Hand’s ongoing work to document and internally codify our standard operating procedures for construction practice.

Capillarity - Small Sacrifices, BSI-011

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing correct ways to eliminate water damage by incorporating a sacrificial layer to foundation walls and footings.

Concrete Floor Problems, BSI-003

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Information guide describing issues with concrete floors, in multiple climate zones.

Concrete Solutions, BSI-118

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

Foil Bubble Pack: Subslab Insulation?

Author(s)
Fulger
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing the effective R-values of various subslab insulation products, including foil bubble pack.

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.

Innovation in Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)
Green Home Institute
Organization(s)
Green Home Institute
Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.

Innovation in Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)
Green Home Institute
Organization(s)
Green Home Institute
Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.

Residential Buildings: Foundations

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Website describing the U.S. Department of Energy's residential buildings program.

Slab Happy, BSI-059

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
How hard can it be to insulate a flat sheet of concrete? I mean you only have three choices – on the top, on the bottom, or on the edge. OK, you might have some combination of the three as well.