Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2019 version of the California Residential Code.
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 134
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing the requirements by FORTIFIED Home™ for improving the home's resistance in severe thunderstorms, straight-line wind events, and high winds at the outer edges of tornadoes.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing the requirements by FORTIFIED Home™ for improving the home's resistance in severe thunderstorms, straight-line wind events, and high winds at the outer edges of tornadoes.
Organization(s)
Sierra Club
Publication Date
Description
Article from the Sierra Club explaining 5 steps to take to ensure your home's resistance to wildfires, including site maintenance and roof construction guidelines.
Organization(s)
ABTCO Vinyl Siding
Publication Date
Description
Vinyl siding estimating and installation guide for vinyl siding products.
Organization(s)
American Plywood Association,
APA
Publication Date
Description
Detailed guide to advanced framing, a system of construction framing techniques designed to optimize material usage and increase energy efficiency.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Report describing approaches to using less wood in home building that minimize waste.
Organization(s)
Aeroseal
Publication Date
Description
A website explaining the process of sealing a home with Aeroseal & how the technology is used to seal holes in the air ducts and vents of the home.
Organization(s)
BEC
Publication Date
Description
Case study about high humidity, mold and condensation on surfaces in S. Florida, and how building characteristics cause and amplify these problems.
Organization(s)
ANSI,
DHA
Publication Date
Description
Standard detailing the specific requirements for all face, back, and inner ply grades as well as formaldehyde emissions, moisture content, tolerances, sanding, and grade marking which was published in 2020, can be acquired through a subscription with the ANSI webstore.
Organization(s)
USCPSC
Publication Date
Description
Updated detailed information about Formaldehyde.
Organization(s)
American Plywood Association,
APA
Publication Date
Description
Website homepage of APA – The Engineered Wood Association, a nonprofit trade association combining the research efforts of scientists and engineers, APA promotes new solutions and improved processes that benefit the entire industry.
Application of Spray Foam Insulation Under Plywood and Oriented Strand Board Roof Sheathing, BA-1312
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering moisture and leakage issues associated with spray foam insulation application to the underside of roof sheathing.
Organization(s)
City of Albuquerque,
CABQ
Publication Date
Description
Power Point PDF presentation on historical architecture in New Mexico
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating,
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Description
A report that evaluates the force it takes to crack stucco of various thicknesses.
Organization(s)
Hammer & Hand
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Summary document describing flood resistant building materials and some tips for building flood resistant walls.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
The Builder's Guide provides the building industry with the latest and best practical information on how to apply building science principles to structures as systems in hot-humid climate regions.
Organization(s)
CAL FIRE OSFM
Publication Date
Description
California Office of the State Fire Marshal's homepage for the Building Materials Listing Program, providing builders, contractors, architects, and others with access to a database of fire alarm systems and fire-resistant construction materials including roof coverings, wall, ceiling, and floor...
Organization(s)
Cal Fire,
CAL FIRE OSFM
Publication Date
Description
California Office of the State Fire Marshal's compiled and searchable list of different building materials and their test results for fire resistance.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document presenting some of the key technical properties of many of the most common building materials.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Document detailing how to build radon-resistant homes.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the principle of capillarity in construction materials.
Organization(s)
American Technical Publishers,
ATP
Publication Date
Description
Book describing Carpentry and Construction, Construction Materials, Hand Tools, Power Tools, Construction Equipment, Jobsite Safety, and Working Conditions, Building Design and Print reading, Inspections Survey Instruments and Operations, Foundation and Outdoor Slab Construction, Floor, Wall, and...
Organization(s)
CEC,
EEL
Publication Date
Description
Document with information from a workshop addressing framing materials for residential buildings in California. A copy of the document can be requested at the resource link, and an online copy of the document can be found by searching for it on the California Energy Commission's Library Online...
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Description
Document providing guidance about choosing the correct caulk for a project.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report on the stability of furring strips as a means for cladding attachment over walls with thick exterior rigid insulation.
Organization(s)
PCA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet discussing the properties and benefits of insulating concrete forms.
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
The Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x4 wood frame studs, wood structural panel sheathing (WSP) as wall bracing and added backing for foam sheathing, a layer of rigid foam sheathing insulation up to 1.5 inches thick over the WSP, and a cladding system installed over the foam sheathing in low...
Organization(s)
CPA
Publication Date
Description
Technical bulletin addressing surfacing options in regards to composite wood panels and their emission barrier capabilities.
Organization(s)
FIRESafe Marin
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from FireSafe Marin explaining the different landscaping strategies near homes to lower the risk of a home's ignition from wildfire.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
A factsheet that offers guidance on choosing appropriate materials and using proper construction practices when rebuilding, repairing, or renovating a home to increase its resistance to fires.
Organization(s)
National Research Council Canada,
NRC
Publication Date
Description
Article discussing the causes of wood decay and moisture issues.
Organization(s)
University of California
Publication Date
Description
Article from Stephen L. Quarles on fire resistant decking design and materials recommendations.
Organization(s)
EXtension Home Energy - Cooperative Extension
Publication Date
Description
Article from The Home Energy Community of Practice on designing energy efficient homes in hot climate zones, including home orientation, window location, and roof design considerations.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering the rainwater performance of building assemblies.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report on problems and solutions with EIFS stucco wall cladding systems.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure providing information on the design of the EPA Region 8 headquarters in Denver, CO.
Organization(s)
MHFD
Publication Date
Description
Guidance documents describing Erosion Control Blankets (ECBs) use as a construction material that provides temporary cover and support for establishing vegetation on bare soil. ECB holds topsoil and seed (typically grass) in place to minimize erosion during germination of seed.
Organization(s)
Odice
Publication Date
Description
An example of a commercially available thermally expansive fire stopping product for controlling the spread of fires in a rainscreen cavity.
Organization(s)
UCANR,
University of California Cooperative Extension
Publication Date
Description
Guidelines from the University of California Cooperative Extension on how fires spread, how homes typically burn, and what homeowners can do to prepare their homes for wildfire season.
Organization(s)
University of Zagreb
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
FIRESafe Marin
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from FireSafe Marin explaining the vulnerability of different deck setups and materials.
Organization(s)
Cal Fire
Publication Date
Description
Article from CAL FIRE on fire-resistant landscaping to mitigate ignition of homes.
Organization(s)
FIRESafe Marin
Publication Date
Description
List of guidelines for plants and their fire resistance from FIRESafe Marin.
Organization(s)
Colorado State Forest Service,
CSFS
Publication Date
Description
Wildfire construction guidelines from the Colorado State Forest Service focusing on site design and building materials to mitigate damage to homes in wildfire-prone areas.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Guide from Building Science Corporation on how to construct a flood and hurricane resistant home.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Technical bulletin describing a set of standards for building materials able to withstand flood waters as needed with wet floodproofing.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
A FEMA description of what constitutes a flood-resistant material.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Detailed information about Formaldehyde including health effects and strategies to reduce exposure.