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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 - 39 of 39

Attic or Roof? An Evaluation of Two Advanced Weatherization Packages, BA-1205

Author(s)
Neuhauser
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
BSC
Publication Date
Report about a project that examines implementation of advanced retrofit measures in the context of a large-scale weatherization program and the archetypal Chicago, Illinois, brick bungalow.

Building Materials Property Table, Info-500

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Document presenting some of the key technical properties of many of the most common building materials.

Building Science Corporation's Building America Quality Control Checklist

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Document with the Quality Control Checklist developed as both a guide to assist in the transition to high performance home building, and as a simplified tool to be used as part of any builder's on-site quality control procedures.

Central Fan Integrated Ventilation Systems, Info-610

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Report about ventilation system design, including central fan integrated supply (CFIS) system, made up of a 6-inch outdoor air intake duct connected to the return side of the air handler with a fan cycling control to make sure the fan runs a programmed minimum amount of time.

Cladding Attachment Over Thick Exterior Insulated Sheathing

Author(s)
Baker Peter,
Eng P,
Lepage R
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report on the stability of furring strips as a means for cladding attachment over walls with thick exterior rigid insulation.

Common Flashing Details

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Brochure providing information about flashing.

Community-Scale Evaluation Results, BA-0405

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Report investigating the nature, strength, and durability of connections between high performance dwellings and developments.

Duct Sealing

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Brochure with details on HVAC duct air sealing.

Ducts in Conditioned Space

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Brochure with information about ducts in conditioned space.

External Insulation of Masonry Walls and Wood Framed Walls

Author(s)
Baker Peter
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Research study developing baseline engineering analysis to support the installation of thick layers of exterior insulation (2 in. to 8 in.) on existing masonry walls and wood framed walls.

Groundwater Control, Info-101

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet about groundwater control.

Guide to Insulating Sheathing

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Guide providing information on using exterior foam insulating sheathing in building wall assemblies to enhance thermal performance.

Moisture-Safe Unvented Wood Roof Systems, RR-1001

Author(s)
Straube,
Smegal,
Smith
Organization(s)
University of Waterloo,
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
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.

READ THIS: Before You Design, Build or Renovate, GM-0602

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph,
Brennan Terry
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
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.

READ THIS: Before You Move In, GM-0606

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph,
Brennan Terry
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
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.

READ THIS: Before You Turn Over a Unit, GM-0603

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
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...

Reservoir Claddings

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet about reservoir claddings.

Residential Best Practices Criteria, Info-001

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Document containing some of the basic characteristics for energy performance, durability, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality that should be met in all high performance homes.

Sealed Combustion, Info-601

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet about sealing combustion appliances to ensure good indoor air quality.

Supplemental Humidity Control, Info-620

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet offering general recommendations on supplemental humidity control and outlines viable system configurations.

Towards Sustainability - Green Building, Sustainability Objectives, and Building America Whole House Systems Research, BA-0801

Author(s)
Lukachko Alex,
Lstiburek Joseph
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report discussing Building America whole house systems research within the broad effort to reduce or eliminate the environmental impact of building and provides specific recommendations for future Building America research based on Building Science Corporations experience with several recent...

Vapor Control Layer Recommendations, Info-310

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet providing recommendations on the installation of vapor control layers.

Vapor Open Assemblies, Info-311

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet providing information about vapor management in building assemblies.

Vapor Permeance of Some Building Materials, Info-312

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet providing details on the vapor permeance of different types of materials used in building assemblies.