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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 101 - 150 of 203

Author(s)
IBHS Fortified Home
Organization(s)
IBHS Fortified Home
Publication Date
Description
Website offering an online training that teaches disaster-resistant best practices for roofers.
Author(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Organization(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Description
Guide describing retrofit procedures for gable end roofs.
Author(s)
Aldrich Robb
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure on specifications for PV systems.
Author(s)
Heat Island Group
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
LBNL webpage providing resources and tools related to cool technologies, including the SRI calculator and the DOE Cool Roof Calculator.
Author(s)
Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Information Center
Organization(s)
Minnesota Department of Commerce
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the causes that form ice dams, as well as solutions for preventing future ice dams on roofs, focusing on air sealing to prevent hot air leakage.
Author(s)
Jacob Corvidae,
Sneha Ayyagari
Organization(s)
RMI
Publication Date
Description
Article from RMI on how climate change is leading to an increase in critical extreme heat hours and what smart building strategies can be taken to mitigate some of these effects including paint color and insulation.
Author(s)
Holladay
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet presenting the correct methods for building an insulated cathedral ceiling.
Author(s)
Dorsi Chris
Organization(s)
Montana State University Extension,
MSU Extension
Publication Date
Description
Article from Montana State University Extension explaining how proper insulation techniques can greatly reduce the risks of ice dams on roofs in cold climate zones.
Author(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Organization(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Publication Date
Description
Report describing the hurricane retrofit guide with focus on walls and wooded framed walls.
Author(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Organization(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Publication Date
Description
A document aimed at reducing the vulnerability of a gable end roof to wind damage in a hurricane.
Author(s)
Straube
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.
Author(s)
Parker
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the effect metal roofs have on thermal performance in hot-humid climates.
Author(s)
Colucci Robert
Organization(s)
RTC Insurance Advisors
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the insurance savings of a home with a hip roof versus a gable roof from the perspective of an insurance advisor.
Author(s)
Ahmad Shakeel,
Kumar Krishen
Organization(s)
Aligarh Muslim University,
University of Roorkee
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how the configuration of surrounding buildings affects the wind loads on a hip roof in a low-rise building.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report discussing how to create livable space in the attic that meets IRC code requirements by either creating a ventilated roof assembly, or and unvented attic assembly.
Author(s)
Blanchard Tobie,
Reichel Claudette Hanks
Organization(s)
LSU Ag Center Research Extension
Publication Date
Description
Web article describing many ways homeowners, contractors, and builders can make homes more resistant to hurricanes, tornadoes, high winds, floods, and hail.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing methods for insulating and air sealing vented and unvented roofs in various climates zones.
Author(s)
Parker Danny,
Huang Yu Joe,
Konopacki Steven,
Gartland Lisa,
Sherwin John,
Gu Lixing
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
Study investigating measured cooling energy savings in homes across the U.S. from the installation of roofing with higher solar reflectance.
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)
Joseph Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report providing extensive guidance on controlling moisture in building envelopes through proper selection and installation on air, water, thermal, and vapor barriers.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.
Author(s)
Rosado Pablo,
Levinson Ronnen
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
Large scale simulation study investigating the effects of cool roofs and walls on buildings of various vintages across the U.S., with special attention given to California.
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing guidance for homeowners on how much snow weight a typical roof can handle and when to consider removing snow from the roof.
Author(s)
Paul Fisette
Organization(s)
UMass Amherst Department of Environmental Conservation
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how ice dams form on residential roofs, how they damage homes, and solutions to prevent future dams.
Author(s)
Wisconsin Focus on Energy
Organization(s)
Wisconsin Focus on Energy
Publication Date
Description
Ice dam fact sheet from Wisconsin Focus on Energy explaining how to prevent future ice dams on homes by learning about their formation and mitigation of contributing factors.
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)
IBHS DisasterSafety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
List of recommendations from IBHS on how to protect homes from ice dam formation.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
U.S. Department of Energy's website describing radiant barriers in homes.