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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 - 48 of 48

Author(s)
Zuluaga
Organization(s)
Home Energy
Publication Date
Description
Document explaining why a vapor retarder that changes permeability with changing relative humidity provides added protection against moisture problems in exterior walls.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Book presenting the best techniques for energy and resource efficient residential construction in the colder climates of North America.
Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Taylor Z Todd,
Bartlett Rosemarie,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Hefty Marye G,
Steward Heidi,
Love Pat M,
Palmer Jennifer A
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Document providing a resource to help builders large and small build high-quality, energy-efficient homes that achieve 30% energy savings in space conditioning and water heating in the marine climate.
Author(s)
Hendron
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Report provides a proposed set of guidelines for estimating the energy savings achieved by a package of retrofits or an extensive rehabilitation of an existing home.
Author(s)
Building Industry Research Alliance,
Building Science Consortium,
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
Davis Energy Group,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
IBACOS,
National Association of Home Builders Research Center,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
BIRA,
BSC,
CARB,
DEG,
FSEC,
NAHBRC,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report summarizing research results for the 30% energy savings level and demonstrates that lead builders can successfully provide 30% homes in the Hot-Dry / Mixed-Dry Climate Region on a cost-neutral basis.
Author(s)
Building America Industrialized Housing Partnership,
Building Industry Research Alliance,
Building Science Consortium,
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
Davis Energy Group,
IBACOS,
National Association of Home Builders Research Center,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
BAIHP,
BIRA,
BSC,
CARB,
DEG,
NAHBRC,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report summarizing research results for the 30% energy savings level and demonstrates that lead builders can successfully provide 30% homes in the Marine Climate Region on a cost-neutral basis.
Author(s)
Building America Industrialized Housing Partnership,
Building Industry Research Alliance,
Building Science Consortium,
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
Davis Energy Group,
IBACOS,
National Association of Home Builders Research Center,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
BAIHP,
BIRA,
BSC,
CARB,
DEG,
NAHBRC,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report summarizing research results for the 30% energy savings level and demonstrates that lead builders can successfully provide 30% homes in the Mixed-Humid Region on a cost-neutral basis.
Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report providing a summary of key lessons learned from the first ten years of the Building America program and also included a summary of the future challenges that must be met to reach the programs long term performance goals.
Author(s)
Aldrich Robb,
Vijayakumar Gayathri
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Report describing the monitored long-term performance of two solar domestic water heating systems in northern climates.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service
Organization(s)
USDA,
USFS
Publication Date
Description
A publication developed by the U.S. Forest Service for its employees and other federal agency staff describing erosion control methods.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Description
Guidebook meant to provide public officials with information on excessive heat event.
Author(s)
National Institute of Building Sciences Building Seismic Safety Council,
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA,
ICC
Publication Date
Description
Report presenting seismic design and construction guidance for one- and two-family houses for homebuilders, knowledgeable homeowners, and other non-engineers.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
American Red Cross
Organization(s)
FEMA,
Red Cross
Publication Date
Description
A fact sheet on how to prepare for a natural disaster by storing food and water through an emergency food supply.
Author(s)
Rutherford & Chekene Consulting Engineers
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Report providing a selected compilation of seismic rehabilitation techniques and guidance on which techniques are commonly used to mitigate specific seismic deficiencies in various model building types.
Author(s)
Hendron Robert,
Rudd Armin,
Anderson Ren,
Barley Dennis,
Hancock Ed,
Townsend Aaron
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Mountain Energy Partnership
Publication Date
Description
Report about field testing that characterizes the uniformity of room-to-room ventilation air distribution under various operating conditions by examining multi-zone tracer gas decay curves and calculating local age-of-air.
Author(s)
Joseph Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Guide from Building Science Corporation on how to construct a flood and hurricane resistant home.
Author(s)
Owens Corning
Organization(s)
Owens Corning
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet with manufacturer specifications about insulated concrete forms.
Author(s)
Christian Jeffrey E
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Report presenting construction methods, building products, appliances and equipment of four single-family houses that achieve dramatic energy reductions and approach “net zero energy” use.
Author(s)
Raymer,
Moyer
Organization(s)
Tamarack Technologies,
Florida Solar Energy Center
Publication Date
Description
Correcting pressure imbalances in your HVAC system can result in a healthier, more efficient home.
Author(s)
Straube
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.
Author(s)
Robbins,
Morrell
Organization(s)
Western Wood Products Association
Publication Date
Description
Document addressing common questions about moisture, mold and wood.
Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about how to reduce thermal bridging in walls.
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
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)
Rudd Armin
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document reviewing ventilation strategies for different climate zones that also includes schematic drawings and photographs of various ventilation installations.
Author(s)
NAHB Research Center
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center
Publication Date
Description
Document presenting step-by-step process for installing rigid insulating sheathing over wood studs or house wrap.
Author(s)
Christian Jeffrey E,
Childs Phillip W,
Pate Paige,
Atchley Jerald A
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Description
Paper describing the development and testing of an affordable net-zero energy house in Lenoir City, Tennessee.
Author(s)
DeKorne
Organization(s)
DeKorne
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet describing correct application of stucco.
Author(s)
Peterson Chris,
Wagner Terence L,
Mulrooney Joseph E,
Shelton Thomas G
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
USDA,
USDA Forest Service
Publication Date
Description
A report describing methods for constructing homes and treating soils to reduce the risk of termites in buildings.
Author(s)
Aldrich Robb,
Zuluaga Mark
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB
Publication Date
Description
Article describing a research study exploring how effective interior insulation systems are at keeping basements dry and warm.
Author(s)
Baggs David,
Mortensen Neal
Organization(s)
Australian Council of Building Design Professions Ltd,
BDP
Publication Date
Description
Design guide providing technical information regarding building with thermal mass.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet providing definitions, applications, and techniques for applying air barriers.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
BSD-102 report providing guidance about whether to construct a vented or unvented attic based on hygro-thermal zone.
Author(s)
Joseph Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet with methods for constructing or retrofitting basements to reduce moisture issues.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing information about controlling rainwater through use of drainage planes.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet describing the function of a vapor barrier, and methods to retard the migration of water vapor.
Author(s)
U.S. Forest Service
Organization(s)
USDA Forest Service
Publication Date
Description
Manual describing scientific, technical, and practical information needed to work with communities on urban forestry, including a section on trees and construction.
Author(s)
Aldrich Robb,
Walsh John T,
Swift Joseph
Organization(s)
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Western Massachusetts Electric Company,
Northeast Utilities
Publication Date
Description
Report summarizing results from a study in Massachusetts that aimed to upgrade existing homes and incorporate solar thermal systems.
Author(s)
University of Florida IFAS Extension
Organization(s)
University of Florida IFAS Extension
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing impact-resistant window systems with specifics on Florida’s building codes.