Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet providing an overview of the FEMA document Wind Retrofit Guide for Residential Buildings.
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 72
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing methods for venting a vented attic and a roof assembly over an unvented attic.
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Energy Star web page providing guidance on attic ventilation.
Organization(s)
University of Alaska,
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Manual describing best practices or home construction in Alaska and northern climates.
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)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document providing background and approach for the prep work necessary prior to adding attic insulation - focusing on combustion safety, ventilation for indoor air quality, and attic ventilation for durability.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Description
NREL webpage of standard work specification of exterior and interior, attic floors, attic knee walls, and unique installations.
Organization(s)
National Association for State Community Services Programs,
NASCSP,
Weatherization Training Center at Penn College,
Pennsylvania College of Technology,
PCT
Publication Date
Description
Technical article describing issues and moisture concerns related to weatherization efforts.
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the building science implications of insulating vented or unvented attics.
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the research into insulating vented versus unvented attics.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing research sponsored by DOE's Building America program to research the importance of attic air-sealing and best practice attic air-sealing techniques for new and existing homes.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the control layers (air, thermal, and vapor barriers) needed to build homes successfully in very cold locations.
Organization(s)
ORNL,
SEI
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet with information about insulating and ventilating attics.
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs,
HIRL
Publication Date
Description
Report on heating and cooling air-distribution ducts that are insulated, installed close to the ceiling in a vented attic and covered with attic insulation to minimize energy loss.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the difference between conditioned or unvented attics and unconditioned or vented attics.
Organization(s)
City of Davis,
State of California
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the use of whole-house fans to provide cooling in the region surrounding Sacramento, CA.
Organization(s)
University of Minnesota,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
NothernSTAR
Publication Date
Description
Report exploring alternative methods to find long-term solutions to energy loss in 1 ½-story homes to save energy, improve comfort, prevent frost buildup on the underside of the roof deck, and reduce the risk of ice dam formation/reformation.
Organization(s)
CRRC
Publication Date
Description
Website providing information about the Cool Roof Rating Council including programs, membership, and resources for the construction industry.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing strategies for reducing the risk of ice dam formation on roofs in winter.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the importance of air sealing, insulation, and roof ventilation in reducing the likelihood of ice dam formation on roofs in cold snowy climates.
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center,
USDA
Publication Date
Description
Report describing research testing results on roof truss to wall connections in light frame wood systems.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Short article from FEMA explaining what a continuous load path is and the key connection points that make it up.
Organization(s)
Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions,
ARIES
Publication Date
Description
Report of a field evaluation of four novel roof designs to see how each design would reduce space-conditioned energy use so that the knowledge gained could be applied to the design of new manufactured homes.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Journal article reporting on field experience of unvented cathedralized (UC) attics in several environments in the United States.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report to understand the long-term moisture performance of unvented roof assemblies with fibrous insulation.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
The FPC Monitoring project has evaluated radiant barrier systems (RBS) as a new potential DSM program.
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Publication Date
Description
Report describing the use of fresh air ventilation systems to eliminate the formation of icicles and ice dams along the eaves of roofs.
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.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet presenting the correct methods for building an insulated cathedral ceiling.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet presenting techniques for installing cellulose insulation.
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.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Guide discussing observations, recommendations, and technical guidance as a result of Hurricane Katrina
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing issues with condensation in unvented attics insulated with open-cell spray foam.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the effect metal roofs have on thermal performance in hot-humid climates.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article explaining installing cavity insulation.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Research study describing field testing performed in 32 two-story Florida homes to characterize wind washing failures of the house air and thermal boundary.
Organization(s)
Energy Vanguard
Publication Date
Description
Article discussing the downside to recessed can lights.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
PDF literature review of the impact and need for attic ventilation in Florida homes.
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Guideline describing the importance of the different types of multifamily building attics and their unique challenges, and outlines strategies and materials used in air-sealing them.
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Project discussing buried or encapsulated ducts and their pros and cons.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Guideline describing information and specifications relevant to air-seal existing attics.
Organization(s)
Miami-Dade County
Publication Date
Description
Report covering the selection of roof vents for rainwater resistance.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
FEMA report describing findings from an investigation of Hurricane Ike in Texas and Louisiana and residential construction recommendations based on those findings.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
FEMA Mitigation Assessment Team Report describing damages from Hurricane Michael in Florida in Oct. 2018 and recommendations for future hurricane preparedness.
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report on the use of vapor diffusion ports to reduce moisture issues with buried ductwork in unvented attics in hot-humid climates.
Organization(s)
WSU Extension Energy Program,
Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development
Publication Date
Description
Conference paper making the case that moving ducts to conditioned space saves energy, is practical for production builders (when accompanied by careful pre-planning), and creates significant andmarketable energy savings for homebuyers.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Report highlighting the evaluation methods used and extent of wind washing found in a study analyzing wind washing in thirty-two two-story homes.