Organization(s)
Southface Energy Institute
Publication Date
Description
Document intended to help graphically demonstrate the air leakage provisions of section 402.4 of the 2009 IECC.
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 - 31 of 31
Organization(s)
ABAA
Publication Date
Description
Standard providing master specifications for closed cell, medium density spray polyurethane foam air barriers located in the non-accessible part of the wall.
Organization(s)
ABAA
Publication Date
Description
Standard providing information about self-adhered sheet air barriers located in the non-accessible part of the wall and materials to bridge and seal air leakage pathways and gaps.
Organization(s)
ABAA
Publication Date
Description
Standard outlining materials and installation methods for a liquid-applied vapor permeable air barrier systems located in the non-accessible part of the wall.
Organization(s)
EERE,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,
Center for Energy and Environment
Publication Date
Description
Technical report describing the research behind a new aerosol-based sealing method, utilizing pressurization and a dispersed sealant fog, facilitated by a standard blower door, to automatically measure, locate, and seal air leaks in new homes in the United States, providing an efficient solution to...
Organization(s)
NREL,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet outlining an innovative aerosol-based sealing technique for tightening building envelopes in new homes, involving pressurizing the structure and dispersing an aerosol sealant "fog" to autonomously identify and seal leaks, with real-time feedback through a standard blower door and laptop...
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Brochure about creating an air barrier by sealing drywall assemblies.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Brochure about creating an air barrier at tub, shower and fireplace walls.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Website article interviewing the inventor of the Larsen truss, a history of its use, and a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages.
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Standard that covers the minimum performance and acceptance criteria for an air barrier (AB) material or system for framed walls of low-rise buildings with the service life of the building wall in mind. This link directs to a preview of the version of the standard that was published in the year 2011...
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Standard that covers the minimum performance and acceptance criteria for an air barrier (AB) material or system for framed walls of low-rise buildings with the service life of the building wall in mind. This link directs to a preview of the current version of the standard, published in the year 2019...
Organization(s)
BIA
Publication Date
Description
Document focusing on the design and wall components that contribute to a pressure equalized rain screen wall, including the frequency of the weep holes and other brick masonry rain screen wall requirements.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Document providing descriptions of the many insulation options available to homeowners, along with guidance on where, when, and how to install insulation throughout your house.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report comparing a variety of roof insulating strategies to present their advantages and disadvantages according to several comparison criteria.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
This report will review, and summarize the current state of understanding and research into enclosures with higher thermal resistance, so-called “High-R Enclosures.” Recommendations are provided for further research.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report outlining how conditioned crawlspaces perform better than vented crawlspaces in terms of safety, health, comfort, durability and energy consumption.
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Publication Date
Description
Part I of the Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x6 wood frame studs, wood structural panel (WSP) sheathing as exterior sheathing, gypsum board as interior sheathing, and a cladding system installed over WSP sheathing in low-rise residential buildings up to three stories in height. Walls with...
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Article describing research encouraging use of exterior insulation to warm interior sheathing surfaces in walls and roof assemblies to reduce the likelihood of condensation during cold weather
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)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet that summarizes Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction including advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Journal article describing lessons learned from updating a 16-year-old deep-energy retrofit.
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about air barriers.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet briefly summarizing double stud with spray foam wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.
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.
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Publication Date
Description
The next generation of building enclosures is a key step toward achieving high-performance goals through decreasing energy load demand and enabling advanced space-conditioning systems. Yet the adoption of high-R enclosures and particularly high-R walls has been a slow-growing trend because...
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
Steven Winter Associates,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Publication Date
Description
Technical report describing the research and development of the Ventilation-Integrated Comfort System (VICS) which is a specifically designed, energy-efficient solution that seamlessly integrates with low-capacity, ducted heating, and cooling systems, offering controllable, balanced energy recovery...
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.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Brochure with information about how to select and install house wrap and other weather-resistive barriers.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Case study examining the problem of unwanted air transfer from garage to living space and the effectiveness of garage exhaust ventilation or house supply ventilation to provide a solution to that.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet with methods for constructing or retrofitting basements to reduce moisture issues.