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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 151 - 200 of 203

Author(s)
Melody Ingrid,
Fairey Philip W,
Beal David
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Website with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about attic radiant barriers.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet with the definition and uses for a raised truss.
Author(s)
Cool Roof Rating Council
Organization(s)
CRRC
Publication Date
Description
Searchable database of over 3,000 roofing products that have undergone solar reflectance and thermal emittance testing.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing conditions for wildfire, how a home catches fire, how to create a survivable space, the ideal fire resistant home.
Author(s)
Kenneth Hellevang
Organization(s)
NDSU
Publication Date
Description
Webpage explaining how to mitigate heat loss through roofs for ice dam prevention.
Author(s)
Tony Woods
Organization(s)
Home Energy
Publication Date
Description
Article describing moisture and ice dam issues in attics and how to air seal the attic floor.
Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing how to install bracing to retrofit roof dormers for increased wind resistance.
Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet providing homeowners with an overview of approaches for flashing and sealing roof penetrations to help discussion with a roofing contractor.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering non-combustible continuous exterior insulation and non-combustible roof venting.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing proper roof sheathing installation and illustrating fastening methods that will enhance the durability of a building in high-wind areas; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”
Author(s)
Paul Fissette
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Description
Q&A article discussing how to address moisture issues in an attic in a wet and humid coastal climate.
Author(s)
CoolCalifornia.org
Organization(s)
CoolCalifornia.org
Publication Date
Description
Webpage discussing the characteristics of sunlight and how cool roofs work to reduce solar heat gain.
Author(s)
Wilkerson
Organization(s)
Medeek Design
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing information about design snow loads and a free interactive ground snow load mapping tool for the contiguous United States, as well as snow load calculation methods.
Author(s)
FSEC
Organization(s)
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Website with information for consumers about solar thermal systems for homes.
Author(s)
Sughrue
Organization(s)
Home Power
Publication Date
Description
A structural insulated panel (SIP) roof has no embedded lumber in the structure, and therefore nothing substantial for attaching PV array and solar hot water mounts. Single or double lumber splines could be put into the panels, or I-joists at 4-foot intervals could be added.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Specifications to assist builders in designing and constructing homes equipped with a set of features that make the installation of solar energy systems after the completion of the home’s construction easier and less expensive.
Author(s)
Levinson Ronnen
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
Spreadsheet tool that computes solar reflectance index (SRI) and roof surface temperature based on solar reflectance and thermal emittance using ASTM standard E 1980.
Author(s)
Guertin Mike
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing ways to protect roofs from water infiltration by using self-adhering underlayment in vulnerable locations such as roof valleys, eave edges (to help deal with ice dams), rake edges, roofs to vertical walls (such as dormers), sidewall protection, the bottom of dormer valleys, and...
Author(s)
University of Minnesota
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
NSTAR
Publication Date
Description
This case study describes costs associated with the External Thermal and Moisture Management System developed by the NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership for retrofitting roofs with rigid foam over the roof deck, especially on one and a half-story homes.
Author(s)
National Roofing Contractors Association
Organization(s)
National Roofing Contractors Association
Publication Date
Description
Manuals describing design, materials, and installation techniques applicable to almost all types of roof systems; four-volume set includes Metal Panel and SPF Roof Systems, Membrane Roof Systems, Architectural Metal Flashing and Condensation and Air Leakage Control, and Steep-Slope Roof Systems.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet outlining best design and construction practices for tile roofing in high wind areas; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”
Author(s)
Underwriters Laboratories LLC
Organization(s)
UL
Publication Date
Description
Standard covering overs mounting systems, including mounting devices, clamping devices and ground lugs for use with photovoltaic modules and panels and contains requirements for ground-mounted and roof systems as part of a nonstructural building component.
Author(s)
Southern California Earthquake Center
Organization(s)
SCEC,
University of Southern California
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) on identifying key problem spots on unreinforced masonry chimneys and how to retrofit them to withstand seismic forces.
Author(s)
Schumacher
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report reviewing unvented roof assemblies, such as conditioned attics and unvented cathedral ceilings that are becoming common in North American construction.
Author(s)
Kohta
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Document summarizing the various papers on unvented conditioned cathedralized attics found on BSC's website.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing the use of cool roofs to reduce heat islands and and benefits and costs.
Author(s)
Guertin Mike
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing a method for flashing roof vent boots, describing how to flash the pipe, how to flash over and under the pan, and finish by shaping the shingles, as well as addressing potential water leakage by adding an additional seal with EPDM flashing tape with a butyl adhesive backing to the...
Author(s)
Tobiasson Wayne N,
Tantillo Thomas,
Buska James S
Organization(s)
Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory,
CRREL
Publication Date
Description
Report describing the formation of icicles and ice dams along poorly ventilated roofs and how to mitigate ventilation issues with insulation and vents.
Author(s)
Rose,
TenWolde
Organization(s)
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Description
Report describing the use of attic ventilation to control moisture in cathedral roofs and avoid the formation of ice dams.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.
Author(s)
Quarles
Organization(s)
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
Publication Date
Description
Report covering the migration of wind-blown embers in roof vents.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report describing sloped roof assemblies with high levels of thermal performance.
Author(s)
Cool Roof Rating Council
Organization(s)
CRRC
Publication Date
Description
Web page explaining what a cool roof is and how they work, as well as benefits to their use and links to research studies.
Author(s)
Cold Climate Housing Research Center
Organization(s)
CCHRC
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing how different amounts and types of snow loads affect the structural integrity of roofs and homes.
Author(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Description
Article describing ways to design and construct a building to resist wildfires.
Author(s)
Habte Filmon,
Mooneghi Maryam Asghari,
Baheru Thomas,
Zisis Ioannis,
Chowdhury Arindam Gan,
Masters Forrest,
Irwin Peter
Organization(s)
Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics,
International Association for Wind Engineering,
IAWE
Publication Date
Description
Study showcasing the location of the highest uplift force on the hip, ridge, and perimeter regions of roofs, and thus roofing material needs for the most fasteners and adhesive at these locations.