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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 - 50 of 76

Air Sealing That Works

Author(s)
Bruton Jack,
Baczek Steven
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
An article explaining how an airtight shell for the home helps to achieve a tight envelope that is energy efficient and cost effective.

Basement Insulation Systems, BA-0202

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Report describing approaches to insulating basements in homes built to meet Energy Star levels of performance of heat loss reduction.

Building in Extreme Cold, BSI-031

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing the control layers (air, thermal, and vapor barriers) needed to build homes successfully in very cold locations.

Bulk Water Control Methods for Foundations, BA-1015

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W,
Ueno Kohta
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report about the fundamental concepts that must be understood at the planning or initial nspection of existing homes regarding surface and ground water management.

Capillarity - Small Sacrifices, BSI-011

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing correct ways to eliminate water damage by incorporating a sacrificial layer to foundation walls and footings.

Coastal Construction Manual, Volume I, Fourth edition, FEMA P-55

Author(s)
Coulbourne William,
Jones Christopher P,
Kapur Omar,
Koumoudis Vasso,
Line Philip,
Low David K,
Overcash Glenn,
Passman Samantha,
Reeder Adam,
Seitz Laura,
Smith Thomas,
Tezak Scott
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA,
Applied Technology Council,
ATC,
URS Group,
DK Low and Associates,
Atkins,
TLSmith Consulting
Publication Date
Volume 1 of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to planning, siting, and risk management for homes constructed in coastal environments.

Collapsible Soils

Author(s)
Colorado Geological Survey
Organization(s)
CGS
Publication Date
Website discussing building foundation problems caused by settling soil in Colorado.

Comparison of Select NFIP & Building Code Requirements for Special Flood Hazard Areas

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Documents describing the similarities and differences between the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) minimum requirements and the requirements of the International Codes® (I-Codes®) and ASCE 24, Flood Resistant Design and Construction, a standard referenced by the I-Codes., and illustrating...

Concrete Floor Problems, BSI-003

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Information guide describing issues with concrete floors, in multiple climate zones.

Concrete Floors and Moisture, 2nd Edition

Author(s)
Kanare Howard M
Organization(s)
Portland Cement Association
Publication Date
Document discussing moisture considerations and testing techniques for concrete floors.

Concrete Solutions, BSI-118

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering insulating crawlspaces.

Designing for Floods, BSI-128

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report providing guidance on designing buildings to be flood resistant.

ETW: Building Profile: New - Albuquerque New Mexico

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet with details on a building enclosure designed for Albuquerque, NM, as an example for building enclosures built for hot-dry and mixed-dry climates.

Feasibility of Foundation Heat Exchangers for Residential Ground Source Heat Pump Systems in the United States

Author(s)
Cullin James R,
Xing Lu,
Lee Edwin,
Spitler Jeffrey D,
Fisher Daniel E
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE,
Oklahoma State University,
OSU,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Study characterizing how foundation heat exchangers (FHXs) used in residential ground source heat pump systems represent a potential cost savings due to their lesser first cost over other types of heat exchangers.

Floodproofing Non-Residential Buildings, FEMA P-936

Author(s)
Low David K,
Squerciati John,
Sparenberg,
Reeder Adam,
Perotin Manuel,
Mahadevia Amit,
Seelbach Sheldon
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA
Publication Date
Report describing dry floodproofing technologies for non-residential buildings, including information about regulatory requirements, design considerations, and descriptions of floodproofing methods and equipment.

Foil Bubble Pack: Subslab Insulation?

Author(s)
Fulger Don
Organization(s)
Home Energy
Publication Date
Article describing the effective R-values of various subslab insulation products, including foil bubble pack.

FORTIFIED Home Corrosion-Resistant Fasteners - New Documentation Requirements

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Checklist highlighting the requirement for metal structural connections and materials fasteners used to retrofit or construct FORTIFIED buildings less than 3,000 ft from saltwater to be suitably protected from corrosion.

Foundation and Anchoring Criteria for Safe Rooms

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet discussing designs for prefabricated safe rooms built to ICC 500 standards mentioned in FEMA P-361.

Foundation Design Handbook

Author(s)
Carmody John,
Mosiman Garrett,
Handeen Daniel,
Huelman Patrick H,
Christian Jeffrey E
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
University of Minnesota
Publication Date
Handbook providing guidance on the design and construction of foundations for homes, including insulation, air sealing, and water management details for basements, crawlspaces, and slabs.

Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)
Williams Randy
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Publication Date
Article describing what the building codes say about frost-protected shallow foundations as a cost-saving alternative to conventional concrete foundations.

Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations 1

Author(s)
Holladay Martin
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding
Publication Date
Guides describing frost-protected shallow foundations as an alternative method for building an energy-efficient foundation for a house in a cold climate that uses less concrete and saves on labor.

Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction, FEMA P-499

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Report containing 37 fact sheets that provide technical guidance and recommendations concerning the construction of coastal residential buildings.

Innovation in Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)
Green Home Institute
Organization(s)
Green Home Institute
Publication Date
Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.

Innovation in Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)
Green Home Institute
Organization(s)
Green Home Institute
Publication Date
Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.

Local Officials Guide for Coastal Construction, FEMA P-762

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
A guide aiming to assist local officials and community decision makers in coastal areas in adopting and implementing sound mitigation measures to lower building natural disaster vulnerability.

Measure Guideline: Guidance on Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

Author(s)
Grin Aaron,
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Measure Guideline research report providing simple, long term, and durable solutions when using tapes and flashing membranes in conjunction with the exterior face of rigid polymeric foam sheathing to create the drainage plane of a wall system.

Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report providing extensive guidance on controlling moisture in building envelopes through proper selection and installation on air, water, thermal, and vapor barriers.