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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 351 - 400 of 1772

Chimney failure most common damage in an earthquake

Author(s)
Tucker,
Jill
Organization(s)
SFGate
Publication Date
News article from SFGate explaining and giving figures on how chimney failure is the most common type of damage to homes during an earthquake.

Choose A Light Guide

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A simple three-step guide for homeowners who are looking to replace existing light bulbs with more energy-efficient, higher-performing bulbs.

Choosing Between Oriented Strandboard and Plywood

Author(s)
Fisette
Organization(s)
University of Massachusetts
Publication Date
Information sheet discussing how OSB will define the future of the structural sheathing market. OSB will define the future of the structural sheathing market. - See more at: http://bct.eco.umass.edu/publications/by-title/choosing-between-oriented-strandboard-and-plywood/#sthash.RilEtDpl.dpuf

Choosing Thermostatic Radiator Valves

Author(s)
Gifford
Organization(s)
American Boiler Manufacturers Association
Publication Date
Part 2 of an article discussing how to maximize two-pipe steam systems for resident space heating.

Choosing Wood-Burning Appliances

Author(s)
EPA
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
A list of EPA-certified wood-burning appliances for home heating for a range of budgets.

Cladding Attachment Over Thick Exterior Insulated Sheathing

Author(s)
Baker Peter,
Eng P,
Lepage R
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report on the stability of furring strips as a means for cladding attachment over walls with thick exterior rigid insulation.

Classic Rib® Install Guide

Author(s)
Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation
Organization(s)
Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation
Publication Date
Installation manual for installing metal panel siding.

Cleaning Fibrous Glass Insulated Duct (Ductboard / Duct Board) Systems - Recommended Practices

Author(s)
North American Insulation Manufacturers Association
Organization(s)
North American Insulation Manufacturers Association
Publication Date
Manual showing duct cleaning contractors how to identify the different types of insulated air ducts, how to open each type for access by cleaning equipment and personnel, how to close and seal openings after cleaning.

Cleaning Up a Broken CFL

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
A website explaining how to quickly clean up a broken compact fluorescent lightbulb.

Climate Change and Extreme Heat Events

Author(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Organization(s)
CDC
Publication Date
Report describing extreme heat events, how an extreme heat event threatens public health, and how to prepare for and respond to such an event.

Climate Change Indicators in the United States

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Website providing data indicating climate change.

Climate Consultant 6.0

Author(s)
UCLA Energy Design Tools Group
Organization(s)
Regents of the University of California,
Society of Building Science Educators
Publication Date
Climate Consultant is a software tool for helping architects, builders, contractor, homeowners, and students to understand their local climate.

Closed Crawlspaces Do Double Duty

Author(s)
Dastur,
Davis
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing how closed crawlspaces can do "double duty" by controlling moisture and providing energy savings.

Code Notes: Residential Fan Efficiency

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
IECC code note explaining new fan efficacy requirements, along with how to determine which fans are affected by the new fan requirements.

Color and Mood

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
A website explaining the various shades of light, from warm to cool colors, with a visual diagram illustrating the various shades of light.

Combined Space and Water Heating: Next Steps to Improved Performance

Author(s)
Schoenbauer B,
Bohac D,
Huelman Patrick
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership,
NorthernSTAR,
University of Minnesota
Publication Date
Report describing combined space- and water-heating (combi) systems using a high-efficiency direct-vent burner.

Combustion Appliance Safety Inspection for Vented Appliances

Author(s)
Building Performance Institute
Organization(s)
BPI
Publication Date
Fact sheet that details the steps needed to perform a combustion appliance safety inspection to determine if fossil fuel-fired appliances are operating safely under a depressurized condition.

Combustion Safety Simplified Test Protocol Field Study

Author(s)
Brand Larry,
Cautley D,
Bohac D,
Francisco P,
Shen L,
Gloss S
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR,
NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership,
NorthernSTAR,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Report on a simplified test procedure for combustion safety that is easier to implement and should produce fewer false positives than the previous procedure.

Common Advanced Framing Details

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Brochure explaining the essential basis for advanced framing and some of the more common advanced framing details.

Common Flashing Details

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Brochure providing information about flashing.

Common Siding Failures

Author(s)
Mark Parlee
Organization(s)
The Building Consultant
Publication Date
An article illustrating common errors found in fiber cement siding installations. Many of these errors and poor flashing examples apply to siding materials beyond fiber cement siding.

Community-Scale Evaluation Results, BA-0405

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Report investigating the nature, strength, and durability of connections between high performance dwellings and developments.

Community-Wide Zero Energy Ready Home Standard

Author(s)
Herk Anastasia,
Beggs Timothy
Organization(s)
IBACOS
Publication Date
Report outlining the steps developers can take to create high-performance standards on a community-wide scale.

Comparison of Advanced Residential Water Heating Technologies in the United States

Author(s)
Maguire,
Fang,
Wilson
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Research report providing a comparison of the most common residential water heating technologies to determine energy-efficient and cost-effective water heating technologies are when subjected to a variety of typical operating conditions.

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...

Conceptual 3D Advanced Framing Drawing

Author(s)
Green Building Advisor
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Document containing a 3D drawing (CAD) of advanced framing details.

Concrete and Clay Tile Installation Manual

Author(s)
Tile Roofing Institute,
Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA)
Organization(s)
Tile Roofing Institute,
Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA)
Publication Date
Installation manual outlining proper installation practices, industry standards and the code requirements of roofing tiles.

Concrete Floor Problems, BSI-003

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

Concrete Floors and Moisture

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

Concrete Homes

Author(s)
Portland Cement Association
Organization(s)
Portland Cement Association
Publication Date
Information sheet discussing the properties and benefits of insulating concrete forms.

Concrete Solutions, BSI-118

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

Condensation Between Panes of Double Windows

Author(s)
Wilson
Organization(s)
National Research Council Canada
Publication Date
Document about condensation between the panes, on the inside surface of the outer glass of double pane windows.

Condensing Hybrid Water Heater Monitoring Field Evaluation

Author(s)
Maguire Jeff,
Earle Lieko,
Booten Chuck,
Hancock C E
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Mountain Energy Partnership
Publication Date
Report about a hybrid condensing water heater (thermal efficiency = 0.973, energy factor = 0.95) installed in an occupied home in Sacramento, California, and monitored for one year to determine the actual in situ efficiency.

Construction Defects – Mortar Bridging and Mortar Droppings

Author(s)
Stephan Bill
Organization(s)
Metropolitan Engineering Consulting & Forensics,
MECF
Publication Date
An article about how mortar droppings during the installation of a brick veneer can clog the weep holes in the wall assembly causing moisture damage. The article also illustrates products that can be installed in the ventilated cavity to mitigate this problem.

Construction Guide to Next Generation High Performance Walls in Climate Zones 3-5 - Part II: 2x4 Walls with 1” - 1.5” Exterior Insulative Sheathing

Author(s)
Kochkin,
Wiehagen
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Publication Date
The Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x4 wood frame studs, wood structural panel (WSP) sheathing as wall bracing and added backing for foam sheathing, a layer of rigid foam sheathing insulation up to 1.5 in. thick over the WSP, and a cladding system installed over the foam sheathing in low...