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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 - 47 of 47

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report describing approaches to insulating basements in homes built to meet Energy Star levels of performance of heat loss reduction.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet describing techniques for insulating basements.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document presenting some of the key technical properties of many of the most common building materials.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
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.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document with the Quality Control Checklist developed as both a guide to assist in the transition to high performance home building, and as a simplified tool to be used as part of any builder's on-site quality control procedures.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
BSC definition of a capillary break.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report about ventilation system design, including central fan integrated supply (CFIS) system, made up of a 6-inch outdoor air intake duct connected to the return side of the air handler with a fan cycling control to make sure the fan runs a programmed minimum amount of time.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Brochure explaining the essential basis for advanced framing and some of the more common advanced framing details.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Brochure providing information about flashing.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report investigating the nature, strength, and durability of connections between high performance dwellings and developments.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Brochure with details on HVAC duct air sealing.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Brochure with information about ducts in conditioned space.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about groundwater control.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing information on using exterior foam insulating sheathing in building wall assemblies to enhance thermal performance.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet briefly summarizing double stud wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet briefly summarizing truss wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet summarizing ICF wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report that describes BSC's Houses That Work II (HTWII) climate-specific technical resource, beginning with an overall HTWII introduction and four sections explaining the four most important hygro-thermal climate regions: Hot-Humid, Mixed-Humid, Cold, and Hot-Dry/Mixed-Dry.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
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.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet with details on pan flashing for exterior walls.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report aiming to "de-mystify" technology and economic considerations of residential PV systems.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about reservoir claddings.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document containing some of the basic characteristics for energy performance, durability, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality that should be met in all high performance homes.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about sealing combustion appliances to ensure good indoor air quality.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about soil gas control strategies for foundations.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet offering general recommendations on supplemental humidity control and outlines viable system configurations.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet describing transfer ducts and grilles for HVAC.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet providing recommendations on the installation of vapor control layers.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet providing information about vapor management in building assemblies.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet providing details on the vapor permeance of different types of materials used in building assemblies.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article discussing the risks that can occur from undercutting bedroom doors to provide return airflow from bedrooms, as well as corrective measures that can be taken to address these risks.