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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 57

Author(s)
ABTCO Vinyl Siding
Organization(s)
ABTCO Vinyl Siding
Publication Date
Description
Vinyl siding estimating and installation guide for vinyl siding products.
Author(s)
APA - The Engineered Wood Association
Organization(s)
APA
Publication Date
Description
Detailed guide to advanced framing, a system of construction framing techniques designed to optimize material usage and increase energy efficiency.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report detaining advanced framing techniques, including discussion of cost and energy savings.
Author(s)
NAHB,
Southface Energy Institute,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NAHB,
Southface Energy Institute,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about advanced wall framing.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
Home Innovation Research Labs,
Southface Energy Institute
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing advanced framing techniques to reduce the amount of lumber used in the construction of wood-framed houses, while providing more space in the walls for insulation.
Author(s)
Holladay
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.
Author(s)
Holladay
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Article about different types of weather resistant barrier.
Author(s)
Hammer & Hand
Organization(s)
Hammer & Hand
Publication Date
Description
This Best Practices Manual is the product of Hammer & Hand’s ongoing work to document and internally codify our standard operating procedures for construction practice.
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)
Green Building Advisor
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Website providing CAD files and drawings of advanced framing details.
Author(s)
Advanced Energy
Organization(s)
Advanced Energy
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet containing images and descriptions of cantilevers.
Author(s)
California Energy Commission,
Enermodal Engineering Limited
Organization(s)
CEC,
EEL
Publication Date
Description
Document with information from a workshop addressing framing materials for residential buildings in California. A copy of the document can be requested at the resource link, and an online copy of the document can be found by searching for it on the California Energy Commission's Library Online...
Author(s)
Carpenter Stephen C,
Schumacher Christopher
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Description
Case study characterizing the framing factors for the exterior walls, ceilings, and floors of 180 wood-framed low-rise residential buildings across the United States.
Author(s)
Baker Peter,
Eng P,
Lepage R
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report on the stability of furring strips as a means for cladding attachment over walls with thick exterior rigid insulation.
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)
Green Building Advisor
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Document containing a 3D drawing (CAD) of advanced framing details.
Author(s)
Kochkin,
Wiehagen
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. The Guide is...
Author(s)
Kochkin,
Wiehagen
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Publication Date
Description
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...
Author(s)
Kochkin,
Wiehagen
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Publication Date
Description
The Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x4 wood frame studs, wood structural panel sheathing (WSP) as wall bracing and added backing for foam sheathing, a layer of rigid foam sheathing insulation up to 1.5 inches thick over the WSP, and a cladding system installed over the foam sheathing in low...
Author(s)
Kochkin,
Wiehagen
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...
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Short article from FEMA explaining what a continuous load path is and the key connection points that make it up.
Author(s)
Structural Insulate Panel Association
Organization(s)
Structural Insulate Panel Association,
SIPA
Publication Date
Description
Article in the SIPA Technical Bulletin (No. 11) comparing the earthquake resistance of light-frame wood shear wall construction to residential construction with structural insulated panels (SIPS).
Author(s)
National Institute of Building Sciences Building Seismic Safety Council,
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA,
ICC
Publication Date
Description
Report presenting seismic design and construction guidance for one- and two-family houses for homebuilders, knowledgeable homeowners, and other non-engineers.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Guide provides homeowners ways to prepare for an earthquake and protect a home against earthquake damage.
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)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Organization(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Publication Date
Description
A document aimed at reducing the vulnerability of a gable end roof to wind damage in a hurricane.
Author(s)
Ply Gem Siding Group
Organization(s)
Ply Gem Siding Group
Publication Date
Description
Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.