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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 251 - 300 of 2287

Author(s)
Rapp,
Less,
Singer,
Stratton,
Wray
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Description
The exhaust from residential combustion appliances contains air pollutants and high levels of moisture that must be conveyed to the outdoors to maintain acceptable indoor quality.
Author(s)
Roberts David,
Merket Noel,
Polly Ben,
Heaney Mike,
Casey Sean,
Robertson Joseph
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report assessing the accuracy of HEST as it was being developed and to provide information useful to DOE program managers and HEST development team at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing a compilation of guidance, case studies, tools, and training to assist local communities as they are in the midst of managing recovery post-disaster.
Author(s)
Association of Bay Area Governments
Organization(s)
ABAG
Publication Date
Description
A basic guide walking through the various types of valves useful in mitigating the effects of earthquakes and other seismic events on natural gas pipelines for residential use.
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Specification covering the standard requirements for application of full thickness Portland cement-based plaster for exterior (stucco) and interior work. This standard was produced in the year 2022, and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. There are also other versions of...
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Specification covering the standard requirements for application of full thickness Portland cement-based plaster for exterior (stucco) and interior work. This standard was produced in the year 2023, and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. There are also other versions of...
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Standard that describes the principles for the design of a hot box apparatus and the minimum requirements for the determination of steady state thermal performance of building assemblies when exposed to controlled laboratory conditions. The current version of the standard was published in 2019, and...
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Standard specification covering elastomeric cellular preformed gasket and sealing materials. This version of the standard was published in the year 2011 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard were published in the years 2021, 2015, 2006, and...
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Standard specification covering elastomeric cellular preformed gasket and sealing materials. This version of the standard was published in the year 2021 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard were published in the years 2015, 2011, 2006, and...
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Test method providing a rapid means of determining the steady-state thermal transmission properties of thermal insulations and other materials with a high level of accuracy when the apparatus has been calibrated appropriately. This version of the standard was published in the year 2021 and is...
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
This standard specification covers the classification, composition, physical properties, and dimensions of mineral fiber (rock, slag, or glass) blanket intended for use as thermal insulation on surfaces at various temperature ranges. This version of the standard was published in the year 2019 and is...
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Standard specification covering the properties of a cured single- or multicomponent cold-applied elastomeric joint sealant for sealing, caulking, or glazing operations on buildings, plazas, and decks for vehicular or pedestrian use, and types of construction other than highway and airfield pavements...
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Standard that describes a simple, relatively cost-effective approach to evaluating the ability of a variety of materials to support microbial growth using a small chamber method. The current version of this standard was published in the year 2023, and a preview of the standard is available at the...
Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
ASTM standard for wood-composite decking and guardrail materials under a variety of tests, including fire performance and UV resistance. This standard was produced in the year 2021, and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. There are also other versions of this standard...
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Standard that covers the minimum performance and acceptance criteria for an air barrier (AB) material or system for framed walls of low-rise buildings with the service life of the building wall in mind. This link directs to a preview of the version of the standard that was published in the year 2011...
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Standard that covers the minimum performance and acceptance criteria for an air barrier (AB) material or system for framed walls of low-rise buildings with the service life of the building wall in mind. This link directs to a preview of the current version of the standard, published in the year 2019...
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
These test methods describe two techniques for measuring air leakage rates through a building envelope in buildings that may be configured to a single zone. This standard was published in the year 2022 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard...
Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Standard covering the installation of fenestration products in new and existing construction. The current version of the standard was published in the year 2019, and is available for preview and purchase at the referenced link. Previous versions of this standard that are available for preview and...
Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Standard covering the installation of fenestration products in new and existing construction. This version of the standard was published in the year 2007, and is available for preview and purchase at the referenced link. Other versions of this standard that are available for preview and purchase at...
Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Standard describing methods for installing radon mitigation systems in existing residential buildings three stories or less in height. This version of the standard was published in the year 2021 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard were...
Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Test method designed to calculate an assigned air permeance of flexible sheet or rigid panel-type materials at a reference air pressure differential of 75 Pa. This version of the standard was published in the year 2021 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions...
Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
A specification covering the application of Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) that act as permanent formwork for cast-in-place reinforced concrete beams & walls. This version of the standard was published in the year 2022 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions...
Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Specification describing criteria for manufactured polymeric materials used to provide a rainscreen function, a means for the drainage of liquid moisture and the ventilation of vapor moisture that enters an above-grade exterior wall assembly. The current version of the standard was published in the...
Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Test method that measures the capture efficiency of wall-mounted domestic range hoods under controlled conditions in a test chamber. The current version of this standard is available for preview and purchase at the link and was published in the year 2018. A previous version of this standard is...
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Standard that details a test method measuring air-leakage rates through a building envelope under controlled pressurization and de-pressurization. This version of the standard was published in the year 2019 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the...
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
ASTM standard test method for surface burning response of different building materials. This version of the standard was published in the year 2022 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard were published in the years 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018...
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
ASTM standard test method for testing the surface burning response of different building materials. This version of the standard was published in the year 2023 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard were published in the years 2022, 2021, 2020...
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Test method designed to obtain reliable values for the WVTR of plastic film and sheeting. This version of the standard was published in the year 2020 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard were published in the years 2013, 2011, 2006, 2001...
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Webpage for searching all of ASTM's standards, books, journals, and technical articles.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing recommended practices for installing brick veneer that will enhance wind resistance in high wind regions and examples of proper installations and brick veneer tie spacings; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”
Author(s)
Attachments Energy Rating Council
Organization(s)
AERC
Publication Date
Description
Website developed by the Attachments Energy Rating Council to provide consumers with credible, relevant, and comparable information about window attachments and their performance.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document providing background and approach for the prep work necessary prior to adding attic insulation - focusing on combustion safety, ventilation for indoor air quality, and attic ventilation for durability.
Author(s)
Neuhauser
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report about a project that examines implementation of advanced retrofit measures in the context of a large-scale weatherization program and the archetypal Chicago, Illinois, brick bungalow.
Author(s)
Mallay,
Kochkin
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Publication Date
Description
This report outlines research activities that are expected to facilitate the adoption of energy retrofits by remodeling contractors and roofing contractors using retrofit panels. The results of this research will be applicable to many existing house designs in most climates and markets. The...
Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Organization(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Publication Date
Description
Web page describing the benefits of attic fans, with rules for sizing fans and intake vents.
Author(s)
Weatherization Assistance Program
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Powerpoint on attic ventilation developed as training material for the Weatherization Assistance Program.
Author(s)
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Organization(s)
CMHC,
Government of Canada
Publication Date
Description
Article by the Canadian Government on attic ventilation and considerations for moisture and ice dams.
Author(s)
Oscar Castillo
Organization(s)
4 Home Sales Realty
Publication Date
Description
Article describing different types of earthquake shut-off valves for home buyers.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering interior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.
Author(s)
Van der Meer Bill
Organization(s)
The Weatherization Training Center at Penn College
Publication Date
Description
Technical article describing issues and moisture concerns related to weatherization efforts.
Author(s)
Yost
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the building science implications of insulating vented or unvented attics.
Author(s)
Yost
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the research into insulating vented versus unvented attics.
Author(s)
Yost
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Article describing different kinds of water-resistant backer boards.