Skip to main content

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 101 - 143 of 143

Author(s)
Jarnskjold Tobias,
Jensen Geir,
Knudsen Atle
Organization(s)
Edition Diffusion Presse Sciences,
EDP Sciences
Publication Date
Description
A study on how fires spread through exterior building envelopes with discussion on how fires propagate in a rain screen cavity.
Author(s)
Fowler Mark,
Stanley Bryan,
Coats Darin
Organization(s)
Technical Services Information Bureau,
Walls & Ceilings
Publication Date
Description
Manual covering design, detailing, material selection and troubleshooting for plaster, IEFs, and drywall, with info on continuous insulation, air barriers, rain screens, fire and sound ratings, etc.
Author(s)
City of Plymouth MN
Organization(s)
City of Plymouth MN
Publication Date
Description
City of Plymouth webpage providing information on the Plymouth Community Center Project.
Author(s)
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Organization(s)
Cal Fire
Publication Date
Description
Article from CAL FIRE on fire-resistant landscaping to mitigate ignition of homes.
Author(s)
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation
Organization(s)
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation
Publication Date
Description
Database of approved products that meet the requirements of the High Velocity Hurricane Zone.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website from the EPA containing information for homeowners and renters about how to identify asbestos in the home and how to deal with it to reduce exposure to it.
Author(s)
City of Newberg
Organization(s)
City of Newberg
Publication Date
Description
An example of a form a building codes department created to ensure builders are fully aware and have taken steps to provide drainage so that water doesn’t accumulate behind siding. This example is from the city of Newberg, Oregon.
Author(s)
Building Energy Codes Program
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet explaining code-compliant methods for dealing with pests.
Author(s)
Scott Kashuba,
Marc Kuzik,
Michael Hatzinikolas
Organization(s)
The Canadian Masonry Research Institute
Publication Date
Description
Testing of various siding materials for their ability to resist bullets from small firearms.
Author(s)
Lorant
Organization(s)
NIBS
Publication Date
Description
Website providing an introduction to the concepts and principles of seismic design.
Author(s)
U.S. Fire Administration
Organization(s)
USFA
Publication Date
Description
Description webpage providing information about home fire safety during sever weather for consumers.
Author(s)
sidingcost.org
Organization(s)
sidingcost.org
Publication Date
Description
Website providing the pros and cons of different siding materials for home building, including wood, vinyl, fiber cement, stucco, brick, metal, and stone.
Author(s)
Sabata,
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
Description
Article describing mulch requirements and benefits.
Author(s)
Sughrue
Organization(s)
Home Power
Publication Date
Description
A structural insulated panel (SIP) roof has no embedded lumber in the structure, and therefore nothing substantial for attaching PV array and solar hot water mounts. Single or double lumber splines could be put into the panels, or I-joists at 4-foot intervals could be added.
Author(s)
Levinson Ronnen,
Ban-Weiss George,
Berdahl Paul,
Chen Sharon,
Destaillats Hugo,
Dumas Nathalie,
Gilbert Haley,
Goudey Howdy,
Houze de l'Aulnoit Sebastien,
Kleissl Jan,
Kurtz Benjamin,
Li Yun,
Long Yan,
Mohegh Arash,
Nazarian Negin,
Pizzicotti Matteo,
Rosado Pablo,
Russell Marion,
Slack Jonathan,
Tang Xiaochen,
Zhang Jiachen,
Zhang Weilong
Organization(s)
California Energy Commission,
CEC,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL,
University of Southern California,
USC,
University of California San Diego,
UC San Diego
Publication Date
Description
California Energy Commission report presenting the concept of cool walls and providing guidelines for their building- and climate-appropriate use to conserve energy and reduce emissions.
Author(s)
Rietz
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
Description
Document providing information on correct storage techniques for lumber to manage moisture.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Presentation, and online course, that provides an introduction to mold and mold remediation for environmental and public health professionals.
Author(s)
Stephen T. Peters,
Ian N. Robertson
Organization(s)
University of Hawaii College of Engineering
Publication Date
Description
Projectile missile testing of various wall panel configuration to understand how the different wall constructions would perform when struck with wind driven debris from a hurricane.
Author(s)
Reardon,
McGee,
Milne
Organization(s)
Australian Government
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing guidance on the use of thermal mass with passive heating and cooling strategies.
Author(s)
Baggs David,
Mortensen Neal
Organization(s)
Australian Council of Building Design Professions Ltd,
BDP
Publication Date
Description
Design guide providing technical information regarding building with thermal mass.
Author(s)
Habian Bob
Organization(s)
National Council of Structural Engineers Association NCSEA
Publication Date
Description
Article detailing a case study in which thermal mass was used as part of an overall Net Zero solution for a university building.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about types and installation of insulation.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing information about controlling rainwater through use of drainage planes.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Technical fact sheet highlighting important building connections and illustrating the proper use of various types of connection hardware; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”
Author(s)
Vinyl Siding Institute
Organization(s)
Vinyl Siding Institute
Publication Date
Description
Website describing proper methods for installing vinyl siding on homes.
Author(s)
APA - The Engineered Wood Association
Organization(s)
APA
Publication Date
Description
Standard that provides expanded and updated requirements for producing, marketing, and specifying plywood for construction and industrial uses.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Web page providing links or specifications for homes to be labeled through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense program.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Resource that provides a checklist of program criteria for water-efficient new homes under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense program.
Author(s)
Canada Government of Northwest Territories Department of Environment and Climate Change
Organization(s)
GNWT ECC
Publication Date
Description
Website describing how wildfires spread and how fuels, weather, and topography influence fires.
Author(s)
CAL FIRE Fire Engineering Division
Organization(s)
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection,
Cal Fire,
CAL FIRE - Office of the State Fire Marshal,
CAL FIRE - OSFM
Publication Date
Description
A list of exterior building products and materials approved for use in wildland urban interface zoned homes. These products are non-combustible or ignition-resistant.
Author(s)
Curkeet Rick
Organization(s)
Intertek
Publication Date
Description
Presentation about the combustion properties of wood.
Author(s)
University of Minnesota
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
NSTAR
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about the moisture properties of wood.
Author(s)
Forest Products Laboratory
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
Description
Report summarizing information on wood as an engineering material, and presents properties of wood and wood-based products of particular concern to the architect and engineer.