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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 101 - 129 of 129

ReVision Home: Tankless Water Heater

Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Information sheet describing tankless hot water heating systems in existing homes.

ReVision Home: Weatherization Products

Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Information sheet about envelope and roof moisture control retrofit for a home.

ReVision Home: Windows and Patio Doors

Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Information sheet about window retrofit strategies for hot-dry climates.

Roof Sheathing Installation, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 7.1

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing proper roof sheathing installation and illustrating fastening methods that will enhance the durability of a building in high-wind areas; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Roof Underlayment for Asphalt Shingle Roofs, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 7.2

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing recommended practices for the use of roofing underlayment as an enhanced secondary water barrier in coastal environments and optional installation methods; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Roof-to-Wall and Deck-to-Wall Flashing, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 5.2

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing the importance of proper roof and deck flashing, and typical and enhanced flashing techniques for coastal homes; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Sealed Attics?

Author(s)
Coble Brian
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing how insulating and air sealing unfinished attic spaces can lead to reduced energy bills in some homes.

Selecting a Lot and Siting the Building, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 2.2

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing guidance concerning lot selection and building siting considerations for coastal residential buildings, including factors that constrain siting decisions, coastal setback lines, common siting problems, and suggestions for builders, designers, and owners; also published in FEMA...

Siding Installation in High-Wind Regions, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 5.3

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing basic design and installation tips for various types of siding for high-wind regions, including vinyl, wood, and fiber cement and discusses sustainable design issues; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Summary of Coastal Construction Requirements and Recommendations for Flood Effects, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 1.2

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing recommendations for exceeding NFIP regulatory requirements for new construction and for repairs, remodeling, and additions, including building foundations, enclosures below the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), use of nonstructural fill, use of space below the BFE, utilities...

Technician’s Guide & Work Book For Quality Installation

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
The Technician's Guide equips practitioners with the knowledge to properly implement all of the measurement procedures required in the HVAC QI Specification.

The Perfect Wall, BSI-001

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
BSC,
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Article describing the perfect wall and and in what order to control rain, air, vapor, and heat.

The State of the Nation's Housing 2010

Author(s)
Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University
Organization(s)
Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University
Publication Date
Even as the worst housing market correction in more than 60 years appeared to turn a corner in 2009, the fallout from sharply lower home prices and high unemployment continued.

Tile Roofing for High Wind Regions, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 7.4

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet outlining best design and construction practices for tile roofing in high wind areas; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Underground Storage Tank Flood Guide

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Report describing actions home and business owners can take to deal with underground storage tanks that are displaced by flood waters and preventative steps they can take to reduce the likelihood of tank displacement in the future.

Use of Connectors and Brackets, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet 4.3

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
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.”

Using a Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM), FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 1.3

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing the purpose of Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs), how to obtain FIRMs, DFIRMs, and Flood Insurance Studies (FISs), and highlighting features that are important to coastal builders, including flood zones and flood elevations;; also...

Voluntary Product Standard, PS 1-09, Structural Plywood

Author(s)
APA - The Engineered Wood Association
Organization(s)
APA
Publication Date
Standard that provides expanded and updated requirements for producing, marketing, and specifying plywood for construction and industrial uses.

Window and Door Installation, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet 6.1

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing ways to properly flash windows and doors to resist water intrusion in coastal environments; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Window and Door Installation, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 6.1

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing flashing detail concepts for window and door openings that provide adequate resistance to water intrusion in coastal environments, do not depend solely on sealants, are integral with secondary weather barriers (e.g., housewrap), and are adequately attached to the wall...

Wood Frame Roof-to-Wall Connections in Hurricane Retrofit Guide

Author(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Organization(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Publication Date
A hurricane retrofit guide describing techniques for strengthening roof-to-wall connections for family homes.

Wood Handbook, Wood as an Engineering Material

Author(s)
Forest Products Laboratory
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
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.

Wood Pile-to-Beam Connections, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 3.3

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing typical wood-pile-to-beam connections; basic construction guidance for various connection methods, including connections for misaligned piles; and pile bracing connection techniques; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact...

WPPI GreenMax-Scheller Residence: Near Zero Energy Monitoring Summary

Author(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Research study describing demonstration homes that provided a wealth of information for the building community in terms of the science, effort, and cost of increasing the energy efficiency of our nation's housing stock.