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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 59

A Crash Course in Roof Venting, PA-1101

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing methods for venting a vented attic and a roof assembly over an unvented attic.

Advanced Framing, BSI-030

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report detaining advanced framing techniques, including discussion of cost and energy savings.

Attic Air Sealing Guide and Details, GM-1001

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
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.

Avoiding Mass Failures, BSI-105

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering interior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.

Brick, Stucco, Housewrap and Building Paper, RR-0105

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Research study discussing how housewraps restrict or permit the passage of water molecules based on size, but cannot control the direction in which the water vapor molecules move.

Building in Extreme Cold, BSI-031

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing the control layers (air, thermal, and vapor barriers) needed to build homes successfully in very cold locations.

Bulk Water Control Methods for Foundations, BA-1015

Author(s)
Ueno,
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report about the fundamental concepts that must be understood at the planning or initial nspection of existing homes regarding surface and ground water management.

Capillarity - Small Sacrifices, BSI-011

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing correct ways to eliminate water damage by incorporating a sacrificial layer to foundation walls and footings.

Concrete Floor Problems, BSI-003

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Information guide describing issues with concrete floors, in multiple climate zones.

Concrete Solutions, BSI-118

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering insulating crawlspaces.

Cool Hand Luke Meets Attics, BSI-077

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing the difference between conditioned or unvented attics and unconditioned or vented attics.

Crawlspaces – Either In or Out, BSI-115

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article discussing whether or not to seal and insulate crawlspaces.

Dam Ice Dam, BSI-046

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing strategies for reducing the risk of ice dam formation on roofs in winter.

Deep-Dish Retrofits, BSI-079

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering exterior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.

Designing for Floods, BSI-128

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Report providing guidance on designing buildings to be flood resistant.

EIFS - Problems and Solutions, BSD-146

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report on problems and solutions with EIFS stucco wall cladding systems.

Five Things, BSI-039

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
BSC,
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Article describing five fundamental changes to building construction from the last 50 years and their modern construction consequences.

Foam Shrinks, and Other Lessons, PA-1201

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Journal article describing lessons learned from updating a 16-year-old deep-energy retrofit.

Great Fire of London, BSI–098

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering the fire performance of combustible cladding over combustible insulation.

Hybrid Assemblies, BSI-100

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing issues with condensation in unvented attics insulated with open-cell spray foam.

Interior Spray Foam, BSI-116

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article outlining the use of spray polyurethane foam in residential buildings.

Inward Drive – Outward Drying, BSI-061

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering reservoir claddings, back ventilation and vapor throttles.

Joni Mitchell, Water and Walls, BSI-071

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
BSC,
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Article describing walls and moisture development on them.

Just Right and Airtight, BSI-053

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
BSC,
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Article describing air leakage in buildings.

Mea Culpa Roofs, BSI-083

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing methods for insulating and air sealing vented and unvented roofs in various climates zones.

Measure Guideline: Guidance on Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

Author(s)
Grin,
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Measure Guideline research report providing simple, long term, and durable solutions when using tapes and flashing membranes in conjunction with the exterior face of rigid polymeric foam sheathing to create the drainage plane of a wall system.

Mind the Gap, Eh!, BSI-038

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Discussion of building sheathing.

New Light in Crawlspaces, BSI-009

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Building science insight into crawlspaces.

No Sweat, BSI-094

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.

Quality Assurance Roadmap for High Performance Residential Buildings, GM-0801

Author(s)
Lstiburek,
Eng,
Pettit
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
BSC
Publication Date
Document outlining the approach to quality assurance in the construction process as recommended by Building Science Corporation for new residential construction.

Rebuilding Houston, BSI–101

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering the reconstruction of flood damaged homes.

Rocks Don’t Burn, BSI–068

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering non-combustible continuous exterior insulation and non-combustible roof venting.

Slab Happy, BSI-059

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
How hard can it be to insulate a flat sheet of concrete? I mean you only have three choices – on the top, on the bottom, or on the edge. OK, you might have some combination of the three as well.

Stress Relief, BSI–015

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering coating and back venting wood based claddings and trim.

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.

They All Laughed, BSI-026

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
BSC,
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Article describing the evolution of the IRC to permit class 3 vapor retarders (latex paint) in walls coupled with exterior continuous insulation to allow drying and reduce condensation risk.