Library | Building America Solution Center

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 - 14 of 14

Building America Special Research Project - High R-Value Enclosures for High Performance Residential Buildings in All Climate Zones, BA-1005

Author(s)

Straube John

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

February, 2011

This report will review, and summarize the current state of understanding and research into enclosures with higher thermal resistance, so-called “High-R Enclosures.” Recommendations are provided for further research.

Capillarity - Small Sacrifices, BSI-011

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

May, 2014

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 Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

June, 2008

Information guide describing issues with concrete floors, in multiple climate zones.

Durable Interior Foundation Insulation Retrofits for Cold Climates, Cloquet Minnesota

Author(s)

University of Minnesota

Organization(s)

NorthernSTAR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

April, 2015

Case study describing foundation wall moisture studies at a research facility in Minnesota run by Building America team NorthernSTAR.

Excavationless: Exterior-Side Foundation Insulation for Existing Homes, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Author(s)

University of Minnesota

Organization(s)

UMN,

NorthernSTAR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2014

Case study describing novel technique for installing exterior spray foam on foundation walls that uses high-pressure water sprayer and a “hydro vac” to remove dirt along the foundation wall.

Expert Meeting Report: Interior Insulation Retrofit of Mass Masonry Wall Assemblies

Author(s)

Ueno Kohta,

Van Straaten R

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

February, 2012

Expert Meeting about interior insulation retrofit of mass masonry wall assemblies held on July 30, 2011.

Mass Save Deep Energy Retrofit Builder Guide, GM-1302

Author(s)

Neuhauser Ken,

Gates Cathy,

Pettit Betsy

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

July, 2013

Guidebook providing useful examples of high performance retrofit techniques for the building enclosure of wood frame residential construction in a cold and somewhat wet climate.

Measure Guideline: Basement Insulation Basics

Author(s)

Aldrich Robb,

Mantha Pallavi,

Puttagunta Srikanth

Organization(s)

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Publication Date

October, 2012

Document describing good practices for insulating basements in new and existing homes.

Measure Guideline: Internal Insulation of Masonry Walls

Author(s)

Schumacher Christopher,

Ueno Kohta,

Straube John

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

July, 2012

Report summarizing the importance of properly insulating and air sealing masonry walls, providing step by step instructions and approaches.

Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2020

Report providing extensive guidance on controlling moisture in building envelopes through proper selection and installation on air, water, thermal, and vapor barriers.

Moisture Management for High R-Value Walls

Author(s)

LePage Robert,

Schumacher Christopher,

Lukachko Alex

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

November, 2013

Report explaining moisture-related concerns for high R-value wall assemblies and discusses past Building America research work that informs this study.

Project Overcoat - An Exploration of Exterior Insulation Strategies for 1-1/2 Story Roof Applications in Cold Climates

Author(s)

Ojczyk Cindy,

Mosiman Garrett,

Schirber Tom,

Yost Peter,

Murray Tessa,

Huelman Patrick H

Organization(s)

NorthernSTAR,

University of Minnesota,

NSTAR

Publication Date

April, 2013

Research report describing study of exterior retrofit approach for air sealing, insulating, and water management conducted by the NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership team run by University of Minnesota.

Technology Fact Sheet: Weather-Resistive Barriers

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

October, 2000

Brochure with information about how to select and install house wrap and other weather-resistive barriers.

The Challenges of Basement Insulation

Author(s)

Aldrich Robb,

Zuluaga Marc

Organization(s)

Home Energy Magazine,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA,

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB

Publication Date

January, 2006

Article describing a research study exploring how effective interior insulation systems are at keeping basements dry and warm.