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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 - 37 of 37

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

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
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.

Excavationless Exterior Foundation Insulation Exploratory Study

Author(s)
Mosiman Garrett,
Wagner Terence L,
Schirber Tom
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
University of Minnesota,
U.S. Department of Labor,
DOE
Publication Date
Research study searching for combinations of existing technologies that could enable a minimally invasive, cost-competitive, easily deployable method of upgrading soil-side foundation insulation in existing buildings.

Groundwater Control, Info-101

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet about groundwater control.

Laboratory Evaluation of Energy Recovery Ventilators

Author(s)
Kosar Douglas
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
Gas Technology Institute,
GTI Energy,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report targeting the growing number of homes utilizing deep retrofit measures and new construction practices to realize sufficiently lower infiltration levels that require mechanical ventilation as prescribed by ASHRAE Standard 62.2.

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

Measure Guideline: Guidance on Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

Author(s)
Grin Aaron,
Lstiburek Joseph W
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.

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

Measure Guideline: Water Management at Tub and Shower Assemblies

Author(s)
Dickson Bruce
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report covering the fundamental waterproofing strategies for tub and shower assemblies.

Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
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
Report explaining moisture-related concerns for high R-value wall assemblies and discusses past Building America research work that informs this study.

Moisture-Safe Unvented Wood Roof Systems, RR-1001

Author(s)
Smith John,
Smegal Jonathan,
Straube John
Organization(s)
University of Waterloo,
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Document describing a hygrothermal modeling study, including all of the US climate zones, a range of interior humidity levels and numerous arrangements and types of insulation.

Mold: Ignorance Is Not Bliss

Author(s)
Puttagunta Srikanth
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Information sheet about mold mitigation.

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
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.

READ THIS: Before You Design, Build or Renovate, GM-0602

Author(s)
Brennan Terry,
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Document with important building science considerations, designed for members of the residential construction and remodeling industries, as well as owners and managers who work in affordable housing.

READ THIS: Before You Move In, GM-0606

Author(s)
Brennan Terry,
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report describing steps homeowners can take to improve the indoor air quality in their home, including ventilating, preventing pests, and reducing pollutants in the home.

READ THIS: Before You Turn Over a Unit, GM-0603

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet designed for the residential construction and remodeling industries, as well as owners and managers working in affordable housing. This sheet presents building guidance for both new construction and rehabilitation, as well as practices that can be used by property maintenance...

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

Water Management of Non-Insulating and Insulating Sheathings - Final Report

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W,
Smegal Jonathan
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report summarizing current research, summarizes issues that have been experienced with current best practices, and recommends ways in which the best practices can be improved for water managing sheathings.

WaterSense Labeled Homes Technical Sheet: Kitchen Faucets

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
WaterSense
Organization(s)
EPA,
WaterSense
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing the requirements for EPA WaterSense® certified kitchen faucets that highlights flow rate specifications, efficiency code standards, local requirements, faucet types and regulations for building and verifying a labeled faucet to ensure it meets the quality and water management...