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Library

Explore this extensive library of building science guidance including research reports from DOE’s Building America program as well as hundreds of other articles, fact sheets, webpages, and reference documents related to constructing and renovating homes.

Showing 1 - 50 of 59 results:

Air Sealing Colorado Homes – 10.634

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Weiner C.
·
Organization(s)
Colorado State University,
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
USDA
Description
Fact sheet describing air-sealing concerns and remedies, including HRV/ERV installation, caulking, spray foam, and weatherstrip installation.

Air-Seal Windows and Doors

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Sloggatt Mike
·
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Description
Article describing how to stop air leaks around the windows and doors of a home.

Be Prepared For Extreme Heat, FEMA V-1004

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Information sheet from FEMA on preparation for extreme heat, including measures for keeping homes cool.

Closed Crawlspaces Do Double Duty

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Dastur Cyrus,
Davis Bruce
·
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Description
Article describing how closed crawlspaces can do "double duty" by controlling moisture and providing energy savings.

Crawlspace Insulation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
ORNL,
SEI,
DOE
Description
Information sheet about crawlspace insulation, including installation details.

Crawlspaces – Either In or Out, BSI-115

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

Earthquake Safety at Home, FEMA P-530

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Guide provides homeowners ways to prepare for an earthquake and protect a home against earthquake damage.

FEMA Continuous Load Path

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Article explaining what a continuous load path is and the key connection points that make it up.

FEMA Safe Room Publications and Resources

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
A website containing FEMA publications on safe rooms for both residential and community use.

Fixing Wet Basements and Crawlspaces

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Todd Jason
·
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Description
Article describing methods to manage moisture, rainwater, and vapor in basements and crawlspaces.

Floodproofing Non-Residential Buildings, FEMA P-936

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Low David K,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA
Description
Report describing dry floodproofing technologies for non-residential buildings, including information about regulatory requirements, design considerations, and descriptions of floodproofing methods and equipment.

Foundation Design Handbook

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Carmody John,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
University of Minnesota
Description
Handbook providing guidance on the design and construction of foundations for homes, including insulation, air sealing, and water management details for basements, crawlspaces, and slabs.

Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Williams Randy
·
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Description
Article describing what the building codes say about frost-protected shallow foundations as a cost-saving alternative to conventional concrete foundations.

Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations 1

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Holladay Martin
·
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding
Description
Guides describing frost-protected shallow foundations as an alternative method for building an energy-efficient foundation for a house in a cold climate that uses less concrete and saves on labor.

Indoor Airflow – Perfect Balance vs. Door Undercut

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Guertin Mike
·
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Description
Central return designs require an open pathway between the room and the heart of the house where the return grill is located.

Innovation in Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Green Home Institute
·
Organization(s)
Green Home Institute
Description
Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.

Innovation in Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Green Home Institute
·
Organization(s)
Green Home Institute
Description
Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.

Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Report providing extensive guidance on controlling moisture in building envelopes through proper selection and installation on air, water, thermal, and vapor barriers.

New Light in Crawlspaces, BSI-009

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

Pump Day Procedures

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ICF Systems
·
Organization(s)
Massachusetts Building Products
Description
Information sheet including a checklist of steps to follow for pouring concrete.

Residential Tornado Safe Room Doors

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Fact sheet describing residential tornado safe room doors.

Revised Builder’s Guide to Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing,
National Association of Home Builders
·
Organization(s)
HUD,
PATH,
NAHB Research Center
Description
Report describing how to construct a frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF) as a practical alternative to a deeper, more-costly foundation in cold regions with seasonal ground freezing and the potential for frost heave.

ReVision Home: Windows and Patio Doors

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

Standard for Gasketing, A156.22-2021, ANSI/BHMA

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
American National Standards Institute,
Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association
·
Organization(s)
ANSI,
BHMA
Description
Standard establishing requirements for the performance and installation of gasketing systems including mortised to doors, frames or both which was published in the year 2021 and a can be purchased to be viewed in full from the ANSI webstore in the link.

Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization, ASTM E779-19

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
·
Organization(s)
ASTM
Description
Standard describing a test method measuring air-leakage rates through a building envelope under controlled pressurization and de-pressurization which was published in the year 2019 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link.