Library

Report providing builders in marine climates with guidance for building homes that have whole-house energy savings of 40% over the Building America benchmark with no added overall costs for consumers.

Document describing three methods for elevating a home out of the flood zone.

Fact sheet describing air-sealing concerns and remedies, including HRV/ERV installation, caulking, spray foam, and weatherstrip installation.

Article describing how to stop air leaks around the windows and doors of a home.

Information sheet from FEMA on preparation for extreme heat, including measures for keeping homes cool.

This Best Practices Manual is the product of Hammer & Hand’s ongoing work to document and internally codify our standard operating procedures for construction practice.

Document providing guidance to U.S. home builders who want to accept the challenge.

Guide describing measures that builders in the cold and very cold climates can take to build homes that have whole-house energy savings of 40% over the Building America benchmark with no added overall costs for consumers.

Guidance document providing BA research teams and partners with specific information and approaches to identifying and overcoming potential barriers to Building America (BA) innovations arising in and/or stemming from codes, standards, and rating methods.

Report summarizing research results for the 30% energy savings level and demonstrates that lead builders can successfully provide 30% homes in the Marine Climate Region on a cost-neutral basis.

Document detailing how to build radon-resistant homes.

Report outlining the steps developers can take to create high-performance standards on a community-wide scale.

Part of a larger LBNL report (Deep Energy Retrofit Guidance for the Building America Solutions Center), the Design and Construction Process chapter provides detailed guidance for each process phase: pre-planning, planning, construction, test-out and post-occupancy.

Part of a larger LBNL report (Deep Energy Retrofit Guidance for the Building America Solutions Center), the Lessons Learned chapter focuses on successful deep energy retrofit projects throughout the U.S.

Part of a larger LBNL report (Deep Energy Retrofit Guidance for the Building America Solutions Center), the Occupant Behavior chapter discusses how to assess homeowner behavior patterns and use these patterns to enhance overall energy savings.

Part of a larger LBNL report (Deep Energy Retrofit Guidance for the Building America Solutions Center), the Reducing costs and Increasing Cost-Effectiveness chapter provides suggestions for controlling deep retrofit costs, including both 'do's' and 'don'ts'.

Fact sheet describing weatherstripping materials, types, expected life expectancy, installation requirements, and pros and cons.

Online textbook describing energy, including energy types, and energy use in homes.

ENERGY STAR specifications for residential window, door and skylights, Version 6, effective January 1, 2015.

Fact sheet discussing safe room and storm shelter door assemblies along with ICC® 500 compliance.

A website containing FEMA publications on safe rooms for both residential and community use.

Report comparing a high-performance house with a code-built control home.

Report describing dry floodproofing technologies for non-residential buildings, including information about regulatory requirements, design considerations, and descriptions of floodproofing methods and equipment.

Factsheet describing garage door pressure rating requirements in high wind– prone areas.

Website describing results of research on impacts to garage doors from hurricanes, tornadoes, and high wind events.

Website blog with guidance about calculating heat-loss.

Central return designs require an open pathway between the room and the heart of the house where the return grill is located.

Report describing ways to retrofit a home to make it more hurricane resistant.

Article describing the flashing of roofs and what to look for, targeted at home inspectors.

Article describing mulching with lawn clippings.

Report discussing development of scopes of work and quality management for builders in mixed-humid climates.

Report investigating what motivates remodelers to become energy-focused and what technical knowledge that need to be energy-focused.

Report presenting ways public housing authorities (PHAs) can develop packages of energy efficiency retrofit measures the PHAs can cost-effectively implement with their own staff in the normal course of housing operations at the time when units are refurbished between occupancies.

Report designed to help a builder understand quality management and its role in transitioning from conventional to HPH building and remodeling.

Fact sheet describing residential tornado safe room doors.

Fact sheet describing methods for flashing and air-sealing windows and doors.

Information sheet about window retrofit strategies for hot-dry climates.

Manual describing the installation process for Craneboard insulated vinyl siding; while installation is similar across insulated vinyl siding products, see manufacturers for specific guidance.

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 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.

Standard describing two techniques for measuring air leakage rates through a building envelope in buildings that may be configured to a single zone which was published in the year 2022 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link.

Research study providing a comparison of selected retrofit activity typically done, versus that same retrofit activity approached from an integrated high performance remodeling and quality management perspective.

A guide for homeowners on determining the risks from tornadoes and hurricanes and selecting a safe room type and location, as well as providing detailed plans for safe room construction.

Fact sheet describing best practices for flashing doors and windows to minimize air and water intrusion.

Article describing tips for effectively installing weatherstripping on windows and doors.

Article describing water leak detection and modes of testing (video camera inspection, hydrostatic pressure, electronic listening, isolation, and digital testing).

This text is one of series of supporting documents that provide guidance on implementing the World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines for drinking-water quality; intended to support improvement of water safety within buildings.

Article describing the process of adding weatherstripping to and weatherizing old doors.

Webpage describing weatherstrip tips and tricks to properly air seal doors.

Article describing an overview of weatherstripping requirements.