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 77
Organization(s)
Building Design and Construction
Publication Date
Description
AIA CEU course covering design considerations for below-grade waterproofing for new construction, the types of below-grade systems available, and specific concerns associated with waterproofing deep foundations.
Organization(s)
The Constructor
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the process of constructing concrete walls
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Website describing the U.S. Department of Energy's residential buildings program.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Publication Date
Description
Article describing what the building codes say about frost-protected shallow foundations as a cost-saving alternative to conventional concrete foundations.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report providing guidance on designing buildings to be flood resistant.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Documents describing the similarities and differences between the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) minimum requirements and the requirements of the International Codes® (I-Codes®) and ASCE 24, Flood Resistant Design and Construction, a standard referenced by the I-Codes., and illustrating...
Organization(s)
City of Portland,
State of Oregon
Publication Date
Description
Website providing resources for seismic retrofits for builders and homeowners as well as city permit requirements from the City of Portland OR.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet discussing designs for prefabricated safe rooms built to ICC 500 standards mentioned in FEMA P-361.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering insulating crawlspaces.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report providing extensive guidance on controlling moisture in building envelopes through proper selection and installation on air, water, thermal, and vapor barriers.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Checklist for verifying FORTIFIED levels and documentation needed.
Organization(s)
FLASH
Publication Date
Description
Report providing architects, designers, and homeowners with information to make house plans useful for constructing a more wind resilient structure.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure describing FEMA documents and foundation tips for floodproofing homes.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Document describing guidance and requirements for flood openings in walls at and below grade.
Organization(s)
CEA
Publication Date
Description
Article from California Earthquake Authority on the benefits of retrofitting homes to withstand earthquake forces, with a focus on foundations, walls, and chimneys.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing a report providing best practices for reducing damages from floods to manufactured homes.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet providing an overview of the FEMA document Wind Retrofit Guide for Residential Buildings.
Organization(s)
Green Home Institute
Publication Date
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.
Organization(s)
Green Home Institute
Publication Date
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.
Organization(s)
ATC,
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Reports describing a mathematical methodology for assessing the seismic performance of buildings.
Organization(s)
Steven Winter Associates
Publication Date
Description
Web article discussing the primary approaches to waterproofing concrete foundations.
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how an airtight home shell helps achieve a tight envelope that is energy efficient and cost effective.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Checklist highlighting the requirement for metal structural connections and materials fasteners used to retrofit or construct FORTIFIED buildings less than 3,000 ft from saltwater to be suitably protected from corrosion.
Organization(s)
HIRL,
NAHB
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing design and construction practices to reduce the likelihood of water intrusion in walls and foundations in residential construction.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering the reconstruction of flood damaged homes.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Checklist intending to clarify FORTIFIED Home™ eligibility requirements that relate to a home’s foundation.
Organization(s)
Polyguard
Publication Date
Description
An article describing a way to protect drain and ventilation holes in brick veneer siding against pests. Selecting a fine screen mesh opening (1/55-inch or 0.5-mm) is important to guard against small insects such as subterranean termites.
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
NSTAR,
University of Minnesota,
UMN
Publication Date
Description
Report assessing slab-on-grade foundation insulation energy savings.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Guide discussing ways that homeowners in ground-secured houses can reduce the risks and damage caused by floods upon residential buildings.
Organization(s)
BSSC,
NIBS,
FEMA,
NEHRP
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing engineering seismic design and building practices based on post-earthquake research.
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Case study describing foundation wall moisture studies at a research facility in Minnesota run by Building America team NorthernSTAR.
Organization(s)
Concrete Construction
Publication Date
Description
Article describing frost-protected shallow foundations with construction drawing details.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
UMN,
NorthernSTAR,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
National Park Service
Publication Date
Description
Manual describing methods for rodent-proofing buildings.
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing water management in a residential building.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing correct ways to eliminate water damage by incorporating a sacrificial layer to foundation walls and footings.
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Report describing dry floodproofing technologies for non-residential buildings, including information about regulatory requirements, design considerations, and descriptions of floodproofing methods and equipment.
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
University of Minnesota
Publication Date
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.
Organization(s)
Massachusetts Building Products
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet including a checklist of steps to follow for pouring concrete.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document providing information on basement insulation, air sealing and water management retrofits.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
University of Minnesota,
UMN,
NSTAR,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Presentation describing the challenges of insulating an existing basement, presented to the Building America residential energy-efficiency stakeholder meeting.
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE,
Oklahoma State University,
OSU,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Study characterizing how foundation heat exchangers (FHXs) used in residential ground source heat pump systems represent a potential cost savings due to their lesser first cost over other types of heat exchangers.
Organization(s)
Oklahoma State University,
OSU,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Article describing a numerical model that can be used to size foundation heat exchanger (FHX) systems.
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA,
Applied Technology Council,
ATC,
URS Group,
DK Low and Associates,
Atkins,
TLSmith Consulting
Publication Date
Description
Volume 1 of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to planning, siting, and risk management for homes constructed in coastal environments.
Organization(s)
CGS
Publication Date
Description
Website discussing building foundation problems caused by settling soil in Colorado.
Organization(s)
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
A builder checklist guide for the water management of properties with appropriately-designed building technologies.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report about the fundamental concepts that must be understood at the planning or initial nspection of existing homes regarding surface and ground water management.