Organization(s)
Vinyl Siding Institute
Publication Date
Description
Publication with installation guidance for vinyl siding.
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 174
Organization(s)
Structural Building Components Association,
SBCA
Publication Date
Description
Article describing vapor retarder requirements in the International Residential Code and International Building Code 2021.
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
Report describing testing and analysis on deep energy retrofits of existing single-family homes in the U.S.
Organization(s)
ABTCO Vinyl Siding
Publication Date
Description
Vinyl siding estimating and installation guide for vinyl siding products.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet poster describing how to add exterior, continuous, rigid insulation to the exterior walls when replacing siding on an existing home.
Organization(s)
University of Minnesota,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Publication Date
Description
Technical report describing the SPS (Structural Panel System), an innovative implementation of the "perfect wall" concept, situating environmental control layers on the exterior side of structural components for improved constructability, cost-effectiveness, and performance, validated through the...
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Article about different types of weather resistant barrier.
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR,
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Publication Date
Description
Report that collected field data from a whole-home program in Illinois are utilized to compare marketplace-installed measures to the energy saving optimal packages previously developed for 15 housing types.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Description
Report on adding insulation to load-bearing mass masonry buildings.
Application of Spray Foam Insulation Under Plywood and Oriented Strand Board Roof Sheathing, BA-1312
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering moisture and leakage issues associated with spray foam insulation application to the underside of roof sheathing.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report about a project that examines implementation of advanced retrofit measures in the context of a large-scale weatherization program and the archetypal Chicago, Illinois, brick bungalow.
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Publication Date
Description
This report outlines research activities that are expected to facilitate the adoption of energy retrofits by remodeling contractors and roofing contractors using retrofit panels. The results of this research will be applicable to many existing house designs in most climates and markets. The...
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the building science implications of insulating vented or unvented attics.
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the research into insulating vented versus unvented attics.
Organization(s)
Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance
Publication Date
Description
SPFA website signup page to access SPFA documents.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report describing approaches to insulating basements in homes built to meet Energy Star levels of performance of heat loss reduction.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet describing techniques for insulating basements.
Organization(s)
BA-PIRC,
Newport Ventures
Publication Date
Description
Report summarizing commissioning, short-term testing, utility bill data analysis, and results of on-site monitoring of a deep energy retrofit.
Organization(s)
Hammer & Hand
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
A guidebook helping builders design and construct homes that are among the most energy efficient available, while addressing issues such as building durability, indoor air quality, and occupant health, safety, and comfort. Measures described in this guide can help builders in the hot-humid climate...
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Document providing descriptions of the many insulation options available to homeowners, along with guidance on where, when, and how to install insulation throughout your house.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Report providing builders in the hot-dry and mixed-dry 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.
Organization(s)
ORNL,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Web based tool providing decision-making guidance for selecting wall assembly components.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document presenting some of the key technical properties of many of the most common building materials.
Organization(s)
Structural Insulated Panel Association
Publication Date
Description
Guide informing builders and developers about efficient building practice for constructing homes with structural insulated panels.
Organization(s)
CARB,
BASF
Publication Date
Description
Reference investigating the strategy of using buried and/or encapsulated ducts to reduce duct thermal losses in residential buildings.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Report describing a deep energy retrofit project for a two-family wood framed home located in Belmont, Massachusetts.
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)
Southface Energy Institute,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet with information about insulating and ventilating attics.
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Description
Case study characterizing the framing factors for the exterior walls, ceilings, and floors of 180 wood-framed low-rise residential buildings across the United States.
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Gas Technology Institute,
GTI Energy
Publication Date
Description
Report identifying housing characteristics and energy use for fifteen single-family housing types and specifies measure packages that provide an optimum level of energy savings based on a BEopt analysis.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report on the stability of furring strips as a means for cladding attachment over walls with thick exterior rigid insulation.
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
NSTAR,
University of Minnesota
Publication Date
Description
Research study describing an experimental and theoretical investigation of the energy and hygrothermal performance of retrofit foundation insulation systems in climate zones 6 and 7.
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Description
Report on heating and cooling air-distribution ducts that are insulated, installed close to the ceiling in a vented attic and covered with attic insulation to minimize energy loss.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information guide describing issues with concrete floors, in multiple climate zones.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering insulating crawlspaces.
Organization(s)
Zero Energy Project
Publication Date
Description
Guidance from Zero Energy Project on construction techniques for warmer climates, such as home orientation, and insulation requirements.
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Publication Date
Description
The Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x4 wood frame studs, wood structural panel sheathing (WSP) as wall bracing and added backing for foam sheathing, a layer of rigid foam sheathing insulation up to 1.5 inches thick over the WSP, and a cladding system installed over the foam sheathing in low...
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Publication Date
Description
Part I of the Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x6 wood frame studs, wood structural panel (WSP) sheathing as exterior sheathing, gypsum board as interior sheathing, and a cladding system installed over WSP sheathing in low-rise residential buildings up to three stories in height. Walls with...
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Article describing research encouraging use of exterior insulation to warm interior sheathing surfaces in walls and roof assemblies to reduce the likelihood of condensation during cold weather
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Research report anayzing the results of a large retrofit project, turining an old school into near zero energy consumption apartments in Greenfield MA.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the difference between conditioned or unvented attics and unconditioned or vented attics.
Organization(s)
BA-PIRC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Research study examining the opportunities for cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy retrofits in residential archetypes constructed before 1980 (Pre-Code) in 14 U.S. cities.
Organization(s)
Southface,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about crawlspace insulation, including installation details.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article discussing whether or not to seal and insulate crawlspaces.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing strategies for reducing the risk of ice dam formation on roofs in winter.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the importance of air sealing, insulation, and roof ventilation in reducing the likelihood of ice dam formation on roofs in cold snowy climates.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering exterior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.
Organization(s)
Structural Insulated Panel Association
Publication Date
Description
Guide informing architects and engineers about designing buildings to be constructed with structural insulated panels.