Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure describing advanced framing techniques.
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 101 - 150 of 235
Organization(s)
Federation of American Scientists,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Document providing a roadmap to aid Habitat for Humanity affiliates in building high performing houses by using materials and techniques that are affordable, do not add any maintenance burden, and are volunteer friendly.
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
NSTAR,
University of Minnesota,
UMN
Publication Date
Description
Report assessing slab-on-grade foundation insulation energy savings.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report that considers a number of promising wall systems that can meet the requirement for better thermal control.
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report providing testing methodology to evaluate structural rim header designs over openings up to 6 ft. wide and applicable to one- and two-story homes.
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report with test results that serve as a baseline of data for further material tests of other high-R wall systems and for comparison to whole-house wind pressure testing.
Organization(s)
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
Online calculator for estimating payback of adding additional insulation to your house.
Organization(s)
WSU Extension Energy Programs,
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC
Publication Date
Description
Report documenting short-term test results of the Shift House and compares the results of Passive House Planning Package and Building Energy Optimization modeling of the project.
Organization(s)
New Home Source
Publication Date
Description
Article summarizing for potential homeowners items to check or demand from the builder in designing a home for a cold climate.
Organization(s)
GBA
Publication Date
Description
Website that explains and provides diagrams for covering up above-grade rigid foam insulation.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet presenting techniques for installing cellulose insulation.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Publication Date
Description
Blog entry describing methods for insulating basement walls on the interior or exterior.
Organization(s)
This Old House
Publication Date
Description
An article and video of a breakdown on the preparation and installation of basement insulation.
Organization(s)
Montana State University Extension,
MSU Extension
Publication Date
Description
Article from Montana State University Extension explaining how proper insulation techniques can greatly reduce the risks of ice dams on roofs in cold climate zones.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing re-siding retrofits containing exterior insulation and window upgrades aimed at improved energy savings and comfort.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing issues with condensation in unvented attics insulated with open-cell spray foam.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report detailing the design and construction of 10 new houses under the Wyandotte Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Research study describing the impact resistance performance of advanced framed wall systems with insulating sheathing as the primary sheathing from wind blown debris.
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)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article explaining installing cavity insulation.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing principles of insulating steam distribution and condensate return lines as an effective way to prevent energy loss.
Organization(s)
Vinyl Siding Institute,
PEPA
Publication Date
Description
A guide for users and energy raters of insulated siding as home insulation.
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how insulated siding can save homeowners energy by providing continuous exterior insulation.
Organization(s)
NAIMA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing builders with information about meeting RESNET Grade 1 criteria when installing insulation.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article outlining the use of spray polyurethane foam in residential buildings.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Research study describing field testing performed in 32 two-story Florida homes to characterize wind washing failures of the house air and thermal boundary.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report discussing how to create livable space in the attic that meets IRC code requirements by either creating a ventilated roof assembly, or and unvented attic assembly.
Organization(s)
Johns Manville
Publication Date
Description
The purpose for this document is to provide basic guidance on the use of proven installation techniques that can be used by installers to help ensure correct “dense pack” application of JM Spider® in drill & fill applications.
Organization(s)
BSC,
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Article describing walls and moisture development on them.
Organization(s)
University of Arizona
Publication Date
Description
Article from University of Arizona on keeping homes cool during extreme heat, both personal and system changes.
Organization(s)
Natural Resources Canada
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet providing links and resources for insulating basements in cold climates.
Organization(s)
Energy Vanguard
Publication Date
Description
Article discussing the downside to recessed can lights.
Organization(s)
Knauf
Publication Date
Description
Website providing information about Knauf Insulation.
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report about a two-year study intended to document the energy performance of a house in each sub-metered area and compare the performance to modeled predictions and to assess the thermal comfort performance of the single point mini-split heat pump.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Guidebook providing useful examples of high performance retrofit techniques for the building enclosure of wood frame residential construction in a cold and somewhat wet climate.
Organization(s)
Ply Gem Siding Group
Publication Date
Description
Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing methods for insulating and air sealing vented and unvented roofs in various climates zones.
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Document describing good practices for insulating basements in new and existing homes.
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Project discussing buried or encapsulated ducts and their pros and cons.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
This Measure Guideline provides design and construction information for a deep energy enclosure retrofit solution of a flat roof assembly.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report on two approaches to retrofitting existing double-stud walls.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report describing a deep energy enclosure retrofit solution for insulating mass masonry buildings from the interior.
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
Report describing wall assemblies that use layers of rigid exterior insulation thicker than 1-½ inch and require a secondary cladding attachment location exterior to the insulation.
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet providing information on installing Rigid XPS foam board insulation to existing brick masonry walls.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report summarizing the importance of properly insulating and air sealing masonry walls, providing step by step instructions and approaches.
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Document covering the technical aspects of buried and insulated ducts (BEDs), as well as the advantages, disadvantages, and risks of BEDs compared to alternative strategies.