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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 101 - 150 of 267 results:

FireWise Construction: Site Design & Building Materials

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Bueche David,
Foley Tim
·
Organization(s)
Colorado State Forest Service,
CSFS
Description
Wildfire construction guidelines from the Colorado State Forest Service focusing on site design and building materials to mitigate damage to homes in wildfire-prone areas.

Flexible Roofing Facility: 2001 Summer Test Results

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Parker Danny S,
Sonne Jeffrey K,
Sherwin John S
·
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
Study reporting the results of comparative testing of the effect of various roof types on cooling energy performance in a test facility.

Flood and Hurricane Resistant Buildings, BSD-111

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Guide from Building Science Corporation on how to construct a flood and hurricane resistant home.

Forest Home Sites Influence Heating and Cooling Energy

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
DeWalle David,
Heisler Gordon,
Jacobs Robert
·
Organization(s)
Northumberland County Conservation District,
Society of American Foresters
Description
Journal article describing energy impacts from shade trees and forests and solar heating and air infiltration.

Formaldehyde

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Detailed information about Formaldehyde including health effects and strategies to reduce exposure.

FORTIFIED Home Choosing the Right Tape

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
·
Organization(s)
IBHS
Description
Checklist providing recommendations for the right tape in order to reduce the risk of leaks during storms with wind-driven rain.

GREENGUARD Certification for Paints and Coatings

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
GREENGUARD Environmental Institute
·
Organization(s)
GREENGUARD Environmental Institute
Description
Standard describing GREENGUARD Emission Criteria for use with GREENGUARD Certification Program for Low Emitting Products.

Hail Supplement to the High Wind Standard

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
·
Organization(s)
IBHS
Description
Guide describing the requirements by FORTIFIED Home™ for improving the home's resistance to high wind and hail.

Heat Island Effect

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
EPA webpage explaining the heat island effect and providing links to related content.

Heat Island Group - Berkeley Lab

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Heat Island Group,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
·
Organization(s)
LBNL
Description
LBNL webpage introducing heat island effect and cool materials concepts, and providing links to LBNL pages explaining cool pavements, cool roofs, and cool walls.

Heat Island Group: Resources

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Heat Island Group,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
·
Organization(s)
LBNL
Description
LBNL webpage providing resources and tools related to cool technologies, including the SRI calculator and the DOE Cool Roof Calculator.

Heat.gov

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Integrated Heat Health Information System,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
·
Organization(s)
NOAA,
NIHHIS
Description
Federal webpage providing information regarding extreme heat and health for the United States.

High Performance Walls in Hot-Dry Climates

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Hoeschele Marc,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
Davis Energy Group,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Article from NREL on wall construction guidelines for homes in hot climate zones.

High-Efficiency Window Air Conditioners

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
Factsheet profiling a simple modification that can be made to window air-conditioners to improve their energy efficiency.

Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction, FEMA P-499

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Report containing 37 fact sheets that provide technical guidance and recommendations concerning the construction of coastal residential buildings.

Home Cooling Systems

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Energy Saver
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Website providing information on low-energy and standard cooling systems, with a focus on saving energy.

House Siding Options, Plus Costs, Pros & Cons 2020

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Siding Cost Guide
·
Organization(s)
Siding Cost Guide
Description
A starting point for ballparking and comparing the cost of different siding materials and a brief overview of the pros and cons of different siding materials.

How Many Hours-of-Safety Do Our Homes Have in Extreme Weather?

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Corvidae Jacob,
Ayyagari Sheha
·
Organization(s)
Rocky Mountain Institute,
RMI
Description
Article from RMI on how climate change is leading to an increase in critical extreme heat hours and what smart building strategies can be taken to mitigate some of these effects including paint color and insulation.

How to Create a Naturally Cool Building

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Williams Jeremy
·
Organization(s)
The Earthbound Report
Description
Article from The Earthbound Report on passive cooling design strategies for homes located in hot climates.

How to Destroy a Wall in Two Easy Steps

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Parlee Mark
·
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Description
Article describing how omission of two small but critical wall details, a kick-out flashing and a weep screed, lead to extensive water damage to a wall.

How To: Mounting Solar on Sips

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Sughrue Patrick
·
Organization(s)
Premier SIPS Structural Insulated Panels,
Home Power Magazine
Description
A structural insulated panel (SIP) roof has no embedded lumber in the structure, and therefore nothing substantial for attaching PV array and solar hot water mounts. Single or double lumber splines could be put into the panels, or I-joists at 4-foot intervals could be added.

HUD 2024 Housing Innovation Showcase Poster: Window Attachments Keep out the Heat

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Katherine Cort,
Theresa Gilbride
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Description
Factsheet outlining how window attachments like cellular shades, roller shades, storm windows with low-emissivity coatings, and solar screens are low-cost steps that can be implemented to keep homes cool in the summer.

Ignition Resistant Construction Design Manual

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Colorado Springs Fire Department
·
Organization(s)
City of Colorado Springs,
State of Colorado
Description
Wildfire guidance for homes located in the wildland urban interface, focused on site design and individual pieces of the home.

Ignition Resistant Construction Guide

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
FireSafe Montana
·
Organization(s)
FireSafe Montana
Description
Ignition resistant residential construction and landscaping guidelines from FireSafe Montana.

Impact Resistance of Brick Veneer Structures to Hurricane Debris

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Bennett Richard M,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Canada Masonry Design Centre,
CMDC
Description
An impact test report from projectile missile tests against brick veneer, verifying that brick veneers perform well to resisting hurricane force wind driven debris.

Indirect/Passive Air-Flow Systems

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Kang Bhujon,
Lutz-Carillo Sky
·
Organization(s)
University of Texas
Description
Report detailing natural ventilation and passive airflow systems.

Inspection and Verification Guidance for WaterSense Labeled New Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
PDF detailing the inspection and verification guidance for WaterSense labeled new homes including indoor and outdoor efficiency requirements, and homeowner and building management education.

Install Window Shutters

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Knowles III Hal S,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
University of Florida IFAS Extension
Description
This document covers how broken windows can allow wind and rain inside the house and even lead to roof failure.

Installing and Maintaining Evaporative Coolers

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Otterbein Roy
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Article describing what evaporative coolers are, how they work, different types, performance, where they are appropriate, and how to install and maintain them.

Keep Your Cool in Hot Weather

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Center for Environmental Health,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
·
Organization(s)
NCEH,
CDC
Description
Web page describing how to identify heat-related illness and how to prevent it.

Keeping Homes and Cities Cool in Extreme Heat

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Kyle Mittan
·
Organization(s)
University of Arizona
Description
Article from University of Arizona on keeping homes cool during extreme heat, both personal and system changes.

Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program Rules

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
EPA’s 2008 Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule (as amended in 2010 and 2011), aims to protect the public from lead-based paint hazards associated with renovation, repair and painting activities.