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Library

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 - 129 of 129

Standard Specification for Manufactured Polymeric Drainage and Ventilation Materials Used to Provide a Rainscreen Function, ASTM E2925–19a

Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Specification describing criteria for manufactured polymeric materials used to provide a rainscreen function, a means for the drainage of liquid moisture and the ventilation of vapor moisture that enters an above-grade exterior wall assembly which was published in the year 2019, and is available for...

Standard Specification for Mineral Fiber Blanket Thermal Insulation for Commercial and Industrial Applications, ASTM C553-13(2019)

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
This standard specification covers the classification, composition, physical properties, and dimensions of mineral fiber (rock, slag, or glass) blanket intended for use as thermal insulation on surfaces at various temperature ranges. This version of the standard was published in the year 2019 and is...

Standards & Publications

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Webpage for searching all of ASTM's standards, books, journals, and technical articles.

Storage of Lumber

Author(s)
Rietz Raymond C
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
USDA,
University of Wisconsin
Publication Date
Document providing information on correct storage techniques for lumber to manage moisture.

The Effects of Windborne Debris on Saferoom Wall Panels and Fenestration Systems

Author(s)
Peters Stephen T,
Robertson Ian N
Organization(s)
University of Hawaii College of Engineering
Publication Date
Projectile missile testing of various wall panel configuration to understand how the different wall constructions would perform when struck with wind driven debris from a hurricane.

The Insulating Concrete Forms Magazine

Author(s)
ICF Builder Magazine
Organization(s)
ICF Builder Magazine
Publication Date
Information sheet disucssing myths about insulated concrete forms.

Thermal Mass

Author(s)
Reardon Chris,
McGee Caitlin,
Milne Geoff
Organization(s)
Australian Government
Publication Date
Webpage providing guidance on the use of thermal mass with passive heating and cooling strategies.

Thermal Mass in Building Design

Author(s)
Baggs David,
Mortensen Neal
Organization(s)
Australian Council of Building Design Professions Ltd,
BDP
Publication Date
Design guide providing technical information regarding building with thermal mass.

Thermal Mass Solutions

Author(s)
Habian Bob
Organization(s)
National Council of Structural Engineers Association,
NCSEA
Publication Date
Article detailing a case study in which thermal mass was used as part of an overall Net Zero solution for a university building.

Types of Insulation

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Information sheet about types and installation of insulation.

Understanding Drainage Planes, BSD-105

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Guide providing information about controlling rainwater through use of drainage planes.

Use of Connectors and Brackets, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet 4.3

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Technical fact sheet highlighting important building connections and illustrating the proper use of various types of connection hardware; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Vinyl Siding Installation

Author(s)
Vinyl Siding Institute
Organization(s)
Vinyl Siding Institute
Publication Date
Website describing proper methods for installing vinyl siding on homes.

Voluntary Product Standard - Structural Plywood, PS 1-09

Author(s)
American Plywood Association,
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Organization(s)
APA,
NIST
Publication Date
Standard that provides expanded and updated requirements for producing, marketing, and specifying plywood for construction and industrial uses.

Water Management System Builder Checklist Guide

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A builder checklist guide for the water management of properties with appropriately-designed building technologies.

Why Expansion Tanks Need to be Understood

Author(s)
Eatherton Mark
Organization(s)
Contractor Magazine
Publication Date
Article explaining the importance of expansion tank knowledge.

Wildfire Operations: Wildfire Science

Author(s)
Canada Government of Northwest Territories Department of Environment and Climate Change
Organization(s)
GNWT ECC
Publication Date
Website describing how wildfires spread and how fuels, weather, and topography influence fires.

Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Products

Author(s)
CAL FIRE Fire Engineering Division,
Cal Fire Office of the State Fire Marshal,
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Organization(s)
CAFED,
CAL FIRE OSFM,
CADFFP
Publication Date
A list of exterior building products and materials approved for use in wildland urban interface zoned homes. These products are non-combustible or ignition-resistant.

Wood Combustion Basics

Author(s)
Curkeet Rick
Organization(s)
Intertek
Publication Date
Presentation about the combustion properties of wood.

Wood Drying: Equilibrium Moisture Content

Author(s)
University of Minnesota,
NorthernSTAR
Organization(s)
UMN,
NSTAR
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing the moisture properties of wood.

Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2024 Edition

Author(s)
American Wood Council,
American National Standards Institute
Organization(s)
AWC,
ANSI
Publication Date
Manual providing design and construction provisions for connections, wall systems, floor systems, and roof systems; a range of structural elements are covered, including sawn lumber, structural glued laminated timber, wood structural sheathing, I-joists, and trusses.

Wood Handbook, Wood as an Engineering Material

Author(s)
Forest Products Laboratory
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
USDA
Publication Date
Report summarizing information on wood as an engineering material, and presents properties of wood and wood-based products of particular concern to the architect and engineer.

Wood Pile-to-Beam Connections, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 3.3

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing typical wood-pile-to-beam connections; basic construction guidance for various connection methods, including connections for misaligned piles; and pile bracing connection techniques; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact...