Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing ways builders can block off entry points and otherwise make homes inhospitable to all manner of pests.
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 51 - 100 of 133
Organization(s)
Sierra Club
Publication Date
Description
Article from the Sierra Club explaining 5 steps to take to ensure your home's resistance to wildfires, including site maintenance and roof construction guidelines.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article from Building Science Corporation explaining 'wash and wear buildings' that are designed to be flooded and washed out afterwards.
Organization(s)
U.S. Fire Administration,
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Description webpage providing information about home fire safety during sever weather for consumers.
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
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.
Organization(s)
ECTC
Publication Date
Description
Report providing general guidelines for the installation of rolled erosion control products.
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
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)
University of Zagreb
Publication Date
Description
A guide for designers, architects, engineers, and fire experts on how to design rainscreen and ventilated cavities such that they don’t contribute to the spread of a fire.
Organization(s)
Western Wood Products Association,
WWPA
Publication Date
Description
Document describing common questions about moisture, mold, and wood.
Organization(s)
Whole Building Design Guide,
WBDG,
Gabor Lorant Architects,
Inc.,
Lorant Group
Publication Date
Description
Website providing an introduction to the concepts and principles of seismic design.
Organization(s)
ABTCO Vinyl Siding
Publication Date
Description
Vinyl siding estimating and installation guide for vinyl siding products.
Organization(s)
USCPSC
Publication Date
Description
Updated detailed information about Formaldehyde.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing guidance for choosing appropriate materials and using proper construction practices when rebuilding, repairing, or renovating a home to increase its resistance to fires.
Organization(s)
Edition Diffusion Presse Sciences,
EDP Sciences
Publication Date
Description
A study on how fires spread through exterior building envelopes with discussion on how fires propagate in a rain screen cavity.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Document describing ASCE 24-14 Flood Resistant Design and Construction changes and highlights, on topics including siting, materials, performance, and utilities.
Organization(s)
National Council of Structural Engineers Association,
NCSEA
Publication Date
Description
Article detailing a case study in which thermal mass was used as part of an overall Net Zero solution for a university building.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document presenting some of the key technical properties of many of the most common building materials.
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
Davis Energy Group,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Article from NREL on wall construction guidelines for homes in hot climate zones.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
This page provides important information on how to protect yourself and your family if you suspect that you might have vermiculite insulation from Libby, Montana.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing the requirements by FORTIFIED Home™ for improving the home's resistance in severe thunderstorms, straight-line wind events, and high winds at the outer edges of tornadoes.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Detailed information about Formaldehyde including health effects and strategies to reduce exposure.
Organization(s)
Technical Services Information Bureau,
Walls & Ceilings
Publication Date
Description
Manual describing design, detailing, material selection and troubleshooting for plaster, IEFs, and drywall, with information on continuous insulation, air barriers, rain screens, and ratings for fire and sound.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
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.
Organization(s)
BEC
Publication Date
Description
Case study about high humidity, mold and condensation on surfaces in S. Florida, and how building characteristics cause and amplify these problems.
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)
American Plywood Association,
APA
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing advanced framing, a system of construction framing techniques designed to optimize material usage and increase energy efficiency.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
EPA guidance document providing information on moisture control in buildings.
Organization(s)
Premier SIPS Structural Insulated Panels,
Home Power Magazine
Publication Date
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.
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)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Report informing building stakeholders about the risks a snow event poses to their buildings, preventative measures to take before the snow season, and actions that should be taken before, during, and after a snow event.
Organization(s)
Australian Government
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing guidance on the use of thermal mass with passive heating and cooling strategies.
Organization(s)
Colorado State Forest Service,
CSFS
Publication Date
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.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Online course describing mold and mold remediation for environmental and public health professionals.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about types and installation of insulation.
Organization(s)
University of Hawaii College of Engineering
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
PCA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet discussing the properties and benefits of insulating concrete forms.
Organization(s)
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation
Publication Date
Description
Database of approved products that meet the requirements of the High Velocity Hurricane Zone.
Organization(s)
ICF Builder Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet disucssing myths about insulated concrete forms.
Organization(s)
Intertek
Publication Date
Description
Presentation about the combustion properties of wood.
Organization(s)
CAFED,
CAL FIRE OSFM,
CADFFP
Publication Date
Description
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.
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)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Report containing 37 fact sheets that provide technical guidance and recommendations concerning the construction of coastal residential buildings.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet providing guidance on alternative building materials and techniques in coastal environments, including Engineered Wood Products, SIPs, ICFs, Prefabricated Shear Walls and Moment Frames, Sprayed Closed-Cell Foam Insulation, Advanced Wall Framing, and Modular Houses; also published in FEMA...
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
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.”
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
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...
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure describing advanced framing techniques.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
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.
Organization(s)
University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Publication Date
Description
A guide that summarizes building materials and design considerations for increasing wildfire-resistivity of homes in areas that are prone to wildfires.
Organization(s)
APA,
NIST
Publication Date
Description
Standard that provides expanded and updated requirements for producing, marketing, and specifying plywood for construction and industrial uses.
Organization(s)
City of Newberg
Publication Date
Description
An example of a form a building codes department created to ensure builders are fully aware and have taken steps to provide drainage so that water doesn’t accumulate behind siding. This example is from the city of Newberg, Oregon.