Organization(s)
CPA
Publication Date
Description
Technical bulletin addressing surfacing options in regards to composite wood panels and their emission barrier capabilities.
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 133
Organization(s)
MHFD
Publication Date
Description
Guidance documents describing Erosion Control Blankets (ECBs) use as a construction material that provides temporary cover and support for establishing vegetation on bare soil. ECB holds topsoil and seed (typically grass) in place to minimize erosion during germination of seed.
Organization(s)
AWC,
ANSI
Publication Date
Description
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.
Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials, ASTM E84-23 Standard
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
ASTM standard test method for testing the surface burning response of different building materials which was published in the year 2023 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link.
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Specification covering the standard requirements for application of full thickness Portland cement-based plaster for exterior (stucco) and interior work. This standard was produced in the year 2023, and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. There are also other versions of...
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Specification covering the standard requirements for application of full thickness Portland cement-based plaster for exterior (stucco) and interior work. This standard was produced in the year 2022, and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. There are also other versions of...
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
ASTM standard test method for surface burning response of different building materials which was published in the year 2022 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link.
Organization(s)
American Technical Publishers,
ATP
Publication Date
Description
Book describing Carpentry and Construction, Construction Materials, Hand Tools, Power Tools, Construction Equipment, Jobsite Safety, and Working Conditions, Building Design and Print reading, Inspections Survey Instruments and Operations, Foundation and Outdoor Slab Construction, Floor, Wall, and...
Organization(s)
City of Albuquerque,
CABQ
Publication Date
Description
Power Point PDF presentation on historical architecture in New Mexico
Organization(s)
University of Tennessee
Publication Date
Description
Pamphlet describing different types of mulches and their benefits.
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
USDA
Publication Date
Description
Article describing mulch requirements and benefits.
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
ASTM standard for wood-composite decking and guardrail materials under a variety of tests, including fire performance and UV resistance. Available for preview and purchase at the reference link.
Organization(s)
Aeroseal
Publication Date
Description
A website explaining the process of sealing a home with Aeroseal & how the technology is used to seal holes in the air ducts and vents of the home.
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2019 version of the California Residential Code.
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Test method designed to calculate an assigned air permeance of flexible sheet or rigid panel-type materials at a reference air pressure differential of 75 Pa which was published in the year 2021 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link.
Organization(s)
LASFM
Publication Date
Description
Site showing flame spread ratings and definitions for common building materials.
Organization(s)
International Masonry Institute
Publication Date
Description
Webpage featuring hundreds of illustrations of masonry construction details for brick, congrete, stone, tile, stucco, etc.
Organization(s)
GNWT ECC
Publication Date
Description
Website describing how wildfires spread and how fuels, weather, and topography influence fires.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the principle of capillarity in construction materials.
Organization(s)
CAL FIRE OSFM
Publication Date
Description
California Office of the State Fire Marshal's homepage for the Building Materials Listing Program, providing builders, contractors, architects, and others with access to a database of fire alarm systems and fire-resistant construction materials including roof coverings, wall, ceiling, and floor...
Organization(s)
Cal Fire,
CAL FIRE OSFM
Publication Date
Description
California Office of the State Fire Marshal's compiled and searchable list of different building materials and their test results for fire resistance.
Organization(s)
City of Plymouth,
State of Minnesota
Publication Date
Description
City of Plymouth webpage providing information on the Plymouth Community Center Project.
Organization(s)
Odice
Publication Date
Description
An example of a commercially available thermally expansive fire stopping product for controlling the spread of fires in a rainscreen cavity.
Organization(s)
UCANR,
University of California Cooperative Extension
Publication Date
Description
Guidelines from the University of California Cooperative Extension on how fires spread, how homes typically burn, and what homeowners can do to prepare their homes for wildfire season.
Organization(s)
FIRESafe Marin
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from FireSafe Marin explaining the vulnerability of different deck setups and materials.
Organization(s)
Cal Fire
Publication Date
Description
Article from CAL FIRE on fire-resistant landscaping to mitigate ignition of homes.
Organization(s)
Siding Cost Guide
Publication Date
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.
Organization(s)
sidingcost.org
Publication Date
Description
Website providing the pros and cons of different siding materials for home building, including wood, vinyl, fiber cement, stucco, brick, metal, and stone.
Organization(s)
Purdue University
Publication Date
Description
Article from Purdue University on the potential for white paint technology to lower air conditioning usage requirements.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Checklist for verifying FORTIFIED levels and documentation needed.
Organization(s)
Florida Building Code
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing the test procedure for wind and wind driven rain resistance of discontinuous roofing systems.
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Test method designed to obtain reliable values for the WVTR of plastic film and sheeting which was published in the year 2020 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link.
Organization(s)
American Plywood Association,
APA
Publication Date
Description
Website homepage of APA – The Engineered Wood Association, a nonprofit trade association combining the research efforts of scientists and engineers, APA promotes new solutions and improved processes that benefit the entire industry.
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Webpage for searching all of ASTM's standards, books, journals, and technical articles.
Organization(s)
City of Colorado Springs,
State of Colorado
Publication Date
Description
Wildfire guidance for homes located in the wildland urban interface, focused on site design and individual pieces of the home.
Organization(s)
ANSI,
DHA
Publication Date
Description
Standard detailing the specific requirements for all face, back, and inner ply grades as well as formaldehyde emissions, moisture content, tolerances, sanding, and grade marking which was published in 2020, can be acquired through a subscription with the ANSI webstore.
Organization(s)
FIRESafe Marin
Publication Date
Description
List of guidelines for plants and their fire resistance from FIRESafe Marin.
Organization(s)
FIRESafe Marin
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from FireSafe Marin explaining the different landscaping strategies near homes to lower the risk of a home's ignition from wildfire.
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)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing the requirements by FORTIFIED Home™ for improving the home's resistance to high wind and hail.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering the rainwater performance of building assemblies.
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
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...
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
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...
Organization(s)
EXtension Home Energy - Cooperative Extension
Publication Date
Description
Article from The Home Energy Community of Practice on designing energy efficient homes in hot climate zones, including home orientation, window location, and roof design considerations.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Checklist providing recommendations for the right tape in order to reduce the risk of leaks during storms with wind-driven rain.
Organization(s)
Materials Journal
Publication Date
Description
Report providing information on performance of mortars and concrete containing PCMs.
Organization(s)
California Energy Commission,
CEC,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL,
University of Southern California,
USC,
University of California San Diego,
UC San Diego
Publication Date
Description
California Energy Commission report presenting the concept of cool walls and providing guidelines for their building- and climate-appropriate use to conserve energy and reduce emissions.
Organization(s)
Vinyl Siding Institute
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing proper methods for installing vinyl siding and soffit coverings in high wind and coastal areas.
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)
Vinyl Siding Institute
Publication Date
Description
Website describing proper methods for installing vinyl siding on homes.