Library

2015 edition of code for commercial buildings that brings together all structural, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for all buildings except detached one- and two-family residences and townhouses up to three stories.

Technical report describing the SPS (Structural Panel System), an innovative implementation of the "perfect wall" concept, situating environmental control layers on the exterior side of structural components for improved constructability, cost-effectiveness, and performance, validated through the...

Article by the Canadian Government on attic ventilation and considerations for moisture and ice dams.

Report covering interior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.

Document focusing on the design and wall components that contribute to a pressure equalized rain screen wall, including the frequency of the weep holes and other brick masonry rain screen wall requirements.

Web based tool providing decision-making guidance for selecting wall assembly components.

Article describing the principle of capillarity in construction materials.

Article describing how closed crawlspaces can do "double duty" by controlling moisture and providing energy savings.

Guidance from Zero Energy Project on construction techniques for warmer climates, such as home orientation, and insulation requirements.

Article about how mortar droppings during the installation of a brick veneer can clog the weep holes in the wall assembly causing moisture damage. The article also illustrates products that can be installed in the ventilated cavity to mitigate this problem.

A fact sheet providing information on termite species and how to prevent them from entering into your home.

Report covering exterior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.

This publication provides a set of best practices for improving indoor air quality in conjunction with energy upgrade work in homes.

Report that demonstrates the durability, constructability, and cost-effectiveness of the extended plate and beam (EP&B) wall system for new construction housing projects in compliance with the International Energy Conservation Code, addressing moisture risk management and high-performance envelope...

Article describing five fundamental changes to building construction from the last 50 years and their modern construction consequences.

Article describing a 9-step process to getting rid of rats and mice, and some preventative actions to take.

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.

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.

A website providing a checklist of important areas to check when sealing holes inside and outside of the home to prevent entry by rodents and other outside pests.

Guide detailing best practices on how to build wall assemblies with absorptive claddings such as brick, stone that drain and dry well.

A factsheet providing information on how to prevent pests from entering the home by sealing cracks and openings.

Article explaining how to use integrated pest management to choose methods of pest control that are safe and effective.

Article describing walls and moisture development on them.

Webpage featuring hundreds of illustrations of masonry construction details for brick, congrete, stone, tile, stucco, etc.

Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.

Article describing how moisture accumulates inside of structures and issues that result.

Website providing guidance about mold and moisture for homes, schools, multifamily and commercial buildings.

Online course providing an overview of mold prevention and mold remediation.

Article describing mulch requirements and benefits.

Website providing information on tsunamis, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, thunderstorms and more.

NWCOA website homepage.

Building science insight into crawlspaces.

Website of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.

Report providing detailed steps for builders, architects, and property managers to take for integrated pest management for control of a variety of pests including insects, rodents, and birds.

Fact sheet from Wisconsin Focus on Energy explaining how to prevent future ice dams on homes by learning about their formation and mitigation of contributing factors.

List of recommendations from IBHS on how to protect homes from ice dam formation.

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.

Website providing information about how to keep the properties rat-free and address conditions that can lead to rats.

Guide describing ways builders can block off entry points and otherwise make homes inhospitable to all manner of pests.

Article describing moisture and ice dam issues in attics and how to air seal the attic floor.

Fact sheet describing methods for flashing and air-sealing windows and doors.

Manual describing methods for rodent-proofing buildings.

Website providing information about how to prevent rodent entry in homes.

Report from FEMA describing techniques for floodproofing structures.

Standard describing a simple, relatively cost-effective approach to evaluating the ability of a variety of materials to support microbial growth using a small chamber method. A preview of the standard is available at the link, with the full version available for purchase.

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...

Website providing information on all types of pest management for multi-family housing.

Webpage providing information how to deal with rodents by knowing what they look like, where they live, and what they do.

A report describing methods for constructing homes and treating soils to reduce the risk of termites in buildings.

Fact sheet describing water management in a residential building.