Library

Article describing vapor retarder requirements in the International Residential Code and International Building Code 2021.

Article describing methods for venting a vented attic and a roof assembly over an unvented attic.

Study from Appalachian State University on passive solar design to take advantage of local climate zones for energy conservation.

Article about different types of weather resistant barrier.

Power Point PDF presentation on historical architecture in New Mexico

Technical fact sheet describing ways to construct asphalt shingle roofs to be more resistant to high winds and hurricanes; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Fact sheet providing background and technical information on Trombe wall design

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

Article describing the control layers (air, thermal, and vapor barriers) needed to build homes successfully in very cold locations.

Webpage explaining how to site and orient a house to take advantage of the solar path.

Online tool for thermal comfort calculations and visualizations SoftwareX 12, 100563 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.softx.2020.100563

Information sheet discussing how OSB will define the future of the structural sheathing market. OSB will define the future of the structural sheathing market. - See more at: http://bct.eco.umass.edu/publications/by-title/choosing-between-oriented-strandboard-and-plywood/#sthash.RilEtDpl.dpuf

Climate Consultant is a software tool for helping architects, builders, contractor, homeowners, and students to understand their local climate.

Website for the U.S. DOE Solar Decathlon competition.

Study testing the effect of fan cooling on healthy adults at increased ambient temperatures.

Brochure providing information on the design of the EPA Region 8 headquarters in Denver, CO.

Technical report describing the impact of orientation on thermal comfort.

Information sheet about what length screws should be used, and how closely to space the screws when fastening furring strips to a foam-sheathed wall.

Factsheet describing ways to install sheathing over existing 1x roof decking.

Checklist describing requirements for roof sheathing along the gable end truss or rafter to achive a FORTIFIED Roof, including New Roof designations and exceptions.

Checklist highlighting key concepts of wind design uplift pressures and design uplift pressure ratings for proper selection and installation of residential roof covering systems to comply with section R905.1 of the 2015 International Residential Code for a FORTIFIED Roof™–New Roof designation.

Checklist providing selection and installation guidance for residential, non-structural metal roof systems installed over wood roof decks with a roof slope 2:12 or greater to comply with section R905.1 of the 2015 IRC for a FORTIFIED Roof – New Roof Designation.

Checklist providing additional guidance and options for asphalt shingle installations at roof edges, intersections and valleys.

Website offering an online training that teaches disaster-resistant best practices for roofers.

Document that gives a step-by-step approach for designing attachments for cladding materials through foam sheathing.

Article from Washington Post on passive cooling measures for homes during extreme heat.

Article from The Earthbound Report on passive cooling design strategies for homes located in hot climates.

Study evaluating opportunities for reducing cooling energy use in a hot dry climate through the use of shading and window options.

Article showing steps for kick out flashing at roof-wall intersection.

Book detailing passive cooling methods including airflow methods, evaporative cooling, and earth cooling.

Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.

Discussion of building sheathing.

Report covering wind loading on roofing assemblies.

Article from Smarter Homes NZ on home building techniques that incorporate passive cooling.

Book describing passive cooling techniques from a technical and academic perspective.

Article from Williams College on the key elements of passive solar design for homes.

Paper summarizing passive and low-energy cooling systems for buildings.

Report providing information on performance of mortars and concrete containing PCMs.

City of Plymouth webpage providing information on the Plymouth Community Center Project.

Data tables on U.S. renewable energy consumption and general trends in the market for renewable energy.

Fact sheet describing proper roof sheathing installation and illustrating fastening methods that will enhance the durability of a building in high-wind areas; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Tool determining the most economical and efficient photovoltaic array location and position.

Document providing incident solar radiation data and window overhang sizing guidance for multiple locations across the U.S.

Handheld solar site analysis tool capturing whole-horizon images for a site and generating shading analysis reports.

Guide describing the installation of windows in walls that have foam plastic insulating; guide provides several methods for attaching, supporting, and flashing windows in walls with rigid foam sheathing. (Note: The link only goes to the table of contents for the guide, the full guide can be...

Information sheet describing correct application of stucco.

Discussion of building sheathing.

Article providing fundamental information and recommendations for shading windows for energy savings.

Study on the effects of wind, radiation, and pressure on apparent temperature.