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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 - 150 of 176

IRC FAQ: Conditioned Attics, GM-0905

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Report discussing how to create livable space in the attic that meets IRC code requirements by either creating a ventilated roof assembly, or and unvented attic assembly.

Masonry Details, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 4.2

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing important roof-to-wall and wall-to-foundation connection details for masonry construction in coastal areas, including load paths, building materials, and reinforcement; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Measured and Simulated Performance of Reflective Roofing Systems in Residential Buildings

Author(s)
Huang Yu Joe,
Konopacki Steven,
Gartland Lisa,
Gu Lixing,
Parker Danny S,
Sherwin John S
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Study investigating measured cooling energy savings in homes across the U.S. from the installation of roofing with higher solar reflectance.

Metal Roof Installation Manual

Author(s)
Metal Construction Association
Organization(s)
MCA
Publication Date
An installation training manual discussing the installation of metal roofing materials and related accessories, for both new construction and retrofit projects.

Metal Roof Systems in High-Wind Regions - Hurricane Ike Recovery Advisory

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
A Recovery Advisory guide reccomending practices for designing and installing metal roof systems that will enhance wind resistance in high-wind regions (i.e., greater than 90-miles per hour [mph] gust design wind speed).

Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report providing extensive guidance on controlling moisture in building envelopes through proper selection and installation on air, water, thermal, and vapor barriers.

Mounting Systems, Mounting Devices, Clamping/Retention Devices, and Ground Lugs for Use with Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules and Panels, UL 2703

Author(s)
Underwriters Laboratories LLC
Organization(s)
UL
Publication Date
Standard covering overs mounting systems, including mounting devices, clamping devices and ground lugs for use with photovoltaic modules and panels and contains requirements for ground-mounted and roof systems as part of a nonstructural building component.

No Sweat, BSI-094

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.

Potential benefits of cool walls on residential and commercial buildings across California and the United States: Conserving energy, saving money, and reducing emission of greenhouse gases and air pollutants

Author(s)
Rosado Pablo,
Levinson Ronnen
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Large scale simulation study investigating the effects of cool roofs and walls on buildings of various vintages across the U.S., with special attention given to California.

Prepare Your Home Ahead of Severe Thunderstorms

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Website providing guidance on how to reduce the risk of damage to a home from hail.

Prevent Home Roof Damage from Heavy Snow and Ice.

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Webpage providing guidance for homeowners on how much snow weight a typical roof can handle and when to consider removing snow from the roof.

Preventing Ice Dams

Author(s)
Fisette Paul
Organization(s)
UMass Amherst Department of Environmental Conservation
Publication Date
Article describing how ice dams form on residential roofs, how they damage homes, and solutions to prevent future dams.

Preventing Ice Dams Fact Sheet

Author(s)
Wisconsin Focus on Energy
Organization(s)
Wisconsin Focus on Energy,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
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.

Radiant Barrier Calculator

Author(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Organization(s)
ORNL
Publication Date
Website providing an online calculator for determining energy and cost savings from installing radiant barriers in attics.

Radiant Barriers

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
U.S. Department of Energy's website describing radiant barriers in homes.

Radiant Barriers: A Question and Answer Primer

Author(s)
Melody Ingrid,
Fairey Philip W,
Beal David
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Website with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about attic radiant barriers.

Raised-Heel Trusses

Author(s)
American Plywood Association
Organization(s)
APA
Publication Date
Information sheet with the definition and uses for a raised truss.

Rated Roof Products Directory

Author(s)
Cool Roof Rating Council
Organization(s)
CRRC
Publication Date
Searchable database of over 3,000 roofing products that have undergone solar reflectance and thermal emittance testing.

Rebuilding After a Wildfire

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing conditions for wildfire, how a home catches fire, how to create a survivable space, the ideal fire resistant home.

Reduce Ice Dam and Icicle Damage

Author(s)
Hellevang Kenneth
Organization(s)
North Dakota State University,
NDSU
Publication Date
Webpage explaining how to mitigate heat loss through roofs for ice dam prevention.

Reexamining Roof Ventilation

Author(s)
Woods Tony
Organization(s)
Home Energy,
National Association for State Community Services Programs,
NASCSP
Publication Date
Article describing moisture and ice dam issues in attics and how to air seal the attic floor.

Retrofit Improvements: Flash and Seal Roof Penetrations

Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing flashing of roof penetrations to make a home more resistant to high winds, hurricanes, and rainwater intrusion.

Retrofit Improvements: Flash and Seal Roof Penetrations

Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
Factsheet providing homeowners with an overview of approaches for flashing and sealing roof penetrations to help discussion with a roofing contractor.

Rocks Don’t Burn, BSI–068

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering non-combustible continuous exterior insulation and non-combustible roof venting.

Roof Sheathing Installation, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 7.1

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
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.”

Roof Underlayment for Asphalt Shingle Roofs, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 7.2

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing recommended practices for the use of roofing underlayment as an enhanced secondary water barrier in coastal environments and optional installation methods; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Roof Venting in a Wet Climate

Author(s)
Fisette Paul
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
Q&A article discussing how to address moisture issues in an attic in a wet and humid coastal climate.

Roof-to-Wall and Deck-to-Wall Flashing, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 5.2

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing the importance of proper roof and deck flashing, and typical and enhanced flashing techniques for coastal homes; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Science of Cool Roofs

Author(s)
CoolCalifornia
Organization(s)
California Air Resources Board
Publication Date
Webpage discussing the characteristics of sunlight and how cool roofs work to reduce solar heat gain.

Snow Load Safety Guide, FEMA P-957

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
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.

Snow Loads

Author(s)
Wilkerson
Organization(s)
Medeek Design
Publication Date
Webpage providing information about design snow loads and a free interactive ground snow load mapping tool for the contiguous United States, as well as snow load calculation methods.

Solar Water Heating - Specification, Checklist and Guide

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Specifications to assist builders in designing and constructing homes equipped with a set of features that make the installation of solar energy systems after the completion of the home’s construction easier and less expensive.