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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 51 - 69 of 69

SelecTree: A Tree Selection Guide

Author(s)
Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute,
California Polytechnic State University
Organization(s)
UFEI,
Cal Poly
Publication Date
Website tool that can search for trees by name or characteristics and retrieve data describing tree attributes including site preferences and general characteristics and considerations.

Storm Water Technology Fact Sheet - Vegetated Swales

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Document describing correct construction of swales, designed to trap particulate pollutants (suspended solids and trace metals), promote infiltration, and reduce the flow velocity of storm water runoff.

Trees for Energy Conservation

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
Training course describing how to incorporate trees into an energy-conserving landscape.

Urban Forestry Manual

Author(s)
U.S. Forest Service
Organization(s)
USFA
Publication Date
Manual describing scientific, technical, and practical information needed to work with communities on urban forestry, including a section on trees and construction.

Where Your Front Door Meets the Forest

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
Webpage describing the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and how to plan residential building to mitigate wildfire risks associated with building in the WUI.

Wildfire and the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)

Author(s)
U.S. Fire Administration
Organization(s)
USFA
Publication Date
Webpage from USFA compiling resources from across the U.S. on Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) information.

Wildfire Home Retrofit Guide

Author(s)
Restaino Christina,
Kocher Susan,
Shaw Nicole,
Hawks Steven,
Murphy Carlie,
Quarles Stephen L
Organization(s)
University of Nevada Reno Extension,
University of California Cooperative Extension,
Tahoe Resource Conservation District,
Cal Fire
Publication Date
A report for homeowners and contractors providing specific recommendations for how to retrofit existing components of a home to withstand wildfire.

Wildfire Operations: Wildfire Science

Author(s)
Canada Government of Northwest Territories Department of Environment and Climate Change
Organization(s)
GNWT ECC
Publication Date
Website describing how wildfires spread and how fuels, weather, and topography influence fires.

Wildfire-Resistant Buildings

Author(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Organization(s)
JLC
Publication Date
Article describing ways to design and construct a building to resist wildfires.

Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Products

Author(s)
CAL FIRE Fire Engineering Division,
Cal Fire Office of the State Fire Marshal,
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Organization(s)
CAFED,
CAL FIRE OSFM,
CADFFP
Publication Date
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.

Wildland Urban Interface Construction Shasta County

Author(s)
Department of Resource Management Building Division
Organization(s)
County of Shasta California
Publication Date
An example of wildland urban interface construction requirements for new buildings built in very high fire risk zones/areas.

Wildland-Urban Interface Growth in the U.S.

Author(s)
U.S. Forest Service
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
Article describing the growth of the wildland urban interface in the United States from 1990 to 2010, expanding from 30.8 to 43.4 million homes (a 41% increase), and growing from 581,000 to 770,000 kM2 (33% growth), an increase of 189,000 km2, an area that is larger than Washington State.

Wind and Trees: Air Infiltration Effects on Energy Use in Housing

Author(s)
Mattingly G.E.,
Peters E.F.
Organization(s)
Princeton University
Publication Date
Paper describing wind influences on air infiltration related energy losses for residential housing and the shielding effects of fences, adjacent structures, and vegetation.