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Library

Explore this extensive library of building science guidance including research reports from DOE’s Building America program as well as hundreds of other articles, fact sheets, webpages, and reference documents related to constructing and renovating homes.

Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results:

Air Sealing Colorado Homes – 10.634

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Weiner C.
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Organization(s)
Colorado State University,
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
USDA
Description
Fact sheet describing air-sealing concerns and remedies, including HRV/ERV installation, caulking, spray foam, and weatherstrip installation.

APA Building for High Wind Resistance in Light-Frame Wood Construction

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
APA - The Engineered Wood Association
·
Organization(s)
American Plywood Association,
APA
Description
A publication highlighting recommendations that contribute to improved overall performance in the structural shell and focus on good connection details to tie together exterior walls, roofs and floors.

Assessing the Impact of Thickness of the Performance of Stucco Cladding

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Brown William C,
Dietrich Mike,
Latimer Mark
·
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating,
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Description
A report that evaluates the force it takes to crack stucco of various thicknesses.

Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Hot and Humid Climate, Volume 1

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Love Pat M
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Document providing a resource to help builders large and small build high-quality, energy-efficient homes that achieve 30% energy savings in space conditioning and water heating in the hot and humid climate.

Building America Building Science Advisor

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
ORNL,
DOE
Description
Web based tool providing decision-making guidance for selecting wall assembly components.

Classic Rib® Install Guide

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation
·
Organization(s)
MS Manufacturing Corporation
Description
Installation manual for installing metal panel siding.

Designing Energy Efficient New Homes for a Warm Climate

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
EXtension Home Energy - Cooperative Extension
·
Organization(s)
EXtension Home Energy - Cooperative Extension
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.

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

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Rosado Pablo,
Levinson Ronnen
·
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Description
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.

Solar-Reflective "Cool" Walls: Benefits, Technologies, and Implementation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Levinson Ronnen,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
California Energy Commission,
CEC,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL,
University of Southern California,
USC,
University of California San Diego,
UC San Diego
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.

Standard Specification for Air Barrier (AB) Material or Assemblies for Low-Rise Framed Building Walls, ASTM E1677-19

Publication Date
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Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
·
Organization(s)
ASTM
Description
Standard that covers the minimum performance and acceptance criteria for an air barrier (AB) material or system for framed walls of low-rise buildings with the service life of the building wall in mind. This link directs to a preview of the current version of the standard, published in the year 2019...

Standard Specification for Manufactured Polymeric Drainage and Ventilation Materials Used to Provide a Rainscreen Function, ASTM E2925–19a

Publication Date
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Author(s)
ASTM International
·
Organization(s)
ASTM
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...

Van Geet Off-Grid Home: An Integrated Approach to Energy Savings

Publication Date
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Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
·
Organization(s)
NREL
Description
Report about a project with successful integration of numerous energy-conservation and renewable-energy features into a beautiful, comfortable, and very energy-efficient off-grid home.

Weep Holes in Brick and Stone Veneer

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Don Jackson
·
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Description
An article written by Don Jackson of The Journal of Light Construction on how to detail brick veneer siding wall.