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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 1 - 50 of 140

2020 NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures, Volume II: Part 3 Resource Papers, FEMA P-2082-2

Author(s)
Building Seismic Safety Council,
National Institute of Building Sciences,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program
Organization(s)
BSSC,
NIBS,
FEMA,
NEHRP
Publication Date
Document containing a series of resource papers that describe earthquake design components, including shear walls, resiliency, ground motion, and story drift and deflection, among others.

2021 IBC and IRC Adopt Improved Vapor Retarder Requirements

Author(s)
Crandell Jay H
Organization(s)
Applied Building Technology Group,
ABTG
Publication Date
Article describing vapor retarder requirements in the International Residential Code and International Building Code 2021.

Adobe Construction

Author(s)
Blondet Marcial,
Villa Garcia Gladys
Organization(s)
Catholic University of Peru
Publication Date
Document describing adobe construction, its weakness to earthquakes, and techniques used to improve seismic resistance for both new construction and existing adobe buildings.

Adobe Construction Methods

Author(s)
Neubauer LW
Organization(s)
University of California Davis
Publication Date
Printed manual describing adobe construction

Advanced Framing Construction Guide

Author(s)
APA - The Engineered Wood Association
Organization(s)
American Plywood Association,
APA
Publication Date
Guide describing advanced framing, a system of construction framing techniques designed to optimize material usage and increase energy efficiency.

Advanced Framing, BSI-030

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report describing advanced framing techniques, including discussion of cost and energy savings.

Advanced Wall Framing

Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
National Association of Home Builders
Organization(s)
NAHB,
SEI,
ORNL,
NREL
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing advanced wall framing.

Affordable Solid Panel "Perfect Wall" System

Author(s)
Schirber Tom,
Jacobson Rolf,
Mosiman Garrett,
Handeen Daniel,
Huelman Patrick H
Organization(s)
University of Minnesota,
UMN,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
NothernSTAR
Publication Date
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...

Air Sealing Colorado Homes – 10.634

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

Air Sealing That Works

Author(s)
Bruton Jack,
Baczek Steven
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Article describing how an airtight home shell helps achieve a tight envelope that is energy efficient and cost effective.

All About Larsen Trusses

Author(s)
Holladay Martin
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Website article interviewing the inventor of the Larsen truss, a history of its use, and a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages.

All About Water-Resistive Barriers

Author(s)
Holladay Martin
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Article about different types of weather resistant barrier.

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

Author(s)
APA - The Engineered Wood Association
Organization(s)
American Plywood Association,
APA
Publication Date
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

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
Publication Date
A report that evaluates the force it takes to crack stucco of various thicknesses.

Avoiding Mass Failures, BSI-105

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering interior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.

Brick Masonry Rain Screen Walls

Author(s)
Brick Industry Association
Organization(s)
BIA
Publication Date
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.

Building a Better Trombe Wall

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Fact sheet providing background and technical information on Trombe wall design

Building America Building Science Advisor

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

Building for Energy Efficiency - Part 2

Author(s)
Grin Aaron
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Presentation about advanced framing techniques.

Building in Extreme Cold, BSI-031

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing the control layers (air, thermal, and vapor barriers) needed to build homes successfully in very cold locations.

Building with Structural Insulated Panels

Author(s)
Morley Michael
Organization(s)
Taunton Press
Publication Date
An online learning management resource for the construction community.

Characterization of Framing Factors for Wood-Framed Low-Rise Residential Buildings

Author(s)
Carpenter Stephen C,
Schumacher Christopher
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Case study characterizing the framing factors for the exterior walls, ceilings, and floors of 180 wood-framed low-rise residential buildings across the United States.

Classic Rib® Install Guide

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

Concrete Masonry Homes: Recommended Practices

Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Organization(s)
HIRL,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
HUD,
Office of Policy Development and Research,
PDR
Publication Date
Attachment or installation of foundations, floors, roofs, insulation, utilities, and finishes to concrete masonry walls as well as on special tools and fasteners available for use with concrete masonry.

Concrete Solutions, BSI-118

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering insulating crawlspaces.

Construction Defects – Mortar Bridging and Mortar Droppings Still Plague the Industry

Author(s)
Stephan Bill
Organization(s)
Metropolitan Engineering Consulting & Forensics,
MECF
Publication Date
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.

Deep-Dish Retrofits, BSI-079

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering exterior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.

Designing Energy Efficient New Homes for a Warm Climate

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

Double Wall: Staggered or In-Line Studs?

Author(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Information sheet providing information about investigating the thermal effect of staggering the inner and outer wall studs on double walls in new construction.

Earthquake Safety at Home, FEMA P-530

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Guide provides homeowners ways to prepare for an earthquake and protect a home against earthquake damage.

Energy Benefits of Application of Massive Walls in Residential Buildings

Author(s)
Kosny Jan,
Christian Jeffrey E,
Petrie Thomas W,
Childs Phillip W,
Gawin D,
Desjarlais Andre O
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
Technical University of Lodz,
TUL
Publication Date
Presentation about results from an insulating concrete form energy efficiency study in Knoxville, TN.

ETW: Building Profile: New - Albuquerque New Mexico

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet with details on a building enclosure designed for Albuquerque, NM, as an example for building enclosures built for hot-dry and mixed-dry climates.

ETW: Wall - Double Stud Wall Construction

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet briefly summarizing double stud wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.

ETW: Wall - Double Stud with Spray Foam Wall Construction

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet briefly summarizing double stud with spray foam wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.

ETW: Wall - ICF Wall Construction

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet that summarizes Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction including advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.

ETW: Wall - Truss Wall Construction

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet briefly summarizing truss wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.

Extended Plate and Beam Wall System

Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
HIRL,
DOE
Publication Date
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...

FAQs -- After Gutting a Flooded Home

Author(s)
Louisiana State University College of Agriculture
Organization(s)
LSU AgCenter
Publication Date
Webpage from LSU AgCenter answering frequently asked questions after gutting a flooded home, including mitigation strategies for future floods.