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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 151 - 200 of 221

Monitoring of Unvented Roofs with Fibrous Insulation, Diffusion Vents, and Interior Vapor Control in a Cold Climate

Author(s)
Ueno Kohta,
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report detailing a three-winter study on unvented roof assemblies in a cold climate, assessing insulation material, ridge diffusion vent presence, vapor control membranes, relative humidity, and interstitial airflow. Results indicate that utilizing air-permeable fibrous fill insulations in unvented...

Monitoring of Unvented Roofs with Fibrous Insulation, Diffusion Vents, and Interior Vapor Control in a Cold Climate

Author(s)
Ueno Kohta,
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report detailing a three-winter study on unvented roof assemblies in a cold climate, assessing insulation material, ridge diffusion vent presence, vapor control membranes, relative humidity, and interstitial airflow; results indicate that utilizing air-permeable fibrous fill insulations in unvented...

Nail Withdrawal Capacities in OSB

Author(s)
Extreme Panel Technologies
Organization(s)
Extreme Panel Technologies
Publication Date
Information sheet with nail withdrawl capacities in OSB.

NREL Evaluates the Thermal Performance of Uninsulated Walls to Improve the Accuracy of Building Energy Simulation Tools

Author(s)
Ridouane El Hassan
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Document about development of models for evaluating thermal performance of walls in existing homes that will improve the accuracy of building energy simulation tools when predicting potential energy savings of existing homes.

Performance of Windows in Walls With Continuous Insulation

Author(s)
Peavey John,
Shah Nay B
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs,
HIRL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Technical report describing research aimed to provide window manufacturers with foundational guidance for installing windows in walls with continuous insulation (CI), addressing critical aspects such as evaluating common installation methods, establishing acceptance criteria for window performance...

Performance profiles of exterior fire protective building envelopes

Author(s)
Jarnskjold Tobias,
Jensen Geir,
Knudsen Atle
Organization(s)
Edition Diffusion Presse Sciences,
EDP Sciences
Publication Date
A study on how fires spread through exterior building envelopes with discussion on how fires propagate in a rain screen cavity.

Plaster and Drywall Assemblies Manual

Author(s)
Fowler Mark,
Stanley Bryan,
Coats Darin
Organization(s)
Technical Services Information Bureau,
Walls & Ceilings
Publication Date
Manual describing design, detailing, material selection and troubleshooting for plaster, IEFs, and drywall, with information on continuous insulation, air barriers, rain screens, and ratings for fire and sound.

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.

Practical Residential Wall Systems: R-30 and Beyond

Author(s)
Aldrich Robb,
Arena Lois,
Zoeller William
Organization(s)
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Document with information about the most practical methods to achieve whole-wall performance of R-30 or above.

Predicting Envelope Leakage in Attached Dwellings

Author(s)
Faakye Omari,
Arena Lois,
Griffiths Dianne
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Research study exploring a test method measuring air leakage between units through common surfaces and air infiltration across exterior, noncommon surfaces of the enclosure.

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.

Protect Your Home from Ice Dams

Author(s)
IBHS DisasterSafety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
List of recommendations from IBHS on how to protect homes from ice dam formation.

Protection of Openings-Shutters and Glazing, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 6.2

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Technical fact sheet describing the selection and installation of storm shutters and impact-resistant glazing and other types of opening protection in windborne debris regions; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Providing a Thermal Break in Gut Rehabs

Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates,
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Information sheet about how to reduce thermal bridging in walls.

Rain and Groundwater Management Technote

Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs,
National Association of Home Builders
Organization(s)
HIRL,
NAHB
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing design and construction practices to reduce the likelihood of water intrusion in walls and foundations in residential construction.

Rain Control in Buildings, BSD-013

Author(s)
Straube John
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Document covering basic moisture control principles in the design of above-grade building enclosures; driving rain as a moisture load on walls; a classification system of the various rain control strategies available for walls; and good design practises for walls.

Rammed Earth Construction

Author(s)
First in Architecture
Organization(s)
First in Architecture
Publication Date
Article describing rammed earth construction

Rated Wall Products Directory

Author(s)
Cool Roof Rating Council
Organization(s)
CRRC
Publication Date
Searchable database of wall cladding and coating products that have undergone solar reflectance and thermal emittance testing.

Rebuilding Houston, BSI–101

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering the reconstruction of flood damaged homes.

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.

Required Length of Bracing, R602.10.3

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Table in the IRC describing bracing requirements for specified wind speeds and building story locations.

Residential Heating and Cooling Loads Component Analysis

Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Organization(s)
LBNL
Publication Date
Report describing a study using parametric computer simulations of 112 single-family and 63 multi-family residential building prototypes to quantify the contributions of building components such as roofs, walls, windows, infiltration, outside air, lighting, equipment, and people to the aggregate...

Residential Seismic Strengthening

Author(s)
City of Portland,
State of Oregon
Organization(s)
City of Portland,
State of Oregon
Publication Date
Website providing resources for seismic retrofits for builders and homeowners as well as city permit requirements from the City of Portland OR.

Resistance of Exterior Walls to High Velocity Projectiles

Author(s)
Kashuba Scott D,
Kuzik Mark D,
Hatzinikolas Michael A
Organization(s)
Canadian Masonry Research Institute,
CMPA
Publication Date
Report describing the testing of various siding materials for their ability to resist bullets from small firearms.

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.

ReVision Home: Standing Seam Metal Cool Roofing

Author(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Information about a roof retrofit using a metal, cool roof system.

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.”

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

Author(s)
Levinson Ronnen,
Ban-Weiss George,
Berdahl Paul,
Chen Sharon,
Destaillats Hugo,
Dumas Nathalie,
Gilbert Haley,
Goudey Howdy,
Houze de l'Aulnoit Sebastien,
Kleissl Jan,
Kurtz Benjamin,
Li Yun,
Long Yan,
Mohegh Arash,
Nazarian Negin,
Pizzicotti Matteo,
Rosado Pablo,
Russell Marion,
Slack Jonathan,
Tang Xiaochen,
Zhang Jiachen,
Zhang Weilong
Organization(s)
California Energy Commission,
CEC,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL,
University of Southern California,
USC,
University of California San Diego,
UC San Diego
Publication Date
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 Practice for the Installation of Mounting Flange Windows into Walls Utilizing Foam Plastic Insulating Sheathing (FPIS) with a Separate Water-Resistive Barrier (WRB), FMA/AAMA/WDMA 500-16

Author(s)
Fenestration Manufacturers Association,
American Architectural Manufacturers Association,
Window & Door Manufacturers Association
Organization(s)
FMA,
AAMA,
WDMA
Publication Date
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...

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

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
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 Air Barrier (AB) Material or System for Low-Rise Framed Building Walls, ASTM E1677-11

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
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 version of the standard that was published in the year 2011...

Standard Specification for Application of Portland Cement-Based Plaster, ASTM C 926-22c

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Specification covering the standard requirements for application of full thickness Portland cement-based plaster for exterior (stucco) and interior work. This standard was produced in the year 2022, and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. There are also other versions of...

Standard Specification for Application of Portland Cement-Based Plaster, ASTM C 926-23

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Specification covering the standard requirements for application of full thickness Portland cement-based plaster for exterior (stucco) and interior work. This standard was produced in the year 2023, and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. There are also other versions of...

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

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

Strategy Guideline: Energy Retrofits for Low-Rise Multifamily Buildings in Cold Climates

Author(s)
Brozyna Kevin,
Badger Leslie
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS,
Vermont Energy Investment Corporation,
VEIC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Document explaining the benefits of evaluating and identifying energy efficiency retrofit measures that could be made during renovation and maintenance of multifamily buildings.

Stress Relief, BSI–015

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering coating and back venting wood based claddings and trim.

Structural Testing of Screws through Thick Exterior Insulation

Author(s)
Tatara Jun,
Ricketts Lorne
Organization(s)
RDH Building Science Inc.,
Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology,
CCBST
Publication Date
Conference paper describing testing of the performance of fasteners used to attach rigid foam insulation to the exterior of walls.

Stucco that Works

Author(s)
DeKorne Clayton
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
Information sheet describing correct application of stucco.

Termite Damaged Weatherboard

Author(s)
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Organization(s)
CSIRO
Publication Date
Image depicting damage from termites in weatherboard cladding.