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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 69

Author(s)
Hurricane Research Division
Organization(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Publication Date
Description
NOAA webpage providing images and short descriptions of different types of hurricane shutters.
Author(s)
International Code Council,
Florida Building Commission
Organization(s)
ICC,
FBC
Publication Date
Description
Florida building code including all the amendments and additions by Florida for the wind-borne debris regions and the high-velocity hurricane zone.
Author(s)
American Architectural Manufacturers Association,
Canadian Standards Association,
CSA Group,
Window & Door Manufacturers Association
Organization(s)
AAMA,
CSA,
CSA Group,
WDMA,
Fenestration & Glazing Industry Alliance,
FGIA
Publication Date
Description
2017 version of a standard covering requirements for single- and dual-pane windows, glazed side-hinged door systems, sliding doors, tubular daylighting devices, and unit skylights developed jointly by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), the Canadian Standards Association...
Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet poster describing how to add exterior, continuous, rigid insulation to the exterior walls when replacing siding on an existing home.
Author(s)
Sloggatt Mike
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article providing steps to stop air leaks around the windows and doors of the home.
Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Standard covering the installation of fenestration products in new and existing construction. The current version of the standard was published in the year 2019, and is available for preview and purchase at the referenced link. Previous versions of this standard that are available for preview and...
Author(s)
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Standard covering the installation of fenestration products in new and existing construction. This version of the standard was published in the year 2007, and is available for preview and purchase at the referenced link. Other versions of this standard that are available for preview and purchase at...
Author(s)
Hammer & Hand
Organization(s)
Hammer & Hand
Publication Date
Description
This Best Practices Manual is the product of Hammer & Hand’s ongoing work to document and internally codify our standard operating procedures for construction practice.
Author(s)
Wilson
Organization(s)
National Research Council Canada
Publication Date
Description
Document about condensation between the panes, on the inside surface of the outer glass of double pane windows.
Author(s)
Cort Katherine A,
Culp Thomas D
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Birch Point Consulting,
BPC
Publication Date
Description
Research study evaluating energy savings and cost effectiveness of installing low-emissivity (low-e) storm windows over existing windows in residential homes in all climate zones.
Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet poster describing the certification of window attachment products such as storm windows, roller shades, cellular shade, and solar screens by the Attachment Energy Rating Council (AERC).
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Website for finding rebates and special offers near you on ENERGY STAR certified products. Products that earn the ENERGY STAR label meet strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the U.S. EPA helping you save energy and money while protecting the environment.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
ENERGY STAR webpage describing the benefits of storm windows and a link to a product list.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing an ENERGY STAR climate zone map and criteria for ENERGY STAR storm windows per climate zone.
Author(s)
JM Peterson et. al.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Report describing the methods and results of a field evaluation of the energy performance of cellular shade window coverings.
Author(s)
Peterson Joseph M,
Sullivan Greg P,
Cort Katherine A,
Merzouk Massine B,
Metzger Cheryn E
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
DOE-sponsored report describing the experimental setup and results of field studies on using interior cellular shading attachments to reduce solar heat gain in summer and reduce heat loss in winter.
Author(s)
Ojczyk Cindy,
Carmody John,
Haglund Kerry
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership,
NorthernSTAR,
University of Minnesota
Publication Date
Description
Expert meeting report aimed at a greater understanding of the windows research that Building America partners and national laboratories are engaged in to help professionals and consumers choose best practice strategies.
Author(s)
Low,
Mahadevia,
Perotin,
Reeder,
Sheldon Seelbach,
Sparenberg,
Squerciati
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Report describing dry floodproofing technologies for non-residential buildings, including information about regulatory requirements, design considerations, and descriptions of floodproofing methods and equipment.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Recovery Advisory document provide guidance related to the use and installation of opening protection systems to protect glazed openings (windows) from wind-borne debris during high-wind events.
Author(s)
Attachments Energy Rating Council
Organization(s)
AERC
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing assistance with finding the AERC climate zone of particular locations to aid in selecting window attachment products.
Author(s)
University of California Cooperative Extension
Organization(s)
University of California Cooperative Extension
Publication Date
Description
A report showing what happens when windows break as a result of temperature differences between the inside and outside of the home, as well as code standards for the State of California regarding window exposure to wildfires.
Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing flashing of roof penetrations to make a home more resistant to high winds, hurricanes, and rainwater intrusion.
Author(s)
Smith,
Renfroe
Organization(s)
NIBS
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the fundamentals and basics of glazing hazard mitigation practices for both new and existing buildings.
Author(s)
Diez
Organization(s)
New Home Source
Publication Date
Description
Article summarizing for potential homeowners items to check or demand from the builder in designing a home for a cold climate.
Author(s)
Knowles III,
Miller,
Ruppert,
Lenfesty,
Haldeman
Organization(s)
University of Florida IFAS Extension
Publication Date
Description
This document covers how broken windows can allow wind and rain inside the house and even lead to roof failure.
Author(s)
Carmody John,
Haglund Kerry
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership,
NorthernSTAR,
University of Minnesota,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Document describing a process to help builders, homeowners, and designers select energy-efficient windows for new and existing residential construction in all U.S. climate zones.
Author(s)
Baker Peter
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Document providing information and guidance about rehabilitating, retrofitting, and replacing wood window assemblies in residential construction.
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Website providing guidance on how to reduce the risk of damage to a home from hail.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
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.”
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing conditions for wildfire, how a home catches fire, how to create a survivable space, the ideal fire resistant home.
Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about window retrofit strategies for hot-dry climates.