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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 - 100 of 106

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.

Double or TDouble or Triple? Factors Influencing the Window Purchasing Decisions of High-Performance Home Buildersriple? Factors Influencing the Window Purchasing Decisions of High-Performance Home Builders

Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa L,
Selkowitz Stephen,
Dingus Olivia G,
Cort Katherine A
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Technical report describing a market assessment conducted on new home builders' window purchasing practices revealing insights to inform the development of thin triple-pane windows, utilizing a center pane of thin glass and krypton gas fill to achieve the performance of standard triple-pane windows...

Testing the Performance and Dynamic Control of Energy-Efficient Cellular Shades in the PNNL Lab Homes

Author(s)
Cort Katherine A,
McIntosh Joshua A,
Sullivan Greg P,
Ashley Travis A,
Metzger Cheryn E,
Fernandez Nicholas
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Efficiency Solutions
Publication Date
DOE-sponsored report describing the experimental design and results of testing the energy performance of Hunter Douglas double-cell cellular shades under various control schemes in the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Lab Homes.

Be Prepared For Extreme Heat, FEMA V-1004

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Information sheet from FEMA on preparation for extreme heat, including measures for keeping homes cool.

Latest North American Fenestration Standard Published

Author(s)
American Architectural Manufacturers Association,
Canadian Standards Association,
Window & Door Manufacturers Association,
Fenestration & Glazing Industry Alliance
Organization(s)
AAMA,
CSA,
CSA Group,
WDMA,
FGIA
Publication Date
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...

Window Attachments

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
DOE presentation describing a project to study window attachments.

2017 Florida Building Code – Building, Sixth Edition

Author(s)
International Code Council,
Florida Building Commission
Organization(s)
ICC,
FBC
Publication Date
Florida building code including all the amendments and additions by Florida for the wind-borne debris regions and the high-velocity hurricane zone.

Wind Safety of the Building Envelope

Author(s)
Smith Tom
Organization(s)
Whole Building Design Guide,
WBDG
Publication Date
Article discussing structural and nonstructural building components and illustrates a variety of wind-induced damages, including wind-driven rain infiltration.

Seismic Safety of the Building Envelope

Author(s)
Arnold Chris
Organization(s)
Whole Building Design Guide,
WBDG,
National Institute of Building Sciences,
NIBS
Publication Date
Article outlining the key issues related to the protection of the building envelope against seismic forces.

Glazing Hazard Mitigation

Author(s)
Smith Joseph L,
Renfroe Nancy A
Organization(s)
Whole Building Design Guide,
WBDG,
Applied Research Associates Inc.,
National Institute of Building Sciences,
NIBS
Publication Date
Article describing the fundamentals and basics of glazing hazard mitigation practices for both new and existing buildings.

Evaluation of Cellular Shades in the PNNL Lab Homes

Author(s)
Sullivan Greg P,
Cort Katherine A,
Merzouk Massine B,
Metzger Cheryn E,
Petersen Joseph M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
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.

Sun Control and Shading Devices

Author(s)
Prowler Don,
Bourg Joseph
Organization(s)
Whole Building Design Guide
Publication Date
Article providing fundamental information and recommendations for shading windows for energy savings.

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...

Rebuilding After a Wildfire

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing conditions for wildfire, how a home catches fire, how to create a survivable space, the ideal fire resistant home.

Window Shades Recalled by Carra Imports

Author(s)
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Organization(s)
CPSC
Publication Date
Webpage documenting a recall of a window shade product.

Evaluation of Cellular Shades in the PNNL Lab Homes

Author(s)
Peterson Joseph M,
Sullivan Greg P,
Cort Katherine A,
Merzouk Massine B,
Weber JM
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Report describing the methods and results of a field evaluation of the energy performance of cellular shade window coverings.

Database of Low-e Storm Window Energy Performance across U.S. Climate Zones

Author(s)
Cort Katherine A,
Culp Thomas D
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Birch Point Consulting,
BPC
Publication Date
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.

Energy Savings from Window Attachments

Author(s)
Curcija Charlie,
Yazdanian Mehry,
Kohler Christian,
Hart Robert,
Mitchell Robin,
Vidanovic Simon
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report describing a comprehensive analysis on energy savings from multiple types of shading devices in multiple climate zones.

Evaluation of Savings in Energy-Efficient Public Housing in the Pacific Northwest

Author(s)
Kunkle Rick,
Gordon Andrew,
Lubliner Michael,
Howard Luke
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Research study documenting market-ready energy solutions to improve the efficiency of new affordable housing in the marine climate of Washington State.

Evaluation of CNT Energy Savers Retrofit Packages Implemented in Multifamily Buildings

Author(s)
Farley Jene,
Ruch Russell
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report exploring feasibility of designing prescriptive retrofit measure packages for typical Chicago region multifamily buildings in order to achieve 25% source energy savings.

Retrofit of a MultiFamily Mass Masonry Building in New England

Author(s)
Ueno Kohta,
Kerrigan Philip,
Wytrykowska Honorata,
Van Straaten R
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Research study about a high performance retrofit of an existing brick building (a former convent) into condominiums, all affordable housing.

Report: 56th & Walnut - A Philly Gut Rehab Development

Author(s)
Puttagunta Srikanth,
Zoeller William,
Faakye Omari
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Report researching cost- effective solution packages for significant energy efficiency and indoor air quality improvements masonry multifamily urban buildings.

Floodproofing Non-Residential Buildings, FEMA P-936

Author(s)
Low David K,
Squerciati John,
Sparenberg Jennifer,
Reeder Adam,
Perotin Manuel,
Mahadevia Amit,
Seelbach Lauren,
Sheldon Adrianne
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA
Publication Date
Report describing dry floodproofing technologies for non-residential buildings, including information about regulatory requirements, design considerations, and descriptions of floodproofing methods and equipment.

Low-e Storm Windows: Market Assessment and Pathways to Market Transformation

Author(s)
Cort Katherine A
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Technical report assessing the market for Low-e storm windows based on market data, case studies, and recent experience with weatherization deployment programs.

Expert Meeting Report: Windows Options for New and Existing Homes

Author(s)
Rothgeb Stacey
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
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.

Measure Guideline: Wood Window Repair, Rehabilitation, and Replacement

Author(s)
Baker Peter
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Document providing information and guidance about rehabilitating, retrofitting, and replacing wood window assemblies in residential construction.

Measure Guideline: Energy-Efficient Window Performance and Selection

Author(s)
Carmody John,
Haglund Kerry
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership,
NorthernSTAR,
University of Minnesota,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
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.

Air-Seal Windows and Doors

Author(s)
Sloggatt Mike
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing how to stop air leaks around the windows and doors of a home.

Water Management of Non-Insulating and Insulating Sheathings - Final Report

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W,
Smegal Jonathan
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report summarizing current research, summarizes issues that have been experienced with current best practices, and recommends ways in which the best practices can be improved for water managing sheathings.

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.”

Window and Door Installation, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 6.1

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing flashing detail concepts for window and door openings that provide adequate resistance to water intrusion in coastal environments, do not depend solely on sealants, are integral with secondary weather barriers (e.g., housewrap), and are adequately attached to the wall...

ReVision Home: Windows and Patio Doors

Author(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Information sheet about window retrofit strategies for hot-dry climates.

Fire Network: Windows Vulnerabilities

Author(s)
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
Organization(s)
UCANR,
University of California Cooperative Extension
Publication Date
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.