Organization(s)
ABAA
Publication Date
Description
Standard outlining materials and installation methods by using commercial building wraps.
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 57
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
Center for Energy and Environment,
CEE
Publication Date
Description
Report examining the effectiveness of an aerosolized acrylic technique for air sealing existing homes to reduce air leakage and improve energy efficiency.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet poster describing the energy efficiency and comfort benefits of thin triple-pane windows as compared to standard triple-pane and double-pane windows.
Organization(s)
Vinyl Siding Institute
Publication Date
Description
Publication with installation guidance for vinyl siding.
Organization(s)
Aeroseal
Publication Date
Description
A website explaining the process of sealing a home with Aeroseal & how the technology is used to seal holes in the air ducts and vents of the home.
Organization(s)
NREL,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing an innovative aerosol-based sealing technique for tightening building envelopes in new homes, involving pressurizing the structure and dispersing an aerosol sealant "fog" to autonomously identify and seal leaks, with real-time feedback through a standard blower door and laptop...
Organization(s)
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Technical report describing the research and development of the Ventilation-Integrated Comfort System (VICS) which is a specifically designed, energy-efficient solution that seamlessly integrates with low-capacity, ducted heating, and cooling systems, offering controllable, balanced energy recovery...
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report providing extensive guidance on controlling moisture in building envelopes through proper selection and installation on air, water, thermal, and vapor barriers.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Website providing resources for roofers to construct high-wind, hurricane, and hail-resistant roofs from IBHS Fortified program.
Organization(s)
ABAA
Publication Date
Description
Standard outlining materials and installation methods for a liquid-applied vapor permeable air barrier systems located in the non-accessible part of the wall.
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Technical report describing the research behind a new aerosol-based sealing method, utilizing pressurization and a dispersed sealant fog, facilitated by a standard blower door, to automatically measure, locate, and seal air leaks in new homes in the United States, providing an efficient solution to...
Organization(s)
ABAA
Publication Date
Description
Standard providing information about self-adhered sheet air barriers located in the non-accessible part of the wall and materials to bridge and seal air leakage pathways and gaps.
Organization(s)
ABAA
Publication Date
Description
Standard providing master specifications for closed cell, medium density spray polyurethane foam air barriers located in the non-accessible part of the wall.
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
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...
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing air sealing and air barriers in buildings.
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs,
HIRL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
The next generation of building enclosures is a key step toward achieving high-performance goals through decreasing energy load demand and enabling advanced space-conditioning systems. Yet the adoption of high-R enclosures and particularly high-R walls has been a slow-growing trend because...
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how an airtight home shell helps achieve a tight envelope that is energy efficient and cost effective.
Organization(s)
ABTCO Vinyl Siding
Publication Date
Description
Vinyl siding estimating and installation guide for vinyl siding products.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article discussing flow-through assemblies of walls.
Organization(s)
Permaculture Research Institute
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the difference between swales and hugels (berms used to create soil from woody debris).
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report presenting the results from several demonstrations of a new method for sealing building envelop air leaks.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
The FPC Monitoring project has evaluated radiant barrier systems (RBS) as a new potential DSM program.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
U.S. Department of Energy's website describing radiant barriers in homes.
Organization(s)
Ply Gem Siding Group
Publication Date
Description
Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.
Organization(s)
SEI
Publication Date
Description
Document describing the air leakage provisions of Appendix RA of the 2015 IECC (prepared for the State of Georgia to assist with compliance with their 2019 Energy Code).
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
Report describing how changing the air exchange rate of a home (the sum of the infiltration and mechanical ventilation airflow rates) affects the annual thermal conditioning energy.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet briefly summarizing double stud with spray foam wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Research report assessing the moisture and cooling load impacts of airtightness and mechanical ventilation in homes in hot-humid climates.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the stack effect in buildings.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing airflow within buildings due to pressure differences.
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report documenting actual energy savings of a retrofit project in Boulder, CO.
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center,
DOE,
GBA,
ORNL,
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Document presenting step-by-step process for installing rigid insulating sheathing over wood studs or house wrap.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Guidebook providing useful examples of high performance retrofit techniques for the building enclosure of wood frame residential construction in a cold and somewhat wet climate.
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how to stop air leaks around the windows and doors of a home.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Document providing descriptions of the many insulation options available to homeowners, along with guidance on where, when, and how to install insulation throughout your house.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Journal article describing lessons learned from updating a 16-year-old deep-energy retrofit.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Website article interviewing the inventor of the Larsen truss, a history of its use, and a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Article about different types of weather resistant barrier.
Organization(s)
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Website providing an online calculator for determining energy and cost savings from installing radiant barriers in attics.
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
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 version of the standard that was published in the year 2011...
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report comparing a variety of roof insulating strategies to present their advantages and disadvantages according to several comparison criteria.
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about air barriers.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Building science insight into crawlspaces.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Brochure about creating an air barrier at tub, shower and fireplace walls.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Brochure about creating an air barrier by sealing drywall assemblies.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information on the control of air flow across building enclosures to control moisture damage, reduce energy losses, and ensure occupant comfort and health. A continuous, strong, stiff, durable and air impermeable air barrier system is required between the exterior and conditioned space to control...
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet providing definitions, applications, and techniques for applying air barriers.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet with methods for constructing or retrofitting basements to reduce moisture issues.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Website with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about attic radiant barriers.
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
Advanced Energy,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report outlining results from a 2005 hygrothermal pilot study in the South.