Library | Building America Solution Center

Showing 51 - 100 of 353 results:

Build A Better Home: Moisture-Resistant Roof Construction

2017

APA - The Engineered Wood Association

American Plywood Association,

APA

Report providing water management details for roof assemblies.

Builder's Guide to Hot-Humid Climates

2005

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

The Builder's Guide provides the building industry with the latest and best practical information on how to apply building science principles to structures as systems in hot-humid climate regions.

Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Hot and Humid Climate, Volume 1

2004

Baechler Michael C,

Love Pat M

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Document providing a resource to help builders large and small build high-quality, energy-efficient homes that achieve 30% energy savings in space conditioning and water heating in the hot and humid climate.

Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Hot-Dry and Mixed-Dry Climates, Volume 2

2005

Baechler Michael C,

et al.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Builders Guide to Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) for all Climates

2015

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

A book about structurally insulated panels.

Building a Durable and Energy Efficient Home in Post-Katrina New Orleans, BA-0704

2007

Baker Peter

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Research study about key sustainability concepts, durability, energy efficiency and new flood resistant design.

Building America Best Practices Case Study Whole-House Solutions for New Homes - Artistic Homes, Albuquerque, NM

2013

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

PNNL

Case study about Artistic Homes of Albuquerque, New Mexico, the first home builder in the United States to offer true net zero energy construction to the average home buyer on every home it builds.

Building America Special Research Project - High R-Value Enclosures for High Performance Residential Buildings in All Climate Zones, BA-1005

2011

Straube John

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

This report will review, and summarize the current state of understanding and research into enclosures with higher thermal resistance, so-called “High-R Enclosures.” Recommendations are provided for further research.

Building America Special Research Project - High-R Roofs Case Study Analysis, BA-1006

2010

Straube John,

Grin Aaron

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report comparing a variety of roof insulating strategies to present their advantages and disadvantages according to several comparison criteria.

Building America Special Research Project - High-R Walls Case Study Analysis, RR-0903

2009

Straube John,

Smegal Jonathan

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report considers a number of promising wall systems that can meet the requirement for better thermal control.

Building America Top Innovations 2013: Attic Air Sealing Guidelines

2013

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

Fact sheet describing research sponsored by DOE's Building America program to research the importance of attic air-sealing and best practice attic air-sealing techniques for new and existing homes.

Building Science Introduction

2011

ENERGY STAR

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

EPA,

ENERGY STAR

Document outlining building science principles about air flow, heat flow and moisture flow in homes.

Bulk Water Control Methods for Foundations, BA-1015

2011

Lstiburek Joseph W,

Ueno Kohta

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report about the fundamental concepts that must be understood at the planning or initial nspection of existing homes regarding surface and ground water management.

Byggmeister Test Home: Cold Climate Multifamily Masonry Building Condition Assessment and Retrofit Analysis

2013

Gates Cathy

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report describing findings from a multifamily test home focusing on the combination of energy measures that are feasible, affordable and suitable for multifamily construction in cold climates.

Capillarity - Small Sacrifices, BSI-011

2014

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article describing correct ways to eliminate water damage by incorporating a sacrificial layer to foundation walls and footings.

Capillarity Sucks, BSI-123

2021

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article describing the principle of capillarity in construction materials.

Caulking

2025

U.S. Department of Energy

U.S. DOE

Webpage describing how caulking is used, how to select the appropriate caulking, and how to apply caulking.

Caulks and Sealants Factsheet

2025

University of Alaska

University of Alaska Institute of Agriculture,

Natural Resources,

and Extension

Factsheet describing how caulking is used, how to select the appropriate caulking, and how to apply caulking.

Chamberlain Heights Redevelopment: A Large Scale, Cold Climate Study of Affordable Housing Retrofits

2012

Donnely K,

Mahale M

California Air Resources Board,

CARB,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Report about City of Meriden Housing Authority's (MHA) collaboration with Jonathon Rose Companies to complete a gut renovation of 126 residential units in the Chamberlain Heights retrofit project.

Characterization of Energy Savings and Thermal Comfort Improvements Derived from Using Interior Storm Windows

2013

Knox J R,

Widder Sarah H

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

Report recording the results of a field study conducted in a single historic home in Seattle, Washington, to document the performance of Indow Windows' interior storm window inserts.

Chicagoland Single-Family Housing Characterization

2012

Brand Larry,

et al.

Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,

PARR,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

CNT Energy,

Gas Technology Institute,

GTI Energy

Report identifying housing characteristics and energy use for fifteen single-family housing types and specifies measure packages that provide an optimum level of energy savings based on a BEopt analysis.

Choosing High-Performance Caulks: A Guide to the Endless Array of Products on the Caulk Aisle

1997

Jackson Don

Journal of Light Construction

Document providing guidance about choosing the correct caulk for a project.

Coastal Construction Manual - Principles and Practices of Planning, Siting, Designing, Constructing, and Maintaining Residential Buildings in Coastal Areas, Fourth edition, Volume I, FEMA P-55

2011

Coulbourne William,

et al.

Federal Emergency Management Agency,

FEMA,

Applied Technology Council,

ATC,

URS Group,

DK Low and Associates,

Atkins,

TLSmith Consulting

Volume 1 of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to planning, siting, and risk management for homes constructed in coastal environments.

Coastal Construction Manual - Principles and Practices of Planning, Siting, Designing, Constructing, and Maintaining Residential Buildings in Coastal Areas, Fourth Edition, Volume II, FEMA P-55

2011

Coulbourne William,

et al.

Federal Emergency Management Agency,

FEMA,

Applied Technology Council,

ATC,

URS Group,

DK Low and Associates,

Atkins,

TLSmith Consulting

Volume II of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to design, construction, and renovation of homes located in coastal environments.

Concrete Floor Problems, BSI-003

2008

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Information guide describing issues with concrete floors, in multiple climate zones.

Concrete Floors and Moisture, 2nd Edition

2008

Kanare Howard M

Portland Cement Association

Document discussing moisture considerations and testing techniques for concrete floors.

Condensation Between Panes of Double Windows

1960

Wilson Alex

National Research Council Canada,

NRCC

Document about condensation between the panes, on the inside surface of the outer glass of double pane windows.

Conditioned Crawl Space Construction, Performance and Codes, BA-0401

2004

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report outlining how conditioned crawlspaces perform better than vented crawlspaces in terms of safety, health, comfort, durability and energy consumption.

Cost Analysis of Roof-Only Air Sealing and Insulation Strategies on 1 1/2-Story Homes in Cold Climates

2014

Ojczyk Cindy

University of Minnesota,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE,

NothernSTAR

Report exploring alternative methods to find long-term solutions to energy loss in 1 ½-story homes to save energy, improve comfort, prevent frost buildup on the underside of the roof deck, and reduce the risk of ice dam formation/reformation.

Cost Analysis of Roof-Only Air Sealing and Insulation Strategies on 1-1/2 Story Homes in Cold Climates, Minneapolis, MN

2014

University of Minnesota,

NorthernSTAR

NSTAR,

UMN

This case study describes costs associated with the External Thermal and Moisture Management System developed by the NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership for retrofitting roofs with rigid foam over the roof deck, especially on one and a half-story homes.

Criteria for Moisture-Control Design Analysis in Buildings, ANSI/ASHRAE 160-2021

2021

American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers,

American National Standards Institute

ASHRAE,

ANSI

Standard describing prediction, mitigation, and reduction of moisture damage to the building envelope, materials, components, systems, and furnishings, depending on climate, construction type, and HVAC system operation; the webstore allows preview or full purchase.

Decay of Wood

1969

Baker Maurice C

National Research Council Canada,

NRC

Article describing the causes of wood decay and moisture issues.

Deep-Dish Retrofits, BSI-079

2014

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report covering exterior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.

Designing and Building Resilient Wall Systems with Engineered Rainscreen Products.

2016

Lolley Keith,

Dalgleish Laverne

Building Enclosure Moisture Management Institute

Conference paper describing the use of engineered rainscreen products to provide air flow and water drainage space in wall assemblies in residential and commercial buildings.

Disconnect or Redirect Your Downspout Brochure

2020

Mid-America Regional Council

MARC

A guide on the use of rain barrels for greater water efficiency and use in gardens and lawns.

Do it yourself: How to Remove and Replace Old Exterior Caulking

2025

RONA Inc.

Webpage providing a step-by-step guide for replacing the exterior caulking on your home.

DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes

2023

Gilbride Theresa L

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

Fact sheet poster describing benefits and qualification of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) certified Zero Energy Ready Homes and providing eight examples of certified homes.

Don’t Try Building Hugel Swales

2015

Spirko Jack

Permaculture Research Institute

Article describing the difference between swales and hugels (berms used to create soil from woody debris).

Drain the Rain…On the Plane…the Drainage Plane, BSI–112

2019

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report covering the rainwater performance of building assemblies.

Drainage Plane/Water Resistive Barrier, Info-301

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Brochure describing drainage planes, also referred to as water resistive barriers.

Drip Irrigation: The Basics

2016

Schuch Ursula

University of Arizona,

College of Agricultural & Life Sciences,

The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension

Fact sheet describing drip irrigation for landscaping.

Duct and HVAC Insulation

2010

North American Insulation Manufacturers Association

NAIMA

Information sheet with HVAC duct insulation, testing, maintenance and performance information.

Durable Airtightness in Single-Family Dwellings: Field Measurements and Analysis

2015

Chan Wanyu R,

Walker Iain S,

Sherman Max H

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report on how airtighness changes as houses age.

Durable Interior Foundation Insulation Retrofits for Cold Climates, Cloquet Minnesota

2015

University of Minnesota

NorthernSTAR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Case study describing foundation wall moisture studies at a research facility in Minnesota run by Building America team NorthernSTAR.

Durable Solutions for Balconies and Decks

2023

Home Innovation Research Labs

HIRL

Technical report describing design and construction methodologies for durable balconies and decks, focusing on proper sloping, flashing, drainage, and ventilation to mitigate moisture-related issues.

Ecosystems Research

2016

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA

A map describing the average temperature of shallow groundwater in Fahrenheit across the continental United States.

Energy Efficient New Homes and Apartments

2024

ENERGY STAR

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

EPA,

ENERGY STAR

Website describing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR New Homes and Apartments program with links to builder and homeowner resources.

Energy Facts: Energy Tips - Selection and Comparison of Weatherstripping Materials

2024

Michigan State University Extension

Fact sheet describing weatherstripping materials, types, expected life expectancy, installation requirements, and pros and cons.

Energy Rated for Added Comfort: AERC-Certified Window Attachments

2023

Gilbride Theresa L

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

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).

Energy Resources: A Course on the Fundamentals of the World's Energy, its Source, Usage and Conservation

2025

Dallas Abbott

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

Online textbook describing energy, including energy types, and energy use in homes.

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