Organization(s)
New York State Homes and Community Renewal
Publication Date
Description
Article describing tips for effectively installing weatherstripping on windows and doors.
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 71
Organization(s)
South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff
Publication Date
Description
Article describing an overview of weatherstripping requirements.
Organization(s)
Michigan State University Extension
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing weatherstripping materials, types, expected life expectancy, installation requirements, and pros and cons.
Organization(s)
Minnesota Power
Publication Date
Description
Website describing Minnesota Power’s New Construction Energy Efficiency program that promotes building practices and technologies that enhance new residential construction.
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Website describing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR New Homes and Apartments program with links to builder and homeowner resources.
Organization(s)
CDC
Publication Date
Description
A website providing a checklist of important areas to check when sealing holes inside and outside of the home to prevent entry by rodents and other outside pests.
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)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Standard specification covering elastomeric cellular preformed gasket and sealing materials. This version of the standard was published in the year 2021 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard were published in the years 2015, 2011, 2006, and...
Organization(s)
City of Gresham,
State of Oregon
Publication Date
Description
A guideline containing fire sprinkler insulation requirements from the Prescott, Arizona Fire Department.
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing various types of caulks and sealants, their formulas and best uses.
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)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Introductory guide to air sealing the envelope of a home to reduce wasted energy and save on energy costs.
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Description
NREL webpage of standard work specification of exterior and interior, attic floors, attic knee walls, and unique installations.
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)
Colorado State University,
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
USDA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing air-sealing concerns and remedies, including HRV/ERV installation, caulking, spray foam, and weatherstrip installation.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
A factsheet providing information on how to prevent pests from entering the home by sealing cracks and openings.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing air sealing and air barriers in buildings.
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)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Standard specification covering the properties of a cured single- or multicomponent cold-applied elastomeric joint sealant for sealing, caulking, or glazing operations on buildings, plazas, and decks for vehicular or pedestrian use, and types of construction other than highway and airfield pavements...
Organization(s)
Northeastern IPM Center
Publication Date
Description
Website providing information on all types of pest management for multi-family housing.
Organization(s)
Natural Resources Canada
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet providing links and resources for insulating basements in cold climates.
Organization(s)
SEI
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing building envelope performance measures applicable to residential and small commercial construction.
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Guide for homeowners describing how to find and seal basement and attic air leaks, determine if attic insulation is adequate, make improvements safely, and reduce energy bills.
Organization(s)
ABTCO Vinyl Siding
Publication Date
Description
Vinyl siding estimating and installation guide for vinyl siding products.
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Standard specification covering elastomeric cellular preformed gasket and sealing materials. This version of the standard was published in the year 2011 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard were published in the years 2021, 2015, 2006, and...
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)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report on how airtighness changes as houses age.
Organization(s)
Ply Gem Siding Group
Publication Date
Description
Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
A book about structurally insulated panels.
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
This research study used pollutant measurements, home inspections, diagnostic testing and occupant surveys to assess IAQ in 24 new or deeply retrofitted homes designed to be high performance green buildings in California.
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)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the impact of stack effect on building performance, highlighting how pressure differences caused by temperature and height affect air infiltration and exfiltration, and detailing strategies like compartmentalization and distributed mechanical systems to manage airflow and maintain...
Organization(s)
NSTAR,
UMN
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
National Park Service
Publication Date
Description
Manual describing methods for rodent-proofing buildings.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering exterior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.
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)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
Report describing testing and analysis on deep energy retrofits of existing single-family homes in the U.S.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
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.
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)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
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.
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)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Journal article describing lessons learned from updating a 16-year-old deep-energy retrofit.
Organization(s)
BSC,
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Article describing air leakage in buildings.
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)
Fire Protection Research Foundation,
FPRF,
National Fire Protection Association,
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
Literature review from NFPA on the use of insulation to protect the piping in home fire sprinkler systems from freezing conditions.
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)
Federation of American Scientists,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Document providing a roadmap to aid Habitat for Humanity affiliates in building high performing houses by using materials and techniques that are affordable, do not add any maintenance burden, and are volunteer friendly.