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Explore this extensive library of building science guidance including research reports from DOE’s Building America program as well as hundreds of other articles, fact sheets, webpages, and reference documents related to constructing and renovating homes.

Showing 1 - 50 of 162 results:

A Crash Course in Roof Venting, PA-1101

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article describing methods for venting a vented attic and a roof assembly over an unvented attic.

About Attic Ventilation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Description
Energy Star web page providing guidance on attic ventilation.

Air Sealing That Works

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Bruton Jack,
Baczek Steven
·
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Description
Article describing how an airtight home shell helps achieve a tight envelope that is energy efficient and cost effective.

Alaska Residential Building Manual, 7th Edition

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Deer Charlie,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
University of Alaska,
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
Description
Manual describing best practices or home construction in Alaska and northern climates.

Attic Air Sealing Guide and Details, GM-1001

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Document providing background and approach for the prep work necessary prior to adding attic insulation - focusing on combustion safety, ventilation for indoor air quality, and attic ventilation for durability.

Attic or Roof? An Evaluation of Two Advanced Weatherization Packages, BA-1205

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Neuhauser Ken
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
Report about a project that examines implementation of advanced retrofit measures in the context of a large-scale weatherization program and the archetypal Chicago, Illinois, brick bungalow.

Attics, Topic 4.01

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
·
Organization(s)
NREL
Description
NREL webpage of standard work specification of exterior and interior, attic floors, attic knee walls, and unique installations.

Avoiding Moisture Problems

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Van der Meer Bill
·
Organization(s)
National Association for State Community Services Programs,
NASCSP,
Weatherization Training Center at Penn College,
Pennsylvania College of Technology,
PCT
Description
Technical article describing issues and moisture concerns related to weatherization efforts.

Avoiding Wet Roofs - Part I

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Yost Peter
·
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Description
Article describing the building science implications of insulating vented or unvented attics.

Avoiding Wet Roofs - Part II

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Yost Peter
·
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Description
Article describing the research into insulating vented versus unvented attics.

Basement Insulation Systems, BA-0202

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
·
Organization(s)
BSC
Description
Report describing approaches to insulating basements in homes built to meet Energy Star levels of performance of heat loss reduction.

Building America Top Innovations 2013: Attic Air Sealing Guidelines

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
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.

Building in Extreme Cold, BSI-031

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article describing the control layers (air, thermal, and vapor barriers) needed to build homes successfully in very cold locations.

Bulk Water Control Methods for Foundations, BA-1015

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W,
Ueno Kohta
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Report about the fundamental concepts that must be understood at the planning or initial nspection of existing homes regarding surface and ground water management.

Capillarity - Small Sacrifices, BSI-011

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article describing correct ways to eliminate water damage by incorporating a sacrificial layer to foundation walls and footings.

Ceilings and Attics

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
·
Organization(s)
ORNL,
SEI
Description
Information sheet with information about insulating and ventilating attics.

Closed Crawlspaces Do Double Duty

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Dastur Cyrus,
Davis Bruce
·
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Description
Article describing how closed crawlspaces can do "double duty" by controlling moisture and providing energy savings.

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

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Coulbourne William,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA,
Applied Technology Council,
ATC,
URS Group,
DK Low and Associates,
Atkins,
TLSmith Consulting
Description
Volume 1 of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to planning, siting, and risk management for homes constructed in coastal environments.

Collapsible Soils

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Colorado Geological Survey
·
Organization(s)
CGS
Description
Website discussing building foundation problems caused by settling soil in Colorado.

Compact Buried Ducts in a Hot-Humid Climate House

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Mallay David
·
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs,
HIRL
Description
Report on heating and cooling air-distribution ducts that are insulated, installed close to the ceiling in a vented attic and covered with attic insulation to minimize energy loss.

Concrete Floor Problems, BSI-003

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Information guide describing issues with concrete floors, in multiple climate zones.

Concrete Floors and Moisture, 2nd Edition

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Kanare Howard M
·
Organization(s)
Portland Cement Association
Description
Document discussing moisture considerations and testing techniques for concrete floors.

Concrete Solutions, BSI-118

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Report covering insulating crawlspaces.

Cool Hand Luke Meets Attics, BSI-077

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article describing the difference between conditioned or unvented attics and unconditioned or vented attics.

Cool Solutions: The Whole House Fan

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Mott-Smith John
·
Organization(s)
City of Davis,
State of California
Description
Article describing the use of whole-house fans to provide cooling in the region surrounding Sacramento, CA.

Crawlspace Insulation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
ORNL,
SEI,
DOE
Description
Information sheet about crawlspace insulation, including installation details.

Crawlspaces – Either In or Out, BSI-115

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article discussing whether or not to seal and insulate crawlspaces.

CRRC - Cool Roof Rating Council

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Cool Roof Rating Council
·
Organization(s)
CRRC
Description
Website providing information about the Cool Roof Rating Council including programs, membership, and resources for the construction industry.

Dam Ice Dam, BSI-046

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article describing strategies for reducing the risk of ice dam formation on roofs in winter.

De-Icing Ice Dams, BSI-097

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article describing the importance of air sealing, insulation, and roof ventilation in reducing the likelihood of ice dam formation on roofs in cold snowy climates.

Designing for Floods, BSI-128

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Report providing guidance on designing buildings to be flood resistant.

Earthquake Safety at Home, FEMA P-530

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Guide provides homeowners ways to prepare for an earthquake and protect a home against earthquake damage.

ETW: Building Profile: New - Albuquerque New Mexico

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
·
Organization(s)
BSC
Description
Information sheet with details on a building enclosure designed for Albuquerque, NM, as an example for building enclosures built for hot-dry and mixed-dry climates.