Library

Fact sheet providing an overview of the FEMA document Wind Retrofit Guide for Residential Buildings.

Article describing methods for venting a vented attic and a roof assembly over an unvented attic.

Energy Star web page providing guidance on attic ventilation.

Technical report describing the SPS (Structural Panel System), an innovative implementation of the "perfect wall" concept, situating environmental control layers on the exterior side of structural components for improved constructability, cost-effectiveness, and performance, validated through the...

Manual describing best practices or home construction in Alaska and northern climates.

Report covering moisture and leakage issues associated with spray foam insulation application to the underside of roof sheathing.

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.

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.

Article by the Canadian Government on attic ventilation and considerations for moisture and ice dams.

NREL webpage of standard work specification of exterior and interior, attic floors, attic knee walls, and unique installations.

Report covering interior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.

Technical article describing issues and moisture concerns related to weatherization efforts.

Article describing the building science implications of insulating vented or unvented attics.

Article describing the research into insulating vented versus unvented attics.

Document focusing on the design and wall components that contribute to a pressure equalized rain screen wall, including the frequency of the weep holes and other brick masonry rain screen wall requirements.

Web based tool providing decision-making guidance for selecting wall assembly components.

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.

Article describing the control layers (air, thermal, and vapor barriers) needed to build homes successfully in very cold locations.

Article describing the principle of capillarity in construction materials.

Information sheet with information about insulating and ventilating attics.

Article describing how closed crawlspaces can do "double duty" by controlling moisture and providing energy savings.

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.

Guidance from Zero Energy Project on construction techniques for warmer climates, such as home orientation, and insulation requirements.

Article about how mortar droppings during the installation of a brick veneer can clog the weep holes in the wall assembly causing moisture damage. The article also illustrates products that can be installed in the ventilated cavity to mitigate this problem.

The Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x4 wood frame studs, wood structural panel (WSP) sheathing as wall bracing and added backing for foam sheathing, a layer of rigid foam sheathing insulation up to 1.5 in. thick over the WSP, and a cladding system installed over the foam sheathing in low...

Article describing the difference between conditioned or unvented attics and unconditioned or vented attics.

Article describing the use of whole-house fans to provide cooling in the region surrounding Sacramento, CA.

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.

Website providing information about the Cool Roof Rating Council including programs, membership, and resources for the construction industry.

Article describing strategies for reducing the risk of ice dam formation on roofs in winter.

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.

Report covering exterior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.

Report describing research testing results on roof truss to wall connections in light frame wood systems.

Report that demonstrates the durability, constructability, and cost-effectiveness of the extended plate and beam (EP&B) wall system for new construction housing projects in compliance with the International Energy Conservation Code, addressing moisture risk management and high-performance envelope...

Article explaining what a continuous load path is and the key connection points that make it up.

Report of a field evaluation of four novel roof designs to see how each design would reduce space-conditioned energy use so that the knowledge gained could be applied to the design of new manufactured homes.

Journal article reporting on field experience of unvented cathedralized (UC) attics in several environments in the United States.

Report to understand the long-term moisture performance of unvented roof assemblies with fibrous insulation.

Article describing five fundamental changes to building construction from the last 50 years and their modern construction consequences.

The FPC Monitoring project has evaluated radiant barrier systems (RBS) as a new potential DSM program.

Report describing the use of fresh air ventilation systems to eliminate the formation of icicles and ice dams along the eaves of roofs.

Article describing the causes that form ice dams, as well as solutions for preventing future ice dams on roofs, focusing on air sealing to prevent hot air leakage.

A starting point for ballparking and comparing the cost of different siding materials and a brief overview of the pros and cons of different siding materials.

Information sheet presenting the correct methods for building an insulated cathedral ceiling.

Article describing how omission of two small but critical wall details, a kick-out flashing and a weep screed, lead to extensive water damage to a wall.

Information sheet presenting techniques for installing cellulose insulation.

Article from Montana State University Extension explaining how proper insulation techniques can greatly reduce the risks of ice dams on roofs in cold climate zones.

Guide discussing observations, recommendations, and technical guidance as a result of Hurricane Katrina

Article describing issues with condensation in unvented attics insulated with open-cell spray foam.

Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.