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Library

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 83 results:

2015 International Building Code - IBC

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
International Code Council
·
Organization(s)
ICC
Description
2015 edition of code for commercial buildings that brings together all structural, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for all buildings except detached one- and two-family residences and townhouses up to three stories.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Energy Savings Plus Health: Indoor Air Quality Guidelines

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
This publication provides a set of best practices for improving indoor air quality in conjunction with energy upgrade work in homes.

FEMA Continuous Load Path

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Article explaining what a continuous load path is and the key connection points that make it up.

Get Rid of Rats and Mice

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
King County Washington
·
Organization(s)
King County WA
Description
Article describing a 9-step process to getting rid of rats and mice, and some preventative actions to take.

Home Energy Guide - Techniques, Tactics, and Tips: Ice Dams

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Information Center
·
Organization(s)
Minnesota Department of Commerce
Description
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.

How to Build an Insulated Cathedral Ceiling

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Holladay Martin
·
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Description
Information sheet presenting the correct methods for building an insulated cathedral ceiling.

How to Install Cellulose Insulation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Holladay Martin
·
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Description
Information sheet presenting techniques for installing cellulose insulation.

How to Prevent Roof Damage from Winter Ice Buildup

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Dorsi Chris
·
Organization(s)
Montana State University Extension,
MSU Extension
Description
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.

How to Seal Up to Prevent Rodent Infestations

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
·
Organization(s)
CDC
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.

Hybrid Assemblies, BSI-100

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article describing issues with condensation in unvented attics insulated with open-cell spray foam.

Ice Dams, BSD-135

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Straube John
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.

Improving Attic Thermal Performance

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Parker Danny S
·
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Description
Article describing the effect metal roofs have on thermal performance in hot-humid climates.

Is There a Mouse in the House? Eliminate Mice with IPM

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Pennsylvania State University
·
Organization(s)
Pennsylvania State University,
PennState Extension
Description
Article explaining how to use integrated pest management to choose methods of pest control that are safe and effective.

Measure Guideline: Buried and/or Encapsulated Ducts

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Mantha Pallavi,
Zoeller William,
Shapiro Carl
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Project discussing buried or encapsulated ducts and their pros and cons.

Moving Ducts Inside: Big Builders, Scientists Find Common Ground

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lubliner Michael,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
WSU Extension Energy Program,
Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development
Description
Conference paper making the case that moving ducts to conditioned space saves energy, is practical for production builders (when accompanied by careful pre-planning), and creates significant andmarketable energy savings for homebuyers.

National Hazard Mitigation Association

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Natural Disasters Association,
National Hazard Mitigation Association
·
Organization(s)
NDA,
NHMA
Description
Website providing information on tsunamis, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, thunderstorms and more.

No Sweat, BSI-094

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.

Pest Prevention by Design: Authoritative Guidelines for Designing Pests out of Structures

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Geiger Chris A,
Cox Caroline
·
Organization(s)
San Francisco Department of the Environment,
SF Environment,
Center for Environmental Health,
CEH,
International Code Council,
ICC
Description
Report providing detailed steps for builders, architects, and property managers to take for integrated pest management for control of a variety of pests including insects, rodents, and birds.