Library | Building America Solution Center

Showing 1 - 50 of 64 results:

Airtightness Results of Roof-Only Air Sealing Strategies on 1 1/2-Story Homes in Cold Climates

2014

Mosiman Garrett,

Ojczyk Cindy,

Murry T

University of Minnesota,

NothernSTAR

Research report describing study of interior and exterior air sealing techniques to stop ice dams in five 1.5-story retrofit homes conducted by the NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership team run by University of Minnesota.

Application of Spray Foam Insulation Under Plywood and Oriented Strand Board Roof Sheathing, BA-1312

2013

Grin Aaron,

Smegal Jonathan,

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

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

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

2012

Neuhauser Ken

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

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.

Brick, Stucco, Housewrap and Building Paper, RR-0105

2001

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Research study discussing how housewraps restrict or permit the passage of water molecules based on size, but cannot control the direction in which the water vapor molecules move.

BSC Information - Common Flashing Details for All Climates, Sheet 303

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Brochure providing information about flashing in all cimates.

BSC Information - Vapor Open Assemblies for All Climates, Sheet 311

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Information sheet providing information about vapor management in building assemblies.

BSC Information - Vapor Permeance of Some Building Materials of Some Building Materials, Sheet 312

2013

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Information sheet providing details on the vapor permeance of different types of materials used in building assemblies.

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 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.

Compact Buried Ducts in a Hot-Humid Climate House

2016

Mallay David

Home Innovation Research Labs,

HIRL

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.

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.

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.

Evaluation of Humidity Control Options in Hot-Humid Climate Homes

2011

Winkler Jon,

Christensen Dane,

Fang Xia

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Research study that utilizes EnergyPlus equipped with the moisture capacitance model to analyze the indoor relative humidity in three home types.

Evaluation of the Effective Moisture Penetration Depth Model for Estimating Moisture Buffering in Buildings

2013

Woods Jason,

Winkler Jon,

Christensen Dane

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Research study examining the effective moisture penetration depth (EMPD) model and its suitability for building simulations.

Excavationless Exterior Foundation Insulation Exploratory Study

2013

Mosiman Garrett,

Wagner Terence L,

Schirber Tom

NorthernSTAR,

University of Minnesota,

U.S. Department of Labor,

DOE

Research study searching for combinations of existing technologies that could enable a minimally invasive, cost-competitive, easily deployable method of upgrading soil-side foundation insulation in existing buildings.

Excavationless: Exterior-Side Foundation Insulation for Existing Homes, Minneapolis, Minnesota

2014

University of Minnesota

UMN,

NorthernSTAR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Case study describing novel technique for installing exterior spray foam on foundation walls that uses high-pressure water sprayer and a “hydro vac” to remove dirt along the foundation wall.

Expert Meeting Report: Interior Insulation Retrofit of Mass Masonry Wall Assemblies

2012

Ueno Kohta,

Van Straaten R

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Expert Meeting about interior insulation retrofit of mass masonry wall assemblies held on July 30, 2011.

Field Evaluation of Four Novel Roof Designs for Energy-Efficient Manufactured Homes

2015

Dentz Jordan,

et al.

Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions,

ARIES

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.

Field Testing Unvented Roofs with Asphalt Shingles in Cold and Hot-Humid Climates

2015

Ueno Kohta,

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

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

Flexible Residential Test Facility: Impact of Infiltration and Ventilation on Measured Cooling Season Energy and Moisture Levels

2014

Parker Danny S,

et al.

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Research report assessing the moisture and cooling load impacts of airtightness and mechanical ventilation in homes in hot-humid climates.

Groundwater Control, Info-101

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Information sheet about groundwater control.

High-R Walls for Remodeling: Wall Cavity Moisture Monitoring

2012

Wiehagen Joseph,

Kochkin Vladimir

NAHB Research Center,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Research study presenting results of an existing home monitoring project designed to measure wall cavity moisture characteristics.

Hygric Redistribution in Insulated Assemblies: Retrofitting Residential Envelopes Without Creating Moisture Issues

2013

Lstiburek Joseph W,

Smegal Jonathan

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report exploring four questions to determine the level of risk associated with adding drained exterior insulation to the exterior of an existing home during an energy retrofit.

IBACOS Builder System Performance Packages: January 2003--December 2003

2004

Broniek John

Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,

IBACOS,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Report presenting system design packages for cold and mixed-humid climates.

Installation of Cavity Insulation, Info-501

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Article explaining installing cavity insulation.

Installing Windows with Foam Sheathing on a Wood-Frame Wall

2005

Building Science Corporation,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

BSC,

NREL

Report with guidance for installing windows with foam sheathing on wood-frame walls.

Interior Water Management, Info-306

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Article discussing indoor water management.

Investigating Solutions to Wind Washing Issues in 2-Story Florida Homes; Phase 1

2009

Cummings James B,

Withers Charles R,

LaHiff Ian L

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Research study describing field testing performed in 32 two-story Florida homes to characterize wind washing failures of the house air and thermal boundary.

Laboratory Evaluation of Energy Recovery Ventilators

2016

Kosar Douglas

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

Gas Technology Institute,

GTI Energy,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report targeting the growing number of homes utilizing deep retrofit measures and new construction practices to realize sufficiently lower infiltration levels that require mechanical ventilation as prescribed by ASHRAE Standard 62.2.

Laboratory Test Report for Six ENERGY STAR Dehumidifiers

2011

Winkler Jon,

Christensen Dane,

Tomerlin Jeff

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Report documenting the measured performance of six residential ENERGY STAR vapor compression dehumidifiers.

Managing the Drivers of Air Flow and Water Vapor Transport in Existing Single-Family Homes

2012

Cummings James B,

et al.

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Report focusing on managing the driving forces that move air and water vapor across the building envelope.

Measure Guideline: Air Sealing Attics in Multifamily Buildings

2012

Maxwell Sean,

Otis Casey

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Guideline describing the importance of the different types of multifamily building attics and their unique challenges, and outlines strategies and materials used in air-sealing them.

Measure Guideline: Basement Insulation Basics

2012

Aldrich Robb,

Mantha Pallavi,

Puttagunta Srikanth

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Document describing good practices for insulating basements in new and existing homes.

Measure Guideline: Guidance on Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

2014

Grin Aaron,

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Measure Guideline research report providing simple, long term, and durable solutions when using tapes and flashing membranes in conjunction with the exterior face of rigid polymeric foam sheathing to create the drainage plane of a wall system.

Measure Guideline: Guidance on Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

2014

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Case study about how to properly tape insulating sheathing drainage planes.

Measure Guideline: Guide to Attic Air Sealing

2014

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation

Guideline describing information and specifications relevant to air-seal existing attics.

Measure Guideline: Hybrid Foundation Insulation Retrofits

2012

Lstiburek Joseph W,

Ueno Kohta

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Document providing information on basement insulation, air sealing and water management retrofits.

Measure Guideline: Internal Insulation of Masonry Walls

2012

Schumacher Christopher,

Ueno Kohta,

Straube John

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Report summarizing the importance of properly insulating and air sealing masonry walls, providing step by step instructions and approaches.

Measure Guideline: Water Management at Tub and Shower Assemblies

2011

Dickson Bruce

Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,

IBACOS,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report covering the fundamental waterproofing strategies for tub and shower assemblies.

Moisture and Structural Analysis for High Performance Hybrid Wall Assemblies

2012

Grin Aaron,

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report describing the work conducted for high performance hybrid assemblies.

Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

2020

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report providing extensive guidance on controlling moisture in building envelopes through proper selection and installation on air, water, thermal, and vapor barriers.

Moisture Durability with Vapor-Permeable Insulating Sheathing

2013

Lstiburek Joseph W,

LePage Robert

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report about exterior sheathing insulation and inward driven moisture issues.

Moisture Management for High R-Value Walls

2013

LePage Robert,

Schumacher Christopher,

Lukachko Alex

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report explaining moisture-related concerns for high R-value wall assemblies and discusses past Building America research work that informs this study.

Moisture Performance of Unvented Attics with Vapor Diffusion Ports and Buried Ducts in Hot, Humid Climates

2024

Kaufman Zoe,

et al.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report on the use of vapor diffusion ports to reduce moisture issues with buried ductwork in unvented attics in hot-humid climates.

Moisture-Safe Unvented Wood Roof Systems, RR-1001

2010

Smith John,

Smegal Jonathan,

Straube John

University of Waterloo,

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Document describing a hygrothermal modeling study, including all of the US climate zones, a range of interior humidity levels and numerous arrangements and types of insulation.

Mold: Ignorance Is Not Bliss

2010

Puttagunta Srikanth

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Information sheet about mold mitigation.

Opportunities for Energy Conservation and Improved Comfort From Wind Washing Retrofits in Two-Story Homes - Part I

2010

Withers Charles R,

Cummings James B

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Report highlighting the evaluation methods used and extent of wind washing found in a study analyzing wind washing in thirty-two two-story homes.

Project Overcoat - An Exploration of Exterior Insulation Strategies for 1-1/2 Story Roof Applications in Cold Climates

2013

Ojczyk Cindy,

et al.

NorthernSTAR,

University of Minnesota,

NSTAR

Research report describing study of exterior retrofit approach for air sealing, insulating, and water management conducted by the NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership team run by University of Minnesota.

Project Overcoat: Airtightness Strategies and Impacts for 1 1/2-Story Homes, Minneapolis, Minnesota

2014

University of Minnesota

NorthernSTAR,

NSTAR

Case study describing 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.

Protect Your Family from Asbestos - Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation

2015

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA

This page provides important information on how to protect yourself and your family if you suspect that you might have vermiculite insulation from Libby, Montana.