Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet providing an overview of the FEMA document Wind Retrofit Guide for Residential Buildings.
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 57
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing methods for venting a vented attic and a roof assembly over an unvented attic.
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Energy Star web page providing guidance on attic ventilation.
Organization(s)
University of Alaska,
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Manual describing best practices or home construction in Alaska and northern climates.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
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.
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)
National Association for State Community Services Programs,
NASCSP,
Weatherization Training Center at Penn College,
Pennsylvania College of Technology,
PCT
Publication Date
Description
Technical article describing issues and moisture concerns related to weatherization efforts.
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the building science implications of insulating vented or unvented attics.
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the research into insulating vented versus unvented attics.
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)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the control layers (air, thermal, and vapor barriers) needed to build homes successfully in very cold locations.
Organization(s)
ORNL,
SEI
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet with information about insulating and ventilating attics.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the difference between conditioned or unvented attics and unconditioned or vented attics.
Organization(s)
City of Davis,
State of California
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the use of whole-house fans to provide cooling in the region surrounding Sacramento, CA.
Organization(s)
CRRC
Publication Date
Description
Website providing information about the Cool Roof Rating Council including programs, membership, and resources for the construction industry.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing strategies for reducing the risk of ice dam formation on roofs in winter.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
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.
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center,
USDA
Publication Date
Description
Report describing research testing results on roof truss to wall connections in light frame wood systems.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Article explaining what a continuous load path is and the key connection points that make it up.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Journal article reporting on field experience of unvented cathedralized (UC) attics in several environments in the United States.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
The FPC Monitoring project has evaluated radiant barrier systems (RBS) as a new potential DSM program.
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Publication Date
Description
Report describing the use of fresh air ventilation systems to eliminate the formation of icicles and ice dams along the eaves of roofs.
Organization(s)
Minnesota Department of Commerce
Publication Date
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.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet presenting the correct methods for building an insulated cathedral ceiling.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet presenting techniques for installing cellulose insulation.
Organization(s)
Montana State University Extension,
MSU Extension
Publication Date
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.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Guide discussing observations, recommendations, and technical guidance as a result of Hurricane Katrina
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing issues with condensation in unvented attics insulated with open-cell spray foam.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the effect metal roofs have on thermal performance in hot-humid climates.
Organization(s)
Energy Vanguard
Publication Date
Description
Article discussing the downside to recessed can lights.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
PDF literature review of the impact and need for attic ventilation in Florida homes.
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Project discussing buried or encapsulated ducts and their pros and cons.
Organization(s)
Miami-Dade County
Publication Date
Description
Report covering the selection of roof vents for rainwater resistance.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
FEMA report describing findings from an investigation of Hurricane Ike in Texas and Louisiana and residential construction recommendations based on those findings.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
FEMA Mitigation Assessment Team Report describing damages from Hurricane Michael in Florida in Oct. 2018 and recommendations for future hurricane preparedness.
Organization(s)
WSU Extension Energy Program,
Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development
Publication Date
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.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article outlining moisture accumulation in open cell spray polyurethane foam.
Organization(s)
UMass Amherst Department of Environmental Conservation
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how ice dams form on residential roofs, how they damage homes, and solutions to prevent future dams.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website from the EPA containing information for homeowners and renters about how to identify asbestos in the home and how to deal with it to reduce exposure to it.
Organization(s)
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Website providing an online calculator for determining energy and cost savings from installing radiant barriers in attics.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
U.S. Department of Energy's website describing radiant barriers in homes.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Website with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about attic radiant barriers.
Organization(s)
Home Energy,
National Association for State Community Services Programs,
NASCSP
Publication Date
Description
Article describing moisture and ice dam issues in attics and how to air seal the attic floor.
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
Description
Q&A article discussing how to address moisture issues in an attic in a wet and humid coastal climate.
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how insulating and air sealing unfinished attic spaces can lead to reduced energy bills in some homes.
Organization(s)
NRCA
Publication Date
Description
Manuals describing design, materials, and installation techniques applicable to almost all types of roof systems; four-volume set includes Metal Panel and SPF Roof Systems, Membrane Roof Systems, Architectural Metal Flashing and Condensation and Air Leakage Control, and Steep-Slope Roof Systems.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report reviewing unvented roof assemblies, such as conditioned attics and unvented cathedral ceilings that are becoming common in North American construction.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document summarizing the various papers on unvented conditioned cathedralized attics found on BSC's website.