Library | Building America Solution Center

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 51 - 72 of 72

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

Author(s)

Cummings James B,

Withers Charles R,

LaHiff Ian L

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

December, 2009

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

Installation of Cavity Insulation, Info-501

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

May, 2009

Article explaining installing cavity insulation.

Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricane Ike in Texas and Louisiana, FEMA P-757

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

April, 2009

FEMA report describing findings from an investigation of Hurricane Ike in Texas and Louisiana and residential construction recommendations based on those findings.

Westford House, BSI-018

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

March, 2009

Report describing sloped roof assemblies with high levels of thermal performance.

Moving Ducts Inside: Big Builders, Scientists Find Common Ground

Author(s)

Lubliner Michael,

Kerr Ryan,

Gordon Andrew,

Murray Chuck

Organization(s)

WSU Extension Energy Program,

Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development

Publication Date

August, 2008

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.

Alaska Residential Building Manual, 7th Edition

Author(s)

Deer Charlie,

George Marquam,

Kaluza Phil,

Loudon Phil,

Moore Ginny,

Musick Mike,

Musick Ritchie,

Woodward John,

Seifert Richard

Organization(s)

University of Alaska,

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation

Publication Date

February, 2008

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

Unvented Roof Assemblies for All Climates, BSD-149

Author(s)

Schumacher Christopher

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

April, 2007

Report reviewing unvented roof assemblies, such as conditioned attics and unvented cathedral ceilings that are becoming common in North American construction.

Ice Dams, BSD-135

Author(s)

Straube John

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

October, 2006

Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.

Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast: Mitigation Assessment Team Report, Building Performance Observations Recommendations and Technical Guidance, FEMA 549

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

July, 2006

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

Field Performance of Unvented Cathedralized (UC) Attics in the USA, PA-0502

Author(s)

Rudd Armin

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

October, 2005

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

Radiant Barriers: A Question and Answer Primer

Author(s)

Melody Ingrid,

Fairey Philip W,

Beal David

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

June, 2005

Website with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about attic radiant barriers.

Literature Review of the Impact and Need for Attic Ventilation in Florida Homes

Author(s)

Parker Danny S

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

March, 2005

PDF literature review of the impact and need for attic ventilation in Florida homes.

Improving Attic Thermal Performance

Author(s)

Parker Danny S

Organization(s)

Home Energy Magazine

Publication Date

November, 2004

Article describing the effect metal roofs have on thermal performance in hot-humid climates.

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

Author(s)

Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Information Center

Organization(s)

Minnesota Department of Commerce

Publication Date

May, 2003

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.

Avoiding Moisture Problems

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

Publication Date

February, 2003

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

Unvented Roof Summary, RR-0301

Author(s)

Ueno Kohta

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2003

Document summarizing the various papers on unvented conditioned cathedralized attics found on BSC's website.

Venting of Attics & Cathedral Ceilings

Author(s)

TenWolde Anton,

Rose William B

Organization(s)

American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,

ASHRAE

Publication Date

October, 2002

Report describing the use of attic ventilation to control moisture in cathedral roofs and avoid the formation of ice dams.

Guidelines for Ventilating Attics and Cathedral Ceilings to Avoid Icings at Their Eaves

Author(s)

Tobiasson Wayne N,

Buska James S,

Greatorex Alan R

Organization(s)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Publication Date

January, 2001

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

Reexamining Roof Ventilation

Author(s)

Woods Tony

Organization(s)

Home Energy,

National Association for State Community Services Programs,

NASCSP

Publication Date

November, 2000

Article describing moisture and ice dam issues in attics and how to air seal the attic floor.

Ceilings and Attics

Author(s)

Southface Energy Institute,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Organization(s)

ORNL,

SEI

Publication Date

February, 2000

Information sheet with information about insulating and ventilating attics.

Unvented-Cathedralized Attics: Where We've Been and Where We're Going, RR-9904

Author(s)

Ueno Kohta,

Lstiburek Joseph W,

Rudd Armin

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

June, 1999

Report focusing on the performance and durability of unvented-cathedralized attics in hot-humid climates with both tile and asphalt shingle roofing.

Vented and Sealed Attics in Hot Climates, RR-0981

Author(s)

Rudd Armin,

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

September, 1998

Building science report describing issues with vented attics in hot-humid climates and how sealed attic construction may be a solution.