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 1 - 27 of 27

Weep Holes in Brick and Stone Veneer

Author(s)

Don Jackson

Organization(s)

Journal of Light Construction,

JLC

Publication Date

December, 2004

An article written by Don Jackson of The Journal of Light Construction on how to detail brick veneer siding wall.

Performance Standard for Wood-Based Structural-Use Panels, Voluntary Product Standard PS 2-04

Author(s)

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Organization(s)

NIST

Publication Date

December, 2004

Standards for requirements, performance, construction, workmanship and others for structural-use panels.

Conditioned Crawl Space Construction, Performance and Codes, BA-0401

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

November, 2004

Report outlining how conditioned crawlspaces perform better than vented crawlspaces in terms of safety, health, comfort, durability and energy consumption.

Better Duct Systems for Home Heating and Cooling; Building Technologies Program (Brochure)

Author(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Organization(s)

NREL

Publication Date

November, 2004

Brochure intended to provide readers with a working knowledge of residential heating and cooling duct systems.

Foil Bubble Pack: Subslab Insulation?

Author(s)

Fulger Don

Organization(s)

Home Energy

Publication Date

November, 2004

Article describing the effective R-values of various subslab insulation products, including foil bubble pack.

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.

Strategies for Energy Efficient Remodeling: SEER 2003 Case Study Report

Author(s)

Drumheller S Craig,

Wiehagen Joseph

Organization(s)

NAHB Research Center,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

November, 2004

Report providing information based on research and case studies, to remodelers and consumers about opportunities to increase home energy performance.

Trombe Walls in Low-Energy Buildings: Practical Experiences

Author(s)

Pless Shanti,

Torcellini Paul

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

September, 2004

Technical conference paper discussing real world experience with Trombe walls.

Revised Builder’s Guide to Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,

Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing,

National Association of Home Builders

Organization(s)

HUD,

PATH,

NAHB Research Center

Publication Date

September, 2004

Report describing how to construct a frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF) as a practical alternative to a deeper, more-costly foundation in cold regions with seasonal ground freezing and the potential for frost heave.

PVC Pipes Schedule 40 - Friction Loss and Flow Velocities

Author(s)

Engineering Toolbox

Organization(s)

Engineering Toolbox

Publication Date

August, 2004

Table calculating friction losses for PVC pipe by length.

PVC - Friction Loss in Fittings and Equivalent Length

Author(s)

Engineering Toolbox

Organization(s)

Engineering Toolbox

Publication Date

August, 2004

Table calculating friction losses of PVC pipe fittings.

Preparing for Disaster, FEMA P-475

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency,

American Red Cross

Organization(s)

FEMA,

American Red Cross

Publication Date

August, 2004

Fact sheet describing how to prepare for a natural disaster and assemble a disaster supply kit.

Builder System Performance Package Targeting 30% - 40% Savings in Space Conditioning Energy Use: December 2002 - December 2003

Author(s)

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

Steven Winter Associates

Organization(s)

CARB,

NREL,

SWA

Publication Date

July, 2004

Report describing the recommended best practices to achieve energy savings without compromising health or safety.

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

Author(s)

Broniek John

Organization(s)

Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,

IBACOS,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

July, 2004

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

The reHABITAT Guide: For Energy- and Resource-Efficient Retrofit Strategies

Author(s)

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

Steven Winter Associates

Organization(s)

CARB,

NREL,

SWA

Publication Date

July, 2004

Report developed for Habitat for Humanity about lessons learned from demonstration retrofit projects undertaken by Habitat for Humanity affiliates in New York, Maryland, and Pennsylvania; with building systems consulting and technical assistance provided by Steven Winter Associates.

Community-Scale Evaluation Results, BA-0405

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

June, 2004

Report investigating the nature, strength, and durability of connections between high performance dwellings and developments.

Building America Performance Analysis Procedures, Revision 1

Author(s)

Hendron Robert,

Anderson Ren,

Judkoff Ron,

Christensen Craig B,

Eastment Mark,

Norton Paul,

Reeves Paul,

Hancock Ed

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Partnership for Resource Conservation,

Mountain Energy Partnership,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

June, 2004

Document illustrating some analysis concepts that are proven to be effective and reliable in analyzing the transient energy usage of advanced energy systems as well as of entire houses.

Garage Performance Testing

Author(s)

Health Canada,

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Organization(s)

CMHC,

Environment Canada

Publication Date

April, 2004

Results from a research program testing airtightness, implications of air leakage and contaminant reduction over the garage-to-house interface.

Introduction to Buildings Systems Performance: Houses that Work II

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Organization(s)

BSC,

NREL

Publication Date

April, 2004

Report that describes BSC's Houses That Work II (HTWII) climate-specific technical resource, beginning with an overall HTWII introduction and four sections explaining the four most important hygro-thermal climate regions: Hot-Humid, Mixed-Humid, Cold, and Hot-Dry/Mixed-Dry.

Whole House Fans

Author(s)

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Organization(s)

PG&E,

California Public Utilities Commission

Publication Date

April, 2004

Technical fact sheet describing proper operation, sizing, and installation of whole-house fans.

Seismic Safety: Gas Shutoff Devices, SB-1898

Author(s)

California Legislative Information

Organization(s)

California Legislative Information

Publication Date

March, 2004

Description of California Senate Bill SB 1898, which requires the sale of new seismic gas shutoff devices sold in California to be certified by the State Architect.

Choosing Thermostatic Radiator Valves

Author(s)

Gifford Henry

Organization(s)

American Boiler Manufacturers Association

Publication Date

January, 2004

Part 2 of an article discussing how to maximize two-pipe steam systems for resident space heating.

Cool Colored Materials for Roofs

Author(s)

Akbari Hashem,

Levinson Ronnen,

Wiel Stephen,

Miller William,

Jenkins Nancy,

Rosenfeld Arthur,

Scruton Chris,

Desjarlais Andre O

Organization(s)

California Energy Commission,

CEC,

Public Interest Energy Research Program,

PIER,

Laboratory Directed Research and Development,

LDRD,

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Publication Date

January, 2004

Study describing efforts and outcomes in developing color-pigmented roofing products with coatings to increase solar reflectance.

Assessing the Impact of Thickness of the Performance of Stucco Cladding

Author(s)

Brown William C,

Dietrich Mike,

Latimer Mark

Organization(s)

American Society of Heating,

American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,

ASHRAE

Publication Date

January, 2004

A report that evaluates the force it takes to crack stucco of various thicknesses.

Builder's Guide to Hot-Dry & Mixed-Dry Climates

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2004

Field Manual: Safety Evaluation of Buildings after Windstorms and Floods, ATC-45

Author(s)

Applied Technology Council

Organization(s)

ATC

Publication Date

January, 2004

Report providing guidelines and procedures to determine whether damaged or potentially damaged buildings are safe for use after wind storms or floods, or if entry should be restricted or prohibited.

Installing Seismic Restraints for Duct and Pipe, FEMA P-414

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

January, 2004

Report showing installers how to attach ducts, pipes, and associated equipment to buildings to minimize earthquake damage.