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Building America Solution Center

Library

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.

2017 Vinyl Siding Installation Manual
Author(s): Vinyl Siding Institute
Organization(s): Vinyl Siding Institute
Publication Date: March, 2017

Publication with installation guidance for vinyl siding.
ABTCO Estimating and Installation Guide
Author(s): ABTCO Vinyl Siding
Organization(s): ABTCO Vinyl Siding
Publication Date: April, 2016

Vinyl siding estimating and installation guide for vinyl siding products.
Advanced Extended Plate and Beam Wall System in a Cold-Climate House
Author(s): Mallay, Wiehagen, Kochkin
Organization(s): PHI
Report on the design and evaluation of extended plate and beam.
Advanced Extended Plate and Beam Wall System in a Zone 6-Climate House
Author(s): Mallay, Wiehagen, Kochkin
Organization(s): PHI
Report on the design and evaluation of extended plate and beam.
Advanced Framing Construction Guide
Author(s): APA - The Engineered Wood Association
Organization(s): APA - The Engineered Wood Association
Publication Date: January, 2014
Detailed guide to advanced framing, a system of construction framing techniques designed to optimize material usage and increase energy efficiency.
Advanced Wall Framing
Author(s): NAHB, Southface Energy Institute, ORNL, NREL
Organization(s): NAHB, Southface Energy Institute, ORNL, NREL
Publication Date: January, 2002
Information sheet about advanced wall framing.
Air Barriers - Airtight Drywall Approach
Author(s): Lstiburek
Organization(s): BSC
Publication Date: May, 2009
Brochure about creating an air barrier by sealing drywall assemblies.
Air Barriers - Tub, Shower and Fireplace Enclosures
Author(s): BSC
Organization(s): BSC
Publication Date: May, 2009
Brochure about creating an air barrier at tub, shower and fireplace walls.
All About Larsen Trusses
Author(s): Holladay
Organization(s): Green Building Advisor
Publication Date: July, 2011
Website article interviewing the inventor of the Larsen truss, a history of its use, and a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages.
All About Water-Resistive Barriers
Author(s): Holladay
Organization(s): Green Building Advisor
Publication Date: September, 2013

Article about different types of weather resistant barrier.
Analysis of Joint Masonry Moisture Content Monitoring
Author(s): Ueno
Organization(s): BSC
Report on adding insulation to load-bearing mass masonry buildings.
ASTM C 926 - Standard Specification for Application of Portland Cement-Based Plaster
Author(s): ASTM
Organization(s): ASTM
Publication Date: January, 2018

Specification covering the standard requirements for application of full thickness Portland cement-based plaster for exterior (stucco) and interior work.
ASTM E1677 - 11 Standard Specification for Air Barrier (AB) Material or System for Low-Rise Framed Building Walls
Author(s): American Society for Testing and Materials
Organization(s): American Society for Testing and Materials
Publication Date: January, 2011
Standard covering the minimum performance and acceptance criteria for an air barrier material or system for framed walls of low-rise buildings with the service life of the building wall in mind.
Best Practices Case Study: Artistic Homes, Albuquerque, NM
Author(s): PNNL
Organization(s): PNNL
Publication Date: September, 2009
Case study about Artistic Homes of Albuquerque, New Mexico, the first home builder in the United States to offer true net zero energy construction to the average home buyer on every home it builds.
Best Practices Manual
Author(s): Hammer & Hand
Organization(s): Hammer & Hand
Publication Date: February, 2018

This Best Practices Manual is the product of Hammer & Hand’s ongoing work to document and internally codify our standard operating procedures for construction practice.
Brainy Membrane
Author(s): Zuluaga
Organization(s): Home Energy
Publication Date: July, 2006
Document explaining why a vapor retarder that changes permeability with changing relative humidity provides added protection against moisture problems in exterior walls.
Brick, Stucco, Housewrap and Building Paper: Research Report 0105
Author(s): Lstiburek
Organization(s): BSC
Publication Date: June, 2008
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.
Builders Guide to Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) for all Climates
Author(s): Lstiburek
Organization(s): BSC
A book about structurally insulated panels.
Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 1; Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Hot and Humid Climate
Author(s): Baechler, Taylor, Bartlett, Gilbride
Organization(s): PNNL
Publication Date: December, 2004

Report discussing minimum requirements for attaining ENERGY STAR, and other techniques developed within the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America program.
Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 2; Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Hot-Dry and Mixed-Dry Climates
Author(s): Baechler, Taylor, Bartlett, Gilbride, Hefty, Love
Organization(s): PNNL, ORNL
Publication Date: September, 2005
Document providing a resource to help builders large and small build high-quality, energy-efficient homes that achieve 30% energy savings in space conditioning and water heating in the hot-dry and mixed-dry climates.
Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3; Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates
Author(s): Baechler, Taylor, Bartlett, Gilbride, Hefty, Steward, Love
Organization(s): PNNL, ORNL
Publication Date: August, 2005
Document providing a resource to help builders large and small build high-quality, energy-efficient homes that achieve 30% energy savings in space conditioning and water heating in the cold and very cold climates.
Building America Special Research Project - High-R Foundations Case Study Analysis
Author(s): Smegal, Straube
Organization(s): BSC
Publication Date: August, 2013
Research study describing a number of promising foundation and basement insulation strategies that can meet the requirement for better thermal control in colder climates while enhancing moisture control, health, and comfort.
Building America Special Research Project- Deployment of Advanced Framing at the Community Scale
Author(s): Lstiburek, Grin
Organization(s): BSC
Publication Date: November, 2010
Report investigating implementation of advanced framing in both production and prototype built homes built in a variety of climate regions across the USA.
Building America Special Research Project: High-R Walls Case Study Analysis
Author(s): Straube, Smegal
Organization(s): BSC
Publication Date: March, 2009
Report considers a number of promising wall systems that can meet the requirement for better thermal control.
Building America System Research Results: Innovations for High Performance Homes
Author(s): NREL
Organization(s): NREL
Publication Date: May, 2006
Report providing a summary of key lessons learned from the first ten years of the Building America program and also included a summary of the future challenges that must be met to reach the programs long term performance goals.
Building for Energy Efficiency - Part 2
Author(s): Grin
Organization(s): BSC
Publication Date: February, 2011
Presentation about advanced framing techniques.
Building Plans for Advanced Framing
Author(s): Green Building Advisor
Organization(s): Green Building Advisor
Publication Date: December, 2013

Information sheets containing plans and details for advanced framing.
Building Plans for the Energy Star Thermal Bypass Checklist
Author(s): Green Building Advisor
Organization(s): Green Building Advisor
Website providing information about building plans for the ENERGY STAR thermal bypass checklist.
Building Profile: Hot-Dry/Mixed-Dry Climate: Albuquerque
Author(s): BSC
Organization(s): BSC
Publication Date: April, 2009
Information sheet with details on building enclosures for hot-dry and mixed-dry climates.
Building Science Insights: Advanced Framing
Author(s): Lstiburek
Organization(s): BSC
Publication Date: February, 2010
Report detaining advanced framing techniques, including discussion of cost and energy savings.
Building with Structural Insulated Panels
Author(s): Morley
Organization(s): The Taunton Press
An online learning management resource for the construction community.
Byggmeister Test Home: Cold Climate Multifamily Masonry Building Condition Assessment and Retrofit Analysis
Author(s): Wytrykowska, Ueno, Van Straaten
Organization(s): BSC, NREL
Publication Date: September, 2012
Report describing findings from a multifamily test home focusing on the combination of energy measures that are feasible, affordable and suitable for multifamily construction in cold climates.
Chamberlain Heights Redevelopment: A Large Scale, Cold Climate Study of Affordable Housing Retrofits
Author(s): Donnelly, Mahle
Organization(s): CARB, NREL
Publication Date: March, 2012
Report about City of Meriden Housing Authority's (MHA) collaboration with Jonathon Rose Companies to complete a gut renovation of 126 residential units in the Chamberlain Heights retrofit project.
Characterization of Framing Factors for Wood-Framed Low-Rise Residential Buildings
Author(s): Carpenter, Schumacher
Organization(s): ASHRAE
Case study characterization of framing factors for wood-framed low-rise residential buildings.
Cladding Attachment Over Thick Exterior Insulated Sheathing
Author(s): Baker, Lepage
Organization(s): BSC
Publication Date: January, 2014

Report on the stability of furring strips as a means for cladding attachment over walls with thick exterior rigid insulation.
Common Advanced Framing Details
Author(s): BSC
Organization(s): BSC
Publication Date: May, 2009
Brochure explaining the essential basis for advanced framing and some of the more common advanced framing details.
Construction Guide to Next Generation High Performance Walls in Climate Zones 3-5 - Part I: 2x6 Walls
Author(s): Kochkin, Wiehagen
Organization(s): Home Innovation Research Labs
Publication Date: September, 2017

Part I of the Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x6 wood frame studs, wood structural panel (WSP) sheathing as exterior sheathing, gypsum board as interior sheathing, and a cladding system installed over WSP sheathing in low-rise residential buildings up to three stories in height. The Guide is aligned with the provisions of the 2012...
Construction Guide to Next Generation High Performance Walls in Climate Zones 3-5 - Part II: 2x4 Walls with 1” - 1.5” Exterior Insulative Sheathing
Author(s): Kochkin, Wiehagen
Organization(s): Home Innovation Research Labs
Publication Date: September, 2017

The Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x4 wood frame studs, wood structural panel (WSP) sheathing as wall bracing and added backing for foam sheathing, a layer of rigid foam sheathing insulation up to 1.5 in. thick over the WSP, and a cladding system installed over the foam sheathing in low-rise residential buildings up to three stories...
Construction Guide: Next Generation High Performance Walls in Climate Zones 3-5 - Part 2: 2x4 Walls with 1” to 1.5” Exterior Insulative Sheathing
Author(s): Kochkin, Wiehagen
Organization(s): Home Innovation Research Labs
Publication Date: January, 2016

The Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x4 wood frame studs, wood structural panel sheathing (WSP) as wall bracing and added backing for foam sheathing, a layer of rigid foam sheathing insulation up to 1.5 inches thick over the WSP, and a cladding system installed over the foam sheathing in low-rise residential buildings up to three...
Construction Guide: Next Generation High Performance Walls in Climate Zones 3-5 - Part I: 2x6 Walls
Author(s): Kochkin, Wiehagen
Organization(s): Home Innovation Research Labs
Publication Date: January, 2016

Part I of the Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x6 wood frame studs, wood structural panel (WSP) sheathing as exterior sheathing, gypsum board as interior sheathing, and a cladding system installed over WSP sheathing in low-rise residential buildings up to three stories in height. Walls with exterior board insulation are addressed in...
Conway Street Apartments: A Multifamily Deep Energy Retrofit
Author(s): Aldrich, Williamson
Organization(s): CARB
Publication Date: November, 2014
Research report anayzing the results of a large retrofit project, turining an old school into near zero energy consumption apartments in Greenfield MA.
Double Wall: Staggered or In-Line Studs?
Author(s): CARB
Organization(s): CARB
Publication Date: January, 2009
Information sheet providing information about double walls in new construction.
Durable Airtightness in Single-Family Dwellings: Field Measurements and Analysis
Author(s): Chan, Walker, Sherman
Organization(s): LBNL
Report on how airtighness changes as houses age.
Effect of Cladding Systems on Moisture Performance of Wood Frame Walls in a Mixed-Humid Climate
Author(s): Drumheller, Carll
Organization(s): NAHB Research Center
Publication Date: April, 2010

The objective of this research was to quantify the field performance of wood-frame walls clad with a variety of common claddings in a mixed-humid climate.
EIFS - Problems and Solutions
Author(s): Lstiburek
Organization(s): BSC
Publication Date: July, 2007

Report on problems and solutions with EIFS stucco wall cladding systems.
Enclosures that Work: High R-Value Wall Assembly-07: ICF Wall Construction
Author(s): BSC
Organization(s): BSC
Publication Date: June, 2009
Information sheet with details on building high R-value wall assemblies in new homes.
Engineered Wood Construction Guide
Author(s): APA - The Engineered Wood Association
Organization(s): APA - The Engineered Wood Association
Resource library with information on engineered wood products.
Evaluation of CNT Energy Savers Retrofit Packages Implemented in Multifamily Buildings
Author(s): Farley, Ruch
Organization(s): PARR
Publication Date: September, 2013
Report exploring feasibility of designing prescriptive retrofit measure packages for typical Chicago region multifamily buildings in order to achieve 25% source energy savings.
Expert Meeting Report: Advanced Envelope Research for Factory Built Housing
Author(s): Levy, Mullens, Tompos, Kessler, Rath
Organization(s): ARIES
Publication Date: April, 2012
Report about the Advanced Envelope Research effort will provide factory homebuilders with urgently-needed, cost effective methods for meeting emerging energy code requirements.
Expert Meeting Report: Cladding Attachment Over Exterior Insulation (BSC Report)
Author(s): Baker
Organization(s): BSC
Publication Date: October, 2013
Report about an expert meeting focused on issues surrounding cladding attachment and performance of walls with exterior insulating sheathing.

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