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.
Publication with installation guidance for vinyl siding.
Vinyl siding estimating and installation guide for vinyl siding products.
Report on the design and evaluation of extended plate and beam.
Information sheet about advanced wall framing.
Brochure about creating an air barrier by sealing drywall assemblies.
Brochure about creating an air barrier at tub, shower and fireplace walls.
Website article interviewing the inventor of the Larsen truss, a history of its use, and a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages.
Article about different types of weather resistant barrier.
Report on adding insulation to load-bearing mass masonry buildings.
Specification covering the standard requirements for application of full thickness Portland cement-based plaster for exterior (stucco) and interior work.
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.
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.
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.
A book about structurally insulated panels.
Report discussing minimum requirements for attaining ENERGY STAR, and other techniques developed within the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America program.
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.
Report investigating implementation of advanced framing in both production and prototype built homes built in a variety of climate regions across the USA.
Report considers a number of promising wall systems that can meet the requirement for better thermal control.
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.
Presentation about advanced framing techniques.
Information sheets containing plans and details for advanced framing.
Information sheet with details on building enclosures for hot-dry and mixed-dry climates.
Report detaining advanced framing techniques, including discussion of cost and energy savings.
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.
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.
Report on the stability of furring strips as a means for cladding attachment over walls with thick exterior rigid insulation.
Brochure explaining the essential basis for advanced framing and some of the more common advanced framing details.
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...
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...
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...
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...
Research report anayzing the results of a large retrofit project, turining an old school into near zero energy consumption apartments in Greenfield MA.
Information sheet providing information about double walls in new construction.
Report on how airtighness changes as houses age.
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.
Report on problems and solutions with EIFS stucco wall cladding systems.
Information sheet with details on building high R-value wall assemblies in new homes.
Resource library with information on engineered wood products.
Report exploring feasibility of designing prescriptive retrofit measure packages for typical Chicago region multifamily buildings in order to achieve 25% source energy savings.
Report about the Advanced Envelope Research effort will provide factory homebuilders with urgently-needed, cost effective methods for meeting emerging energy code requirements.
Report about an expert meeting focused on issues surrounding cladding attachment and performance of walls with exterior insulating sheathing.