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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.

Showing results 1 - 19 of 19

Wildland-Urban Interface Growth in the U.S.

Author(s)
U.S. Forest Service
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
Article describing the growth of the wildland urban interface in the United States from 1990 to 2010, expanding from 30.8 to 43.4 million homes (a 41% increase), and growing from 581,000 to 770,000 kM2 (33% growth), an increase of 189,000 km2, an area that is larger than Washington State.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
Interactive map maintained by the USDA showing plant hardiness zones throughout the U.S.

Mulching to Improve Soil Health, E484A

Author(s)
Sabata,
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
USDA
Publication Date
Article describing mulch requirements and benefits.

Wildfire Hazard Potential

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
Webpage from USDA and U.S. Forest Service with a map of potential wildfire risk across the U.S.

Wildfire Risk to Communities

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
USDA Forest Service
Organization(s)
USDA,
USDA Forest Service
Publication Date
A website created by the U.S. Forest Service, containing interactive maps, charts and resources to help communities explore their risk to wildfires.

Trees for Energy Conservation

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
Training course describing how to incorporate trees into an energy-conserving landscape.

Fire Ratings for Construction Materials

Author(s)
Quarles Stephen L
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
USDA,
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Publication Date
Article defining terms and testing requirements for fire-resistant construction materials including combustible, noncombustible, fire-resistant or fire-resistance, and ignition-resistant.

Air Sealing Colorado Homes – 10.634

Author(s)
Weiner C.
Organization(s)
Colorado State University,
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
USDA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing air-sealing concerns and remedies, including HRV/ERV installation, caulking, spray foam, and weatherstrip installation.

Where Your Front Door Meets the Forest

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
Webpage describing the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and how to plan residential building to mitigate wildfire risks associated with building in the WUI.

Termites

Author(s)
Peterson Chris,
Wagner Terence L,
Shelton Thomas G,
Mulrooney Joseph E
Organization(s)
U.S. Forest Service,
USDA
Publication Date
An introduction to the insect termites.

Wood Handbook, Wood as an Engineering Material

Author(s)
Forest Products Laboratory
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
USDA
Publication Date
Report summarizing information on wood as an engineering material, and presents properties of wood and wood-based products of particular concern to the architect and engineer.

Erosion Control Treatment Selection Guide

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Organization(s)
USDA,
USDA Forest Service
Publication Date
A publication developed by the U.S. Forest Service for its employees and other federal agency staff describing erosion control methods.

Subterranean Termites – Their Prevention and Control in Buildings

Author(s)
Peterson Chris,
Wagner Terence L,
Mulrooney Joseph E,
Shelton Thomas G
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
USDA,
USDA Forest Service
Publication Date
A report describing methods for constructing homes and treating soils to reduce the risk of termites in buildings.

Storage of Lumber

Author(s)
Rietz Raymond C
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
USDA,
University of Wisconsin
Publication Date
Document providing information on correct storage techniques for lumber to manage moisture.