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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 51 - 80 of 80

Moisture-Safe Unvented Wood Roof Systems, RR-1001

Author(s)
Smith John,
Smegal Jonathan,
Straube John
Organization(s)
University of Waterloo,
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Document describing a hygrothermal modeling study, including all of the US climate zones, a range of interior humidity levels and numerous arrangements and types of insulation.

Multifamily Ventilation Retrofit Strategies

Author(s)
Ueno Kohta,
Bergey Daniel,
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Research study examining the performance of existing multifamily ventilation central systems and explored alternative solutions in retrofit situations.

National Grid Deep Energy Retrofit Pilot

Author(s)
Neuhauser Ken
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report about a test home project evaluating strategies to elevate the performance of existing homes to a level commensurate with best-in-class implementation of high performance new construction homes.

Performance Evaluation of a Hot-Humid Climate Community

Author(s)
Osser Rosie,
Kerrigan Philip
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report providing information about improving the energy efficiency and long-term durability of the buildings that are being reconstructed post Katrina in New Orleans.

Proven Performance of Seven Cold Climate Deep Retrofit Homes

Author(s)
Osser Rosie,
Ueno Kohta,
Neuhauser Ken
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Report about seven pilot homes and development of guidelines for deep energy retrofits in cold climates.

Quality Assurance Roadmap for High Performance Residential Buildings, GM-0801

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W,
Pettit Betsy,
Eng P
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Document outlining the approach to quality assurance in the construction process as recommended by Building Science Corporation for new residential construction.

READ THIS: Before You Design, Build or Renovate, GM-0602

Author(s)
Brennan Terry,
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Document with important building science considerations, designed for members of the residential construction and remodeling industries, as well as owners and managers who work in affordable housing.

READ THIS: Before You Move In, GM-0606

Author(s)
Brennan Terry,
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report describing steps homeowners can take to improve the indoor air quality in their home, including ventilating, preventing pests, and reducing pollutants in the home.

READ THIS: Before You Turn Over a Unit, GM-0603

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet designed for the residential construction and remodeling industries, as well as owners and managers working in affordable housing. This sheet presents building guidance for both new construction and rehabilitation, as well as practices that can be used by property maintenance...

READ THIS: Before You Ventilate, GM-0604

Author(s)
Rudd Armin
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Document reviewing ventilation strategies for different climate zones that also includes schematic drawings and photographs of various ventilation installations.

Rebuilding Houston, BSI–101

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering the reconstruction of flood damaged homes.

Residential Dehumidification Systems Research for Hot-Humid Climates

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W,
Rudd Armin,
Eng P,
Ueno Kohta
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Research study identifying the best performing, most energy-efficient and cost- effective techniques to provide controlled mechanical ventilation and humidity control in hot- humid climates with thermally efficient building envelopes.

Retrofit of a MultiFamily Mass Masonry Building in New England

Author(s)
Ueno Kohta,
Kerrigan Philip,
Wytrykowska Honorata,
Van Straaten R
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Research study about a high performance retrofit of an existing brick building (a former convent) into condominiums, all affordable housing.

Review of Residential Ventilation Technologies

Author(s)
Rudd Armin,
Sherman Max H,
Russell Marion
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL,
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Document reviewing current and potential ventilation technologies for residential buildings with particular emphasis on North American climates and construction.

Rocks Don’t Burn, BSI–068

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering non-combustible continuous exterior insulation and non-combustible roof venting.

Stress Relief, BSI–015

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering coating and back venting wood based claddings and trim.

They All Laughed, BSI-026

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing the evolution of the IRC to permit class 3 vapor retarders (latex paint) in walls coupled with exterior continuous insulation to allow drying and reduce condensation risk.

Towards Sustainability - Green Building, Sustainability Objectives, and Building America Whole House Systems Research, BA-0801

Author(s)
Lukachko Alex,
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report discussing Building America whole house systems research within the broad effort to reduce or eliminate the environmental impact of building and provides specific recommendations for future Building America research based on Building Science Corporations experience with several recent...

Ventilation System Effectiveness and Tested Indoor Air Quality Impacts

Author(s)
Rudd Armin,
Bergey Daniel
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
This report describes how twenty homes were tested and monitored in the Zone 2 climate of Houston, Texas, U.S.A., to evaluate the humidity control performance and operating cost of six different integrated dehumidification and ventilation systems that could be applied by production homebuilders.

Volatile Organic Compound Concentrations and Emission Rates in New Manufactured and Site-Built Houses, RR-0803

Author(s)
Rudd Armin,
Hodgson Alfred T,
Beal David,
Chandra Subrato
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Report describing concentrations of 54 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ventilation rates that were measured in four new manufactured houses over 2 - 9.5 months following installation and in seven new site built houses 1 - 2 months after completion.

Water Management of Non-Insulating and Insulating Sheathings - Final Report

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W,
Smegal Jonathan
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report summarizing current research, summarizes issues that have been experienced with current best practices, and recommends ways in which the best practices can be improved for water managing sheathings.