Library

Report describing approaches to using less wood in home building that minimize waste.

Fact sheet describing advanced wall framing.

Article describing recessed lighting, which if installed incorrectly may contribute to air leakage and compromise building envelope efficiency.

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

Report describing approaches to insulating basements in homes built to meet Energy Star levels of performance of heat loss reduction.

Fact sheet describing basement insulation considerations.

Information sheet containing images and descriptions of cantilevers.

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

Study investigating measured cooling energy performance in side-by-side identical homes with varying roof types, including cool roof technologies.

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

Study reporting the results of comparative testing of the effect of finished and unfinished metal roofing systems on cooling energy performance in a test facility.

This study focuses on the design, construction, and performance of the interior chase approach as implemented by five different builders in Texas, North Carolina, and Florida.

Article from NAHB research center describing home building techniques for homes in hot climate zones.

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.

Study reporting the results of comparative testing of the effect of various roof types on cooling energy performance in a test facility.

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

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

Report discussing the potential energy savings of new high-efficiency downlights, and the results of product testing to date.

Article describing the effect metal roofs have on thermal performance in hot-humid climates.

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

Report describing ways to retrofit a home to make it more hurricane resistant.

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

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

Report aiming to "de-mystify" technology and economic considerations of residential PV systems.

Table calculating friction losses of PVC pipe fittings.

Table calculating friction losses for PVC pipe by length.

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.

Report seeking to teach building contractors and building inspectors the correct methods for doing typical seismic retrofits that have been designed by an engineer or architect or described in a prescriptive standard.

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.

Paper describing testing for the first of a series of six near net-zero-energy test houses, using the results to work towards the construction of a true net-zero-energy house.

Technical conference paper discussing real world experience with Trombe walls.

Report describing the use of attic ventilation to control moisture in cathedral roofs and avoid the formation of ice dams.

Report describing a field study of 31 homes to test envelope and duct leakage and fan flowrates, and to determine ventilation operation characteristics.

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

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

Report detailing passive design strategies used at the Zion National Park Visitor Center, including evaporative cool towers.