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 - 50 of 226
Organization(s)
Natural Resources Canada,
NRC,
CanmetENERGY
Publication Date
Description
Document providing step-by-step guidance to sizing air-source heat pumps for a cold climate.
Organization(s)
CLF
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing embodied carbon through definition, significance to climate, and importance to policymaking.
Organization(s)
FIRESafe Marin
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from FireSafe Marin explaining the vulnerability of different deck setups and materials.
Organization(s)
ASHRAE,
ANSI
Publication Date
Description
A standard providing minimum energy efficiency requirements for buildings that are not low-rise residential buildings.
Organization(s)
University of California
Publication Date
Description
Wildfire mitigation guidelines from the University of California outlining how to mitigate fire risk for attached decks.
Organization(s)
Cal Fire
Publication Date
Description
Article from CAL FIRE on fire-resistant landscaping to mitigate ignition of homes.
Organization(s)
Oklahoma State University,
OSU,
Agricultural Communications Services,
ACS
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how to choose the right portable electric generator for a home and how to safely operate when power outages happen.
Organization(s)
ESFI
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing safe operation of backup electrical generators for use during power outages.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Calculator determining the appropriate design pressures for steep-slope roof coverings for roofers and evlauators.
Organization(s)
AHAM
Publication Date
Description
Website providing research, efficiency and safety standards development, and advocacy to the home appliance industry to bring efficient, high-performing home appliances to consumers.
Organization(s)
NOAA
Publication Date
Description
Website helping communities address coastal issues with data, tools, and training resources.
Organization(s)
DHS
Publication Date
Description
Website describing what to do for safety in an earthquake and other types of disasters.
Organization(s)
Urban Land Institute
Publication Date
Description
Updated wildfire risk assessment, community impacts, and building science measures following the disastrous 2020 wildfire season in the western U.S.
Organization(s)
University of Nevada Reno Extension,
University of California Cooperative Extension,
Tahoe Resource Conservation District,
Cal Fire
Publication Date
Description
A report for homeowners and contractors providing specific recommendations for how to retrofit existing components of a home to withstand wildfire.
Organization(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Publication Date
Description
Website providing certified rating programs to help manufacturers, builders, contractors and homeowners compare performance of ventilation products for air flow, sound, and other performance characteristics.
Organization(s)
CARB,
CalEPA
Publication Date
Description
Article describing ways home owners can improve ventilation in their kitchens.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure describing multiple storm surge (coastal flooding) safety measures for homeowners to take, including home renovation suggestions, yard maintenance, and recovery advice.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure describing multiple earthquake safety measures for homeowners to take, including home reinforcement, evacuation tips, and electrical and appliance tips.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure describing multiple earthquake safety measures for homeowners to take, including home reinforcement, exterior maintenance, and recovery tips.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure describing multiple flood safety measures for homeowners to take, including home renovation suggestions, yard maintenance, and additional resources.
Organization(s)
HUD
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet from HUD describing how homeowners can retrofit homes following natural disasters in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Organization(s)
HUD
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet for builders from HUD on how to rebuild homes following natural disasters in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Organization(s)
HUD
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet from HUD describing how to rebuild following natural disasters in Puerto Rico.
Organization(s)
HUD
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet from HUD describing how to properly rebuild following natural disasters in Puerto Rico.
Organization(s)
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry,
MNDLI
Publication Date
Description
A presentation on the 2020 State Mechanical Code for easier understanding.
Organization(s)
Schneider Electric
Publication Date
Description
Article describing methods of smoke control in buildings.
Organization(s)
Siding Cost Guide
Publication Date
Description
A starting point for ballparking and comparing the cost of different siding materials and a brief overview of the pros and cons of different siding materials.
Organization(s)
sidingcost.org
Publication Date
Description
Website providing the pros and cons of different siding materials for home building, including wood, vinyl, fiber cement, stucco, brick, metal, and stone.
Organization(s)
Purdue University
Publication Date
Description
Article from Purdue University on the potential for white paint technology to lower air conditioning usage requirements.
Organization(s)
MBS Engineering
Publication Date
Description
Infographic explaining what a seismic shut-off valve is and providing frequently asked questions.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering insulating crawlspaces.
Organization(s)
Pacific Seismic Products
Publication Date
Description
Products and specification for a State of California-compliant earthquake-actuated automatic gas shutoff valve.
Organization(s)
Ecotope
Publication Date
Description
Free online tool for sizing central heat pump water heater systems.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
DOE-sponsored report describing the experimental setup and results of field studies on using exterior fabric shading attachments to reduce solar heat gain, reduce glare, and improve comfort.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing links to building codes, seismic codes, code enforcement, safe buildings, and seismic retrofitting.
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing various types of caulks and sealants, their formulas and best uses.
Organization(s)
Clean Energy Reviews,
CER
Publication Date
Description
Website article describing the way solar panels are coupled to AC and DC battery energy storage systems.
Organization(s)
USGS
Publication Date
Description
Webpage for the United States Geological Survey for the Department of the Interior.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
A brochure educating homeowners on how to protect their home during seismic events.
Organization(s)
FEMA,
NEHRP
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing improvements in the earthquake resistance of residential and commercial new construction through the adoption into the International Residential Code of seismic provisions including those developed by the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP).
Organization(s)
MBS Engineering
Publication Date
Description
An informational guide established to educate the public on seismic shut-off valves and how to avoid fires following an earthquake.
Organization(s)
MBS Engineering
Publication Date
Description
A one-page fact sheet outlining the purpose of an earthquake valve and how the valve can stop gas from flowing into a residence or building.
Organization(s)
YSG Solar
Publication Date
Description
Website article describing pros and cons of DC and AC batteries and explaining that AC batteries are less expensive than DC batteries.
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how to counterflash a chimney by tucking the upper pieces of counterflashing into the chimney mortar joints and overlapping them over the various pieces of base flashing, which are nailed to the roof deck.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report detailing a three-winter study on unvented roof assemblies in a cold climate, assessing insulation material, ridge diffusion vent presence, vapor control membranes, relative humidity, and interstitial airflow. Results indicate that utilizing air-permeable fibrous fill insulations in unvented...
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report detailing a three-winter study on unvented roof assemblies in a cold climate, assessing insulation material, ridge diffusion vent presence, vapor control membranes, relative humidity, and interstitial airflow; results indicate that utilizing air-permeable fibrous fill insulations in unvented...
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
A PDF containing the SERC Solar PV System Field-Inspection Checklist.
Organization(s)
NOAA
Publication Date
Description
Case study describing Alachua County, Florida’s, green infrastructure strategy for land use development that incorporates rain gardens, ponds, swales, and native vegetation to manage stormwater.
Organization(s)
American Plywood Association,
APA
Publication Date
Description
Wall bracing calculator simplifying the design of residential structures that comply with 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018 or 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) wall bracing requirements.