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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 301 - 350 of 2293

ASTM E84 - 22 Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
ASTM standard test method for surface burning response of different building materials. This version of the standard was published in the year 2022 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard were published in the years 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018...

ASTM E84 - 23 Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
ASTM standard test method for testing the surface burning response of different building materials. This version of the standard was published in the year 2023 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard were published in the years 2022, 2021, 2020...

ASTM F1249 - 20: Standard Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Modulated Infrared Sensor

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Test method designed to obtain reliable values for the WVTR of plastic film and sheeting. This version of the standard was published in the year 2020 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard were published in the years 2013, 2011, 2006, 2001...

ASTM International - Standards & Publications

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Webpage for searching all of ASTM's standards, books, journals, and technical articles.

Attachment of Brick Veneer in High-Wind Regions, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 5.4

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing recommended practices for installing brick veneer that will enhance wind resistance in high wind regions and examples of proper installations and brick veneer tie spacings; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Attachments Energy Rating Council Homepage

Author(s)
Attachments Energy Rating Council
Organization(s)
AERC
Publication Date
Website developed by the Attachments Energy Rating Council to provide consumers with credible, relevant, and comparable information about window attachments and their performance.

Attic Air Sealing Guide and Details, GM-1001

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Document providing background and approach for the prep work necessary prior to adding attic insulation - focusing on combustion safety, ventilation for indoor air quality, and attic ventilation for durability.

Attic or Roof? An Evaluation of Two Advanced Weatherization Packages, BA-1205

Author(s)
Neuhauser
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
BSC
Publication Date
Report about a project that examines implementation of advanced retrofit measures in the context of a large-scale weatherization program and the archetypal Chicago, Illinois, brick bungalow.

Attic Retrofits Using Nail-Base Insulated Panels

Author(s)
Mallay,
Kochkin
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Publication Date
This report outlines research activities that are expected to facilitate the adoption of energy retrofits by remodeling contractors and roofing contractors using retrofit panels. The results of this research will be applicable to many existing house designs in most climates and markets. The...

Attic Ventilation

Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Organization(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Publication Date
Web page describing the benefits of attic fans, with rules for sizing fans and intake vents.

Attic Ventilation

Author(s)
Weatherization Assistance Program
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Powerpoint on attic ventilation developed as training material for the Weatherization Assistance Program.

Attic Venting, Attic Moisture, and Ice Dams

Author(s)
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Organization(s)
CMHC,
Government of Canada
Publication Date
Article by the Canadian Government on attic ventilation and considerations for moisture and ice dams.

Automatic Seismic Gas Shut-Off Valve

Author(s)
Oscar Castillo
Organization(s)
4 Home Sales Realty
Publication Date
Article describing different types of earthquake shut-off valves for home buyers.

Avoiding Mass Failures, BSI-105

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering interior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.

Avoiding Moisture Problems

Author(s)
Van der Meer Bill
Organization(s)
The Weatherization Training Center at Penn College
Publication Date
Technical article describing issues and moisture concerns related to weatherization efforts.

Avoiding Wet Roofs - Part I

Author(s)
Yost
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Article describing the building science implications of insulating vented or unvented attics.

Avoiding Wet Roofs - Part II

Author(s)
Yost
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Article describing the research into insulating vented versus unvented attics.

Backerboards - Winners against Water

Author(s)
Yost
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Article describing different kinds of water-resistant backer boards.

Basement Insulation Systems, BA-0202

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Report describing approaches to insulating basements in homes built to meet Energy Star levels of performance of heat loss reduction.

Basement Insulation Technology Fact Sheet

Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Publication Date
Publication dates are shown for formal documents. Dates are not shown for non-dated media. Access dates for referenced, non-dated media, such as web sites, are shown in the measure guide text.

Basement Insulation, Info 511

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet describing techniques for insulating basements.

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Comparison

Author(s)
Clean Energy Reviews
Organization(s)
CER
Publication Date
Website providing comparison charts and reviews of battery energy storage systems for solar power systems.

Battery Storage for Resilience

Author(s)
Emma Elgqvist
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Fact sheet providing information on building-scale and utility-scale battery storage for disaster resistance.

Bay Area Seismic Retrofit

Publication Date
YouTube channel featuring 90+ videos to educate Bay Area homeowners and contractors about seismic retrofitting, including information for various home and construction types.

Be prepared for extreme heat

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Information sheet from FEMA on preparation for extreme heat, including measures for keeping homes cool.

Be Wildfire Ready

Author(s)
Town of Los Gatos California
Organization(s)
Town of Los Gatos California
Publication Date
A webpage outlining recommendations for creating defensible space.

Benefits of Demand-Controlled Pumping

Author(s)
Acker Larry,
Klein Gary
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing how demand plumbing systems send cold water back to the water heater until hot water arrives at the sink, shower or other fixture where it is needed.

Benefits of Trees

Author(s)
Arbor Day Foundation
Organization(s)
Arbor Day Foundation
Publication Date
Article describing the benefits trees provide through quotes and anecdotes.

Best Practices Case Study: Artistic Homes, Albuquerque, NM

Author(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Organization(s)
PNNL
Publication Date
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.

Best Practices for Nuisance Wildlife Control: A Training Manual

Author(s)
Wildlife Damage Management
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperate Extension Service,
CES,
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation,
NYSDEC,
Cornell Cooperative Extension,
CCE
Publication Date
Web-based manual providing guidance for removal and preventing entry of nuisance wildlife.

Best Practices Manual

Author(s)
Hammer & Hand
Organization(s)
Hammer & Hand
Publication Date
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.

Best Practices Series Volume 16: 40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Mixed-Humid Climate

Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Hefty Marye G,
Cole Pam C,
Adams Karen T,
Butner Ryan S,
Ortiz S J,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Report describing measures that builders in mixed-humid climates can use to build homes that have whole-house energy savings of 40% over the Building America benchmark with no added overall costs for consumers.

Bioengineered Shoreline Stabilization

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Document discussing methods to bioengineer stabilization of shorelines using living and non-living plant materials in combination, known as the “Living Shorelines” concept.

Boiler Inspections for Safety, Life and Efficiency

Author(s)
Kleva Stephen
Organization(s)
Contractor Magazine
Publication Date
Article explaining the importance of regular inspections of boiler systems in maintaining their safety, lifespan, and efficiency.