Guides A-Z

Passive and Low-Energy Cooling

Guide describing various ways of implementing passive and low-energy cooling techniques for a house.

Patio Slabs, Porch Slabs, Walkways, and Driveways Slope Away from House

Guide describing how to correctly slope solid surfaces outside a home so rainwater flows away from the home.

Pest-Resistant Ground Cover at Foundation Perimeter

Guide describing methods for installing pest-resistant ground cover around foundations to resist borrowing rodents and other pests.

Porches, Carports, and Deck Attachments

Guide describing how to provide a continuous load path with appropriate connectors to improve the wind resistance of attached porches, carports, and decks during high-wind events.

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Post-Disaster Home and Site Hazards

Information guide describing best practices for ensuring the safety of those returning to a home after a disaster.

Retrofit Existing Crawl Space Foundations with Cripple Walls to Increase Seismic Resistance and Thermal Performance

Guide describing different options for providing seismic and thermal resistance for homes with 'cripple' wall crawlspace foundations, which are known for their instability.

Retrofit of Existing Roofs for Hurricane, High Wind, and Seismic Resistance

Guide describing ways to retrofit an existing roof to increase its resistance to damage during hurricanes, high winds, and earthquakes.

Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to apply an air control layer directly over existing wall sheathing and cover with two layers of insulating sheathing held in place by vertical furring strips.

Roof Anchor System for Solar Panels

A guide for choosing, installing, and flashing roof anchoring systems for solar panels.

Roof Deck Sheathing and Sealing for Sloped Roofs

Guide describing requirements for sheathing and sealing the roof decking in accordance with the requirements of the IBHS Fortified Home Program's Hurricane and High Wind Standards, and other roofing considerations to increase the roof's disaster resistance.

Roof Eaves Sealed with Self-Adhering Membrane in Cold Climates

Guide describing how to apply heavy membranes at eaves in cold climates to help guard against ice dams.

Roof Edge Protection

Guide describing designs and construction retrofits for roof assemblies to resist pressures at roof edges during high-wind events.

Roof Escape Openings for Flood-Prone Areas

Guide describing options for providing access to the roof via openable skylights, dormer windows, or roof hatches, for occupants of homes in areas prone to severe flooding.

Roof Valleys and Penetrations Sealed

Guide describing how to seal roof valleys and how to seal around pipes, chimneys, and other roof deck penetrations.

Roof/Attic to Exterior Wall Air Control Upgrade

Guide outlining how to retrofit an exterior wall and/or attic to provide continuous air sealing.

Safe Rooms and Storm Shelters

Guide describing design for shelter-in-place spaces during windstorm storm events.

Screens and Other Deterrents for Birds, Rodents, and Other Pests

Guide describing steps to keep birds, rodents, and other pests out of vent openings and other locations in new and existing homes.

Seismic and Insulation Retrofits of Solid Masonry Walls

Guide describing how to retrofit older solid masonry homes to withstand seismic activity while including energy efficient retrofits.

Seismic and Thermal Resistance in Slab-on-Grade Foundations with Turned-Down Footings (Monolithic Slabs)

Guide describing how to construct and retrofit homes built on slab-on-grade foundations in earthquake-prone areas to withstand seismic forces by properly installing wall to foundation connections.

Shading and Solar Control for Windows and Skylights

Guide describing various methods of shading and solar control to reduce heat gain through windows.

Site Drainage Practices to Minimize Localized Flooding

Guide describing steps that builders can take to reduce the likelihood of standing water and localized flooding around the foundation of a home during rainy conditions, with links to several full guides providing detailed instructions for improving water management in new and existing homes.