Guides A-Z

Guide describing how to apply flashing to the bottom of exterior walls to create a continuous drainage plane.

Guide describing how to provide a continuous water control layer across the roof assembly by sealing all penetrations for pipes, vents, etc. in existing roofs.

Guide describing how to install and properly integrate flashing at the intersection of the wall and roof on an existing home.

Guide describing how to install flashing that is integrated with air and water control layers around piping, vents, and other wall penetrations as part of an exterior wall retrofit.

Guide describing how to design or retrofit a crawlspace to reduce the risk of damage during a flood event.

Guide describing how to construct flood-resistant homes using pier, pile, post, or column foundations.

Guide describing ways to construct a raised-slab foundation to increase a home's resistance to floods.

Guide describing how to create an air barrier between the garage and the conditioned space above it to prohibit pollutants from entering a home's interior.

Guide describing how to air-seal and insulate the floor above an unconditioned basement or crawl space.

Guide describing construction of gable roof overhangs to resist uplift pressures in high winds.

Guide describing fuel tank anchoring practices for disaster resistance.

Guide describing garage doors that are pressure-rated to withstand wind pressures from hurricanes, high winds, and tornados.

Guide describing the air-sealing of rim joists on walls connecting homes and attached garages.

Guide describing gas-fired boilers and hot water heat distribution systems used for home heating.

Guide describing the installation of a tankless hot water heater to provide domestic hot water that is heated on demand without the standby losses associated with tank storage water heaters.

Guide describing ground-source (geothermal) heat pumps including an overview of technology and guidance on compliance and installation.

Guide describing the installation of gutters, downspouts, and alternate options for managing rainwater run-off from roofs.

Guide describing the planning and installation process for Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWHs) in single-family homes, including model selection, installation location, thermal resource adequacy, and condensate removal.

Guide describing lighting choices and installation procedures in new and existing homes.

Guide describing the uses, selection process, and specification of high-MERV filters.

Guide providing information about high-performance and high-efficiency windows including ENERGY STAR-certified windows.

Guide describing materials and methods for incorporating thermal mass into the construction of a home for temperature regulation, energy savings, and resistance to extreme heat and cold.

Guide describing the advantages and disadvantages of gable roofs and hip roofs and how both designs react under high wind loads.