Guides A-Z | Building America Solution Center

Building Science Introduction - Air Flow

Information guide providing background information about air flow in residential buildings.

Building Science Introduction - Heat Flow

Information guide providing background information about heat flow in residential buildings.

Building Science Introduction - Moisture Flow

Information guide providing background information about moisture flow in residential buildings.

Calculating Attic Passive Ventilation

Information guide describing how to calculate attic passive ventilation with example calculations.

Cantilevered Floor

Guide describing how to air-seal and insulate a cantilevered floor.

Capillary Break at Crawlspace Floors - Polyethylene Lapped Up Walls and Piers or Secured in the Ground

Guide describing how to create a capillary break at all crawlspace floors using polyethylene sheeting to manage moisture in crawlspaces.

Capillary Break Beneath Slab - Polyethylene Sheeting or Rigid Insulation over Aggregate or Sand and Geotextile Mat

Guide describing how to install a capillary break under a slab foundation using either polyethylene sheeting or rigid insulation installed over aggregate or over sand and geotextile matting.

Ceiling Fans (ENERGY STAR)

Guide describing ceiling fan components and basic steps for installation.

Cement Board Installed behind Tile and Panel Tub and Shower Enclosures

Guide describing how to install moisture-resistant materials on walls behind showers and tubs to help manage moisture.

Central Heat Pump Water Heaters for Multifamily Buildings

Guide providing an overview of central heat pump water heater applications in multifamily buildings.

Certified Low-Emission Cabinets and Wood Products

Guide describing Indoor airPLUS construction specifications for low-VOC pressed wood materials.

Certified Low-Emission Carpet Adhesives and Carpet

Guide describing Indoor airPLUS construction specifications for carpets.

Certified Low/No Emission Interior Paints and Finishes

Guide describing Indoor airPLUS construction specifications for low/no VOC paints and finishes.

Chimneys Connected to Roof Structure

Guide providing information about flashing around a chimney to protect the intersection of the roof and chimney walls from water intrusion and anchoring of a chimney to prevent collapse in high winds.

Cisterns for Fire Suppression

Guide describing construction of cisterns for fire suppression installed on private residential property.

Class I Vapor Retarders Not Installed in Above-Grade Walls in Warm-Humid Climate

Guide describing vapor retarder permeability, insulation interaction, and example construction in a hot-humid climate.

Clay or Concrete Tile Roofs

Guide discussing disaster resistance related to clay or concrete tile roofing when installing roofing on new construction or when repairing or replacing roofing on existing homes.

Clothes Washers

Guide describing how to install efficient clothes washers in new and existing homes.

Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) Testing

Guide describing how to conduct combustion appliance zone testing.

Combustion Furnaces

Guide describing combustion furnaces with selection and installation guidance.

Combustion Safety - CO Alarms Installed

Guide describing how to choose and install a carbon monoxide alarm.

Common Exhaust Duct Not Shared by Fans in Separate Dwellings

Guide describing correct ducting for exhaust fans.

Compact Air Distribution

Guide describing design and installation of compact duct systems for central heating and cooling systems.

Complete Window and Frame Replacement

Guide describing a complete window replacement in existing homes.

Condensation Control for Walls in Cold Weather

Guide describing ways to construct wall assemblies in cold climates to minimize the likelihood of condensation formation inside the walls.

Condensation Control in Attics and Roofs in Cold Weather

Guide describing causes of condensation in attics and roof assemblies during cold weather and ways to reduce this condensation.

Condensing Boilers

Guide describing condensing boilers and hot water heat distribution systems used for home heating.

Condensing HVAC has Corrosion-Resistant Condensate Drain Pan

Guide describing how to install a corrosion-resistant drain pan in condensate-producing HVAC equipment.

Construct Roofs and Attics for Ice Dam Prevention

Guide describing how ice dams form and how roofs can be constructed to prevent them.

Continuous Air Barrier in Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to install continuous air barriers in exterior walls.

Continuous Load Path Provided with Connections from the Roof through the Wall to the Foundation

Guide describing how to provide a strong continuous load path from the roof through the wall to the foundation to ensure a structurally sound building and increase racking resistance in hurricanes, high winds, tornados, and earthquakes.

Continuous Rigid Insulation Sheathing

Guide describing continuous rigid insulation installation procedures to reduce thermal bridging and help provide thermal protection.

Continuous Supply/Exhaust Fan Ratings

Guide describing how to select low-sone supply and exhaust fans for quiet, continuous operation.

Continuously Operating Ventilation and Exhaust Fans

Guide describing how to install continuously operating exhaust fans.

Cool Roofs and Walls to Reduce Heat Gain

Guide providing information on how cool roofing and wall cladding surfaces work, which climates can most benefit from them, and how to find and select cool roofing and wall cladding products.

Core and Manifold Plumbing

Guide describing effective ways to distribute hot water using either a core (compact) plumbing layout or a central homerun manifold piping system.

Creating a Cool Room for Extreme Heat Events

Guide describing how to create a designated shelter-from-heat space in a home to help occupants successfully weather an extreme heat event.

Decks are Wildfire-Resistant

Guide describing how to properly construct decks and other building attachments to be resistant to ignition in the event of a wildfire.

Defensible Space for Protection Against Wildfires

Guide describing how to effectively create defensible space between a residence and potential wildfire fuels in high-risk fire hazard areas.

Demand Plumbing

Guide describing the use of recirculation pumps to speed the flow of hot water to faucets for reduced wait times and savings in energy and water usage.

Design and Retrofit for Flood Protection

Information guide describing constructed flood protection measures to minimize damage and increase structural resilience during a flood.

Design for Extreme Heat

Information guide describing ways to design a home to be resistant to extreme heat.

Direct Vent Equipment

Guide describing categories of direct-vent combustion space- and water-heating equipment and combustion safety testing.

Dishwashers

Guide describing how to install dishwashers in new and existing homes.

Distributed Heat Pump Water Heaters for Multifamily Buildings

Guide describing strategies for effectively utilizing integrated consumer heat pump water heaters (HPWH) in multifamily buildings.

Double-Wall Architectural Feature

Guide describing air barrier installation, insulation installation, and air-sealing for double walls (half or full walls included in a home design as an architectural feature that provides a more dimensional appearance).

Drain Back – Solar Hot Water

Guide describing basic steps for designing a drainback solar hot water system.

Drain or Sump Pump Installed in Basements or Crawlspaces

Guide describing installation of sump pumps in the basement or crawlspace of a home.

Drainage Plane Behind Exterior Wall Cladding

Guide describing installation of a fully sealed continuous weather resistant barrier to provide a drainage plane to keep rainwater out of above-grade walls.

Drinking Water Treatment Systems

Guide describing EPA WaterSense requirements for drinking water treatment systems including water softeners.