Guides A-Z | Building America Solution Center

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 Board Insulation for Existing Band Joists

Guide describing principles of insulating band joists as a stand alone energy upgrade, or as part of creating a closed crawlspace.

Rigid Foam Board Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate closed crawlspace walls and band joist areas with rigid foam board insulation.

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.

Rigid Foam Insulation Installed Between Existing House and Garage Walls

Guide describing how to upgrade walls that separate the garage from the house by providing a continuous air control layer on the garage side of the wall and adding rigid foam insulation.

Rigid Foam Insulation Installed over Existing Foundation Slabs

Guide describing how to insulate an existing slab floor by adding rigid foam insulation over the slab then installing a floating subfloor.

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 Deck Valleys and Penetrations Sealed

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

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 Vents

Guide describing the installation of roof vents that are resistant to damage from high winds and entry of wind-borne rain, wildfire embers, or pests.

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.

Sealed and Insulated Flex Ducts

Guide describing how to air seal and insulate flex ducts.

Sealed and Insulated Metal Ducts

Guide describing how to air seal and insulate metal ducts.

Sealing Duct Boots to Floor or Drywall

Guide describing how to air seal around duct shafts and flues installed through ceilings, walls and flooring in new and existing homes.

Service Water Pressure

Guide describing service water pressure requirements for EPA's WaterSense Program.

Showerheads

Guide describing how to install WaterSense® labeled showerheads.

Skylight Shaft Walls

Guide describing insulation techniques for skylight shaft walls.

Slab Edge Insulation

Guide describing how to insulate slabs on grade in climate zones 4 and higher.

Smart Power Strips

Install Tier 1, master-slave, load-sensing advanced power strips in entertainment centers and computer stations.

Smoking Restrictions in Multi-Family Housing

Guide describing how to reduce exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in multi-family buildings.

Solar Hot Water Heater Thermosiphon

This measure guide describes basic steps for designing a thermosiphon solar hot water system.

Solar Orientation For Solar Arrays and Panels

This guide describes procedures for assessing feasibility of solar resources, and designating location of propolsed PV arrays and solar thermal panels.

Solar Plumbing and Wiring Chase

This measure guide describes the need to install a plumbing and wiring chase for a future solar hot water installation.

Solar Thermal Bypass Valve

This information guide describes the need to install a solar bypass valve on the existing hot water tank for a future solar hot water system installation.

Spray Foam Insulation Applied over the Siding of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to install spray foam on the exterior of the existing home after framing over the existing siding.

Spray Foam Insulation Applied to Existing Attic Floor

Guide describing how to apply spray foam insulation to ceilings in existing homes.

Spray Foam Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to insulate the walls of an existing home with spray foam insulation.

Spray Foam Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate an existing foundation wall by adding spray foam insulation to the interior side of the wall.

Sprinkler Irrigation

Guide describing sprinkler irrigation landscape watering practices for water efficiency.

Staircase Walls

Guide describing how to create a fully aligned air barrier behind a staircase.

Steam System Balancing for Multifamily Existing Buildings

Guide describing best practice venting strategies for existing steam heating systems in multifamily buildings.

Step and Kick-Out Flashing at Roof-Wall Intersections

Guide describing how to install step and kick-out flashing on roofs.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

This measure guides describes how to install structural insulated panels to block excessive heat loss and gain though structural framing.

Structural Sheathing (plywood/OSB) in Exterior Walls

Guide describing the need for adequate structural sheathing in exterior walls in homes in high-wind areas.

Stucco Over Rigid Foam Insulation

Guide describing how to install stucco over rigid foam insulaiton in new and existing homes.

Sufficient Cavity Space for Flex Ducts

This measure guide describes how to correctly install ducts, ensuring enough cavity space to avoid compression.

Sump Pump Cover Gasket

Guide describing the need for covers on sump pumps in the basement or crawlspace of a home.

Support at Intervals for Flex Ducts

Guide describing how to hang ducts with supporting straps or saddles to adequately support ducts so they do not sag and are not pinched or compressed in a manner that would cause damage to the ducts, the duct insulation, or the duct air barrier covering.