Skip to main content

Resources

Explore a library of home construction and renovation guidance and easily search through galleries containing hundreds of building science-related photos, drawings, videos, CAD files, case studies, and presentations.

Filter

View Library

Showing 841 - 864 of 958 results:

Image:

This raised-slab poured concrete foundation includes flood-resistant features such as a sloped grade, capillary break under the slab (gravel or sand), vapor retarder under the slab (rigid insulation), and capillary break at the top of the foundation wall

This raised-slab poured concrete foundation includes flood-resistant features such as a sloped grade, capillary break under the slab (gravel or sand), vapor retarder under the slab (rigid insulation), and capillary break at the top of the foundation wall
Image:

This single-zone mini-split ductless heat pump has only one indoor wall-mounted unit and one outdoor unit.

This single-zone mini-split ductless heat pump has only one indoor wall-mounted unit and one outdoor unit.
Image:

This Texas homes uses a slab foundation including a 4-in.-thick post-tensioned monolithic slab with turned-down edges poured over a 6-mil polyethylene vapor barrier and capillary break; slab edge insulation is not used due to termite risk.

This Texas homes uses a slab foundation including a 4-in.-thick post-tensioned monolithic slab with turned-down edges poured over a 6-mil polyethylene vapor barrier and capillary break; slab edge insulation is not used due to termite risk.
Image:

This traditional centrally ducted heat pump heats and cools the entire home through a network of ducts.

This traditional centrally ducted heat pump heats and cools the entire home through a network of ducts.
Image:

This upflow air handler for a traditional heat pump has an electric resistance auxiliary heating element located at the top of the unit (circled in red).

This upflow air handler for a traditional heat pump has an electric resistance auxiliary heating element located at the top of the unit (circled in red).
Image:

This utility room houses a high-efficiency gas boiler to provide hot water for the radiant floor heating system and faucets. It also has a central air source heat pump and an energy recovery ventilator.

This utility room houses a high-efficiency gas boiler to provide hot water for the radiant floor heating system and faucets. It also has a central air source heat pump and an energy recovery ventilator.
Image:

This wall-hung ductless indoor mini-split heat pump contains a fan, filter, and heating/cooling coil just like a traditional central air handler for a ducted heat pump system

This wall-hung ductless indoor mini-split heat pump contains a fan, filter, and heating/cooling coil just like a traditional central air handler for a ducted heat pump system
Image:

This wall-mounted evaporative cooler is easy to access for maintenance

This wall-mounted evaporative cooler is easy to access for maintenance
Image:

This wood-framed wall is connected with framing anchors, metal strapping and ties, and anchor bolts to secure the roof to the walls and walls to the foundation

This wood-framed wall is connected with framing anchors, metal strapping and ties, and anchor bolts to secure the roof to the walls and walls to the foundation
Image:

Three different anchoring methods are shown for making the home more resistant to getting moved off its foundation in an earthquake.

Three different anchoring methods are shown for making the home more resistant to getting moved off its foundation in an earthquake.
Image:

Three types of foundation walls: Stem-plus-wood stud cripple wall, reinforced concrete wall, and reinforced concrete block/masonry wall

Three types of foundation walls: Stem-plus-wood stud cripple wall, reinforced concrete wall, and reinforced concrete block/masonry wall
Image:

Three-zone ductless mini-split system consisting of two wall-mounted and one ceiling-mounted indoor ductless units and one outdoor unit

Three-zone ductless mini-split system consisting of two wall-mounted and one ceiling-mounted indoor ductless units and one outdoor unit
Image:

Three-zone mini-split system consisting of one wall-mounted ductless unit, one ceiling-mounted ductless unit, and one ducted indoor unit, all connected to one outdoor unit

Three-zone mini-split system consisting of one wall-mounted ductless unit, one ceiling-mounted ductless unit, and one ducted indoor unit, all connected to one outdoor unit
Image:

To attach the flex duct to a main trunk duct or any other connection, the flex duct is pulled over the connecting collar at least 2 inches past the raised bead, then the insulation is pulled back

To attach the flex duct to a main trunk duct or any other connection, the flex duct is pulled over the connecting collar at least 2 inches past the raised bead, then the insulation is pulled back
Image:

To control surface water, the land should slope away from the building on all sides

To control surface water, the land should slope away from the building on all sides
Image:

To handle the high water table on this lot, the builder installed underground drain pipe to french drains for slow dispersal of storm runoff, then set the floor joists on steel framing set 4 ft above grade on 35-foot-deep piers.

To handle the high water table on this lot, the builder installed underground drain pipe to french drains for slow dispersal of storm runoff, then set the floor joists on steel framing set 4 ft above grade on 35-foot-deep piers.
Image:

To help keep the monolithic slab-on-grade foundation dry, the site’s surfaces is graded away from the structure, the slab is poured on a bed of gravel, and using a vapor barrier will separate the foundation from the sill plates.

To help keep the monolithic slab-on-grade foundation dry, the site’s surfaces is graded away from the structure, the slab is poured on a bed of gravel, and using a vapor barrier will separate the foundation from the sill plates.
Image:

To increase a masonry-walled home’s resistance to seismic forces, solid wood blocking is added between the roof rafters, anchors are added to connect the brick wall to the rafters and floor joists, building diaphragms are added, foundation braced

To increase a masonry-walled home’s resistance to seismic forces, solid wood blocking is added between the roof rafters, anchors are added to connect the brick wall to the rafters and floor joists, building diaphragms are added, foundation braced
Video:

Total Duct Leakage Tests

Image:

Traditional methods of site drainage, such as site grading, can be difficult to achieve on urban sites.

Traditional methods of site drainage, such as site grading, can be difficult to achieve on urban sites.
Image:

Trapezoid swale design

Trapezoid swale design
CAD File:

Turned down concrete slab - 1 1/2 inch rigid insulation

Preview Image
Turned down concrete slab - 1 1/2 inch rigid insulation
CAD File:

Turned down concrete slab - 1 inch rigid insulation

Preview Image
Turned down concrete slab - 1 inch rigid insulation
CAD File:

Turned down concrete slab - 3/4 inch rigid insulation

Preview Image
Turned down concrete slab - 3/4 inch rigid insulation