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 1 - 24 of 326 results:

Video:

5 key areas around the home you must examine when assessing wildfire risk

Image:

A continuous rim joist separates the garage and living space

A continuous rim joist separates the garage and living space
Image:

A Corsi-Rosenthal Box is a highly effective DIY air cleaner made of easy to obtain materials such as HVAC filters, a box fan, cardboard, and tape

A Corsi-Rosenthal Box is a highly effective DIY air cleaner made of easy to obtain materials such as HVAC filters, a box fan, cardboard, and tape
Image:

A cross-section of a vinyl-framed window showing metal reinforcement which helps support the window and prevent collapse if exposed to heat from a fire.

A cross-section of a vinyl-framed window showing metal reinforcement which helps support the window and prevent collapse if exposed to heat from a fire.
Image:

A deck or other attached structure located at the top of a slope with vegetation underneath is at high risk of ignition during a wildfire

A deck or other attached structure located at the top of a slope with vegetation underneath is at high risk of ignition during a wildfire
Image:

A detached garage offers more space to place solar panels with likely fewer roof penetrations and more options for roof pitch and orientation.

A detached garage offers more space to place solar panels with likely fewer roof penetrations and more options for roof pitch and orientation.
Image:

A dry hydrant is a pipe a homeowner can have installed in a natural water source on their rural property to provide easy access to the water by firefighting crews.

A dry hydrant is a pipe a homeowner can have installed in a natural water source on their rural property to provide easy access to the water by firefighting crews.
Image:

A green strip is a type of fuel break planted with less flammable vegetation; e.g., crested wheatgrass.

A green strip is a type of fuel break planted with less flammable vegetation; e.g., crested wheatgrass.
Image:

A North American map showing states with active NFPA fire sprinkler coalitions.

A North American map showing states with active NFPA fire sprinkler coalitions.
Image:

A patio and wall constructed of noncombustible concrete, stone, or brick helps to deflect heat and protect the deck and house from approaching wildfires.

A patio and wall constructed of noncombustible concrete, stone, or brick helps to deflect heat and protect the deck and house from approaching wildfires.
Image:

A roof-mounted solar electric system can be sized to produce enough electricity to power the home and an electric car.

A roof-mounted solar electric system can be sized to produce enough electricity to power the home and an electric car.
Image:

A roughed-in fire sprinkler head (left) and fire sprinkler riser (right), both using CPVC piping.

A roughed-in fire sprinkler head (left) and fire sprinkler riser (right), both using CPVC piping.
Image:

A shaded fuel break is created on forested lands when trees are thinned, tree canopies are raised by removing lower branches, and the understory vegetation is managed to reduce the fire threat.

A shaded fuel break is created on forested lands when trees are thinned, tree canopies are raised by removing lower branches, and the understory vegetation is managed to reduce the fire threat.
Image:

A wall assembly approved for use in the wildland-urban interface has 5/8-inch type X gypsum installed exterior of the wood sheathing and an exterior covering or siding that has a 1-hour fire-resistance rating

A wall assembly approved for use in the wildland-urban interface has 5/8-inch type X gypsum installed exterior of the wood sheathing and an exterior covering or siding that has a 1-hour fire-resistance rating
Image:

Above-ground welded-steel cistern with hydrant for fire engine hose hookup installed on private land for residential fire suppression.

Above-ground welded-steel cistern with hydrant for fire engine hose hookup installed on private land for residential fire suppression.
Image:

Adjustable weatherstripping can be installed around the interior side of the door frame to help keep out wind-blown rain and embers and hot gasses from wildfires (FEMA 577).

Adjustable weatherstripping can be installed around the interior side of the door frame to help keep out wind-blown rain and embers and hot gasses from wildfires (FEMA 577).
CAD File:

Air barrier at garage band joist - 1 1/2 inch rigid insulation with 2x4 sleepers

Preview Image
Air barrier at garage band joist - 1 1/2 inch rigid insulation with 2x4 sleepers
CAD File:

Air barrier at garage band joist - 1 inch rigid insulation with 1x3 wood furring

Preview Image
Air barrier at garage band joist - 1 inch rigid insulation with 1x3 wood furring
CAD File:

Air barrier at garage band joist - 1 inch rigid insulation with 2x2 wood furring

Preview Image
Air barrier at garage band joist - 1 inch rigid insulation with 2x2 wood furring
Image:

Air-seal and insulate the rim and band joists of walls separating an attached garage from the home’s conditioned space.

Air-seal and insulate the rim and band joists of walls separating an attached garage from the home’s conditioned space.
Image:

Air-seal the floor above a garage when there is living space above the garage and make sure floor insulation is in full contact with the underside of the subfloor.

Air-seal the floor above a garage when there is living space above the garage and make sure floor insulation is in full contact with the underside of the subfloor.
Image:

Annual Wildfires and Acres Burned, including Wildland Fires on Federal and Nonfederal lands (1991-2020)

Annual Wildfires and Acres Burned, including Wildland Fires on Federal and Nonfederal lands (1991-2020)
Image:

Assembly can be used in IECC CZ 3 and above to thermally isolate garages in multifamily row houses with slab foundations. For unheated garages, it is unnecessary to insulate wall between garage and exterior of slab or slab underneath garage.

Assembly can be used in IECC CZ 3 and above to thermally isolate garages in multifamily row houses with slab foundations. For unheated garages, it is unnecessary to insulate wall between garage and exterior of the slab or the slab underneath the garage.
Image:

Batt insulation is not an effective air barrier

Batt insulation is not an effective air barrier