BASC Search

Retrofit Improvements - Improve Window & Door Flashing/Sealing

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Organization(s)

HIRL

Publication Date

February, 2012

Fact sheet describing methods for flashing and air-sealing windows and doors.

Clerestory windows bring light in from above, reflecting it off of surfaces, making it more appealing than the direct light that comes from skylights

The design of this home incorporates multiple methods to reduce summertime solar gains including roll-down exterior blinds, wide exterior horizontal louvers, minimized east/west-facing windows, and vegetation.

Porch roofs, pergolas, and large overhangs can effectively shade windows and doors facing south, southeast, southwest, or even due east or west for most of the day if the overhang is very deep and sufficiently wide.

Passive and Low-Energy Cooling

Guide describing various ways of implementing passive and low-energy cooling techniques for a house.

Multi-layer honeycomb cellular shades such as these can provide summertime energy savings by blocking and reflecting solar heat, as well as wintertime energy savings by providing added insulation.

Publication Date

Thu, 10/01/2015 - 12:00

Right – Horizontal overhangs on this house block sunlight in the summer while allowing it in during winter

Infrared photometry shows the impact of a roof overhang on the south façade of a home, where the unshaded patio stonework is significantly hotter than the shaded portions of the patio and wall surfaces (temperature scale shown is in Celsius).

Exterior shading devices such as awnings or overhangs can significantly reduce cooling loads

Publication Date

Sun, 10/14/2007 - 12:00

Dry Floodproofing

Publication Date

November, 2016

Video from LSU AgCenter describing dry floodproofing and how to dry floodproof your home.

Right – This model home for the Solar Decathlon competition incorporates vertical trellises and retractable exterior blinds to control solar heat gain.

Hurricanes and High Winds Overview

Overview guide outlining home construction techniques used in hurricane and high wind areas.

Right – Flashing is installed around chimney, skylight, vents, dormers, in valleys and at eaves

Publication Date

Mon, 06/01/2020 - 12:00

These folding louvered porch doors provide effective shade from low-angle east and west sunlight and can open for views; the photovoltaic panels overhead allow in filtered natural light

Wind Safety of the Building Envelope

Author(s)

Smith Tom

Organization(s)

Whole Building Design Guide,

WBDG

Publication Date

June, 2017

Article discussing structural and nonstructural building components and illustrates a variety of wind-induced damages, including wind-driven rain infiltration.

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design Index Sheet

PDF

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design General Notes

PDF

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design General Notes

PDF

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design Tables

PDF

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design Sheathing Requirements

PDF

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design Exhaust/Ventilation Details

PDF

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design CMU Plans and Details

PDF

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design Concrete Plans and Details

PDF

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design ICF Plans and Details

PDF

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design Wood Frame with CMU Infill

PDF

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design Details for Safe Rooms That Use Basement Walls

PDF

Design for Wildfire Resistance

Information guide describing defensible space, fire-resistant materials, and other features to include when designing a home for wildfire resistance.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: Imery Group Proud Green Home, Serenbe, GA

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

April, 2014

Case study describing the first DOE Zero Energy Ready Home in Georgia that achieved a HERS score of 40 without PV and -10 with PV.

Retrofit Improvements - Improve Window & Door Flashing/Sealing

Clerestory windows bring light in from above, reflecting it off of surfaces, making it more appealing than the direct light that comes from skylights

The design of this home incorporates multiple methods to reduce summertime solar gains including roll-down exterior blinds, wide exterior horizontal louvers, minimized east/west-facing windows, and vegetation.

Porch roofs, pergolas, and large overhangs can effectively shade windows and doors facing south, southeast, southwest, or even due east or west for most of the day if the overhang is very deep and sufficiently wide.

Passive and Low-Energy Cooling

Multi-layer honeycomb cellular shades such as these can provide summertime energy savings by blocking and reflecting solar heat, as well as wintertime energy savings by providing added insulation.

Right – Horizontal overhangs on this house block sunlight in the summer while allowing it in during winter

Infrared photometry shows the impact of a roof overhang on the south façade of a home, where the unshaded patio stonework is significantly hotter than the shaded portions of the patio and wall surfaces (temperature scale shown is in Celsius).

Exterior shading devices such as awnings or overhangs can significantly reduce cooling loads

Dry Floodproofing

Right – This model home for the Solar Decathlon competition incorporates vertical trellises and retractable exterior blinds to control solar heat gain.

Hurricanes and High Winds Overview

Right – Flashing is installed around chimney, skylight, vents, dormers, in valleys and at eaves

These folding louvered porch doors provide effective shade from low-angle east and west sunlight and can open for views; the photovoltaic panels overhead allow in filtered natural light

Wind Safety of the Building Envelope

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design Index Sheet

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design General Notes

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design General Notes

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design Tables

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design Sheathing Requirements

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design Exhaust/Ventilation Details

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design CMU Plans and Details

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design Concrete Plans and Details

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design ICF Plans and Details

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design Wood Frame with CMU Infill

FEMA P-320 Safe Room Design Details for Safe Rooms That Use Basement Walls

Design for Wildfire Resistance

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: Imery Group Proud Green Home, Serenbe, GA

Flooding Overview

Design and Retrofit for Flood Protection

Moisture-, Impact-, Fire-, and Pest-Resistant Exterior Siding

Bracing of Roofs for Hurricane, High Wind, and Seismic Resistance

Design for Windstorm and Tornado Protection

Decks are Wildfire-Resistant

Safe Rooms and Storm Shelters