Description
Guide describing ways to construct a raised-slab foundation to increase a home's resistance to floods.
Showing results 1 - 59 of 59
Publication Date
Description
Video explaining the structural foundation slab in a passive house.
Description
Guide describing how to install slab edge insulation when retrofitting existing slab-on-grade foundations.
Description
Guide describing how to construct and retrofit homes built on slab-on-grade foundations in earthquake-prone areas to withstand seismic forces by properly installing wall to foundation connections.
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
NSTAR,
University of Minnesota,
UMN
Publication Date
Description
Report assessing slab-on-grade foundation insulation energy savings.
Description
Guide describing how to insulate an existing slab floor by adding rigid foam insulation over the slab then installing a floating subfloor.
Organization(s)
IBACOS
Publication Date
Description
Case study describing application of exterior rigid foam insulation on a foundation system.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Checklist intending to clarify FORTIFIED Home™ eligibility requirements that relate to a home’s foundation.
Description
Guide describing how to correctly slope solid surfaces outside a home so rainwater flows away from the home.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
How hard can it be to insulate a flat sheet of concrete? I mean you only have three choices – on the top, on the bottom, or on the edge. OK, you might have some combination of the three as well.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Brochure describing insulation approaches for homes with slab-on-grade floors.
Description
Guide describing techniques and measures for increasing the termite resistance of a home's foundations.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Website describing the U.S. Department of Energy's residential buildings program.
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
University of Minnesota
Publication Date
Description
Handbook providing guidance on the design and construction of foundations for homes, including insulation, air sealing, and water management details for basements, crawlspaces, and slabs.
Publication Date
Organization(s)
ACI
Description
Video from American Concrete Institute explaining the differences between foundation construction strategies and heights to mitigate damage from flooding.
Organization(s)
Green Home Institute
Publication Date
Description
Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.
Organization(s)
Green Home Institute
Publication Date
Description
Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.
Description
Guide describing how to insulate an existing foundation wall by adding spray foam insulation to the interior side of the wall.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about insulating slabs.
Description
Guide describing how to install a capillary break to help manage moisture in foundations.
Description
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.
Publication Date
Description
Video showing the installation of a foundation in a passive house.
Description
Guide describing how to properly grade a site so water will flow away from the foundation.
Description
Guide describing methods for installing pest-resistant ground cover around foundations to resist borrowing rodents and other pests.
Description
Guide describing how to insulate a new foundation wall or an existing foundation wall by adding rigid insulation to the exterior side.
Description
Guide describing how to design or retrofit a crawlspace to reduce the risk of damage during a flood event.
Description
Guide describing how to construct flood-resistant homes using pier, pile, post, or column foundations.
Description
Guide describing how to insulate closed crawlspace walls and band joist areas with rigid foam board insulation.
Description
Vapor retarder plastic should not be installed over fibrous insulation on basement or crawlspace walls unless rigid foam or spray foam is installed directly against the concrete, behind the blanket insulation.
Description
Guide describing different options for providing seismic and thermal resistance for homes with basement foundations, crawlspace foundations, or crawlspace foundations with a "cripple" wall.
Description
Guide describing how to retrofit an existing basement floor or slab to reduce moisture issues.
Description
Guide describing how to help drain water away from the perimeter footing.
Publication Date
Description
Video describing the under slab and vapor barrier used on a passive house.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Measure Guideline research report providing simple, long term, and durable solutions when using tapes and flashing membranes in conjunction with the exterior face of rigid polymeric foam sheathing to create the drainage plane of a wall system.
Description
Guide describing steps that builders can take to reduce the likelihood of standing water and localized flooding around the foundation of a home during rainy conditions, with links to several full guides providing detailed instructions for improving water management in new and existing homes.
Publication Date
Organization(s)
PMP TV
Description
Video presentation from PMP TV covering different building strategies as they relate to different slab and foundation types and building materials to keep out termites.
Description
Guide describing how to upgrade a crawlspace floor in an existing home by adding insulation.
Organization(s)
Home Energy
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the effective R-values of various subslab insulation products, including foil bubble pack.
Description
Guide describing how to install a radon-mitigating vertical ventilation pipe in new and existing homes with various types of house foundations.
Description
Guide describing steps to take to minimize indoor humidity in preparation for cold winter weather.
Description
Guide describing design for shelter-in-place spaces during windstorm storm events.
Description
Guide describing how to install a radon mitigation fan with various types of house foundations.
Description
Guide describing the need for covers on sump pumps in the basement or crawlspace of a home.
Description
Guide describing how to insulate a basement to improve the overall thermal performance of the building and provide more dry, usable conditioned space for home occupants and HVAC equipment.
Description
Guide describing how to create a capillary break at all crawlspace floors using polyethylene sheeting to manage moisture in crawlspaces.
Description
Guide providing information about treating bulk water drainage issues and moisture control measures in existing basements and crawl spaces.
Description
Guide describing installation of sump pumps in the basement or crawlspace of a home.
Description
Guide describing how to apply water management strategies to below grade walls.
Description
Table adapted from Table R402.1.1 in the 2009 and 2012 IECC and Table R402.1.2 in the 2015 and 2018 IECC (Table N1102.1 in 2009 IRC, Table 1102.1.1 in 2012 IRC, and Table N1102.1.2 in 2015 and 2018 IRC).
Description
Guide describing ways builders can block off entry points and otherwise make homes inhospitable to all manner of pests.
Description
Information guide providing an overview of pest-resistant construction practices and guides in the Building America Solution Center for home builders.
Description
Information guide describing constructed flood protection measures to minimize damage and increase structural resilience during a flood.
Description
Guide describing the installation of gutters, downspouts, and alternate options for managing rainwater run-off from roofs.
Description
Guide describing the use of swales, French drains, and site grading to minimize saturation of foundations and ponding of stormwater runoff on sites.