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The Builder's Guide provides the building industry with the latest and best practical information on how to apply building science principles to structures as systems in hot-humid climate regions.

Article from NREL on wall construction guidelines for homes in hot climate zones.

Article from The Home Energy Community of Practice on designing energy efficient homes in hot climate zones, including home orientation, window location, and roof design considerations.

The Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x4 wood frame studs, wood structural panel sheathing (WSP) as wall bracing and added backing for foam sheathing, a layer of rigid foam sheathing insulation up to 1.5 inches thick over the WSP, and a cladding system installed over the foam sheathing in low...

Information sheet about types and installation of insulation.

Website describing how wildfires spread and how fuels, weather, and topography influence fires.

Brochure discussing specific practices for mitigating moisture and mold during the construction process.

Webpage featuring hundreds of illustrations of masonry construction details for brick, congrete, stone, tile, stucco, etc.

Document presenting some of the key technical properties of many of the most common building materials.

This page provides important information on how to protect yourself and your family if you suspect that you might have vermiculite insulation from Libby, Montana.

Report from FEMA on how to reduce damage from localized flooding including planning, drainage, building codes and retrofits, and regulations.

Technical fact sheet highlighting important building connections and illustrating the proper use of various types of connection hardware; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Report covering moisture and leakage issues associated with spray foam insulation application to the underside of roof sheathing.

Projectile missile testing of various wall panel configuration to understand how the different wall constructions would perform when struck with wind driven debris from a hurricane.

California Energy Commission report presenting the concept of cool walls and providing guidelines for their building- and climate-appropriate use to conserve energy and reduce emissions.

Presentation about the combustion properties of wood.

Information sheet with nail withdrawl capacities in OSB.

Information sheet disucssing myths about insulated concrete forms.

Document providing information on correct storage techniques for lumber to manage moisture.