Video
Description
Video describing roof and attic construction for cold climates, including cathedral roof design and insulation strategies, from Cold Climate Housing Research Center.
Reference
Description
Article describing the importance of air sealing, insulation, and roof ventilation in reducing the likelihood of ice dam formation on roofs in cold snowy climates.
Reference
Description
Report about a project that examines implementation of advanced retrofit measures in the context of a large-scale weatherization program and the archetypal Chicago, Illinois, brick bungalow.
Guide
Description
Guide describing options for providing access to the roof via openable skylights, dormer windows, or roof hatches, for occupants of homes in areas prone to severe flooding.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to create a designated shelter-from-heat space in a home to help occupants successfully weather an extreme heat event.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to add spray foam insulation to the underside of the existing roof deck as part of the conversion of a vented attic to an unvented, insulated attic.
Information Guide
Description
Information guide providing an overview of winter weather issues for home owners and building science solutions for home builders.
Guide
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.
Information Guide
Description
Information guide describing best practices for dealing with hazards that might be encountered when returning to a home to do renovations after a natural disaster.
Guide
Description
Guide describing steps to take to minimize indoor humidity during cold winter weather.
Guide
Description
Guide describing different options for providing seismic and thermal resistance for homes with 'cripple' wall crawlspace foundations, which are known for their instability.
Information Guide
Description
Overview guide providing background information on extreme heat in the United States as it relates to homes and links to guides describing specific ways to make homes more resistant to extreme heat.
Guide
Description
Guide describing condensing boilers and hot water heat distribution systems used for home heating.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to design or retrofit a crawlspace to reduce the risk of damage during a flood event.
Guide
Description
Guide describing the installation of roof vents that are resistant to damage from high winds and entry of wind-borne rain, wildfire embers, or pests.
Information Guide
Description
Overview guide outlining home construction techniques used in hurricane and high wind areas.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to construct flood-resistant homes using pier, pile, post, or column foundations.
Guide
Description
Guide providing information on how cool roofs and wall cladding surfaces work, which climates can most benefit from them, and how to find and select cool roofs and wall cladding products.
Guide
Description
Guide describing the design and installation of indoor automatic fire sprinklers in homes and apartments.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to install low-emissivity exterior storm windows.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to provide a continuous water control layer across the roof assembly by sealing all penetrations for pipes, vents, etc. in existing roofs.
Guide
Description
Guide describing the use of doors that are insulated and are impact rated or have protective coverings for resistance to hurricane, high winds, wildfires, and thermal losses.
Guide
Description
Guide describing methods to keep birds, rodents, and other pests out of vent openings and other locations in new and existing homes.
Guide
Description
A guide describing how to elevate and secure HVAC equipment for protection against floods, earthquakes, and high winds.
Guide
Description
Guide describing wall assemblies and materials that are resistant to destruction from wildfires.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to select the siding materials best suited to withstand hazards like rain, wind, hail, fire, and pests.