Guide
Description
Guide describing methods for providing space cooling and refrigeration during extreme heat events and/or power outages.
Reference
Description
Standard using deficiency-based and systematic procedures that use performance-based principles to evaluate and retrofit existing buildings to withstand the effects of earthquakes. The current version of this standard was published in the year 2017, and is available in both digital and print...
Reference
Description
Standard using performance-based principles to determine dead, live, soil, flood, snow, rain, atmospheric ice, earthquake, and wind loads, and their combinations for general structural design. This version of the standard was published in the year 2010 and is available in both digital and print...
Reference
Description
Standard using performance-based principles to determine dead, live, soil, flood, tsunami, snow, rain, atmospheric ice, earthquake, wind, and fire loads, and their combinations for general structural design. This version of the standard was published in the year 2016 and is available in both digital...
Case Study
Description
Case study describing energy efficient new home construction that also incorporated moisture management techniques for durability in the damp Northwest climate.
Reference
Description
Standard using performance-based principles to determine dead, live, soil, flood, tsunami, snow, rain, atmospheric ice, seismic, and wind loads, and their combinations for general structural design. The current version of this standard was published in the year 2022 and is available in both digital...
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 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.
Reference
Description
A research paper exploring the installation and mounting of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on rooftops and the challenges faced by system designers and installers.
Guide
Description
Guide describing construction of unvented, sloped, insulated roof assemblies in high wind zone areas.
Case Study
Description
Case study describing a new home builder that strives to address health, safety, and durability issues in a hot and humid climate.
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.
Information Guide
Description
Information guide describing ways to design and build a home to be resistant to periods of extreme heat.
Guide
Description
Guide describing causes of condensation in attics and roof assemblies during cold weather and ways to reduce this condensation.
Guide
Description
Guide describing ways to construct a raised-slab foundation to increase a home's resistance to floods.
Guide
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.
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
Information guide describing roof construction techniques and tactics for fire resistance.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to elevate a water heater above the base flood elevation to protect it from flood damage.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to design or retrofit a crawlspace to reduce the risk of damage during a flood event.
Information Guide
Description
Information guide describing the use of attic ventilation fans to mechanically pull outside air through the attic in an attempt to cool the attic, control moisture, and prevent ice dams.
Information Guide
Description
Information guide listing Building America Solution Center guides that describe ways to air-seal and insulate a new or existing home's walls to resist heat gain.
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 how to properly grade a site so water will flow away from the foundation.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to construct flood-resistant homes using pier, pile, post, or column foundations.
Guide
Description
Guide describing steps to take to minimize indoor humidity during cold winter weather.
Guide
Description
Guide describing ways to seal drywall to the top plate of an exterior wall to air-seal the wall cavity.
Guide
Description
Guide describing methods for installing pest-resistant ground cover around foundations to resist borrowing rodents and other pests.
Information Guide
Description
Information guide providing links to guides describing specific ways to air-seal, insulate, and ventilate attics and roofs to minimize heat gain in new and existing homes.