BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Building in Extreme Cold, BSI-031

Reference

Article describing the control layers (air, thermal, and vapor barriers) needed to build homes successfully in very cold locations.

Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

Reference

Report providing extensive guidance on controlling moisture in building envelopes through proper selection and installation on air, water, thermal, and vapor barriers.

Building America Case Study Technology Solutions for Existing Homes: Concord Four Square Retrofit

Case Study

Case study describing a four-square Concord home retrofitted by Building Science Corporation in Massachusetts.

ETW: Building Profile: New - Albuquerque New Mexico

Reference

Information sheet with details on a building enclosure designed for Albuquerque, NM, as an example for building enclosures built for hot-dry and mixed-dry climates.

Building America Case Study Technology Solutions for Existing Homes: Bedford Farmhouse High Performance Retrofit Prototype

Case Study

Case study describing project conducted by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell (HfHGL) and Building Science Corporation (BSC).

Rainwater Management Performance of Newly Constructed Building Enclosures During August and September 2004, RR-0503

Reference

Report covering the performance of residential buildings during three hurricanes impacting Florida in 2004.

Building America Special Research Project - High-R Roofs Case Study Analysis, BA-1006

Reference

Report comparing a variety of roof insulating strategies to present their advantages and disadvantages according to several comparison criteria.

Building America Efficient Solutions for New Homes: Case Study: Habitat for Humanity Cold Climate High R-Value Prototype

Case Study

Case study describing an effort to create a comfortable, healthy, durable and energy efficient single family home.

Unvented roof assembly at eave retrofitted with rigid foam, spray foam, and taped top edge of existing house wrap or building paper

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Unvented roof assembly at rake retrofitted with a filler piece and taped top edge of existing house wrap or building paper to seal the top of wall-to-roof transition

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A typical Las Vegas hot-dry climate home uses stucco siding and a tile roof.

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A typical Las Vegas hot-dry climate home made of wood frame construction and insulated with R-25 expanded polystyrene externally over a drainage plane, with an unvented wood frame insulated attic and roof assembly.

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Saturated ground water

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Rocks Don’t Burn, BSI–068

Reference

Report covering non-combustible continuous exterior insulation and non-combustible roof venting.

Mea Culpa Roofs, BSI-083

Reference

Article describing methods for insulating and air sealing vented and unvented roofs in various climates zones.

No Sweat, BSI-094

Reference

Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.

The ventilation space in this vented over-roof keeps the roof cool to prevent ice dams over the unvented attic

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Uplifting Moments – Roof Failures, BSI-019

Reference

Report covering wind uplift and roofing membrane failures.

Roof Edge Protection

Guide

Guide describing construction and protection of roof edges to resist air pressures at roof edges during high-wind events.

Zeroing In, BSI-081

Reference

Report describing Net Zero house design with sloped roof assemblies.

Builder's Guide to Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

Reference

Presentation describing details for installing structural insulated panels (SIPs).

Water Managed Roof – Re-roofing and Adding Insulation over a Flat Roof

Guide

Guide describing an approach to re-roofing an existing flat roof to improve thermal, water, and air control performance.

Venting Vapor, BSI-088

Reference

Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.

Dam Ice Dam, BSI-046

Reference

Article describing strategies for reducing the risk of ice dam formation on roofs in winter.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Field Testing an Unvented Roof with Fibrous Insulation and Tiles

Case Study

Case study describing field testing of an unvented roof with fibrous insulation and tiles.

Rigid foam insulation is installed on the garage side of the shared garage wall and roof of an existing home

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Field Testing Unvented Roofs with Asphalt Shingles in Cold and Hot-Humid Climates

Reference

Report to understand the long-term moisture performance of unvented roof assemblies with fibrous insulation.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Field Testing an Unvented Roof with Asphalt Shingles in a Cold Climate

Case Study

Case study describing an experiment to build and instrument unvented test roofs using air-permeable insulation in a cold climate and to analyze the moisture effects over time.

Parapets – Where Roofs Meet Walls, BSI-050

Reference

Report covering wind loading on roofing assemblies.

A Crash Course in Roof Venting, PA-1101

Reference

Article describing methods for venting a vented attic and a roof assembly over an unvented attic.