BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

This house wrap assembly can work in all climates except extreme cold.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/01/2011 - 12:00

Crawl space drainage: crawl space below grade with dual drains

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Crawl space drainage: crawl space floor at or above grade

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Technology Fact Sheet: Weather-Resistive Barriers

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

October, 2000

Brochure with information about how to select and install house wrap and other weather-resistive barriers.

Capillary break at all crawlspace floors using ≥ 6 mil polyethylene sheeting, lapped 6-12 in., and lapped up each wall or pier and fastened with furring strips or equivalent

Publication Date

Mon, 02/21/2011 - 12:00

Drainage and waterproofing system components in a basement, single perimeter drain system, footing detail

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 12:00

Install minimum 6" wide self-adhered butyl Z-flashing

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Right – Two-thirds of acrylic tape is offset above the joint and over and above the fasteners

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

This exterior wall retrofit permits drying to the exterior of a sill plate installed on an untreated flat foundation wall

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

When condensation forms on the interior side of wall sheathing and is not able to dry out, it can lead to mold growth and rotting of wall sheathing and framing

Publication Date

Wed, 07/01/2020 - 12:00

Capillarity - Small Sacrifices, BSI-011

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

May, 2014

Article describing correct ways to eliminate water damage by incorporating a sacrificial layer to foundation walls and footings.

Moisture Management for High R-Value Walls

Author(s)

LePage Robert,

Schumacher Christopher,

Lukachko Alex

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

November, 2013

Report explaining moisture-related concerns for high R-value wall assemblies and discusses past Building America research work that informs this study.

Moisture-Safe Unvented Wood Roof Systems, RR-1001

Author(s)

Smith John,

Smegal Jonathan,

Straube John

Organization(s)

University of Waterloo,

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

April, 2010

Document describing a hygrothermal modeling study, including all of the US climate zones, a range of interior humidity levels and numerous arrangements and types of insulation.

Building America Special Research Project - High R-Value Enclosures for High Performance Residential Buildings in All Climate Zones, BA-1005

Author(s)

Straube John

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

February, 2011

This report will review, and summarize the current state of understanding and research into enclosures with higher thermal resistance, so-called “High-R Enclosures.” Recommendations are provided for further research.

Spray foam extends down the inside of the foundation wall to the uninsulated slab; because the wall lacked exterior perimeter drainage, the slab was cut and an interior footing drain was installed.

Publication Date

Mon, 07/01/2013 - 12:00

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

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2012

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

A continuous layer of polyethylene covers the crawlspace floor and is attached to the wall with wood nailing strips

Reference

Building America Best Practices Series - 40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Cold and Very Cold Climates, Volume 12

Author(s)

Baechler Michael C,

Gilbride Theresa L,

Hefty Marye G,

Cole Pam C,

Love Pat M

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Guide describing measures that builders in the cold and very cold climates can take to build homes that have whole-house energy savings of 40% over the Building America benchmark with no added overall costs for consumers.

Revised Builder’s Guide to Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,

Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing,

National Association of Home Builders

Organization(s)

HUD,

PATH,

NAHB Research Center

Publication Date

September, 2004

Report describing how to construct a frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF) as a practical alternative to a deeper, more-costly foundation in cold regions with seasonal ground freezing and the potential for frost heave.

Wrong - Class I vapor retarder over framed basement walls can cause condensation, mold, and rotting because plastic prevents drying to the inside; the outside should have waterproofing and vertical drainage, and the framing should be spaced from the wall.

Publication Date

Thu, 03/01/2012 - 12:00

High Performance Builder Spotlight: Treasure Homes Inc.

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

March, 2014

Case study describing the family-run Treasure Homes that achieved a HERS rating of 46 without PV on its prototype “Gem” home, located on the blustery shores of Lake Michigan in northern Indiana.

Right – two-thirds of the blue butyl flashing tape is above the sheathing seam; the top edge of the butyl flashing tape is covered with clear sheathing tape that is also offset so two-thirds is above the top edge of the butyl flashing.

Publication Date

Mon, 09/01/2014 - 12:00

Technology Solutions Case Study: Idaho, Oregon, and Washington Manufactured Home Builders

Author(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center

Organization(s)

BA-PIRC,

FSEC

Publication Date

November, 2013

Case study describing a package of energy- efficiency measures for new manufactured homes in the Pacific Northwest, including triple-pane highly efficient windows.

Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2020

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

Drainage Plane Behind Exterior Wall Cladding

Guide describing installation of a fully sealed continuous weather resistant barrier to provide a drainage plane to keep rainwater out of above-grade walls.

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Conway Street Apartments - Greenfield, Massachusetts

Author(s)

Steven Winter Associates

Organization(s)

CARB,

SWA

Publication Date

December, 2014

Case study describing a deep energy retrofit, turning an old school into 12 high-end apartments in Greenfield, MA.

Air Sealing Doors Adjacent to Unconditioned Space

Guide describing how to air-seal doors that are next to unconditioned spaces.

Disaster-Resistant Roof Venting

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.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: Imery Group Proud Green Home, Serenbe, GA

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

April, 2014

Case study describing the first DOE Zero Energy Ready Home in Georgia that achieved a HERS score of 40 without PV and -10 with PV.

Mass Save Deep Energy Retrofit Builder Guide, GM-1302

Author(s)

Neuhauser Ken,

Gates Cathy,

Pettit Betsy

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

July, 2013

Guidebook providing useful examples of high performance retrofit techniques for the building enclosure of wood frame residential construction in a cold and somewhat wet climate.

Roof Eaves Sealed with Self-Adhering Membrane in Cold Climates

Guide describing how to apply heavy membranes at eaves in cold climates to help guard against ice dams.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: One Sky Homes, Cottle Zero Net Energy Home, San Jose, CA

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2014

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2014 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 69 without PV and -1 with PV.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: M Street Homes, Smartlux on Greenpark Houston, TX

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2014

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2014 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 45 without PV and 32 with PV and is the first home in the world to use a tri-generation system to supply electricity, heating, and cooling on site.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Lancaster County Career and Technology Center Green Home 3 - Mount Joy, Pennsylvania

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Organization(s)

HIRL

Publication Date

December, 2014

Case study describing the Green Home 3 project, which achieved a 44% whole-house energy savings over the Building America New Construction B10 Benchmark, DOE Zero Energy Ready Home certification, and National Green Building Standard Gold-level certification.

Existing Skylights Repaired or Replaced and Fully Flashed

Guide describing how to repair or replace skylights in existing homes.

Step and Kick-Out Flashing at Roof-Wall Intersections

Guide describing how to install step and kick-out flashing on roofs.

Site Drainage Practices to Minimize Localized Flooding

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.

Capillary Break at Crawlspace Floors - Polyethylene Lapped Up Walls and Piers or Secured in the Ground

Guide describing how to create a capillary break at all crawlspace floors using polyethylene sheeting to manage moisture in crawlspaces.

Roof Deck Sheathing and Sealing for Sloped Roofs

Guide describing requirements for sheathing and sealing the roof decking in accordance with the requirements of the IBHS Fortified Home Program's Hurricane and High Wind Standards, and other roofing considerations to increase the roof's disaster resistance.