Description
Guide describing ways to construct a raised-slab foundation to increase a home's resistance to floods.
Showing results 1 - 91 of 91
Publication Date
Description
Video explaining the structural foundation slab in a passive house.
Description
Guide describing how to install slab edge insulation when retrofitting existing slab-on-grade foundations.
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.
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
NSTAR,
University of Minnesota,
UMN
Publication Date
Description
Report assessing slab-on-grade foundation insulation energy savings.
Description
Guide describing how to insulate an existing slab floor by adding rigid foam insulation over the slab then installing a floating subfloor.
Organization(s)
IBACOS
Publication Date
Description
Case study describing application of exterior rigid foam insulation on a foundation system.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Checklist intending to clarify FORTIFIED Home™ eligibility requirements that relate to a home’s foundation.
Description
Guide describing how to correctly slope solid surfaces outside a home so rainwater flows away from the home.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
How hard can it be to insulate a flat sheet of concrete? I mean you only have three choices – on the top, on the bottom, or on the edge. OK, you might have some combination of the three as well.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Brochure describing insulation approaches for homes with slab-on-grade floors.
Description
Guide describing techniques and measures for increasing the termite resistance of a home's foundations.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Website describing the U.S. Department of Energy's residential buildings program.
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
University of Minnesota
Publication Date
Description
Handbook providing guidance on the design and construction of foundations for homes, including insulation, air sealing, and water management details for basements, crawlspaces, and slabs.
Publication Date
Overview
This brief provides an overview of slab-on-grade insulation requirements, insulation protection, and flashing.
Publication Date
Organization(s)
ACI
Description
Video from American Concrete Institute explaining the differences between foundation construction strategies and heights to mitigate damage from flooding.
Organization(s)
Green Home Institute
Publication Date
Description
Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.
Organization(s)
Green Home Institute
Publication Date
Description
Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.
Description
Guide describing how to insulate an existing foundation wall by adding spray foam insulation to the interior side of the wall.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about insulating slabs.
Description
Guide describing how to install a capillary break to help manage moisture in foundations.
Description
Guide describing how to install a capillary break under a slab foundation using either polyethylene sheeting or rigid insulation installed over aggregate or over sand and geotextile matting.
Publication Date
Description
Video showing the installation of a foundation in a passive house.
Description
Guide describing how to properly grade a site so water will flow away from the foundation.
Description
Guide describing methods for installing pest-resistant ground cover around foundations to resist borrowing rodents and other pests.
Description
Guide describing how to insulate a new foundation wall or an existing foundation wall by adding rigid insulation to the exterior side.
Description
Guide describing how to construct flood-resistant homes using pier, pile, post, or column foundations.
Description
Guide describing how to design or retrofit a crawlspace to reduce the risk of damage during a flood event.
Description
Guide describing how to insulate closed crawlspace walls and band joist areas with rigid foam board insulation.
Description
Vapor retarder plastic should not be installed over fibrous insulation on basement or crawlspace walls unless rigid foam or spray foam is installed directly against the concrete, behind the blanket insulation.
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.
Description
Guide describing how to retrofit an existing basement floor or slab to reduce moisture issues.
Publication Date
Description
Video describing the under slab and vapor barrier used on a passive house.
Description
Guide describing how to help drain water away from the perimeter footing.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Measure Guideline research report providing simple, long term, and durable solutions when using tapes and flashing membranes in conjunction with the exterior face of rigid polymeric foam sheathing to create the drainage plane of a wall system.
Description
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.
Description
Guide describing RESNET Grade 1 level installation of insulation in walls, attics, and floors.
Publication Date
Organization(s)
PMP TV
Description
Video presentation from PMP TV covering different building strategies as they relate to different slab and foundation types and building materials to keep out termites.
Organization(s)
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Publication Date
Description
Manual showing how to properly use grass swales to manage excess water runoff.
Organization(s)
Home Energy
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the effective R-values of various subslab insulation products, including foil bubble pack.
Description
Guide describing how to upgrade a crawlspace floor in an existing home by adding insulation.
Description
Guide describing how to install a radon-mitigating vertical ventilation pipe in new and existing homes with various types of house foundations.
Description
Guide describing steps to take to minimize indoor humidity in preparation for cold winter weather.
Description
Guide describing design for shelter-in-place spaces during windstorm storm events.
Description
Guide describing how to install a radon mitigation fan with various types of house foundations.
Description
Guide describing the need for covers on sump pumps in the basement or crawlspace of a home.
Organization(s)
NREL,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing best strategies to bring ductwork on single-story homes with a slab-on-grade foundation in hot, dry climates into the conditioned envelope of the home intending to highlight the pros and cons of multiple ductwork integration strategies, including traditional duct systems in...
Organization(s)
American Technical Publishers,
ATP
Publication Date
Description
Book describing Carpentry and Construction, Construction Materials, Hand Tools, Power Tools, Construction Equipment, Jobsite Safety, and Working Conditions, Building Design and Print reading, Inspections Survey Instruments and Operations, Foundation and Outdoor Slab Construction, Floor, Wall, and...
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.
Description
Guide describing how to air-seal sill plates in single-family homes and multifamily buildings.
Description
Guide describing how to create a capillary break at all crawlspace floors using polyethylene sheeting to manage moisture in crawlspaces.
Description
Guide providing information about treating bulk water drainage issues and moisture control measures in existing basements and crawl spaces.
Description
Guide describing installation of sump pumps in the basement or crawlspace of a home.
Description
Guide describing how to apply water management strategies to below grade walls.
Description
Table adapted from Table R402.1.1 in the 2009 and 2012 IECC and Table R402.1.2 in the 2015 and 2018 IECC (Table N1102.1 in 2009 IRC, Table 1102.1.1 in 2012 IRC, and Table N1102.1.2 in 2015 and 2018 IRC).
Description
This guide describes IECC 2015 and DOE Zero Energy Ready Home insulation requirements.
Description
Guide describing ways builders can block off entry points and otherwise make homes inhospitable to all manner of pests.
Description
Overview guide describing how to prepare homes to be resistant to earthquake forces.
Description
Guide describing materials and methods for incorporating thermal mass into the construction of a home for temperature regulation, energy savings, and resistance to extreme heat and cold.
Description
Information guide providing an overview of pest-resistant construction practices and guides in the Building America Solution Center for home builders.
Description
This guide describes IECC 2009 and 2012 and ENERGY STAR Certified Homes insulation requirements.
Description
Guide describing the installation of gutters, downspouts, and alternate options for managing rainwater run-off from roofs.
Description
Information guide describing constructed flood protection measures to minimize damage and increase structural resilience during a flood.
Description
Guide describing methods for insulating an unvented crawlspace or conditioned basement with rigid foam on the interior side of the walls to provide an insulated space for HVAC equipment.
Description
Information guide describing things to consider in the basement or crawlspace before attempting retrofits of adjacent items including HVAC, wiring, or structural systems.
Description
Overview guide outlining home construction techniques used in hurricane and high wind areas.
Description
Guide describing the air-sealing of rim joists on walls connecting homes and attached garages.
Description
Guide describing how to upgrade a wall with a floor overhang (or cantilever) on an existing home by adding insulation (rigid insulating sheathing and/or closed-cell spray foam) and air-sealing.
Description
Guide describing the use of swales, French drains, and site grading to minimize saturation of foundations and ponding of stormwater runoff on sites.
Overview
The intent of this brief is to provide code-related information about gas-fired boilers to help ensure that the measure will be accepted as being in compliance with the code. Providing notes for code officials on how to plan reviews and conduct field inspections can help builders or remodelers...
Publication Date
Overview
The intent of this brief is to provide code-related information about sealing and insulating crawl space walls in existing residential buildings to help ensure that the measures will be accepted as being in compliance with the code. Providing the same information to all interested parties (e.g., code officials, builders, contractors, designers, etc.) is expected to result in increased compliance and fewer innovations being questioned at the time of plan review and/or field inspection.
Description
Information guide describing best practices for ensuring the safety of those returning to a home after a disaster.
Description
Guide describing how to install a corrosion-resistant drain pan in condensate-producing HVAC equipment.
Description
Guide describing how to retrofit older solid masonry homes to withstand seismic activity while including energy efficient retrofits.
Publication Date
Overview
The intent of this brief is to provide additional information to help assure the measure will be deemed in acceptance with the code. Providing notes for codes officials on how to plan review and field inspect can help the builder or remodeler with the proposed designs and provide the jurisdiction...
Description
Guide describing ways to air-seal an attached garage in new and existing homes.
Description
Guide describing steps to keep birds, rodents, and other pests out of vent openings and other locations in new and existing homes.
Overview
This brief discusses the provisions in the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and International Residential Code (IRC) related to evaporative cooling.
Description
Guide describing how to install insulated concrete forms to block excessive heat loss and gain though structural framing.
Description
Guide describing the principal of compartmentalization in multifamily buildings - the separation of dwelling units from each other and from common areas in terms of air flow. Locations where air-sealing is critical to maintain separation of air spaces and air-sealing methods especially for party walls are also described.
Description
Guide describing fuel tank anchoring practices for disaster resistance.
Overview
The focus of this brief is on boiler efficiency, sizing requirements, controls, combustion air, and pipe insulation for the 2015 version of the IRC/IECC.
Description
Guide describing the repair and reconfiguration of the air handler closet and platform when replacing the air handler.
Description
Information guide providing an overview of winter weather issues for home owners and building science solutions for home builders.
Publication Date
Overview
Applicable codes and standards regarding heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) that are an energy-efficient alternative to electric resistance water heaters.
Description
Guide describing design and installation of compact duct systems for central heating and cooling systems.