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Decks are Wildfire-Resistant

Guide describing how to properly construct decks and other building attachments to be resistant to ignition in the event of a wildfire.

Porches, Carports, and Deck Attachments

Guide describing how to provide a continuous load path with appropriate connectors to improve the wind resistance of attached porches, carports, and decks during high-wind events.

Managing Snow Loads on Roofs and Decks

Guide describing how to construct homes and decks to manage heavy snow loads in winter weather.

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.

Above Deck Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Roofs

Guide describing the installation of insulating sheathing above the roof deck on existing homes. This retrofit assembly is appropriate for homes with conditioned attics or where the retrofit is intended to create a conditioned attic.

Below Deck Spray Foam Insulation for Existing Roofs

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.

Unvented Conditioned Attic with Spray Foam Insulation Below Roof Deck

Guide describing a method for insulating an unvented attic by spraying foam insulation along the underside of the roof deck.

Unvented Insulated Sloped Roofs

Guide describing construction of sloped roofs that are unvented and are insulated above the roof deck.

Unvented Attic Insulation

Guide describing methods for insulating an unvented attic along the roof line.

Insulating Garages in Multifamily Buildings

Guide describing how to properly insulate garages in multifamily buildings.

Attic Radiant Barriers

Guide describing application of a radiant barrier layer in the attic to block radiant heat transfer between hot surfaces and heat-absorbing surfaces.

Low-Slope ("Flat") Roofs

A guide describing how to install low-sloped ("flat") roofs with insulation above the roof deck that resist wind pressures during high-wind events.

Construct Roofs and Attics for Ice Dam Prevention

Guide describing how ice dams form and how roofs can be constructed to prevent them.

Condensation Control in Attics and Roofs in Cold Weather

Guide describing causes of condensation in attics and roof assemblies during cold weather and ways to reduce this condensation.

Roof Valleys and Penetrations Sealed

Guide describing how to seal roof valleys and how to seal around pipes, chimneys, and other roof deck penetrations.

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.

Existing Skylights Repaired or Replaced and Fully Flashed

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

Vented versus Unvented Attic

Guide describing options for designing and locating the thermal boundary at either the attic floor or along the roof line in new and existing homes.

Clay or Concrete Tile Roofs

Guide discussing disaster resistance related to clay or concrete tile roofing when installing roofing on new construction or when repairing or replacing roofing on existing homes.

Metal Roofs

Guide discussing disaster resistance related to metal roofing when installing roofing on new construction or when repairing or replacing roofing on existing homes.

Framing of Gable Roof Overhangs

Guide describing construction of gable roof overhangs to resist uplift pressures in high winds.

Roof Edge Protection

Guide describing designs and construction retrofits for roof assemblies to resist pressures at roof edges during high-wind events.

Roof/Attic to Exterior Wall Air Control Upgrade

Guide outlining how to retrofit an exterior wall and/or attic to provide continuous air sealing.

Step and Kick-Out Flashing at Roof-Wall Intersections

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

Water Managed Roof – Re-roofing and Adding Insulation Over a Sloped Roof

Guide describing how to re-roof an existing home with a sloped and add insulation above the roof deck.

Asphalt Shingle Roofs

Guide discussing disaster resistance related to asphalt shingle roofing when installing roofing on new construction or when repairing or replacing roofing on existing homes.

Retrofit of Existing Roofs for Hurricane, High Wind, and Seismic Resistance

Guide describing ways to retrofit an existing roof to increase its resistance to damage during hurricanes, high winds, and earthquakes.

Flashing of Roof-Wall Intersections in Existing Homes

Guide describing how to install and properly integrate flashing at the intersection of the wall and roof on an existing home.

Air Sealing and Insulating Ceilings in Vented Attics

Guide describing how to air-seal and insulate a ceiling where the insulation is installed on top of the ceiling (on the attic floor) in a vented attic.

Solar Plumbing and Wiring Chase

This measure guide describes the need to install a plumbing and wiring chase for a future solar hot water installation.

Flashing of Penetrations in Existing Roofs

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.

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

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

Ventilation Air Inlet Locations

Guide describing how to install ventilation air inlets in open locations at a safe distance from potential air contamination sources.

Air Sealing Drywall to Top Plate

Guide describing ways to seal drywall to the top plate of an exterior wall to air-seal the wall cavity.

Skylight Shaft Walls

Guide describing insulation techniques for skylight shaft walls.

Chimneys Connected to Roof Structure

Guide providing information about flashing around a chimney to protect the intersection of the roof and chimney walls from water intrusion and anchoring of a chimney to prevent collapse in high winds.

Roof Anchor System for Solar Panels

A guide for choosing, installing, and flashing roof anchoring systems for solar panels.

Reduce Pest Intrusion

Guide describing ways builders can block off entry points and otherwise make homes inhospitable to all manner of pests.

Pest-Resistant Ground Cover at Foundation Perimeter

Guide describing methods for installing pest-resistant ground cover around foundations to resist borrowing rodents and other pests.

Wind Washing

Guide describing wind washing and how to prevent it.

Blown Insulation for Existing Vented Attic

Guide describing how to insulate a vented attic in an existing home using blown insulation added to the attic floor.

Support at Intervals for Flex Ducts

Guide describing how to hang ducts with supporting straps or saddles to adequately support ducts so they do not sag and are not pinched or compressed in a manner that would cause damage to the ducts, the duct insulation, or the duct air barrier covering.

Air Sealing Light Tubes

Guide describing how to air-seal around light tubes.

Attic Eave Minimum Insulation

Guide providing guidance on insulating attic eaves in new and existing single-family homes and multifamily buildings.

Defensible Space for Protection Against Wildfires

Guide describing how to effectively create defensible space between a residence and potential wildfire fuels in high-risk fire hazard areas.

Spray Foam Insulation Applied to Existing Attic Floor

Guide describing how to apply spray foam insulation to ceilings in existing homes.

Wiring Conduit for Solar PV Systems

This guide describes the need for installing a wiring conduit for future solar photovoltaic installations.

Attic Knee Walls

Guide describing how to insulate and air-seal attic knee walls and floor joist cavities under knee walls.

Batt Insulation for Existing Vented Attics

Guide describing how to increase insulation in existing homes by installing batt insulation on the ceiling plane of a vented attic.

Shading and Solar Control for Windows and Skylights

Guide describing various methods of shading and solar control to reduce heat gain through windows.

Outdoor HVAC Equipment Elevated and Secured for Resistance to Floods, Earthquakes, and High Winds

A guide describing how to elevate and secure HVAC equipment for protection against floods, earthquakes, and high winds.

Rigid Foam Board Insulation for Existing Band Joists

Guide describing principles of insulating and air sealing band joists as a stand alone energy upgrade, or as part of creating a closed crawlspace.

Retrofit Existing Crawl Space Foundations with Cripple Walls to Increase Seismic Resistance and Thermal Performance

Guide describing different options for providing seismic and thermal resistance for homes with 'cripple' wall crawlspace foundations, which are known for their instability.

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.

Lateral Bracing in Gable End Walls

Guide describing how to brace gable end walls to resist wind pressures.

Install Top Plates or Blocking at the Top of Walls Adjoining Unconditioned Spaces

Guide describing how to correctly air-seal a wall with missing top plates or open wall cavities.

Air Sealing Attic Access Panels/Doors/Stairs

Guide describing how to air-seal attic access panels, doors, and stairs to provide a continuous air barrier at the ceiling.

Moisture-, Impact-, Fire-, and Pest-Resistant Exterior Siding

Guide describing how to select the siding materials best suited to withstand hazards the home is likely to face within its lifetime.

Rigid Foam Board Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate closed crawlspace walls and band joist areas with rigid foam board insulation.

Continuous Air Barrier in Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to install continuous air barriers in exterior walls.

Insulating and Air Sealing Existing Non-ICAT Recessed Lights

Guide describing air-sealing of non-ICAT recessed lights installed in accessible attics of existing homes.

Ducts Buried in Attic Insulation and Encapsulated

Guide describing approaches to burying and encapsulating ducts in unconditioned attics to increase the overall R-value of duct insulation.

Ductless (Mini-Split) Heat Pumps

Guide describing ductless heat pump systems used for single-room or whole-house heating and cooling.

Gutters and Downspouts

Guide describing the installation of gutters, downspouts, and alternate options for managing rainwater run-off from roofs.

Ducts in Dropped Ceilings

Guide describing method for installing ducts in a duct chase above a dropped ceiling.

Cool Roofs and Walls to Reduce Heat Gain

Guide providing information on how cool roofing and wall cladding surfaces work, which climates can most benefit from them, and how to find and select cool roofing and wall cladding products.

Compact Air Distribution

Guide describing design and installation of compact duct systems for central heating and cooling systems.

Safe Rooms and Storm Shelters

Guide describing design for shelter-in-place spaces during windstorm storm events.

Indoor Sprinklers for Fire Protection

Guide describing the design and installation of indoor automatic fire sprinklers in residential settings.

Ducts in Raised Ceiling Sections

Guide describing method for designing and installing ducts in a raised ceiling chase.

Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

Guide describing techniques for installing insulating sheathing as a continuous drainage plane on walls.

Fire-Resistant Wall Assemblies

Guide describing wall assemblies and materials that are resistant to destruction from wildfires.

Window Attachments for Solar Control and Energy Efficiency

Guide providing information on interior and exterior window attachments for shading, glare control, noise control, protection from high winds, privacy, and reduced heat loss in winter.

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.

Cisterns for Fire Suppression

Guide describing construction of cisterns for fire suppression installed on private residential property.

Termite-Resistant Foundations and Walls

Guide describing techniques and measures for increasing the termite resistance of a home's foundations.

Distributed Heat Pump Water Heaters for Multifamily Buildings

Guide describing strategies for effectively utilizing integrated consumer heat pump water heaters (HPWH) in multifamily buildings.

Heat Pump Water Heaters for Single-Family Homes

Guide describing the planning and installation process for Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWHs) in single-family homes, including model selection, installation location, thermal resource adequacy, and condensate removal.

Air Sealed, Insulated Basements

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.

Passive and Low-Energy Cooling

Guide describing various ways of implementing passive and low-energy cooling techniques for a house.