BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Window Rehabilitation

Guide describing how to rehab a window in an existing home.

Insert Replacement Window

Guide describing how to insert a replacement window in an existing home.

Window Sash Replacement

Guide describing how to replace a window sash in an existing home.

Window Sash Retrofit

Guide describing how to modify an existing window sash for high-efficient windows.

Interior Storm Windows and Panels

Guide describing how to install low-e interior storm windows.

Complete Window and Frame Replacement

Guide describing a complete window replacement in existing homes.

Low-E Exterior Storm Windows

Guide describing how to install low-e exterior storm windows.

Windows and Doors are Fully Flashed

Guide describing how to install flashings to help direct water down and out of windows and doors openings in exterior walls.

High-Performance (ENERGY STAR) Windows

Guide providing information about high-performance and high-efficiency windows including ENERGY STAR-certified windows.

Shading and Solar Control for Windows and Skylights

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

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.

Air Sealing Window and Door Rough Openings

Guide describing how to air-seal the rough openings around doors and windows.

Advanced Framing: Minimal Framing at Doors and Windows

Guide describing how to minimize framing around doors and windows to reduce heat losses and gains through structural framing.

Window Performance Grades and Installation Details for Multifamily Buildings

Guide providing flashing and air sealing details for windows in multifamily buildings, and describing the window type classifications per the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance.

Windows Have Impact-Rated Glass, Fire-Resistant Glass, or Protective Coverings

Guide describing how to strengthen or protect windows against wind and wind-borne debris during high-wind events including hurricanes and tornados.

Spray Foam Insulation Applied over the Siding of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to install spray foam on the exterior of the existing home after framing over the existing siding.

Vinyl Siding with Integrated Rigid Foam for Existing Walls

Guide describing the design and installation considerations for recladding of above grade walls using insulated vinyl siding.

Creating a Cool Room for Extreme Heat Events

Guide describing how to create a designated shelter-from-heat space in a home to help occupants successfully weather an extreme heat event.

Air Sealing Doors Adjacent to Unconditioned Space

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

Passive and Low-Energy Cooling

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

Emergency Air Conditioning and Food Refrigeration

Guide describing methods for providing space cooling and refrigeration during extreme heat events and/or power outages.

Exterior Doors Are Insulated, Impact Rated, and Fire Rated

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.

Stucco Over Rigid Foam Insulation

Guide describing how to install stucco over rigid foam insulation in new and existing homes.

Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to apply an air control layer directly over existing wall sheathing and cover with two layers of insulating sheathing held in place by vertical furring strips.

Spray Foam Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to insulate the walls of an existing home with spray foam insulation.

Water Management of Existing Crawlspace Floor

Guide providing information about treating bulk water drainage issues and moisture control measures in existing basements and crawl spaces.

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

Guide describing how to install insulated concrete forms to block excessive heat loss and gain though structural framing.

Advanced Framing: Insulated Headers

Guide describing how to insulate headers over doors and windows to reduce heat loss and heat gain through solid wood framing.

Advanced Framing: Minimum Wall Studs

Guide describing how to frame a wall with minimal wall studs to prevent heat losses and gains through walls.

Continuous Rigid Insulation Sheathing

Guide describing continuous rigid insulation installation procedures to reduce thermal bridging and help provide thermal protection.

Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

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

Seismic and Insulation Retrofits of Solid Masonry Walls

Guide describing how to retrofit older solid masonry homes to withstand seismic activity while including energy efficient retrofits.

Garage Doors are Pressure Rated

Guide describing garage doors that are pressure-rated to withstand wind pressures from hurricanes, high winds, and tornados.

Existing Skylights Repaired or Replaced and Fully Flashed

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

Roof Escape Openings for Flood-Prone Areas

Guide describing options for providing access to the roof via openable skylights, dormer windows, or roof hatches, for occupants of homes in areas prone to severe flooding.

Landscaping to Reduce Cooling Load

Guide describing ways to use landscaping to keep a home cooler.

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.

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.

Whole-House Fans

Guide describing the types of whole-house fans, installation details to reduce energy loss, and how to operate them for comfort and energy savings based on climate zone.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

This measure guides describes how to install structural insulated panels to block excessive heat loss and gain though structural framing.

Managing Indoor Humidity and Ventilation in Cold Weather

Guide describing steps to take to minimize indoor humidity in preparation for cold winter weather.

HVAC Ducts Shall Not Be Run within Exterior Walls

Guide describing the use of building cavities as supply or return ducts.

Thermostatic Radiator Valves on Steam Heating Systems

Guide describing how to analyze boiler and building performance and install thermostatic radiator valves (TRV) to reduce temperatures in over heated spaces.

Smoking Restrictions in Multi-Family Housing

Guide describing how to reduce exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in multi-family buildings.

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.

Air Sealing Light Tubes

Guide describing how to air-seal around light tubes.

Compact Air Distribution

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

Enclosure Leakage Test

Guide describing how to use a blower door test to determine building envelope air leakage.

Screens and Other Deterrents for Birds, Rodents, and Other Pests

Guide describing steps to keep birds, rodents, and other pests out of vent openings and other locations in new and existing homes.

Advanced Framing: Insulated Interior/Exterior Wall Intersections

Guide describing how to frame and insulate exterior-to-interior wall intersections to reduce heat losses and gains though structural framing.

Blown Insulation for Cavities of Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing blown insulation into exterior wall cavities of existing homes with minimal disruption to occupants.

Kitchen Exhaust Retrofit Duct Guide

Guide describing the retrofit of kitchen exhaust systems, including duct sizing and routing considerations.

Reduce Pest Intrusion

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

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.

Basement Blanket Insulation

Guide describing Installing blanket fiberglass insulation on the interior walls of a conditioned, unfinished basement as an alternative to best practice solutions.

Bracing of Roofs for Hurricane, High Wind, and Seismic Resistance

Guide describing ways to strengthen roof assemblies for resistance to hurricanes, high winds, and earthquakes.

Flashing of Wall Penetrations in Existing Homes

Guide describing how to install flashing that is integrated with air and water control layers around piping, vents, and other wall penetrations as part of an exterior wall retrofit.

Mechanical Ventilation for Attached Garage

Guide describing how to install an exhaust fan in an attached garage to pull fumes out of the garage and to depressurize the garage with reference to the home.

Roof/Attic to Exterior Wall Air Control Upgrade

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

Solar Orientation For Solar Arrays and Panels

This guide describes procedures for assessing feasibility of solar resources, and designating location of propolsed PV arrays and solar thermal panels.

Air Conditioning

Guide describing refrigerant-based compression-cooling air conditioning systems for space cooling.

Skylight Shaft Walls

Guide describing insulation techniques for skylight shaft walls.

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.

Utility Room Space for Solar Thermal Systems

This measure guide describes the need to leave space for a solar hot water tank in the home’s utility room.

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.

High-Thermal-Mass Construction

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.

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.

Evaporative Cooling Systems

This guide describes evaporative cooling technologies which can be used to cool homes in dry climates.

Flashing at Bottom of Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to apply flashing to the bottom of exterior walls to create a continuous drainage plane.

Unvented Combustion Appliances

Guide describing how to properly ventilate un-vented combustion appliances such as sealed fireplaces.

Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) Testing

Guide describing how to conduct combustion appliance zone testing.

Air Sealing and Compartmentalization in Multifamily Buildings

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.