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Designs That Work
House Design Recommendations by Climate Region

Designs That Work represents the latest Building Science Consortium experience and results under the Building America program. Specifically DTW includes:

  • Updated North American hygro-thermal regions map that is aligned with the Department of Energy Model Energy Code proposed climate zones and map

  • Climate-specific, building science and energy analysis for each house design

  • House plans based on climate.

House Design Recommendations by Climate

Designs and Plans for Affordable Housing

Additional Building Profiles

See the table below for a quick reference to additional building profiles in different hygro-thermal regions. A Building Materials Property Table* (populated with technical and performance specifications from product manufacturers and building research members of the Building Science Consortium) can also be used for reference.

Climate/Building Profile # stories Wall Type Foundation Wall Cladding Roof Roof Cladding
Very Cold
Aspen 2 Stick-
framed		 Conditioned crawlspace Fiber cement battened panels Unvented cathedral Standing seam metal
Concord 1 Stick-
framed		 Full basement Wood siding Vented unconditioned attic Asphalt shingle
Cold
Beacon Hill 1.5 Stick-
framed		 Full basement Brick veneer Unvented cathedral Slate roof
Boston 2 Stick-
framed		 Full basement Fibercement panels and battens Conditioned attic Asphalt shingle
Chicago 2 Stick-
framed		 Full basement/
cast concrete		 Vinyl siding Vented unconditioned attic Asphalt shingle
Denver 2 Stick-
framed		 Full basement w/ sub-crawl Brick veneer/wood siding Vented unconditioned attic Asphalt shingle
Minneapolis 1.5 Stick-
framed		 Slab-on-grade Stucco Vented cathedral Asphalt shingle
Vineyard 2 Stick-
framed		 Full basement Cedar shingle siding Unvented cathedral Cedar shingle
Mixed-Humid
Atlanta 2 Stick-
framed		 Slab-on-grade Fibercement siding Vented unconditioned attic Asphalt shingle
Charlotte 2 Stick-
framed		 Conditioned crawl/ block wall Brick veneer Vented unconditioned attic Asphalt shingle
Louisville 1 Stick-
framed		 Full basement/
cast concrete		 Vinyl siding Vented cathedral Asphalt shingle
Hot-Dry/Mixed-Dry
Albuquerque 1 Stick-
framed		 Slab-on-grade Stucco Vented unconditioned attic Asphalt shingle
Sacramento 2 Stick-
framed		 Post-tensioned slab-on-grade Fibercement siding Vented unconditioned attic Tile
Tucson 1 Stick-
framed		 Slab-on-grade Stucco None Low-slope membrane
Hot-Humid
Houston 2 Stick-
framed		 Slab-on-grade Brick/
Fibercement		 Conditioned attic Asphalt shingle
Maitland 2 Block/
stick frame		 Block stem wall & slab Stucco Conditioned attic Tile
Orlando 2 SIPS Block stem wall with slab Cement board siding / brick veneer Conditioned attic Metal roof
Montgomery 1 Stick-
framed		 Conditioned crawl/ cast concrete wall Vinyl or aluminum lap siding Vented unconditioned attic Standing seam metal

1 The table is under continual development with new data and materials being added. Comments and questions about the table should be directed to: info@buildingscience.com.

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