Information Sheets are short descriptions of basic building science topics. This is a good place to start for an introduction to the basic concepts.
This list contains some of the basic characteristics that should be met in all high performance homes. It has been used as our baseline criteria for all of BSC’s Building America projects.
Water managed foundation systems are different from waterproofing systems. Waterproofing relies on creating a watertight barrier without holes. It can’t be done.
Soil gas moves through holes due to a pressure difference. Since we cannot eliminate the holes, the only thing we can do is control the pressure.
Advanced framing, as the name implies, means using the lumber intelligently in wood framing. This information sheet will explain the essential basis for advanced framing and some of the more common advanced framing details.
All exterior claddings pass some rainwater. Siding leaks, shingles leak, brick leaks, stucco leaks, stone leaks, etc. As such, some control of this penetrating rainwater is required.
A pan flashing is an element installed below every window and door designed to collect and direct any water that may leak through or around the opening back out to the exterior.
The fundamental principle of rainwater control is to shed water by layering materials in such a way that water is directed downwards and outwards out of the building.
Maintaining drainage plane continuity at deck ledger locations provides a particular challenge.
Reservoir claddings are materials that absorb and store a portion of water that falls on their surface. Drainage must be provided behind reservoir claddings.
This information sheet will present examples of strategies to manage risks of liquid water sources occurring on the interior of the building.
The current International Residential Code (IRC 2009) provides excellent guidance for the installation of vapor control layers.
Vapor barriers were originally intended to prevent assemblies from getting wet. Incorrect use of vapor barriers is leading to an increase in moisture-related problems.
Good design and practice involve controlling the wetting of building assemblies from both the exterior and interior and different climates require different approaches. This chart lists some common vapor permeance characteristics.
Several steps must be taken to create air barrier continuity at the perimeter of drywall assemblies, at all penetrations through the drywall, and, finally, in areas of the enclosure without interior drywall.
Most air barrier systems will require supplemental air sealing to seal around penetrations.
As a component of the air barrier system, the connection between windows and other air barrier components is critical to the overall air barrier performance.
To create an effective air barrier in a building, it is first necessary to cover the big holes.
The rim joist, band joist, or any area that connects building components, are particularly problematic to air seal properly.
This table presents some of the key technical properties of many of the most common building materials.
This information sheet will address the installation techniques important to the effective performance of cavity insulation.
