The Utah State University website offers a large selections of informative fact sheets, for keeping a healthy home, home ownership tips (including several in Spanish), and smart shopping tips.
IBACOS (Integrated
Building
and Construction Solutions) researches the basic science of home performance and best construction practices and processes. These fact sheets include graphic details, for implementing quality construction practices. Topics include Crawlspaces, Moisture Issues, Wet Basements, Optimum Value Engineering, and more.
The American Lung Association Health House® program is a reliable resource for consumers and builders wanting to learn how to build and maintain healthier homes. Check out their large collection of fact sheets on topics such as, asthma, mold control, carbon monoxide, lead, backdrafting, and more!
Builder's Foundation Handbook (.pdf file, 4.1 MB) Oak Ridge National Laboratory, contains construction details and critical design information to aid in the design and installation of energy efficient basement, crawl space, and slab-on-grade foundations.
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete from Toolbase.org. Details installation, costs/benefits, limitations, codes/regulations, availability, evaluations, and reports related to this innovative concrete material.
Cement Substitutes from Toolbase.org. Producing cement uses a great deal of energy, so finding a waste product that can substitute for cement makes good environmental sense. This site details installation, costs/benefits, limitations, codes/regulations, availability, evaluations, and reports related to cement substitutes.
Concrete Admixtures from Toolbase.org. A general understanding of the options available for concrete admixtures is necessary for acquiring the right product for the job, based on climatic conditions and job requirements. This site details installation, costs/benefits, limitations, codes/regulations, availability, evaluations, and reports related to concrete admixtures.
Concrete Aggregate Substitutes from Toolbase.org. There is a growing interest in using alternative aggregate materials, largely as a potential use for recycled materials. This site details installation, costs/benefits, limitations, codes/regulations, availability, evaluations, and reports related to concrete aggregate substitutes.
Crystalline Concrete Waterproofing from Toolbase.org. An effective and inexpensive way to help prevent water seepage is by using crystalline concrete waterproofing. This site details installation, costs/benefits, limitations, codes/regulations, availability, evaluations, and reports related to crystalline concrete waterproofing.
Fibrous Concrete Reinforcement from Toolbase.org. Synthetic-fiber reinforcement is available to reinforce non-structural concrete applications with superior results. This site details installation, costs/benefits, limitations, codes/regulations, availability, evaluations, and reports related to fibrous concrete reinforcement.
Fly Ash Concrete from Toolbase.org. Fly ash is an inexpensive replacement for Portland cement used in concrete, while it actually improves strength, segregation, and ease of pumping of the concrete. This site details installation, costs/benefits, limitations, codes/regulations, availability, evaluations, and reports related to fly ash concrete.
Fly Ash Concrete from Build It Green. This fact sheet details product comparisons, LEED credits, energy performance, resource impacts, health attributes, cost considerations, installation, and other data related to high volume fly ash concrete.
Fly Ash Concrete from Sustainable Building Sourcebook. Includes definitions, considerations, commercial status, implementation issues, guidelines, and resources.
Foundation from the Department of Energy Building Technologies Program. Discusses several construction systems and products from which to choose. The site also includes documents that help determine how the foundation will be insulated.
Foundation Innovation from Oikos Green Building Source. Learn how Gary Sharp of Post Harvest Developments in Ottawa, Ontario, has developed a foundation system that utilizes rigid foam insulation that is protected from termites and carpenter ants.
Frost Protected Shallow Foundations from NAHB. Includes a thorough description and an extensive list of resources related to frost-protected shallow foundations.
Innovative Foundation from Oikos Green Building Source. Learn how researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory designed an affordable foundation with the strength of traditional concrete and up to 50 percent fly ash or other low-density additives.
Installing Insulated Concrete Forms from Oikos Green Building Source. Details topics related to installing insulated concrete forms, such as stacking, bracing, pouring the walls, blowouts, avoiding voids, size, electrical and plumbing, and finishing.
Insulating Concrete Forms for Residential Construction from Toolbase Services. Summarizes a report prepared by the NAHB Research Center for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Portland Cement Association.
Radon Resistant Construction for Builders (.pdf file) from Southface Energy Institute. This technical sheet describes what radon is, how it gets into homes, how to build radon-resistant homes, and the benefits of eliminating radon.
Split-face Concrete Block from Toolbase.org. Split-face concrete blocks or concrete masonry units (CMUs) are a special class of decorative or architectural block that has a rough, stone-like texture created by splitting a block during production. This site details installation, costs/benefits, limitations, codes/regulations, availability, evaluations, and reports related to CMUs.
Alternatives to Demolition for Facility Reduction (.pdf file) from US Army Corps of Engineers. A Public Works Technical Bulletin. Reports the process for dismantling or deconstructing surplus buildings in cooperation with their host community.
Asphalt Pavement Recycling from California Integrated Waste Management Board. Overview of recycling asphalt pavement back into asphalt pavement, including methods, Greenbook and CalTrans specs, organizations, and siting considerations in CA. Information updated regularly.
Asphalt Roofing Shingles in Aggregate Base from California Integrated Waste Management Board. An overview of the use of ground asphalt roofing shingles in aggregate base and sub-base for road construction, including potential markets and specifications.
Asphalt Roofing Shingles in Asphalt Pavement from California Integrated Waste Management Board. An overview of the use of ground asphalt roofing shingles in asphalt pavement, including potential markets and specifications.
Asphalt Roofing Shingles in Cold Patch from California Integrated Waste Management Board. An overview of the use of ground asphalt roofing shingles in cold patch material for filling potholes and other uses. Includes a discussion of the technology and potential markets for recycled-shingle (R-S) cold patch.
Brownfields Remediation (.pdf file) from Department of Toxic Substances Control. A comprehensive program designed to address many of the problems identified in the Federal Superfund Program, which has come under criticism for being ineffective, using unfair liability schemes, and restricting opportunities for effective clean-up.
Compost Systems from Sustainable Building Sourcebook. Includes definitions, considerations, commercial status, implementation issues, guidelines, and resources.
Construction and Demolition Materials from California Integrated Waste Management Authority. Information on specific C&D materials, including paint, lumber, aggregates, etc.
Construction Waste Management (.pdf file) from California Integrated Waste Management Board. Includes national/California statistics,
California
regulations, information on the benefits of construction waste management, implementation details, and an extensive list of resources.
Construction Waste Recycling from Sustainable Building Sourcebook. Includes definitions, considerations, commercial status, implementation issues, guidelines, and resources.
Deconstruction Training Manual: Waste Management Reuse and Recycling at Mather Field from California Integrated Waste Management Board. This document discusses the advantages and challenges of deconstruction, as well as safety issues and procedures relating to the deconstruction process.
Harvested Rainwater from Sustainable Building Sourcebook. Includes definitions, considerations, commercial status, implementation issues, guidelines, and resources.
infoCycling, Special Edition on Deconstruction, June 2000, from California Integrated Waste Management Board. A newsletter directed to local government solid waste planners and their staffs. This special edition highlights deconstruction--a less wasteful alternative to demolition of buildings that allows materials to be reused and recycled.
Landscape Water Use Publications from California Department of Water Resources. Includes information on irrigation water needs, irrigation controllers, graywater guidelines, and more.
Lawn Care Equipment A Green Seal Fact Sheet, for this report, researchers reviewed 12 manufacturers on the following aspects of their products: power supply, engine efficiency, cut size, emissions reduction methods, product features and overall costs.
Parking Lots from the Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program
Pervious Paving Materials from Sustainable Building Sourcebook. Includes definitions, considerations, commercial status, implementation issues, guidelines, and resources.
Pest Control from the Stormwater Manager’s Resource Center
Recycled Aggregate from California Integrated Waste Management Board. An overview of recycling concrete and ashphalt into aggregate base, including Greenbook and CalTrans specifications, organizations, and siting considerations in
California
. Information updated regularly.
Siting a
Natural
Building
by Michael G. Smith from Oikos Green Building Source. Site suggestions intended specifically for dwellings on rural land, but most are applicable to other situations and building types (in the Southern Hemisphere, reverse north and south notations).
Sustainable Site Design (.pdf file) from California Integrated Waste Management Board. A guide to reducing the impacts from site design.
The Diversion of Construction and Demolition Waste in
California
(.pdf file)
from California Integrated Waste Management Board. A 10-page report prepared by Department of General Service's staff, highlighting C&D diversion efforts in State construction projects, including the
Butterfield Way
and East End Projects.
Urban Shade Trees from Cool Communities, Inc. Explains the economic and environmental benefits of shade trees.
Xeriscape from Sustainable Building Sourcebook. Includes definitions, considerations, commercial status, implementation issues, guidelines, and resources.
Structural frame
Wall Systems (.pdf file) a Green Affordable Housing Coalition fact sheet
Advanced Framing Techniques: Optimal Value Engineering from Toolbase Services. Optimum Value Engineering (OVE) refers to framing techniques that reduce the amount of lumber used to build a home while maintaining the structural integrity of the building. This site details installation, costs/benefits, limitations, codes/regulations, availability, evaluations, and reports related to optimal value engineering.
Advanced Wall Framing (.pdf file) from Southface Energy Institute. An informative technology fact sheet detailing how to build efficiently, use less material, and save energy.
Alternatives to CCA-Treated Wood from Build It Green. Includes thorough descriptions of CCA alternatives. Also details topics related to CCA alternatives such as energy performance, resource impacts, health attributes, cost considerations, installation, maintenance, and other data.
Dimensional Lumber from Sustainable Building Sourcebook. Includes definitions, considerations, commercial status, implementation issues, guidelines, and resources.
Engineered Wall Displays Strength and High R-Value from Oikos Green Building Source. Designers at Davis Energy Group designed an alternative wall system for a demonstration home that was energy efficient, cost-effective and structurally sound.
Engineered Sheet Materials from Sustainable Building Sourcebook. Includes definitions, considerations, commercial status, implementation issues, guidelines, and resources.
Engineered Structural Materials from Sustainable Building Sourcebook. Includes definitions, considerations, commercial status, implementation issues, guidelines, and resources.
FSC Certified Wood from Build It Green. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has established standards in sustainable forest management and created a mechanism—third party certification—that ensures that they are followed. Learn how FSC wood compares to non-certified wood and find detailed information related to environmental and cost considerations.
New Steel Stud Design from Oikos Green Building Source. Learn about an architect’s stud design that costs about the same as a standard steel stud yet significantly lowers heat loss.
Recycled Plastic Lumber from California Integrated Waste Management Board. Describes product features of recycled plastic lumber (RPL). Includes uses, types, advantages and disadvantages, and information on manufacturing processes, standards development, product specifications, testing methods, and studies.
Steel Framing (.pdf file) from Southface Energy Institute. Describes the advantages and disadvantages of steel framing.
Steel Framing Offers Thermal Challenges from Oikos Green Building Source. Learn about steel framing heat loss as well as immediate and long-term solutions to the problem.
Straw Bale Construction from Sustainable Building Sourcebook. Includes definitions, considerations, commercial status, implementation issues, guidelines, and resources. Note that information is specific to Texas; strawbale may not be appropriate in your region.
Structural Wall Panels from Sustainable Building Sourcebook. Includes definitions, considerations, commercial status, implementation issues, guidelines, and resources.
Urban Wood Waste from California Integrated Waste Management Board. An overview that includes estimated quantities of wood waste generated from most construction and demolition operations, as well as markets available for the processed wood waste.
Wall Systems from the Department of Energy Building Technologies Program. Discusses the types of wall framing material available, including wood, steel, concrete, thermal mass and high mass materials, and structural insulated panels.
Why Use Recycled Plastic Lumber? from California Integrated Waste Management Board. Introduction to recycled plastic lumber (RPL). Includes types, uses, advantages and disadvantages.
Windows
Daylighting (.pdf file) a Green Affordable Housing Coalition fact sheet
Windows (.pdf file) a Green Affordable Housing fact sheet
