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Carpet and Wall Discoloration: Suspected Causes, Prevention and Clean-up

Discolored areas on carpet and walls have been reported to Home Innovation Research Labs’s ToolBase hotline and other sources from locations throughout the United States. Discoloration is characterized by localized darkening of the original color of walls, carpet and other interior surfaces. Carpet discoloration often occurs at the perimeter of the room and along the base of doors. The discoloration of walls can be diffuse, or appear as “ghosting” – a darkened line along the studs in the walls.

Advanced HVAC Humidity Control for Hot-Humid Climates

File Under: Ventilation & Indoor Air Quality

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building America Program has spurred innovations in building efficiency, durability, and affordability for more than 25 years. Elevating a clean energy economy and skilled workforce, this world-class research program partners with industry to leverage cutting-edge science and deployment opportunities to reduce home energy use and help mitigate climate change. In cooperation with the Building America Program, Home Innovation Research Labs is one of many Building America teams working to drive innovations that address the challenges identified in the Program’s Research-to-Market Plan.

3D Concrete Printed Construction Systems

File Under: Structural Performance, Building Practices, Product Development

Three-dimensional concrete printing (3DCP) technology is an innovative method of construction, using robotics and specially formulated concrete material to achieve greater design flexibility, faster material hardening times, and a wide range of mechanical properties without the need for conventional formwork. The technology has been in development for years in various universities, but adoption has been slow in the United States.

Durable Solutions for Balconies & Decks

File Under: Structural Performance

Durable Solutions for Balconies and Decks is an illustrated guide that identifies design principles and construction practices to improve the moisture performance of wood-framed balconies and decks in low- and mid-rise multifamily buildings.

Performance of Windows in Walls With Continuous Insulation

File Under: Air Sealing & Building Envelope

A strong push was made by many advocacy groups, including the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), to increase the stringency of the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) to achieve a 30 percent energy savings relative to the 2006 IECC. This effort resulted in a number of major changes which impact both energy savings and construction costs for residential construction. The objective of this analysis is to quantify the incremental construction cost, energy savings, and percent energy savings associated with constructing a house compliant with the 2012 IECC relative to the 2006 IECC baseline.

Designing for Natural Hazards

File Under: Resilience

Home Innovation Research Labs (Home Innovation) was tasked by HUD to develop a set of practical, actionable guidelines to assist builders and developers in designing and constructing residential buildings, neighborhoods, and accessory structures in a manner that could improve residential resilience to natural hazards and integrate resiliency throughout the community.

Retrofits & Adaptations: Improving Mobility in the Home

File Under: Universal Design & Accessibility

Researchers sought to review and test home modifications that could improve accessibility for people with disabilities of semi-detached and non-detached residential buildings (townhomes and row houses), which often have elevated entrances, narrow floorplans, and functionality (kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms) spread among several levels. Focus groups of users, caregivers, and professionals identified several areas of the home, such as bathrooms, stairs, laundry room, and entryway or entrances, as presenting some of the greatest challenges for accomplishing daily activities and ease of use.

Retrofit Improvements: Garage Door Reinforcement

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During a hurricane or other high-wind event, a garage door can be damaged by wind or windborne debris. High winds can cause a garage door to fail by pushing it inward or pulling it outward until the door buckles or the door hardware fails. If a garage door fails during a storm, the entire house may be susceptible to wind and water intrusion that could cause extensive damage and even building failure.

Retrofit Improvements: Gable End Bracing

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Gable end walls are the triangle-shaped wall sections found at the ends of a pitched (gable) roof and generally run parallel to the roof rafters or trusses forming the gable. During a hurricane or other high-wind event, inadequately braced or improperly anchored gable end walls are vulnerable to failure and can become detached from the rest of the structure. A gable end wall failure can make the house susceptible to wind and water intrusion into the attic that can cause extensive damage and even building failure.

Retrofit Improvements: Fire Retardant Wood Shingles or Shakes

File Under: Resilience

During a wildfire, or an adjacent building fire, roof coverings are exposed to ignition due to their large area and orientation. Leaves or dead vegetation collected in gutters can be easily ignited by embers, spreading flames to roof coverings and other roof components. The flames can subsequently propagate into the interior of the building, resulting in substantial damage or even total loss of the building.