The most comprehensive guide to material selection & installation It takes a wise choice of building materials and details to create durable, attractive, and affordable custom homes and remodeling projects. Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction provides up-to-date, field-tested recommendations that help professionals balance cost and performance when designing and building residential projects. Steven Bliss, former editorial director of The Journal of Light Construction and founding editor of Progressive Builder, draws on his extensive knowledge as a practicing builder, designer, and construction editor to help building professionals select the right materials for every job and install them with confidence. This one-stop resource covers the real-world challenges of material selection and installation so designers, contractors, and building owners can make informed decisions for all major building components. Useful to architects, designers, and specifiers--as well as contractors, builders, and developers--Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction features: * More than 200 photos and illustrations of critical residential construction details * Installation tips and cautions that help prevent costly product failures * Descriptions of the latest composites and synthetics that are changing the way we build * Easy-to-use charts for making quick product comparisons * An authoritative guide to indoor air quality and healthy house construction

The leading guide to professional home construction—now updated and revised! Fundamentals of Residential Construction, Third Edition features the most up-to-date explanations of today's residential construction systems. From foundation to roof and exterior finishes to interior details, this new edition thoroughly addresses the latest developments in materials and methods of house construction, including energy efficiency, framing, and roofing. Abundantly illustrated with more than 1,250 drawings and photographs, including new photorealistic illustrations that bring the text to life, this Third Edition provides authoritative coverage on wood light-frame construction, industrialized systems of construction, insulating concrete forms, light-gauge steel frame, panelized construction, and a new chapter on multifamily construction. Topics covered include: Plumbing Building codes Heating and cooling Financing Wiring Roofing Thermal insulation Environmental concerns Foundations Finish sitework Rough sitework Wood and light-gauge steel framing Engineered materials Exterior and interior finishes Organized in a logical, easy-to-follow format, Fundamentals of Residential Construction, Third Edition is the one-stop source for building professionals to gain a working knowledge of codes, management procedures, material, and all home building concerns.

Provides technical information on foundations, framing, roofing, and exteriors to residential builders and remodelers.

In the climate-controlled buildings of today, moisture problemsaffect not only the useable life expectancy of the structure, butthe comfort and health of the occupants. This reference is thefirst to apply up-to-date moisture control and treatment techniquesin a problem/solution format. Opening with an introductoryexplanation of the nature and causes of mold, mildew, andcondensation, the book gives specific advice on heated, cooled, andcombination environments, plus a short course in the dynamics ofmoisture movement within buildings. Other invaluable coverageincludes: * clear, detailed recommended practices for all United Statesclimates * practices for cooling as well as heating climates (often, heatingclimate solutions are applied in cooling climates, where problemsand solutions are completely different) * an overall, systematic view of moisture problems--including howmechanical systems and occupant lifestyles can create and alsoresolve moisture problems * actual case studies of buildings with moisture problems thatillustrate the principles and practices presented in the book This detailed, no-nonsense exploration of moisture cause andeffect--as well as its protection and remediation--will expandreaders' knowledge on this crucial subject. Moisture ControlHandbook will be welcomed by building contractors, architects,mechanical engineers, building science researchers, buildingproduct manufacturers, homeowners, and small commercial buildingowners.

A must-have reference to more than 100 common residential conditions—from accessibility issues to working with zinc Practical information that the architect, engineer, contractor and homeowner can access quickly, with over 230 supporting tables photos and details Identifies frequently used reference standards, acceptable practices, and other relevant resources Quick, reliable answers to your most common on-site questions When you're in the field, you never know what you'll come across. Graphic Standards Field Guide to Residential Construction gives you fast access to the information you need when you're on-site and under pressure. Presented in a highly visual and easily portable format, Graphic Standards Field Guide to Residential Construction is organized by CSI's MasterFormat and is coordinated with the 2009 International Residential Code, as well as current sustainable practices. It addresses issues pertaining to residential construction by covering every aspect of the process, such as the use of materials, structural concerns, finishes, thermal and moisture protection, accessible design applications, and more. Graphic Standards Field Guide to Residential Construction extends beyond the studio, with: Quick access to essential information wherever you are Graphic Standards-quality details accompanied by photographs and tables Illustrations that help you troubleshoot problems, along with on-the-spot solutions Compact format that's easy to reference and carry along Graphic Standards Field Guide to Residential Construction is a handy companion that offers the essential tools that time-crunched professionals can turn to in an instant when dealing with clients, or when handling the many complex demands surrounding construction management.

A popular reference used daily by builders, contractors, architects, and owners, this guide is a unique collection of industry standards that define quality in construction. For contractors, subcontractors, owners, developers, architects, engineers, attorneys, and insurance personnel, it provides authoritative requirements and recommendations compiled from the nation's leading professional associations, industry publications, and building code organizations. New third edition is completely updated to the latest standards, codes, and trends. Coverage includes standards for concrete, masonry, framing, finish carpentry and cabinetry, insulation, roofing, windows and doors, drywall and ceramic tile, floor covering, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and more. This one-stop reference is enhanced by helpful commentary from respected practitioners, including identification of items most frequently targeted for construction defect claims. FEATURES: This one-of-a-kind resource enables you to: Establish an acceptable quality of workmanship Resolve disputes and avoid litigation Train personnel in correct installation procedures Answer client questions and authority Easily find applicable building code information The nationwide team of editors includes leading contractors, engineers, architects and construction defect analysts. They provide practical installation tips, along with advice on how to avoid the most frequently cited defect claims.