Have some home improvement notches under your belt--but not feeling quite ready to tackle a major job? You can step up to the big projects...as long as you have this all-color, how-to manual by your side. Whether you're moving an interior wall or adding a shed, these instructions, tips, dozens of large-size photos, and extraordinarily detailed and colorful line drawings will show how to go about making key structural changes to your house. From codes and permits to tools and materials, become privy to the insider information the professionals know. What kind of lumber should you buy? Which nails are right for your job: ring shank or hot-dipped galvanized? How do you demolish a wall without damaging the rest of the house? What's the smart, safe way to construct a garage from the ground up? You won't want to start work without the answers to these and hundreds more important questions about tools, materials, framing systems, post-and-beam, foundations and floors, partitions, barriers, insulation, and much more.

This introductory overview of the major home systems gives students a solid foundation for beginning a career in home inspection. This comprehensive text gets students out into the field quickly while serving as a springboard for the 13 advanced electives in the Principles line. Systems & Standards focuses on system and component problems, their practical implications, and inspections strategies for finding them. No other single volume offers both the breadth and depth of this introduction.

Integrating basic theory with practical real-world designs, this second edition covers all aspects of design and building with wood. While retaining many unique features from the highly successful first edition, new additions have been incorporated to reflect recent advances in the field, including the adoption of the LRFD code. This comprehensive text not only contains update on the ASD methods but also provides an explanation of the new LRFD methods, plus solved problems and examples in each section to reflect its application among all areas of designing with wood. This is the only book currently available that contains both the ASD and LRFD methods.

A manual for all without traditional skills who want to build with timber framing.

This manual is the basic reference for anyone building or remodeling wood-frame houses. It has the practical information on modern building materials and methods that every builder needs to do professional-quality work.From the layout, excavation, and formwork, through finish carpentry, sheet metal and painting, every step of construction is covered in detail, with clear illustrations and step-by-step instructions. here you'll find everything you need to know about framing, roofing, siding, insulation and vapor barriers, interior finishing, floor coverings, millwork and cabinets, stairs, chimneys, driveways, walks ... complete how-to information on everything that goes into building a wood-frame house.A special section on estimating, with the building process laid out as a flow chart, will help you plan all the steps in residential construction, and to estimate each one quickly and accurately.

The use of joist hangers provides a quick, economic and reliable method for forming timber-to-timber joints and for supporting timbers on masonry or steel beams. Although their installation is less dependent on traditional trade skills, care must be taken when specifying and fitting joist hangers. This guide is for building designers, contractors and site supervisors. It shows how to use hangers to support timber joists in new construction work, and stresses the importance of correct specification and installation to ensure good performance. This guide replaces BRE Defect Action Sheets 57 and 58, which have been withdrawn.

Avoid pitfalls with these expert tips & techniques for diagnosing and preventing the most common residential building defects. More than 50 experts in the field describe their proven techniques for preventing building problems.

This text is organized into major sections on exterior cladding, exterior structures, and surface water control and landscaping. Wall surfaces are covered in a material- by-material organization, including thorough treatment of synthetic stucco (EIFS), a challenging issue for home inspectors.

"This [book] is the first one that I can recall that deals exclusively with this single subject, and does so with such thoroughness. Its 10 chapters cover all the essentials, ...many color photos and drawings...explain and expand on the text. It offers great value for the price."--"Wood Design & Building."

This new continuing education text examines the exterior structures that contribute to the appeal of a home: porches, decks, balconies, garages, carports and basement walkouts. Exterior Structures offers real estate professionals guidance on recognizing common problems and signs of non-performance with steps, railings columns, beams, joists, floors, roofs, skirting, doors, drains and walls. Benefits of this book: * Technically precise illustrations enhance student learning through visual reinforcement * Learning Objectives, Key Words and margin notes emphasize important concepts * Quick Quizzes reinforce the material and allow students to monitor their progress * Final exams with answer key are available through Dearborn's web site