Fundamentals of Residential Construction
5. Edition August 2022
832 Pages, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Further versions
FUNDAMENTALS OF RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION
THE NEW EDITION OF THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO PROFESSIONAL HOME CONSTRUCTION, FULLY UPDATED AND REVISED
Fundamentals of Residential Construction provides clear, accurate, and accessible guidance to every step of single family and multifamily home construction, covering site preparation, project delivery methods, scheduling, foundations, framing, roofing, finishes, heating and cooling, plumbing and electrical, as well as emerging techniques such as prefabricated construction. Illustrated with more than 1,250 high-quality drawings, photographs, and photorealistic renderings throughout, this thorough textbook addresses all major construction systems: light wood frame, heavy timber, masonry, light gauge steel, steel frame, reinforced concrete construction, and outdoor structures.
The fifth edition is thoroughly revised to reflect the industry's latest methods, materials, technologies, and green building approaches, offering the most up-to-date explanations of today's residential construction systems and current building codes, including the International Residential Code (IRC) and energy codes. This edition features entirely new materials sections on metals, plastics, and composite construction as well as expanded and updated content on ventilation, air-sealing, decks, and outdoor structures.
* Provides a solid foundation in residential construction methods, tools, and processes
* Discusses the latest codes, costs, trends, and best practices in design and construction
* Offers timely coverage of sustainable building, energy efficiency, multifamily construction, prefabricated building components, CAD/BIM planning tools, and carbon-conscious construction
* Includes access to a newly updated companion website with an instructor's manual, chapter exercises, hands-on 3D interactive activities, and other supplementary resources
Fundamentals of Residential Construction, Fifth Edition, remains essential reading for anyone looking to successfully complete a residential project. It is a perfect textbook for students in architecture, construction science, construction management, and building technology, and is a valuable reference for professional builders, construction managers, and designers.
How to Use This Book xiii
Acknowledgments xvii
Part One Context for Building 1
Chapter 1 The Context for Residential Construction 3
1.1 History 4
1.2 A Culture of Building 7
1.3 Construction Systems 10
1.4 Types of Residential Development 12
1.5 Zoning Ordinances, Building Codes, and Other Legal Constraints 19
1.6 Building Costs and Financing 21
1.7 Building a House: The Typical Process 24
1.8 MasterFormat 29
Chapter 2 Sustainability Aspects of Construction 35
2.1 Why Sustainability Matters for Buildings 36
2.2 Environmental Responsibility: Building Green 39
2.3 Comprehensive Certification Systems 49
2.4 Resiliency 49
Chapter 3 The Construction Community: Builders, Contractors, and Developers 57
3.1 History 58
3.2 Builders and Contractors 60
3.3 Obtaining Work 65
3.4 The Residential Developer 67
3.5 Green Builders, Contractors, Remodelers, and Developers 72
3.6 Training the Construction Community 73
3.7 Tools of the Trade 74
3.8 Safety 77
Chapter 4 The Design Community: Architects, Designers, and Consultants 83
4.1 History 84
4.2 Residential Designers 84
4.3 Consultants 87
4.4 The Design Process 90
4.5 Design Sources 95
4.6 Communication between Designer and Builder 98
4.7 High- Performance House Designers 101
Part Two Materials 105
Chapter 5 Wood, Wood Products, and Plastics 107
5.1 Building with Wood 108
5.2 Lumber 110
5.3 Wood Products 122
5.4 Protection and Treatment 135
5.5 Wood Fasteners 137
5.6 Wood- Based Building Components 143
5.7 Types of Wood Construction 143
5.8 Plastics in Construction 145
Chapter 6 Masonry 155
6.1 Building with Stone 156
6.2 Mortar 158
6.3 Concrete Masonry 160
6.4 Brick Masonry 170
6.5 Stone Masonry 180
6.6 Other Types of Masonry Units 186
6.7 Special Considerations for Masonry Construction 187
Chapter 7 Concrete and Metals 193
7.1 Building with Concrete and Metals 194
7.2 Cement and Concrete 196
7.3 Making and Placing Concrete 199
7.4 Formwork 203
7.5 Reinforcing 203
7.6 Metals in Construction 210
Part Three Wood Light Frame House Construction 221
Chapter 8 Rough Site Work 223
8.1 Design Considerations 224
8.2 Organizing the Site for Construction 225
8.3 Site Preparation 225
8.4 Excavation 227
8.5 Site Utilities 229
8.6 Surface Water Drainage 234
8.7 Grading 236
Chapter 9 Foundations 245
9.1 Foundation Loads 246
9.2 Foundation Settlement 246
9.3 Soils 247
9.4 Designing Foundations 248
9.5 Footings 251
9.6 Concrete Foundation Walls 253
9.7 Concrete Masonry Foundation Walls 256
9.8 Concrete Slab Foundations 258
9.9 Wood Foundations 264
9.10 Precast Concrete Foundations 264
9.11 Pier Foundations 265
9.12 Anchor Bolts and Hold- Downs 265
9.13 Drainage and Waterproofing 267
9.14 Foundation Insulation 268
9.15 Backfilling 270
9.16 Foundation Design and the Building Codes 271
Chapter 10 Floor and Wall Framing 275
10.1 History 276
10.2 The Platform Frame 277
10.3 Building the Frame 279
Chapter 11 Roof Framing 307
11.1 History 308
11.2 Roof Types and Parts 309
11.3 Building the Roof 311
11.4 Wood Framing and the Building Codes 327
11.5 The Uniqueness of Wood Light Frame Construction 332
Chapter 12 Finishing the Roof 337
12.1 Preparation for Roofing 338
12.2 Roof Slope 338
12.3 Steep Roofs 340
12.4 Low- Slope Roofs 350
12.5 Roof Edge Details 358
12.6 Roof Drainage 358
12.7 Roofing and the Building Codes 362
Chapter 13 Windows and Exterior Doors 369
13.1 Windows 370
13.2 Exterior Doors 379
Chapter 14 Finishing the Exterior Walls 393
14.1 The Weather Barrier Membrane 395
14.2 Exterior Trim 396
14.3 Siding 396
14.4 Exterior Paints and Coatings 405
14.5 Ladders and Scaffolds 412
Chapter 15 Plumbing 419
15.1 Plumbing Basics 420
15.2 Planning for Pipes 424
15.3 Rough- in Plumbing 425
15.4 Finish Plumbing 428
15.5 Plumbing Codes 428
15.6 Other Piping Systems 429
Chapter 16 Heating, Cooling, and Ventilation 439
16.1 Choosing a System 440
16.2 Forced- Air Systems 442
16.3 Radiant Panel Systems 447
16.4 Other Hydronic Heating Systems 453
16.5 Mini- Split Heat Pumps 453
16.6 Local Source Heaters and Air- Conditioners 454
16.7 Ventilation Systems 458
16.8 Finishing the HVAC System 459
16.9 Heating, Cooling, and Ventilation Systems and the Building Codes 460
Chapter 17 Fireplaces and Stoves 467
17.1 Selecting a Fireplace or Stove 468
17.2 Planning for Fireplace or Stove Construction 470
17.3 The Masonry Fireplace 470
17.4 Masonry Heaters 479
17.5 Factory- Built Fireplaces 481
17.6 Freestanding Stoves 484
17.7 Fireplaces and Stoves and the Building Codes 485
Chapter 18 Electrical Wiring 493
18.1 Wiring Basics 494
18.2 Electrical System Design 499
18.3 Rough- in Electrical Installation 503
18.4 Finish Electrical Work 505
18.5 Electrical Wiring and the Building Codes 506
18.6 Low- Voltage Wiring 506
Chapter 19 Thermal Insulation, Air-and Vapor-Control 513
19.1 The Thermal Envelope and Its Components 515
19.2 Thermal Insulation Materials 520
19.3 How Much Insulation? 525
19.4 Installation of Insulation 527
19.5 Control of Water Vapor 528
19.6 Ventilation of Cavities 530
19.7 Control of Air Infiltration 534
Chapter 20 Interior Surfaces 543
20.1 Wall and Ceiling Finish 544
20.2 Finish Flooring 552
Chapter 21 Finishing the Interior 567
21.1 Interior Doors 568
21.2 Cabinets 571
21.3 Finish Carpentry and Trim 579
21.4 Paints and Coatings 581
Chapter 22 Finish Sitework 591
22.1 Paving Systems 592
22.2 Level Changes 594
22.3 Porches, Decks, and Structures 599
22.4 Finish Grading 600
22.5 Fencing 601
22.6 Outdoor Lighting 604
22.7 Irrigation 604
22.8 Planting 605
Part Four Alternative Construction Systems 611
Chapter 23 Panelized and Prefabricated Off-Site Construction 613
23.1 The Concept of Off- Site Construction 614
23.2 Types of Construction Systems 614
23.3 Framed Panel Systems 616
23.4 Structural Insulated Panels 618
23.5 Prefabricated (Factory- Built) House Construction 628
Chapter 24 Timber Frame Construction 641
24.1 The Uniqueness of the Timber Frame 643
24.2 Materials and Structure of the Timber Frame 647
24.3 Building a Timber Frame House 650
24.4 Timber Framing and the Building Codes 653
Chapter 25 Loadbearing Masonry and Concrete Construction 661
Part Five Multifamily Building Construction 725
25.1 Loadbearing Masonry 662
25.2 Insulating Concrete Forms 668
Chapter 26 Light-Gauge Steel Construction 679
26.1 Light- Gauge Steel Frame Construction 680
26.2 Hybrid Uses of Light- Gauge Steel 690
26.3 Advantages and Disadvantages of Light- Gauge Steel Framing 690
Chapter 27 Low- Tech, Low- Energy Construction 697
27.1 Earthen Construction 698
27.2 Stacked Log Construction 706
27.3 Straw Bale Construction 712
Chapter 28 Multifamily Construction Systems 727
28.1 History 728
28.2 Special Considerations 731
28.3 Foundations 731
28.4 Framing 737
28.5 Acoustical Separation 749
28.6 Fire Protection 752
28.7 Systems 754
28.8 Accessibility 756
28.9 Site Management 757
Glossary 767
Index 793
EDWARD ALLEN taught for more than thirty-five years at Yale University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Now deceased, he designed more than fifty constructed buildings and was lead author on Fundamentals of Building Construction, Architect's Studio Companion, Architectural Detailing, and Form and Forces.
ALEXANDER C. SCHREYER is Program Director and Senior Lecturer II in the Building and Construction Technology (BCT) program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is an experienced educator and industry expert whose background combines construction, building science, and digital design. He is also the author of Architectural Design with SketchUp.
ROB THALLON is Associate Professor and Director of OregonBILDS in the School of Architecture and Environment at the University of Oregon. He is also the author of Graphic Guide to Frame Construction and Graphic Guide to Interior Details.
