Product Description

Teaching through hundreds of meticulous drawings, Rob Thallon's guide covers foundations, roofs, building systems and materials, durability, energy efficiency, and more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #32049 in Books
• Published on: 2000-10-30
• Released on: 2000-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Spiral-bound
• 252 pages

From Library Journal
For over 100 years, the majority of North American homes have been built using wooden framing. This technique is strong, conserves materials, and allows great design flexibility. Framing Basics (part of Sterling's excellent "Basics" series, which covers numerous tools and woodworking techniques) offers a helpful introduction to framing for do-it-yourselfers. Readers for whom this book is intended aren't going to build an entire house; they are homeowners who want to move, remove, or install a wall or create built-in storage. Peters covers tool-use, materials, methods of work, and demolition in easily understood text supplemented with numerous color photographs. Thallon, a professor of architecture, takes frame construction to the next level, showing how to build a house's entire shell from the foundation to the roof. He believes that when properly constructed, a wood-framed house should be able to last for 200 years or more. This title's intended audience is professional builders and designers; a great deal of reader knowledge is assumed by the author. Broad sections include foundations, floors, walls, roofs, and stairs. The text is brief and to the point, with a huge number of excellent illustrations providing the details. Libraries that own the original edition (1991) of this title should consider this revisionDit covers recent developments such as new sheathing methods, wood I-joists, and vinyl windows. A comprehensive glossary and list of resources round out this title. Structural insulated panels (SIPs) consist of slabs of foam insulation sandwiched between oriented strand board or plywood. They represent one of the newest technologies and may render wood-framing methods obsolete. Morley, a builder who specializes in SIPs construction, gives a compelling argument for this new systemDit's structurally superior, better insulated, faster to erect, and more environmentally friendly than traditional methods. The use of SIPs requires many specialized tools and techniques, all of which are covered in detail. A large resource list provides the names of architects, builders, and companies that deal with this system. Framing Basics is well written and is geared toward the beginner; with other titles in Sterling's "Basics" series, it deserves a place in most public library collections. Both Thallon's and Morley's works are excellent but are geared toward a specialized audience; public libraries with comprehensive collections and academic library architecture collections should consider them.DJonathan Hershey, Akron-Summit Cty. P.L.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"An invaluable reference for experienced designers and builders; an essential aid for beginners." Richard Meyer, National Association of Home Builders"

About the Author
Edward Allen, FAIA, has been a member of the faculties of Yale University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and has frequently taught as a guest at other institutions across the United States. His teaching career spans more than 30 years. In his architectural practice he has designed more than 50 constructed buildings. He is the best-selling author of "The Architects Studio Companion," "Architectural Detailing," "Shaping Structures: Statics," and "Fundamentals of Building Construction," all published by Wiley.

Rob Thallon, architect and Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Oregon, is the author of the bestselling series of guides: "Graphic Guide to Frame Construction, Graphic Guide to Site Construction, and Graphic Guide to Interior Details." He has more than 30 years of experience in residential design construction and has designed many custom houses and housing complexes.

Customer Reviews

An excellent detailed building reference
As a former building contractor, I can say that this book offers builders of all levels drawing views that blueprints sometimes do not even afford. There are detailed views of alternative approaches for same-type applications that cover most problems encountered during a building or remodeling project. I initially bought this book as a refresher in anticipation of a planned project on my own home, but it has turned out to be one of the best reference books in my library.

Excellent Resource
This book is my favorite resource for, well, frame construction. I've used it for as a reference for doing detail drawings and as a reference for doing actual construction. I'm adding on to my house, doing most of the work myself. Whenever I hit a snag or need to do something I only vaguely know how to do (which is more often than I'd like), this is the first book I turn to. The drawings are of excellent quality, the text is extremely clear, and the layout like a fine set of blueprints. Its indexed well enough that you can find what you need quickly. The spiral binding is perfect for taking it to the job site and letting it stay open on the page you need.

I'd highly recommend this book to apprentice carpenters, general contractors, architectural students, architects, and do-it-yourselfers.

Thallon's Graphic Guide to Interior Details makes a nice compliment to this book, though I don't find it as necessary.

Best Framing book for Do-It-Yourselfers!
I had to replace a small shed roof (15'X4.5') on the back of a sun room and was very disappointed in ALL of the responses I received from the local contractors. Northern Virginia has been a hot spot for home renovations the past 5 years and apparently, these guys simply do not have to try to get work. Their complete lack of professionalism, responsiveness, and outrageous prices convinced me to do the project myself and thankfully, I found this book before I started. It provided clear, concise drawings and pictures that showed me, a beginner, how to frame, flash, and roof my entire project. The room is dry as bone now and I can't tell you how often I hear, "You did that yourself!". Great book.