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.

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, and Architectural Detailing, 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.

Preface to the Fifth Edition xi

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

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