4 comments about Living Homes: Thomas J. Elpel's Field Guide to Integrated Design and Construction.

1. I was really excited to see this book appear. A classic "Build Your Own Stone House" is now out of print, and I thought there was nothing to replace it. Since I am a bookerseller of alternative housebuilding books I was looking for another resource on stone building. Elpel does a very good job of covering all the bases for the prospective owner builder. He allows the reader to envision how home siting, use of passive solar, water needs and energy use will affect the final home for years to come. He covers plumbing, electric, septic, even making a solar hot water heater. But the best part for me was the description of the "terra Tiles" earthen floor method. This is good stuff! Chapters on straw bale and log home building allow the reader to compare various methods. Also coverage of masonry stove building, overall Elpel provides a real understanding of "how to", and an easy to read book.



2. Thomas Elpel's Living Homes is an invaluable reference on the concept of integrated design and construction that will appeal to anyone remodeling their home as well as to new home builders, though the latter group will be more interested in the ground-up building approach offered her. From the planning process to designing an energy-efficient result, Living Homes provides construction and how-to tips the home do-it-yourselfer will appreciate.



3. This book has a lot of big ideas, but is very weak on technical details. The author repeatedly uses phrases like, "We tried this, but it didn't work very well" without offering a follow up of something that DOES work. Maybe some of the suggestions would work better in an arid climate, but around here many of his suggestions are recipes for mold growth, rot and indoor air quality problems. Also, much of what is suggested is in violation of building codes, such as using a single wall heat exchanger in a solar water heating system where the heat exchange takes place between glycol-based antifreeze and potable water. Use the book for ideas, but please get your technical information somewhere else.



4. While the author is a knowledgeable on the subject, if you are looking for a book that covers the slipform (slip form) stone masonry in greater detail then check out Tomm Stanley's book "Stone House: A Guide to Self-Building With Slipforms". The material is covered in greater detail and in a well thought out manner.

No comments about Basic Arc Welding (Smaw).

1 comments about Residential Foundations: Design, Behavior, and Repair (General Engineering).

1. This book is not for your Saturday Home Depot shopper, it is an in-depth engineering paper and is an ideal reference for anyone involved in the foundation repair business.

No comments about Workplace Strategies and Facilities Management: Building in Value (Building Value).

No comments about Wallpaper in Decoration.

2 comments about Build Smarter With Alternative Materials.

1. Build Smarter With Alternative Materials by experienced general contractor and business owner Leon A. Frechette is a practical, no-nonsense, do-it-yourself guide to home repair projects using alternative materials to save expense and man-hours, or simply to add a unique touch to one's dwelling. From foundations, to concrete wall systems, to roofing, bathrooms, insulation, decking, to vinyl-type siding products, to techniques for environment-friendly building, and more, Build Smarter With Alternative Materials is an excellent supplementary resource for the do-it-yourself homeowner, and is especially recommended as an invaluable and indispensable reference for construction professionals!



2. This may have been a fine book years ago, but now it is just out of date. Newer, better material have replaced some of the concept in this book and I tried calling the company that does hatch roofs to find out they no longer exist. Some web site links do not work and in the end, I used none of the techniques or materials mentioned. So, for me, it was a waste of money.
   
   If the authors would update the book, I think it could be useful but as it is written, it is old info.

No comments about Estimating for Residential Construction.

No comments about Formwork for Concrete Structures.

No comments about MEANS Costworks 2008.

No comments about Understanding Construction Drawings-Residential.