Recommended Books
Precision Framing
by Mike Guertin and Rick Arnold
Taunton Press, 2002
Andrea says: "Aimed at both experienced and novice framers, this book contains a wealth of best practices for production framing. The emphasis is on saving time without sacrificing accuracy, and vice versa."
Graphic Guide to Frame Construction
by Rob Thallon
Taunton Press, 2009
Andrea says: "Drawings drawings drawings... this book has clear diagrams of nearly every framing detail you could think of."
Google Sketchup 8 for Dummies
by Aidan Chopra
Wiley Publishing, 2010
Andrea says: "I suppose it's possible to learn how to use Google SketchUp only by using the online tutorials, but this book helped me scale the learning curve much more quickly."
What Your Contractor Can't Tell You
by Amy Johnston
Shube Publishing, 2008
Andrea says: "This isn't a DIY book but rather a guide to navigating the construction process in general. The author is a veteran construction project manager with heaps of good advice about planning and completing big jobs, working with contractors and subs (even when they're flaky or downright dishonest), and so forth. I recommend it for anyone who is undertaking a major construction or renovation project, with or without a contractor."
Housebuilding: A Do-It-Yourself Guide
by R. J. DeCristoforo
Sterling, 2007
Andrea says: "I still haven't finished reading this behemoth, but it will definitely go on my list of building books to bring to a desert island. With clearly-written text and color illustrations, it covers all the steps of building a house: foundation, framing, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, and everything in between. And at 656 pages long, it will work well to hold down tarps."
The JLC Guide to Energy Efficiency
The Journal of Light Construction, 2011
Andrea says: "This book came out too late in our building process to be of particular use, but it looks like a must-read."
Random Bits
Few architecture schools teach anything about energy-efficiency, so make sure your architect knows the basics. Get them a copy of Designing the Exterior Wall: An Architectural Guide to the Vertical Envelope
and make them read it.
