3 stars (Informative but could be more detailed) - The book is informative and well illustrated. It's written for the professional builder. This book provides more detail than some of the other books I've studied on building construction. However, the book could be more specific about recommended methods and provide more detail. For example, the book describes using joist hangers to install floor joists. It should also suggest that if possible, joist hangers be nailed to the RIM board or beam before the RIM board or beam is installed. 4 stars (Building Construction Illustrated, 3rd Edition by Francis D. K. Ching) - a fairly good book for Architects and students. It covers a lot of topics about construction. 5 stars (Awsome Book) - This book is excellently written and illustrated. A great resource for anyone involved in construction. ... Wiley :: Building construction & materials :: Architecture & Methods & Materials :: Technology & Industrial Arts :: Technology :: Methods & Materials :: House constructi :: Building Construction Illustrated- 3rd Edition
3 stars (A modified "Fundamentals of Building Construction") - This is awfully similar to the book in the title. Even down to the same photos separating the chapters. I'd buy F of BC if I had to choose, since it has so much more material. There's nothing in here that cannot be found in the two other Rob Thallon books. 4 stars (Great book, but overpriced) - I bought this book sight unseen because I also have Rob Thallon's book "Graphic Guide to Frame Construction" and was pretty impressed with it. While "Fundamental of Residential Construction" is a very good book on all aspects of residential construction, there's isn't that much of an improvement on the typical voc-tech textbooks on construction (which are available for less) to make it worth the price. ... 5 stars (THE reference for Designer, Builder, or Student) - Fundamentals of Residential Construction is a welcome update for my reference library. As a residential architect, it is refreshing not to have to wade through irrelevant commercial methodology. This edition is residential specific, but broad-based covering alternative building systems and the most current construction materials. I especially appreciate that it begins with chapters on the context for construction, and the construction and design communities, areas of discussion most often neglected. The well-balanced mix of diagrammatic and photographic details is very helpful. I highly recommend it for both the student and the professional. ... Wiley :: Building construction & materials :: Architecture & Design & Drafting :: Technology & Industrial Arts :: House construction :: Design & Drafting :: Construction :: Fundamentals of Residential Construction
1 stars (Readers' Digest Version of AGS) - Although these editions change little, this review is based upon AGS 10th Ed. & AGSRC 2003. Negative: This is bascially a regurgitation of the more complete Architectural Graphics Standards, distilled to a "residential" focus but appears as volumous because some details have been photo-enlarged (in poor-average quality). Few, if any new residential details/information has been provided. Positive: Those ONLY interested in residential construction and NOT requiring a full brace of ALL details will find this quite a good value - compare its price to Architectural Graphics Standards. Recommendation: Anyone in construction should have one, but not both of these books as a prime resource. The content does improve every year, although some years it's like watching grass grow. Challenge: IF there are numerous portions of the Residential version that are unique and new to it, exclusive of passages in the larger AGS version - I would really appreciate a review that contains how to locate these passages, as I've spent enough time trying to find them. If enough of these exist, it would give thought of updating this resource once in awhile. 3 stars (One volume encyclopedia) - Experienced readers will benefit from its brief summaries and drawings covering the broadest range of topics imaginable. Some economizing is evident in the paper and printing quality, some of the drawings look 50 years old, but there is lots of reference information, like span tables, solar position data, etc. Probably not the last word on every topic, but still worth consulting. 5 stars (A wonderful resource) - Following in the terrific legacy of the benchmark Architectural Graphic Standards book, this edition clearly makes building for residences an easier task. I've found innumerable details that I've used in my residential practice on a daily basis, details not found in other reference books. Of particular help are the pages that give an overview of... Wiley :: Residential buildings :: domestic buildings :: Building construction & materials :: Architecture & Reference :: Architectural structure & design :: Standards :: R :: Architectural Graphic Standards for Residential Construction (Ramsey-Sleeper Architectural Graphic S
4 stars (A little less mindnumbing) - Building Codes are never a fun subject to have to research, but Ching makes it a little less mindnumbing by providing illustrations. However, be warned that this book is based on the 2000 International Building Code and that many of the sections have been revised in the 2003 IBC. I imagine that Ching will update his book with the next release of the IBC. 4 stars (Great guide to complex issues) - This book has proven to be a great quick reference to supplement the 2003 IBC. It can't be beat for clear, straightforward illustrations of what are otherwise long winded and confusing paragraphs from the IBC that usually require a reading of three or four times until it sinks in. A must have for any person using the code book often or wanting a quick reminder of a code regulation. 5 stars (ARE studying material) - This is an excellent book to skim through for preparation for the ARE. I definitely recommend Ching's two books: Building Codes Illustrated and Building Construction Illustrated. After spending several dollars on studying materials for the exam, I found that I got the most bang for my buck from: the two Ching books, David Ballast's Study Guides, Larry Paul's ARE Practice Exam, and Archiflash cards. These were the the most useful tools to get through the multiple choice sections as they most closely reflected the material covered on the exams. ... Wiley :: USA :: Financial :: taxation :: commercial :: industrial law :: Building construction & materials :: Architecture & Design & Drafting :: Architectural structure & d :: Building Codes Illustrated- A Guide to Understanding the International Building Code