Rating: 
Summary: easy to understand for constuction novices
Review: I teach construction technology to future General contractors and Interior Designers...and this is the best reference book I have found for beginners. When they ask me the size of a door or height of a kitchen cabinet I tell them to look it up...and I have the utmost confidence that it is both in this book and so well illustrated that the students can easily understand it. I call this book the Beginners Graphic STandards. And at about 1/3 the cost. I also reccomend KaffeeKang' book called Graphic Guide to Frame Construction for residential framing.
Rating:
Summary: easy to understand for constuction novices
Review: I teach construction technology to future General contractors and Interior Designers...and this is the best reference book I have found for beginners. When they ask me the size of a door or height of a kitchen cabinet I tell them to look it up...and I have the utmost confidence that it is both in this book and so well illustrated that the students can easily understand it. I call this book the Beginners Graphic STandards. And at about 1/3 the cost. I also reccomend KaffeeKang' book called Graphic Guide to Frame Construction for residential framing.
Rating:
Summary: Provides the Foundation
Review: I was first given this book by the architect of a home I was building over 20 years ago. The home involved curves and radiuses was built on a very steep slope. Integration of dis-similar materials and proper flashing was critical to it's performance. This book provided me with an understanding of how to tie many varied components together. Once completed, the home received international recognition (my first project to do so!).I have purchased and given at least 5 copies of this book to key employees since then. Recently I gave a copy to a law firm I frequently act as expert witness for in commercial and residential construction litigation. The illustrations are very understandable and compelling. This book (and others by Ching) easily compliments any construction or design professional's library.
Rating:
Summary: Very useful for understanding small-scale construction
Review: The first edition was entirely hand-drawn (the 2nd ed. may be as well) and covers the difference between a hip and a gable roof, slabs, grade beams and other details of modern construction. If you want to know the difference between western platform and balloon framing, this is a fine book. It's primarily a reference book, but it could be read cover to cover.
Rating: 
Summary: Helpful architect's reference
Review: This book gives simple guides to design work. Like a simplified "Graphic Standards". Ching offers super illustrations, lots of details and answers a lot of questions for me as an architecture student. I recommend to all designers.
Rating:
Summary: This book was a steal
Review: This book is jam packed with almost everything you could need to know about construction. When I say that, I mean it covers all of the major components. It does not walk you through tiling a floor, but as an example it does show the different methods of framing and provide clear illustration of how each method is done. I only wanted information on residential construction, but this book covers commercial building as well. The drawings are excellent. I found it tough to put the book down and found myself re-reading several sections because of all the information contained in them. It will serve as an excellent reference guide for all of my future projects. I have already changed many of the details for my upcoming project as a result of this book.
Rating:
Summary: This book was a steal
Review: This book is jam packed with almost everything you could need to know about construction. When I say that, I mean it covers all of the major components. It does not walk you through tiling a floor, but as an example it does show the different methods of framing and provide clear illustration of how each method is done. I only wanted information on residential construction, but this book covers commercial building as well. The drawings are excellent. I found it tough to put the book down and found myself re-reading several sections because of all the information contained in them. It will serve as an excellent reference guide for all of my future projects. I have already changed many of the details for my upcoming project as a result of this book.
Rating:
Summary: Great for the Residential/Light Commercial Builder
Review: This is a wonderful resource book for those builders who find themselves moving back and forth between residential and light commerical work. I found I was sometimes lost as I ventured deeper and deeper into commercial work, but this book showed me the practial applications for materials and construction methods that were new to me.
Rating:
Summary: Concise reference--excellent book design
Review: This is best for a quick review if you already know the material. It's too concise to learn from if you don't. Best part is the amazing drawings; the text is kept to a minumim.
Rating:
Summary: very informative, detailed
Review: This title is a must have for those seeking to know all the necessary about building construction, it has well constructed chapters, very nice drwaings and quotations, every piece in the building is painstakingly dissected and essential detials are included, starting with the building site ending with materials used in. It could be a reference or a textbook, helps you so much when you are stuck. and it is an excellent price-value deal.
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