The Visual Handbook of Building and Remodeling 5th Edition: A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right Materials and Systems for Every Part of Your Home

Simply a fantastic resource for anyone short of an architect -- who already knows all this stuff. But for the interested layman, or the fairly experienced DIY remodeler or builder, it's just the bomb! I especially like the fact that it pretty much addresses all the major climate zones in the US when discussing any given subject. Lots of very good drawings, and lots of data tables (again, the tables are area specific anytime that is applicable). I loaned my copy. Oops! Guess I might have to buy another. The book is nicely bound and printed on paper that is thick and pleasant to the touch. Quality throughout.

This is a great reference as you can tell just by previewing it through the desciption page. My only complaint is that I did not realize I was buying a 21 year old book on building and remodeling! Obviously that's my fault, but only now do I see what I did wrong -- Even though I was looking at the newest edition, when I made my selection for which seller and price to choose, I ended up ordering the 1990 edition by mistake. Lesson learned: Be extra careful to read the publish date even when you are choosing a seller via the item description that shows the edition you want. Still, the information in this book is invaluable and well worth the price. [As long as you get the new one] Try this: The Visual Handbook of Building and Remodeling, 3rd Edition To help you understand the purpose of this book; It's not going to walk you through the actual building or renovation process from a physical labor standpoint, rather it will explain the properties of the many building materials, methods, and measurements you will need to know to do almost any residential project. There is a TON of information in this book, and you will certainly learn a lot by reading it. It covers aspects from climate zones and average wind directions to tables describing the charecteristics of everything from wood species and caulks to sources of water vapor and sound transmission classes of walls. It tells you all the detailed stuff you might want/need to know, but can't find out simply by asking the guy at the home improvement store. This is a great source of information that would be a perfect guide during a building/remodeling project once you are already familiar with basic carpentry and have at least some relevant experience. It would also be a good purchase if you just want to better understand the ins and outs of what goes into building and remodeling a home.

I have a good bit of building knowledge, but this goes to areas of expertise I have no idea about. It’s a great book, one of my favorites. It’s more of a resource or informational guide, but I’m a weirdo and like to read it like a book. Illustrations are great too. It also references organizations and such for even further information about certain niche topics, like kitchens for example. Anyways, if you’re interested at all in building and you’re a geek, this is for you!

It's an impressive compilation of information across a wide range of subjects in the field of residential construction, and so very useful to have all this info in one place. However, there isn't a lot of explanation or commentary, mostly it's a collection of data tables and technical figures. Further, despite all that info, not everything is here, although I can't be too hard on the author, as he covers an awful lot of ground. Still, I was hoping to see some details as well as expert comparisons of certain wall and roof construction techniques used in cold climates to improve insulation, but these structures were not covered at all. I still like the book though and will get value from it.

This book is very explanatory with a lot of illustrations. It goes over so many topics and things that could come up on a build. Great for a beginner like me.

Excellent reference book for the apprentice and the journeyman and everything in between

For anyone doing ANY type of work around the house, regardless of skill level, this book is a wealth of information. Illustrations and descriptions are concise. Things such as pictures, descriptions, and uses for all types and configurations of concrete block, fasteners, plumbing parts , etc make ordering exactly what you need for a job so much quicker. Quantities of product needed such as concrete, shingles, brick, siding etc can be easily calculated. My husband has worn out the first edition, and just got our son the 4th edition (and is strongly hinting at a new one for himself!)

I'm a reluctant DIY'er, because I don't have a lot of money to pay everyone to do everything for me, and I have a mortgage, want the place not to fall down around me. So there's home maintenance I need to do, and the occasional, unexpected, "wth?!?!?!" finding. I can read "how to" and watch Youtube instructional videos all day, and still not feel like I understand what I'm doing enough to tell the good advice from the bad. I'm a big visual learner- I need a picture, not just words on a page. This book helped me understand houses, mechanicals, and how things bascially go together. Things make a lot more sense to me after looking at this book. In turn? I'm able to read or watch instructions videos and "get it" the first time, or see through some of the not-such-good-advice on the internet. This was totally worth the price to me. But this is not a, "First you do this, then do that..." manual. That would be a different book. This is more like pictures of "what it is, and how it should be." DIY gold.

A good product, prompt delivery

Muito bom, veio tudo certo!

Era lo que esperaba !!!

Great book

J'ai offert ce livre à mon garçon pour la construction de sa prochaine maison ,il est très heureux car il y trouve d'excellentes information bien détaillées.