Graphic Guide to Frame Construction: Third Edition, Revised and Updated (For Pros By Pros)

I had this book for years & used it A LOT for MAJOR APARTMENT REHABS & NEW CONSTRUCTION. Although things in Construction Specifications, such as "FRAMING, ACCORDING TO WEIGHT" in building codes is it 10", 12", 14" or 16" The framing is done the same way, you just change the distances. Like a 25x20 Deck, according to 2018 codes, it shows different size joist sizes 2x6,x 2x8 or 2x10 according to weight bearing & spacing. These diagrams don't change, just the dimensions & thats half the battle. So, with the graphic in front of you, all you need is current building codes and you can make changes to meet current codes. It helps home owners, contractors, & subs A LOT!. Plus, you see what they need to do before they do the job. When you can show a diagram or Graphic Guide to the detailed expected + CURRENT BUILDING CODES --> You'll get better bids, better quality workmanship, & no bs about "NOT KNOWING" what was included. BULL, it shows it in details, Codes & specifications.Doing MAJOR TURNKEY JOBS ARE NOT EASY, but with this it helped me a lot & our subs when doing a $1-3M Rehab on an Apartment Complex in 120 calendar days or less, jobs look betters & are done better & bidding is better, because they have all the information with them. It works & works great & is very helpful.Especially for home owners & contractors. If you do Commerical Jobs, that's a different type of books & a lot more expensive!Good Luck & God Bless America!

This book is for the Pro framer or someone that has already got experience as a framer, it is really not for the beginner or weekend warrior type. I am not trying to run anyone off from buying the book, but it is a very highly advanced, detailed and well written book for much advanced frame construction. Not that it is bad, just that beware that when you get this book it is very good but for the advanced or more skilled framer. So for you guys that are doing framing for a living or have experience with framing or carpentry you will or should love this book and buy it now. I liked the book and it will go to my library of construction/self remodel type books I have and use or refer to. I have gotten a few good ideas out of this book and would recommend it to others, it is worth the money, great source or advanced and detailed framing instructions or ideas.

"Graphic Guide to Frame Construction" is an excellently illustrated spiral bound 'book' on wood frame construction. It covers all the major elements of home construction, from foundation, to floors, to walls, to roofs. It can be read as a book but is very reference-able. It does however assume some basic understanding of home construction, so it's not an absolute starter book. The text is a bit terse and requires some mulling over, but the drawings are fantastic. If you are considering building an outbuilding, adding on to your home, or perhaps even building your own home, this is one must have book, worth every single penny paid. Did I say that the illustrations are fantastic? They are.

I do a lot of non-professional new construction. For me, visualizing the right way do do something is the problem. Once the skin is on a building I have no idea what lies underneath -- I have no 'guide' to model my construction after. Also, building according to convention is useful -- for instance, it's good to know that you can expect to find a vertical stud in a wall every 16 or 24 inches, regardless of who built the building and when -- and this book clarifies what those conventions are.This is a great book. The graphic representations are exceptionally clear and detailed. Many alternatives are given, and in building you simply choose the alternative that gives you the most of what you want and follow the diagram.

I am building a house myself, and of course consuming everything I can from every source. This seems to be the all around most straight forward framing book I have found so far. It obviously does not have everything, but it has all the basics framing details and explanation without dumming it down too much. The author talks to you like an adault, with a little education. More than sufficient to build a house. You might need to fill in some very specialized situations looking at other resources, but for the most part this has the details.I also used the details out of this book, to replace some that were on my plans I did not like. So, I sort of use it as suplement.

This is a good reference for framing details, which I turn to frequently as we work on the design for our new home. That said, there are numerous gaps and while some might be excused as esoteric, like framing a swept roof at the eaves (though it is pictured on the cover of the book), many others are not, such as flashing at masonry entry steps. I would like to see the book updated to include more "Building Science" lessons, OVE (Optimum Value Engineering)and perhaps SIPS. Still a good book, overall.

If you dream of building your own home (or contracting it) and want to become familiar with the details of framing, roofs, floors and structural details over windows then THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU! It is well organized, clearly written and BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED. This book is about how the structural elements (studs, top plates, trusses, floors, roof decking etc.) are put together, how they are "house wrapped" and all that. Text is pretty brief (but helpful) and pictures are plentiful. This is not a book for professional carpenters (although many would find it useful), but for all the rest of us it is great! It is NOT about plumbing, electrical and all that. As the name indicates, it covers the framing and structure of a building. It is also not a civil engineering book - (it does not talk about how to compute loads and all that)

This book is a good tool for anyone, do-it-yourselfer or not, to grasp how North American homes are put together. An excellent tool to learn the nomenclature of houses and house construction. I missed a discussion of the the reasons for and the pros and cons of the various methods. On the other hand, the lack of text is a strongpoint of this book, at least for those who want to quickly get up to speed on home construction.

A must have; I am a Structural Engineer; transitioning from heavy Industrial to Residential and Commercial construction. This book can't explain any better the residential construction. The language is for non-engineers. Highly recommended

I am no tradesman, nor have I a great deal of experience in timber frame building - I bought this book to help with planning the design of a garden workshop and it has done that perfectly. The illustrations are plentiful and there are numerous alternative solutions to cater for all kinds of problems. A myriad of weather/ground conditions and applications have all been considered in this book.The measurements and standards are imperial & written for an American market, but that is no a hindrance (perhaps combine with "Carpentry and Joinery Book 2 Practical Activities 2nd Ed" for a UK reference).Valuable book in my collection, if a little too plentiful on the diagrammatic detail/alternatives!

Excellent. Well-illustrated, comprehensive, concise. woth every penny. master this material in this book, practice to get your speed up, and you'll a first call residential carpenter.

I bought this book for my son, who writes as follows:This book is written for an American readership where this type of construction has been the norm for over 150 years and accounts for 90% of all new buildings. It describes itself as the 'standard guide' to light wood framing and it is 'found in the libraries' of 'architects, contractors, owner-builders and students'. Its 5 chapters (Foundations, Floors, Walls, Roofs, Stairs) spread over 230 pages are extensively illustrated with clearly annotated line drawings and there is a wealth of detail about variations in construction techniques. It is pitched at quite a high level and is not aimed at the home handy man.

The book has a lot of information and great illustrations. Great for an apprentice!