Builder's Guide to Cold Climates: Details for Design and Construction [Spiral-bound]

Joseph Lstiburek (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2000 | Series: Builder's Guide

This manual presents the best techniques for energy and resource efficient residential construction in the colder climates of North America. Lstiburek (a forensic engineer who heads Building Science Corp. in Massachusetts) presents information on the practicalities of choosing the right insulation, heating systems, keeping heat in, air and moisture barriers, exterior wood priming, avoiding cold corners and plates, sealing air barriers, considering drainage planes behind siding, avoiding insulation gaps, and flashing window openings. Contains many diagrams. Spiral wire binding.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A region's climate is arguably the most important factor to consider when a structure is built. If inappropriate building techniques or materials are used, a house could be uncomfortable, energy inefficient, or, worst of all, subject to early failure. Overbuilding is inappropriate, too, because it wastes valuable materials. Lstiburek, a forensic engineer and authority on moisture-related building problems, has created two useful titles that will guide homebuilders/remodelers toward the best design for their geographic area. For the purposes of this book, cold climates include New England, the southern Great Lakes states, most of the Midwest, Plains, and Mountain states, coastal British Columbia, and southern Ontario. Mixed climates include the coastal Pacific Northwest and the Southern states from central Texas to the Atlantic (excluding Florida and the southernmost portions of other states). Both titles are remarkably similar--only those details that apply to a particular climate differ. This parallel structure should prove useful to readers who build/design in several climates and use both books. Each area or system of a house is covered--foundations, framing, plumbing, electricity, insulation, heating, ventilation and air conditioning--with profuse illustrations (more than half of the book) supplementing the brief text. Appendixes cover many aspects of energy efficiency. Although they are over the heads of most do-it-yourselfers, these guides will prove useful to builders and carpenters who live in the relevant areas (one hopes that all of North America will eventually covered). They should be included in comprehensive public library collections.
-Jonathan Hershey; Akron-Summit Cty. P.L., OH
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 335 pages
• Publisher: Taunton Press (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156158374X
• ISBN-13: 978-1561583744
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,166,999 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on subject, January 8, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Builder's Guide to Cold Climates: Details for Design and Construction (Spiral-bound)

I have reviewed lots of books and magazines on residential building techniques for energy and resource efficieny. There is a lot of confusion and misinformation out there. This book clears it up in one authoritative and concise guide to building techniques. For those who want to know how and why to build it right. Best source available on moisture control and insulation applications. Challenges some conventional wisdom. Concepts demonstrated in great graphics. Listiburek is a respected expert.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Direct and informative, April 19, 2002

By 

misterbeets "misterbeets" (Safe Harbor, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Builder's Guide to Cold Climates: Details for Design and Construction (Spiral-bound)

Well focused and aimed at the home builder in 6500 degree-day and colder climes, e.g. Minnesota, it contains a complete roundup of insulation, ventilation, and moisture-proofing problems. The basic format consists of a text discussion of a topic, followed by a section containing numerous architectural drawings that illustrate the material. These subjects are misunderstood by many, so it's good to have a book that covers the material in easy-to-understand language and drawings.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of details, a little pricy, could use more verbage., October 17, 2009

By 

John Weber "Rio Renovation" (West Linn, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Builder's Guide to Cold Climates: Details for Design and Construction (Spiral-bound)

"Builder's Guide To Cold Climates" is packed with great details, usefull to anyone building today. This reader/Builder found it pricy, and thought that more explanitory material should be included.
I recommend "The JLC Guide To Moisture Control". It's a fourth of the price, offers fewer construction details, but includes tons of photos and explanations based on forensic repair data.