Builder's Guide to Mixed Climates: Details for Design and Construction [Paperback]

Joseph Lstiburek (Author)

Book Description

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

This manual shows the best techniques for energy and resource efficient residential construction in the mixed climates of North America. Lstiburek (a forensic engineer who heads Building Science Corp.in Massachusetts) discusses 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

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Taunton Press (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561583758
• ISBN-13: 978-1561583881
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #474,958 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great illustrations, April 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Builder's Guide to Mixed Climates: Details for Design and Construction (Paperback)

In Taunton's tradition this book is extremely well illustrated. Many of Lstiburek's points are translated into detailed crossectional drawings that builders and architects can readily adapt into their plans. Advanced concepts dealing with moisture transport in buildings are explained in practical terms. There's no doubt this book will further the application of good building science in residential construction.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Better Way to Build, July 10, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Builder's Guide to Mixed Climates: Details for Design and Construction (Paperback)

An outstanding book because it offers a different solution (and I believe a better solution) to home construction especially in the insulation and ventilation areas. If you are planning to build a custom home you must read this author's concepts on areas such as attic ventilation. I plan on using many of his concepts in building my own home. This book has convinced me that "normal" home construction needs to be updated!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Direct and informative, July 16, 2002

By 

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

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Builder's Guide to Mixed Climates: Details for Design and Construction (Paperback)

Well focused and aimed at the home builder in areas where average winter temperatures drop below 45 F (disregard back cover, which says "above 45 F") with 20 inch annual rainfall or more, e.g., Washington D.C., St Louis, or Seattle, it contains a complete discussion of insulation, ventilation, and moisture issues. The best book on the topic I've seen, because the author explains in simple terms concepts that many builders--and even architects--often get wrong. It's purely qualitative though; you won't find tables of R values, for instance. Full of useful detail drawings that illustrate the topics--you'll see variations for vinyl/aluminum and wood siding, and brick veneers--and are ready to apply directly to your house plans.