Customer Reviews

Building Code Basics: Residential: Based on 2009 International Residential Code

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book covers all of the basics you'll need to know from pouring a foundation to selecting tempered vs untempered glass near a doorway. Using easy to understand color pictures, this book makes the nearly indecipherable Residential Building Code quite palatable.

I ordered this to help me with my new residential construction as required by my county. It says it covers the only 20% of the 2009 IRC you will need to know. Maybe it does, but it is always referring to a table or such that is not in this book. You would need the actual code book anyway. Don't waste your time on this introduction to the actual code book. Quite useless. It doesn't even include the fastener schedule.

A review for another book advised me that you can now download a FULL PDF copy of the code, tailored for your state, from online resources, thanks to a legal victory.

But the code is still very complex, and often goes way beyond what you need to know for basic residential code requirements. (For example, it includes commercial applications, townhouses and apartments vs. single family dwellings, etc.)

This book was AWESOME as a summary guide with visual explanations, and it includes references to the actual code where necessary. I also have the entire set of Dewalt visual guides to codes. That series has illustrative photos, but in many cases is too simplistic (and offers little explanation). This book serves a perfect balance, however, between illustrations and explanations.

The format is outstanding and easy to read or puruse.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is building a home, remodelling a home, or building an addition onto your home. DO NOT COUNT ON BUILDERS DOING THINGS RIGHT. (All you need to do is watch one episode of "Holmes on Homes" to know how that works.)

I PURCHASED SEVERAL OF THESE TYPES OF BOOKS TO HELP ME PREPARE AND EXCEL AT THE INDUSTRY I HAVE FOUND MYSELF IN. TRUTHFULLY THERE IS NO EXCITING WAY OF INTRODUCING THIS TYPE OF MATERIAL. NO MATTER WHAT IT IS ABOUT AS EXCITING AS READING A DICTIONARY. IT IS A GOOD BOOK THOUGH AND IS HELPFUL IN MY UNDERSTANDING.

This provides just what it says, though I'd say a bit more.
Excellent, excellent, diagrams, details, and illustrations.
Very clear and concise description, commentary, etc. with references to code.

My only reason for not giving 5 stars is due to the portions of code not dealt with, though not that much, and it could be just a bit more linked to actual code.