The Portland Cement Association's Guide to Concrete Homebuilding Systems (Hardcover)

~ Pieter Vanderwerf (Author), W. Munsell (Author) "We interviewed a builder in Indiana who put up a house of concrete block in 1993 after doing nothing but frame housing for 20 years..." (more)
Key Phrases: fire wall test, concrete homebuilding systems, shotcrete crew, Royall Wall, Sun Block, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Your one-source guide to Concrete-Based Homebuilding Systems. Residential contractors, architects, and developers will welcome this first total guide to the latest concrete-based homebuilding systems (CBHSs). With lumber costs still on the rise after doubling the early '90s, The Portland Cement Association Guide to Concrete Homes, by Peter VanderWerf and W. Keith Munsel, can deliver, durable, cost-efficient, esthetically pleasing alternative building materials and construction methods. It's all spelled out in an authoritative sourcebook that explains and compares the various types of CBHSs and lists special materials and tools for building them--provides case histories of concrete homes already built and in use--and contains data vital to building professionals who want to learn tomorrow's techniques today.

From the Back Cover

The first complete reference on the extrordinary new concrete-based homebuilding systems. One of the best-kept secrets in the construction industry, the new concrete homebuilding systems (CHS) are a far cry from the unappealing gray block and poured cement of the past. Not only are they more energy efficient than wood frame homes, but they offer greater durability and strength, as well as architecturally stunning design options--often at lower cost. For builders, architects, and others with a desire to learn more about state-of-the-art homebuilding technologies, here is a groundbreaking guide to CHS written by two members of the Portland Cement Association. Based on extensive research and interviews with builders, real estate professionals, tradespeople, and buyers, this unique book gives you all the information you'll need to decide whether to try a CHS. You'll learn why CHS homes: are cheaper and easier to build than wood frame homes; offer better quality control; stand up to violent weather, earthquakes, and fire; are easier on the environment than traditional wood-intensive construction methods; provide greater living comfort. Drawing from field-based research and case histories, the authors explain every type of system available, analyze product and labor costs and availability, and examine job logistics. They also tell you where CHS homes are selling, who's buying them, and how to promote and sell them to consumers.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 1st edition (December 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 007067020X
• ISBN-13: 978-0070670204
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #501,204 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A *must read* for anyone interested in the latest in "CHS"!, March 29, 1997

By A Customer

This book is writen for the tradesman, but is easy for a layman to understand. It covers the full range of concrete building products for residential wall systems. It provides extensive comparisons for each system, including relative cost, R-value, impact on other building components,and learning curve.

In particular,the Guide covers ICF (Insulating Concrete Forms), mortared and mortarless block, shotcrete, and proprietary systems such as the Hebel areated concrete blocks.

The authors interviewed hundreds of builders in the field and share design and installation tips as well as the relative advantages and disadvantages of each system.

Guide to Concrete Homebuilding Systems is a *must read* for anyone interested in the latest developments in concrete wall building systems.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just browsing CHS for myself, September 8, 2003

By	doppelganger "dvd-archive" (Chicago) - See all my reviews

Remember, this book is almost TEN years old because it is based on research done in 1993 and published in '95. So there have been advances and experience that go well beyond this book. Dwell magazine has often tickled me with various new building techniques and I wanted to learn more about what might be appropriate for me and the Midwestern climate. This book will give you an overview of SOME of the styles (mortarless, poured-in-place, etc.), and also indicate what might be appropriate for your situation. I'm not a builder or an architect but I wanted to design my own house, so this book did help me to recognize and comprehend the different catagories of techniques. At the same time, this topic could really use an update that you won't find from the Portland Cement Association. My advice to people like me is to keep looking and seek out small-scale builders who will familiarize you with their technique that they know best. There are dozens, and the most difficult thing is getting a crew that doesn't have to be trained for a new technique but has already completed several homes using a proven method.

This book, even though it is somewhat old will give you a good sense of what to expect from building codes and prices, but it's just not enough, and there are no pretty pictures.

36 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not a How to Book, January 31, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is the first book I have ever returned to Amazon. I was looking for a book to tell me "How To". This book is more advertising than anything else.