Reviews (6)

Building Security: Handbook for Architectural Planning and Design
Barbara A. Nadel. FAIA creates the resource for architects for security design.Nadel empasizes owners assembling a security team at the beginning of a project when design professionals can plan for and budget good security strategies.Most of the text is very informative and uses examples as well as compiles articles developed by security consultants in the field. In this unparalleled book Barbara A. Nadel, FAIA creates the source for security design. A must have resource for all architects, planners, landscape designers, lighting consultants and engineers in a security conscious design era; post 9/11.

Security in a New Light
Since 9/11, the security industry has been evolving.The need for standards in the industry is imperative and this book discusses a varity of industries and their standards of care.This book is a great reference for anyone in any industry that is looking for information on security. Building Security: Handbook for Architectural Planning and Design is a must have.

The Final Word on Building Security
Nadel's Building Security: Handbook for Architectural Planning and Design is the final word on the creation a safe built environment. From broad case study analysis (Oklahoma City) to engineering details and protocol checklists, this tome provides owners, the entire design team and safety officials all the information they need to secure a structure and plan for responses to incidents. Building Security is simply the best work on the subject out there and I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Building Security    3. Buildings    4. Construction - General    5. Design & Drafting    6. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Security measures    9. Technology    10. Architectural structure & design    11. Architecture / Design & Drafting   

Subjects:  1. Building    2. Commercial Building Construction    3. Construction - General    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Technology    6. Technology & Industrial Arts    7. Building construction & materials    8. Technology / Construction & Construction Trades   

Reviews (24)

Excellent overview, sometimes short on details
Home Depot's take on home improvement is to pick common household repair items (e.g. replace toilet) and then go into excruciating detail about how to accomplish it.
Excellent, thorough, simple
A great help to novice and intermediate DIYers.The details of structures, materials, tools and techniques, described in both writing and photographs, are excellent.

Fabulous
My husband and I have taken on quite a few home improvement projects and have used this book for all of them...the 1, 2, 3, instructions are practically idiot proof...and they let you know that no project is ever as easy as it looks.I love this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Dwellings    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. Home Maintenance And Repair    6. House & Home    7. Maintenance and repair    8. Remodeling    9. Remodeling & Renovation - General    10. Repair    11. DIY    12. Home furnishing & decoration   

Reviews (8)

Code check
This is a great cliff note to california building codes.Very helpful in the field and at the drafting table.A must have for those just starting out in the profesion.

Good help for the Do-it-yourself remodeler.
If you're a do it yourself remodeler or basement finisher this is a good reference to make sure you meet the building codes.It provides some quick answers to things like nailing requirements, maximum spans for doors, roof frames, and floor joists, and many other quick facts for plumbing, electrical, fire and structural codes.But for many questions/issues it just lists the IRC or UPC reference.For that reason it would be even more valuable if you had a copy of the International Residential Code in case you needed more details since it provides the references. I have a building permit to finish my basement and I want to make sure that I meet the codes and this book has been helpful.I plan to buy the plumbing, building and electrical Code Check too.

excellent reference
I read a couple negative reviews of this book and almost didn't buy it!If you have common knowledge of construction and building this book will be an invaluable reference for you.Many things are abbreviated, so it might look confusing at first.Using some common sense and the abbreviation key in front will get you through the initial learning curve.This book will help you comply with electrical codes, plumbing, etc., with sketches only where needed.I rebuild houses on the side, and this book is invaluable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Building Codes    2. Construction - General    3. Design & Construction    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. House & Home    6. House Plans    7. Residential Construction    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. House & Home / Reference   

Reviews (3)

Give us a sixth edition, please.
Despite the fact that this book was published in 1998 and is based on the 1994 UBC, it is still the best book on masonry design out there for the practicing engineer. As another reviewer notes, it's useless as far as the actual design is ccncerned and it does assume you know a good bit about what you are doing already, but I am at a lost to find a better book for my newbies.

Reinforced Masonry Engineering Handbook
The fatal problem is this book is NOT current to the 97 Uniform Building Code, contrary to the advertised description. It is written for the 94 Code. Therefore, it is useless and dangerous for actual design and permit. This book gives a pretty good tutorial, but asumes the reader to be an engineer already and skips key explanations of the process, showing numbers in formulas without referencing where they came from, what they mean, or what units they are measured in. Too cryptic. The reference data is scattered throughout the book, and often doesn't have a cross-reference, so it took me over an hour to read each page of problem, due to hunt-and-peck for clues. The design examples are fairly good but hard to follow, and the problem questions don't have answers or process to check your work. The subject is so complex that it would be scary to formulate a real life problem. The author left out the seismic factors on foundation design, so the answers are very wrong in earthquake areas. The 97 Code changed greatly from the 94Code, so you will be struggling to learn erroneous information.

Review of Masonry
This book provides a comprehensive explanation detailing the design standards used in masonry.This book is a must have reference guide for those who are in the field of Civil Engineering or design of masonry walls. No C.E. should be without one.It provides a necessary reference justlike the AISC Steel Structural Book or any other design code books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - General    2. Construction - Masonry    3. Engineering - Civil    4. Masonry    5. Masonry Construction    6. Reinforced Concrete Structures    7. Reinforcing bars    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Technology    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Building construction & materials    12. Materials science    13. Technology / Engineering / Civil   

Reviews (11)

Most helpful book
I have recently been collecting and reading cabinet making books.This book has been the most informative and helpful book in my collection.

FANTASTIC introduction to building face frame cabinets
I did a lot of research prior to building my own kitchen cabinets earlier this year and this book was what inspired me the most as Udo's Schmidt's cabinets are simply BEAUTIFUL encompassing many custom details like: mitered corner returns, beaded inset face frames, raised panel doors/drawer fronts, dovetailed drawers and arched mullion glass upper cabinet doors.
great book
very interesting book with a lot of knowledge put into the writing.Helpful, full of comments and pictures to explain complicated cuts.
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Subjects:  1. Cabinetwork    2. Carpentry    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Do-It-Yourself - General    6. Home Maintenance And Repair    7. House & Home    8. Kitchen cabinets    9. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    10. DIY    11. House & Home / Carpentry   

Reviews (1)

An estimating book for all industry
I have used this book since 1986. It has been the cornerstone of my pipe estimating. It is easy to use and in most cases you can narrow a seemingly complicated estimating job down to a few tables. I recommend this book to any estimator charged with providing accurate budgets in industrial construction.
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Subjects:  1. Accounting - General    2. Building Construction Costs    3. Business & Economics    4. Business/Economics    5. Construction - Plumbing    6. Do-It-Yourself - Plumbing    7. Estimates    8. Labor time    9. Pipe-fitting    10. Plumbing Technology    11. Skills    12. Technology & Industrial Arts    13. United States    14. Civil Engineering, Surveying & Building    15. Technology / Construction & Construction Trades   

Reviews (1)

great book!!!
great book with lots of helpful info...if you want to get off the grid, this book is certainly going to help!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    3. General    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Remodeling & Renovation - Energy Efficient    7. House & Home / General   

Reviews (13)

Simple Step by Step Instructions
Lists the tools and the measurement techniques on how to make simple traditional cabinets that look great.It is best used with Building Kitchen Cabinets by Udo Schmidt.They cover slightly different techniques using different tools.Between the two books, I was able to mix and match techniques to fit my set of tools.If you had to get only one book, this is the better book of the two.

The one book for cabinet construction
I own several books on cabinet construction.This one is my favorite.It provides step-by-step examples of how to layout, design, build, finish, and install traditional face-frame cabinetry.The graphics are certainly not flashy, most appear to be hand etched, but I find them to be useful.
LIKE ALGEBRA
Great book. Lots of details. Lot's of math. I recommend it, however I found an easier instructional book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cabinet work    2. Cabinetwork    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. General    6. House & Home    7. Kitchen cabinets    8. Kitchens    9. Remodeling & Renovation - Kitchens    10. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    11. Woodworking    12. Furniture & cabinetmaking    13. Furniture & furnishings manufacture    14. House & Home / Carpentry   

Reviews (1)

Buy This Book Before You Build
An excellent resource for anybody who plans to build any kind of solar house.Several detailed (yet easy) design examples walk you through all the necessary heat gain and loss calculations which are necessary for all successful (i.e. comfortable and effective) solar structures.Many types of backup heating systems (including wood stoves) are discussed, including how they work together with the solar heating system.Lots of useful tables and other data in the appendices.This book focuses on a single "solar slab" design concept (which precludes the use of a basement), and only mentions other possible solar designs in passing.That said, it would be foolish to design a solar house without having this very affordable and excellent book in your reference library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Design & Construction    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Methods & Materials    7. Remodeling & Renovation - Energy Efficient    8. Alternative & renewable energy sources & technology    9. Building construction & materials   

Reviews (3)

North Shore Chicago
Question-
If a book can be elegant, this one is
Very well put together from start to finish.The pages are luxurious to the touch and the binding is amazing.It even comes with a satin book mark.It hits the finest houses on the North Shore and it showcases some of Adlers best work.I agree wholeheartedly with the previous reviewer about the quality of this publishers work.You will not be disappointed in this book, it is well researched and has just he right mix of pictures and text.The B&W photos are just beautiful.Mr. Cohen should be proud of this work and I want to thank him and the publisher for putting out such an wonderful work of art.

Another great book from Acanthus Press.
I own every book this publisher issues. They are some of the most beautiful books I have in my library (and I have over 4000 books!). With great photography and thorough text, Cohen and Benjamin must have spent years researching this book. Thank you for your efforts. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. Architecture    3. Architecture, Domestic    4. Decoration & Ornament    5. Domestic    6. Illinois    7. Lakeside architecture    8. North Shore (Region)    9. Residential buildings, domestic buildings   

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Barbecues (Fireplaces)    3. Design & Construction    4. Design and construction    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Garden Furnishings    7. Garden ornaments and furniture    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. House & Home    10. Kitchens    11. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    12. Outdoor Structure Construction    13. Outdoor kitchens    14. DIY    15. House & Home / Outdoor & Recreational Areas   

Reviews (1)

Also a workbook
This item is also a workbook that is useless without the textbook it coralates with. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Architecture, Domestic    3. Design & Drafting    4. Designs and plans    5. Domestic    6. Residential buildings, domestic buildings   

Reviews (6)

Great planning tool and resource guide
Would highly recommend this book to all!Covers many sound Design ideas, a must have for any designer or architect!

Excellent
I really enjoyed looking at the pictures and picturing in my head what those ideas could look like in my area.

Beautiful !
Another high-quality, gorgeous book from Taunton Press, a company that I remember from its inception when I lived in Newtown, Connecticut!Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural design    2. Building    3. Design & Construction    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Building skills    8. House & Home / General    9. Residential buildings, domestic buildings   

Reviews (11)

Good info but ....
We found the information very useful, however, very disappointed in the "manuscript" construction(I wouldn't call it a book) considering the extremely high price. Don't expect this to hold up for any lenghth of time to use as a reference manual due to poor quality (such good information deserves better). No publisher, no ISBN, pricey

Helpful book.
I am glad I bought this book.I found the information to be accurate and simple to understand.The book could have had more projects and pictures for the money spent.Overall, I would recomend it.

Just What I Was Looking For
I am new to mobile home living since I had to retire early from health problems and did't want to aquire alot of debt at this time in my life. I was an experienced bluilding rehabber and maintenance man. I read the reviews here and saw the Formost guide was higher rated and cheaper... I recieved it in the afternoon and by evening had it listed on ebay and sold it .It was 3/4 full of things I already knew.. I was hoping for a more mobile home specific manuel. I checked back at Amazonand saw Mark's book was offering "seconds" and I snapped one up. Should have got this one first.. It is more mobile home specific. A few of the pictures looked like they came from a home just like mine.. It was written like I would have written it with excellent pictures and illustrations(like correct fastner torquing in the roofing section).Excellent heat tape section.. Anyway I just had to give my two cents.. May God Bless You..Jesus is Coming Soon..Kim ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Do-It-Yourself - General    3. House & Home    4. House & Home / Repair    5. Remodeling & Renovation - General    6. Repair    7. Amateurs' manuals    8. Maintenance and repair    9. Mobile homes   

Reviews (9)

Architect
I found this book both educational and handsome in content and in photography. As anarchitect practicing in different regions of the country, I'm always thankful for having opportunities to do design work in Maine. Maine, as a place to live, is simply wonderful and unique, but the sense of peace in these "Houses on the Water" is elevated creating a noble inspiration for the reader.

A House on the Water- inspiration for dreaming and designing
As a landscape designer, I was consistenly impressed with how these wonderful houses fit into their site, lifting out the critical views and respecting the nature of the place. Having enjoyed the houses that Robert Knight designs, I was pleased to learn why his houses and those selected for his book are so satisfying to see and experience. O'Rourke's photographs are spectacular and with the plans, really help to visualize the structure and the setting and how they fit together. Design professionals and homeowners alike with whom I've shared this book rave about it. A perfect gift for friends and family!

A gorgeous, inspirational survey
This catalog of twenty-four homes built right on the water provide eye-catching displays of signature homes which highlight the relationship of house to water, from seaside to lakeside and riverside. The focus on home design and construction surveys both artistic and practical details of tailoring a beautiful home which can withstand the demands of a waterside location. A gorgeous, inspirational survey of very different approaches and techniques. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural Design    2. Architecture    3. Architecture, Domestic    4. Design & Construction    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Domestic    7. House & Home    8. House Plans    9. Lakeside architecture    10. New England    11. Residential Buildings Architecture    12. Seaside architecture    13. House & Home / General    14. Housing & property for the individual    15. Residential buildings, domestic buildings   

Reviews (1)

Hang on it!
Ihave been using this book for about five years without a single complain. The book has not only enough theory to deal with probably the 80 or perhaps 90 percent of the typical day-to-day dewaterning problems that we found in our industry, but it also teach you the ways to cope them. Read more

Subjects:  1. Building sites    2. Construction - General    3. Drainage    4. Drainage (Hydraulic Engineering)    5. Engineering - Civil    6. Engineering Geology    7. Groundwater flow    8. Soil mechanics    9. Technology    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Sanitary & municipal engineering    12. Soil & rock mechanics    13. Technology / Engineering / Civil   

Reviews (4)

A marvelous look at western luxury homes
There's nothing "rustic" about these luxury ranch homes, and the word "cabin" is definitely a euphemism.The houses are as big and gorgeous as the settings they reside in, and the author's photographs capture both.If you want the vicarious thrill of seeing how the rich spend their summers in Montana, then book is for you.

Misleading
Look inside this book at a bookstore before you buy it. It is NOT about cabins but about huge lodges-log mansions, if you will.

Architect designed "cabins"
This is a beautiful, expensive book with many photographs.It's title is very misleading as it implies a study of rustic cabins; it is actually of "great halls of lodges." Mr. Kylloe feels their basis is the Arts and Crafts movement's influence on their architects; however, the true rustic cabin began with early settlers' struggles to survive and build rude shelters from the ubiquitous forest crowding around them.The photographs are especially of items like "luxury top-of-the-line kitchen appliances" or "a highly ornate, 17th Century gold-gilded corner cupboard (which) rests in the dining room."I feel cheated by the title and description of "mountain men whose small log cabins -etc." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Decoration    3. Domestic    4. General    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Interior Design - General    7. Log cabins    8. Ranches    9. United States    10. Architecture / Methods & Materials    11. Houses, apartments, flats, etc    12. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design   

Reviews (4)

Estimating excavation
The book is written for a similar operator to the author, and is devoid of good drawing examples

Estimating
It contains most of the information I need to know in earthwork estimating. The instructions and guidelines are written in clear and simple English that even non-English speaking individuals could easily understand.Excellent reference for earthwork estimators.

If you want to move dirt and make money, this book is a super help.
Very detailed and the writer knows his stuff. So often these type books deal with the easy "all you gotta do" stuff but this book leaves no stone unturned. Great information that any 'dirt' estimator needs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business/Economics    2. Construction - General    3. Earthwork Design    4. Engineering - Civil    5. Engineering Construction Management    6. Estimates    7. Excavation    8. Technology    9. Technology & Industrial Arts   

Reviews (5)

Excellent resource
It helps to know some basics about construction and drywall work to get the most out of this book. That said, it is a very well presented, comprehensive how-to guide for hanging and finishing drywall. There is good information on materials and a professional approach to technique, with emphasis on the details and getting it right. This book does not talk about shortcuts or taking the easy way, but tells it like it is when it comes to drywall finishing. Very useful and highly recommended.

READ HERE FOR DETAILS
This book is very comprehensive. I noticed one reviewer said that the book was good for a beginner but lacked information. I disagree. I feel as though the book has plenty of information, except for the use of furring strips when studs or joist do not line up.
Simply the best drywall book I have found so far...
I've had this book for some time now and have been doing various drywall projects around the house, including crack repair, patches and even replacing a full panel. I found that by following the instructions in this book, and by taking great care to work neatly, all of my repairs are invisible. There is no way I could have done it so well without the help of Mr. Ferguson's book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Design & Construction    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Do-It-Yourself - Carpentry    4. Do-It-Yourself - General    5. Drywall    6. Drywall construction    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Remodeling & Renovation - General    10. DIY    11. House & Home / Design & Construction