How to Plan, Contract and Build Your Own Home

by Scutella, Richard M.

• ISBN13: 9780071448857
• ISBN10: 0071448853
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-07-21
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional

Summary

The Classic Blueprint for Do-It-Yourself Homebuilders Updated to Reflect the Latest Materials,Techniques, and Options! Covering everything from hiring the right vendors to choosing fixtures, this information-packed guide is a step-by-step roadmap for building a new home or remodeling an existing one. The heavily-revised Fourth Edition focuses on the latest technologies, materials, money-saving options, and environmentallyfriendly methods, allowing homeowners to save money, get more for their money, maximize their usable space, decrease maintenance costs, and choose from an exciting array of new options. With this book, homeowners will be able to: Select and prepare a site Make informed decisions about construction, framing, foundations and layouts Plan for home office use Design or remodel a home that will serve their specific needs, perform construction tasks safely and efficiently Install the newest and most economical types of insulation, roofing, plumbing, and wiring Build amenities such as decks and patios, sidewalks and driveways, make do it yourself vs. subcontracting decisions, plan their move

Author Biography

Richard M. Scutella (Erie, PA) has written several books on new construction, home buying, home maintenance, and safety, including both editions of Homebuyer's Checklist. He has designed and supervised the construction of many new homes, and is a member of the Handyman Club of America and the Quikrete Company's Home Projects Council.

Dave Heberle (Erie, PA) is the author of McGraw-Hill's Construction Safety Manual, and co-author of all three previous editions of How to Plan, Contract and Build Your Own Home. He's written numerous articles on home-building, and is a former realtor who has also designed and built homes. He currently is a consultant on environmental safety and health issues.

Table of Contents

Introduction	xv
Part 1 What to Build	1	(122)
A House Divided	3	(42)
Living and Recreation Space	4	(5)
Food Preparation Space	9	(9)
Dining Space	18	(3)
Bathing and Washing Space	21	(3)
Sleeping and Dressing Space	24	(5)
Service and Storage Space	29	(14)
Points to Ponder	43	(2)
House Styles and Types	45	(42)
House Styles	46	(4)
House Types	50	(20)
Alternate Housing	70	(15)
Points to Ponder	85	(2)
Traffic Zoning and Planning	87	(14)
Traffic Entering and Exiting the House	87	(3)
Internal Movement	90	(2)
Room-to-Room Relationships	92	(5)
General Guidelines	97	(2)
Points to Ponder	99	(2)
Size Planning	101	(8)
Deciding on the Size of Your House	101	(6)
Points to Ponder	107	(2)
Prints and Drawings	109	(14)
Why You Should Create the Plans	109	(2)
Final Set of Plans	111	(6)
Preparing Your Plans	117	(3)
Before Approaching the Builder	120	(1)
Points to Ponder	120	(3)
Part 2 How to Build It	123	(530)
Footers and Foundations	125	(46)
Footers	125	(8)
Foundations	133	(10)
Foundation Construction	143	(7)
Foundation Reinforcement	150	(5)
Foundation Floor Sub-bases and Floors	155	(1)
Foundation Wall Tops	156	(1)
Wall Coverings and Insulation for the Foundation	156	(3)
Floor Support Beams or Girders	159	(1)
Foundation Ventilation	160	(1)
Backfilling	160	(6)
Pole and Pier Foundations	166	(1)
Miscellaneous Items	167	(2)
Points to Ponder	169	(2)
Floor Framing	171	(16)
Lumber	171	(1)
Sill Plates	172	(1)
Support Beams or Girders, and Posts	172	(1)
Floor Joists	173	(4)
Headers	177	(1)
Floor Decking	177	(3)
Caulking	180	(1)
Bridging and Blocking	181	(1)
Stone and Tile Floors	182	(1)
Floor Extensions	182	(1)
Termite Control	183	(1)
Floor Insulation	183	(1)
Points to Ponder	184	(3)
Wall Framing	187	(18)
Types of Wall Framing	187	(4)
Studded Walls	191	(3)
Openings in Wall Framing	194	(4)
Ventilation	198	(1)
Sheathing	198	(2)
Nails	200	(1)
Energy	200	(1)
Sound Insulation	201	(1)
Vapor Barriers	202	(1)
Before the Walls Are Closed	202	(1)
Points to Ponder	203	(2)
Roof Framing	205	(22)
Roof Styles	206	(2)
Roof Pitch	208	(2)
Building Methods	210	(6)
The Roof Deck	216	(2)
Ventilation	218	(7)
Insulation	225	(1)
Points to Ponder	225	(2)
Roof Exterior Finishing	227	(20)
Roofing Material Selection	227	(1)
Types of Roofing	228	(5)
Roofing Color	233	(1)
Ventilation and Soffits	233	(2)
Flashing	235	(5)
Installation	240	(1)
Water Drainage	241	(3)
Columns	244	(1)
Points to Ponder	244	(3)
Exterior Wall Finishing	247	(28)
Material Requirements	248	(1)
Aluminum and Vinyl Sidings	248	(4)
Masonry Exterior Wall Coverings	252	(5)
Wood Shingles and Shakes	257	(2)
Solid Wood Siding	259	(2)
Plywood Siding	261	(1)
Hardboard Siding	262	(1)
Stucco	263	(1)
Vapor and Air-Infiltration Barriers	264	(3)
Insulation	267	(1)
Energy-Saving Outdoor Paint	268	(1)
Intake/Exhaust Hoods	268	(1)
Mounting Plates	269	(1)
Illuminated House Numbers	270	(1)
Awnings	270	(2)
Ventilation Gables	272	(1)
Siding General Considerations	272	(1)
Points to Ponder	273	(2)
Stairs	275	(12)
General Standards	277	(3)
Stairway Types	280	(1)
Stairway Styles	281	(1)
Widths and Headroom	282	(1)
Railings	282	(1)
Folding and Extension Stairways	283	(1)
Exterior Stairwells	284	(2)
Points to Ponder	286	(1)
Windows	287	(46)
General Considerations	287	(1)
Drawbacks	288	(1)
Window Types	289	(16)
Types of Glass	305	(3)
Controlling Heat	308	(3)
Types of Window Frames	311	(4)
Window Size and Alignment	315	(2)
Window Location	317	(1)
Window Ventilation	318	(1)
Storm Windows	318	(3)
Screens	321	(1)
Shutters	322	(2)
Diamond and Rectangular Panes	324	(1)
Exterior Control of Sunlight	324	(2)
Internal Control of Sunlight	326	(1)
Heat Loss through Windows	327	(1)
Window Installation	328	(1)
Window Energy-Saving Considerations	329	(2)
Points to Ponder	331	(2)
Doors	333	(30)
Door Types	334	(9)
Door Styles	343	(8)
Door Openings	351	(1)
Hinged Doors	351	(2)
Pet Doors	353	(1)
Door Construction	354	(6)
General Door Considerations	360	(1)
Points to Ponder	361	(2)
Garages	363	(22)
Garage Doors	367	(11)
Garage Floors	378	(1)
Garage Attic Storage	379	(2)
Garage Storage	381	(2)
Garage Positioning	383	(1)
Points to Ponder	383	(2)
Fireplaces	385	(22)
Types of Fireplaces	387	(5)
Fireplace Design	392	(2)
Where to Locate the Fireplace	394	(1)
Fireplace Support	395	(1)
Chimneys	395	(5)
Hearths	400	(1)
Covers and Screens	401	(1)
Mantels	401	(1)
Ash Pits	402	(1)
Direct-Vent Gas Fireplaces	402	(1)
Fireplace Energy Efficiency	403	(2)
Points to Ponder	405	(2)
Plumbing	407	(32)
Water Supply	407	(4)
Pipe Types	411	(3)
Plumbing Fixtures	414	(2)
Drainage	416	(7)
Water Heaters	423	(7)
Plumbing Inspection	430	(7)
Points to Ponder	437	(2)
Electric	439	(14)
The Power Supply	440	(2)
Electrical Outlets and Switches	442	(2)
Lights and Lamp Wiring	444	(1)
Surge Protectors	445	(1)
Electrical Inspection	446	(1)
Special Electrical Features	447	(3)
Points to Ponder	450	(3)
Lighting	453	(20)
Types of Light Sources	454	(6)
Home Lighting Uses	460	(4)
Lighting Terms	464	(7)
Points to Ponder	471	(2)
Heating and Cooling	473	(38)
Types of Fuel for Heating	473	(4)
Types of Heat Production and Delivery Systems	477	(21)
Cooling Systems	498	(2)
Ducts	500	(2)
Registers	502	(2)
Thermostats	504	(1)
Noise	505	(1)
Size and Location	505	(1)
Air Cleaners	506	(1)
Humidifiers	506	(1)
Ceiling Fans	507	(3)
Points to Ponder	510	(1)
Insulation	511	(24)
R-Values	512	(1)
U-Values	513	(1)
Types of Insulation	513	(2)
Places to Insulate	515	(13)
Vapor Barriers	528	(1)
Summer and Winter Protection	529	(3)
Points to Ponder	532	(3)
Wall Covering and Trim	535	(16)
Wall Coverings	535	(4)
Plaster	539	(2)
Paneling	541	(1)
Trim	542	(1)
Types of Trim and Moldings	543	(5)
Points to Ponder	548	(3)
Burgler-Proofing Your Home	551	(16)
Door Locks	552	(2)
Door Hinges	554	(1)
Door Peepholes	554	(1)
Sliding Doors	554	(1)
Window Locks	555	(1)
Making Your Home Safer	556	(3)
Monitoring Systems	559	(4)
Alarm Installation Companies	563	(1)
Points to Ponder	564	(3)
Bathrooms	567	(28)
Types of Bathroom Sinks	567	(3)
Styles of Bathroom Sinks	570	(1)
Bathroom Sink Installation	570	(1)
Toilets	570	(2)
Bathtub and Shower Units	572	(8)
Faucets	580	(1)
Shower Nozzles	581	(3)
Bathroom Cabinets	584	(1)
Towel Warmers	585	(1)
Space Heat	586	(1)
Ventilating Fans	587	(5)
Electric Mirrors	592	(1)
Lighting for the Bathroom	592	(1)
Points to Ponder	593	(2)
Kitchens	595	(30)
Dining Facilities	596	(1)
Countertops	597	(4)
Appliances	601	(14)
Cabinets	615	(6)
Ventilation	621	(1)
Lighting	621	(1)
Kitchen Wall Finishes	622	(1)
Miscellaneous	622	(1)
Points to Ponder	623	(2)
Floor Coverings	625	(20)
Carpeting	625	(11)
Laminates	636	(1)
Vinyl Flooring	637	(1)
Linoleum	638	(1)
Wood	638	(1)
Cork	639	(1)
Bamboo	640	(1)
Tile	640	(1)
Stone	641	(1)
Brick	642	(1)
Concrete	642	(1)
Flooring Installation Care	642	(1)
Points to Ponder	643	(2)
Home Offices and Work Spaces	645	(8)
Office Space Planning	646	(4)
Special Purpose Rooms	650	(1)
Points to Ponder	650	(3)
Part 3 Where to Build It	653	(60)
City, Suburbia, or Country?	655	(10)
The City	655	(2)
Suburbia	657	(2)
The Country	659	(1)
Area Checklists	659	(3)
Points to Ponder	662	(3)
Selecting a Building Site	665	(16)
Zoning	665	(1)
The Neighborhood	666	(2)
Lot Configuration	668	(1)
Lot Size	668	(1)
House Orientation	669	(1)
Special Locations	670	(1)
Buying the Lot	670	(9)
Points to Ponder	679	(2)
Orientation, Positioning, and Landscaping	681	(14)
Orientation	681	(2)
Positioning	683	(2)
Landscaping	685	(9)
Points to Ponder	694	(1)
Driveways, Sidewalks, and Patios	695	(18)
Driveways	695	(8)
Sidewalks	703	(4)
Patios	707	(5)
Points to Ponder	712	(1)
Part 4 Who Should Build It?	713	(40)
Selecting a Contractor	715	(22)
Builder Types	716	(5)
Selecting Your Bidding Contractor	721	(4)
Soliciting the Bids	725	(1)
After You've Selected Your Contractor	726	(8)
Points to Ponder	734	(3)
Working with Your Contractor	737	(16)
Insurance and Warranties	745	(3)
After the Contract Is Signed	748	(4)
Points to Ponder	752	(1)
Part 5 Moving In	753	(22)
Setting Up Your Maintenance Program	755	(16)
Saving Money on Service Calls	759	(3)
Potential Trouble Spots	762	(8)
A Maintenance Checklist	770	(1)
The Final Inspection	771	(4)
Index	775