JLC Field Guide to Residential Construction - Volume 1 - Structural & Exterior
The Ultimate Visual Quick Reference Guide for Busy Construction Professionals who Need Quick Accurate Information

Introduction | Table of Contents | Preview A Chapter

Over 440 precisely-detailed drawings with clear, concise notes and detailed explanations that show you everything from estimating and selecting lumber to foundations, framing, roofing, siding and exteriors. Explains code requirements for all U.S. building codes and includes span tables for different types of lumber.

This is the ultimate visual quick-reference guide for busy construction professionals who need quick, accurate information on what’s required.

384 Pages 11" x 8-1/2", Spiral Bound

ISBN: 1-928580-11-4

Introduction:

Over the last 20 years, The Journal of Light Construction has amassed a wealth of first-hand, practical building knowledge from professionals who have dedicated themselves to custom residential projects. In this two-volume field guide, we have distilled this valuable knowledge into a single reference - selecting the critical data, fundamental principles, and rules of thumb that apply to strategic phases of residential building and remodeling. In Volume 1, we have addressed the key aspects of building a sound structure and durable exterior shell. In Volume 11, we will tackle house mechanicals and interior finishes.

Our intention is not to set building standards, but to provide the housebuilding trades with a compilation of practical details and proven methods that work for the many builders, remodelers, subcontractors, engineers, and architects who are committed to producing top quality, custom homes. The recommendations we have compiled in these volumes usually exceed the building code. Code compliance is essential to building a safe home - one that won't collapse or create unsafe living conditions for the occupants. However, we are striving to reach beyond this minimum standard by offering a record of best practice for residential construction: details and methods used not only to produce a safe building, but to create a long-lasting, fine-quality home.

While it is not our first focus, we have made every effort to uphold the building codes. The prescriptive recommendations in this book are generally consistent with the 2000 International Residential Code and the Wood Frame Construction Manual for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, published by the American Forest and Paper Association. Although these standards reflect the major U.S. model codes (CABO, BOCA, ICBO, and SBCCI), regional conditions have forced some municipalities to adopt more stringent requirements. Before taking the information in this volume as gospel, consult your local code authority.

As comprehensive as we have tried to make this resource, it will be imperfect. Certainly we have strived to limit any error. However, many variables, not just codes, affect local building and remodeling practices. Climate variability, material availability, land-use regulations, and native building traditions all impact how houses are built in each city, town, county, and region. To account for every variation would require a database of understanding far greater than the
scope of this book. Instead, we focus here on some principles of physics, design, and craftsmanship that won't change by region or style. It is our hope that these principles, used alongside the building code, will guide professionals towards a greater understanding of best practice.

Clayton DeKorne
Editor

Chapter 1

ESTIMATING SITEWORK
Costs of sitework depend on particular soil and site conditions (see "Evaluating Soils on Site," page 8.). Unseen soil conditions below grade can drastically increase sitework costs and change design requirements. (Complications and issues are explained in greater detail in the "Soil" and "Sitework" sections of this chapter.)

Estimating Earth Removal
When calculating earth removal volumes, the volume of dirt is always much larger than expected. Dirt becomes entrained with air as you dig and swells in volume; double the volume of embankn7eiit earth to find the volume of loose yardage. Calculate sloped embankments as shown in Figure 1-1.

When pricing excavation and fill, include these factors:
• Hauling Charges
Hauling is often the biggest cost of fill materials, and travel time can also boost excavators' and other operators' fees.
• Disposal Charges
Costs of disposal for removed earth and rock vary by locale.

ESTIMATING CONCRETE
Concrete subcontractors often charge a unit rate per yard of concrete, especially for flatwork. Use Figure 1-2 to calculate total yards of concrete.

Use a 5% to 10% waste factor to cover subgrade irregularities or spillage. If pouring trenched footings, overdigging in the trench cannot be filled with soil, so allow for extra concrete.

Estimating Concrete for Piers
Figure the amount of concrete needed to fill a sonotube by multiplying the height of the tube in feet by the concrete amount per pier, as shown in Figure 1-3.

ESTIMATING BLOCK
To estimate standard 8xl6-in. block:

1SQUARE FT. OF WALL = 1.125 BLOCK

WALL AREA (SQ. Pr.) x 1.125 = TOTAL BLOCK NEEDED

(Note: When using 8-in. block, convert all wall and opening heights and lengths to multiples of 8 in.)

ESTIMATING MORTAR
When mixing mortar, allow one bag of masonry cement for every 28 block:

TOTAL BLOCK NEEDED / 28 = BAGS CEMENT NEEDED

Allow one ton of sand for each 8 bags of masonry cement:

TOTAL BAGS OF MASONRY CEMENT NEEDED / 8 = TONS OF SAND NEEDED

Mortar Batches
When setting block, expect to use about one batch of m tar per 100 block. When using mortar to set and parse, allow one batch per 60 block.

Table of Contents:

• Acknowledgements, IV.
• Chapter 1: Foundations, 1
• Chapter 2: Framing, 97
• Chapter 3: Roofing, 209
• Chapter 4: Exteriors, 289
• Index, 381

384 pages

Introduction | Table of Contents | Preview A Chapter