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© Buildwise, LLC

Publication Review

Title: A Community Guide to Basic and Cost-Saving Construction in the American Southwest
Author: HUD, 2003
File: Free Building Guide, PDF 1.46 MB, 140 pages
Audience: Written for homebuilders and designers interested in affordable residential construction.

Review
Good book on affordable construction full of specific recommendations. Includes case studies. In english and spanish.

Issues covered include:

• introduction
• traditional housing types
• current use of technology
• cost-saving contruction techniques
• energy efficient mortgage
• making a project happen
• cost saving technologies and strategies
• site planning
• sewer and water service
• whole house systems
• foundation
• framing
• exterior walls and finishes
• windows
• roofing
• insulation
• heating, ventilation and air conditioning
• elecrical and plumbing
• interior walls and finishes
• landscaping
• obstacles to affordable housing
• case studues
• resources
  

Graphics include:

• photos of traditional southwest affordable housing
• diagrams of narrow residential streets
• photos of factory built housing
• diagram of whole house system
• diagram of passive solar house
• diagrams of ICF wall construction
• photo and diagrams of post tension slab on grade
• framing diagrams
• photos of light guage steel framing
• eifs-drainable system diagram
• fiber cement siding diagram
• mortarless brick veneer diagram
• plastic trim diagram
• low e window diagram
• dropped soffit for hvac diagram
• programable thermostat photos
• boiler for domestic hot water and heating diagram
• plumbing manifolds and valves diagram and photos
• open web floor joists and plumbing interface photo
• tankless water heater diagram
• compact fluorescent bulb photo
• drywall clibs photo and intallation diagrams
• drywall corner system and butt joint diagram photos
• alternative paving block photo
• rain water harvesting system diagrams
• xeriscaping photo
• case study photos