Green from the Ground Up: Sustainable, Healthy, and Energy-Efficient Home Construction (Builder's Guide)

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Editorial reviews

Product Description
A thorough, informative, and up-to-date reference on green, sustainable and energy-efficient home construction that clarifies definitions of green and sustainable and guides builders and architects through the process of new or remodel green construction, including issues of site, landscaping, durability, and energy-efficiency. It starts with clear explanations of the concepts and fundamentals of green, healthy and energy-efficient construction and walks the reader through the entire construction process, injecting expert advice at every decision point. Construction techniques, materials, and products are thoroughly explained, making the often vaguely understood concepts cleanly understandable. The book gives builders and architects the tools to respond to growing requests from homeowners for green and energy-efficient houses, whether new or remodeled. Homeowners can use the book to understand the concepts, process, and options, whether they're doing it themselves or working with a professional.

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-08-19 rating:
Only in America can Big = Green
Can an SUV be green? If you think so, if you think size and level of consumption are extraneous to the idea of sustainability, then this book is for you. You will learn all manner of ingenious ways to build and condition cavernous low-density dwellings. And in the end you will have a monstrous, comfortable perversion of the very values you putatively hold so dear.

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review by: date: 2008-07-24 rating:
Covers Everything
A great book that covers everything. A good checklist of things to consider. The graphics provide highlights from different viewpoints -- green design, construction, would I do this? Lots of photos and drawings. A good book to have on the shelf for reference.

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review by: layperson building green date: 2008-07-19 rating:
Green From the Ground Up
Anyone who is interested in or is looking to build green should read this book.
It's very well organized, the detailed information is understandable and easy to read. The visual aids are priceless.
Great chapter summeries and end of book recap.

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review by: date: 2008-06-27 rating:
Building science principles & good graphic design
This book does a good job at setting up a working definition of "green building" as a decision making process that occurs at each point in the design of a building, with an emphasis on residential construction. The book has a lot of pictures and pop-up bubble sidebars that make each page seem more like a design school presentation poster (that's a good thing). It presents a lot of basic information and principles about each part of a building, from foundations, insulation, windows, framing, flashing, natural building, etc. and how they come together as a "green building system."
If you are an architect or drafter who is looking for a book with technical details and explanations about specific construction methods or materials notes do not buy this book. If you would like to learn about green building science principles as to how they relate with each division in a building then buy this book.


review by: Biophysical Geographer date: 2008-06-25 rating:
Cost Effective & Energy Efficient Construction
Too many contractors operate on a "if it ain't broken don't fix it" and "I have been successfully doing things (the old way) for 25 years." It is difficult to get the average contractor to think and act green. Johnston & Gibson lay out and walk through the key ideas . . . in plain English with lots of excellent photographs. Every architect, county planning department, planning inspectors and utility district should have this close at hand. This provides the average person what realtors and homes for sale newspaper features don't know and don't get.

Because there is so much hyperbole, many do not know what to accept, reject, believe or move forward with. How do you speak intelligently with an architect for schools, homes, churches and business and clearly communicate what makes up a functional, sustainable, energy conserving and site appropriate structure?

Planning and Design is a whole system, not a one shot effort. This includes siting, aspect, elevation, lighting, landscaping, plumbing, materials, construction techniques, heating and cooling, interior and exterior finishes, decking, roofs and attics and basements. "Form follows function," taught in design schools, but too often ignored, permeates every thought. Collective wisdom reaches back to the Anasazi in the Southwest. This explains why you insulate under a foundation, how fly ash makes concrete stronger and takes care of an otherwise waste product requiring less Portland cement for walls and floors. Advanced framing techniques or use of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), alternatives to wood steel studs reduce waste and cost and increases thermal efficiency. Tubular sunpipes are shown illuminating interior space (a much superior alternative to leaky skylights).

Whether you are thinking of new construction or a retrofit, this is a key guide. As we enter "Peak Everything: Waking Up to the Century of Declines (Heinberg, 2007)," this is a guide to quality, high expectations and cost effectiveness with emphasis on sustainability and durability. When I look at a building, these are the critical thinking thoughts and questions in my head. This should be close at hand in every home construction and hardware supply store. Superbly written, well laid out, easy to find information.

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Similar categories

Books . Subjects . Professional & Technical . Architecture . General
Books . Subjects . Professional & Technical . Architecture . Building Types & Styles . Residential
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Books . Subjects . Home & Garden . Home Design . Design & Construction
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Books . Refinements . Edition (format) . Illustrated
Books . Refinements . Binding (binding) . Paperback
Books . Refinements . Format (feature_browse-bin) . Printed Books

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