Framing a House

by Roe Osborn

Overview

House framing can be an intimidating challenge. Thousands of pieces of wood must be cut to precise dimensions, according to a set of plans. Accurate and safe assembly is critical as the house must support the weight of building materials, equipment, appliances, and people — there's simply no room for error. And yet, this comprehensive, accessible, and highly visual book, Framing a House, walks readers through this complicated process with ease. It's all here — from using the right tools and framing a first-floor deck; to building stairs, roofs, and dormers; and installing exterior trim. Former Fine Homebuilding editor and builder Roe Osborn doesn't leave out the hard parts; he simply makes them understandable.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781600851018
Publisher:	Taunton Press, Incorporated
Publication date:	10/26/2010
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 10.70(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Although he has a degree in sculpture from Georgetown University, once out of college, Roe Osborn had to make a living. He soon found his way into construction, where he spent years as a professional builder, learning each aspect of the homebuilding trade. After 15 years with a hammer and tool belt, Roe joined the staff of Fine Homebuilding magazine in 1994, where as a senior editor he transformed complex construction subjects into approachable, understandable packages of concise text and clear photography. Today he makes a living as an architectural photographer on Cape Cod, where his network of construction contacts has allowed him to find just the right small house to use as the model for this book

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Before you pick up that hammer…
Chapter 2: Basic framing tools and tool techniques Chapter 3: Framing the first-floor deck Chapter 4: Exterior walls Chapter 5: Framing the second-floor deck Chapter 6: Building stairs Chapter 7: Framing gable walls Chapter 8: Ridges, rafters, and roof sheathing Chapter 9: Framing interior wall Chapter 10: Exterior trim and the front porch
 

Editorial Reviews

Osborn (former senior editor, Fine Homebuilding) uses a house-building project to teach framing basics. The logically organized text is readable, but some photos are blurry and the illustrations not as detailed as one would hope. The book's focus is purely home framing, so it is not as comprehensive as R.J. DeCristoforo's Housebuilding. Although Osborn covers the basics, familiarity with building terms, tool use, and technique is assumed; John D. Wagner's Ultimate Guide to House Framing offers more hand-holding. Osborn's guide is a good companion volume, but it should not be your only book on house framing.

Library Journal