| | |  | Design Books | Home » » Green from the Ground Up: Sustainable, Healthy, and Energy-Efficient Home Construction (Builder's Guide) | | | | | | | 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. | | | Features: | |
• ISBN13: 9781561589739
• Condition: New
• Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
| | | Product Details: | | | Author:
| David Johnston | | Paperback:
| 336 pages | | Publisher:
| Taunton | | Publication Date:
| April 01, 2008 | | Language:
| English | | ISBN:
| 156158973X | | Product Length:
| 9.56 inches | | Product Width:
| 6.74 inches | | Product Height:
| 0.71 inches | | Product Weight:
| 1.65 pounds | | Package Length:
| 10.4 inches | | Package Width:
| 7.4 inches | | Package Height:
| 0.8 inches | | Package Weight:
| 1.65 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 32 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 32 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
76 of 77 found the following review helpful:
 Building science principles & good graphic designJun 27, 2008
By R. Cichocki
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.
48 of 49 found the following review helpful:
Cost Effective & Energy Efficient ConstructionJun 25, 2008
By Scott M. Kruse
"Biophysical Geographer"
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.
25 of 27 found the following review helpful:
RussMay 08, 2008
By Russell G. Turpin
"Custom Touch Builders"
Excellent book for novice and professionals! I have attended three of the largest green building training programs(nationwide) and this book brings all of that training into a single, easy to understand source. As last years President of the Homebuilders Association of SW Colorado and member of the Board of Directors for the Colorado Association of Homebuilders...I am recommending this book to all of my associates!!
10 of 10 found the following review helpful:
Excellent overview! Great starting point!Jun 11, 2008
By design+build
This is a excellent overview and introduction to a very complex subject. The authors do a great job of explaining "Green" concepts and how they relate to all of the processes and systems in residential construction today. It's not really a "how-to", but that couldn't fit in one book. But it does outline all of the green technologies and choices available. "Green" is kind of a moving target. This book gives you the framework you need to figure out a "Green" approach to any project and all the information you need to get started finding the most appropriate systems and technologies. It's a great starting point, very well written, practical, and not a bit preachy.
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
Green Reference Book Better Than MostJan 01, 2009
By Avrim Topel, Author of GREEN BEGINNINGS: The Story of How We Built Our Green & Sustainable Home
Green From The Ground Up is one of several green home-building reference books available that present categorically organized information. Products and information are presented clearly and illustrations help the reader further understand the subject matter. What makes this reference book better than most is the authors' attempt to present information in a time-line that mimics the actual construction sequence. Having just completed building our own LEED Silver home, we found the products and systems listed to be contemporary, up to date and accurately described. We recommend this book as a reference book with two thumbs up.
See all 32 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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