Learn how to identify, locate, and effectively use alternative building materials, including cob, adobe, rammed earth, bamboo, cork, wool carpeting, and more. You will also learn about the structure, climate control, siting, foundations, and flooring options you gain when using these materials. Ultimately, you will come to understand that these materials are cheaper, easier to build with, stronger, more durable, and more fire resistant.

Clarke Snell & Timothy L. Callahan have returned with a photo-packed, amazingly complete, start-to-finish guide to "green" housebuilding.

The first comprehensive guide to combining traditional natural materials and modern construction methods. From adobe to straw bales, traditional building materials are being adapted to meet code-required standards for health and safety in contemporary buildings around the world. Not only are they cost effective and environmentally friendly, but, when used correctly, these natural alternatives match the strength and durability of many mainstream construction materials. This book examines a broad range of traditional and modern natural construction methods, including straw-bale, light-clay, cob, adobe, rammed earth and pise, earthbag, earth-sheltered, bamboo, and hybrid systems. It also covers key ecological design principles, as well as current engineering and building code requirements. Experts on each building system have contributed core chapters that explore the history, development, climatic appropriateness, environmental benefits, performance characteristics, construction techniques, and structural design principles for each method. More than 200 visuals depict both construction processes and completed structures. An extensive resource guide shows where to go for further information, training, and research. In an increasingly resource-conscious era, alternative construction is truly an idea whose time has come. Whether you're an architect, designer, student, or homeowner, this book will help you to combine indigenous building materials with modern construction systems and design standards to create low-impact, high-quality buildings that meet the highest levels of comfort, health, and safety.

Sustainable building from the ground up - the pros and cons of the latest green and natural materials and technologies From foundation to finish, a wealth of information is available on sustainable construction methods-entire volumes have been published on individual green and natural building techniques. But with so many different ideas to choose from, there is no single resource that allows an owner or builder to quickly and objectively compare the merits of each system for their particular project. Making Better Buildings cuts through the hype and provides the unvarnished facts about the upsides and downsides of the most widely discussed materials and technologies. Drawing on the real-world experiences of designer/builders, this comparative guide systematically and comprehensively examines each approach in terms of: Cost, sourcing, labor intensity, and ease of construction Energy efficiency, embodied energy, and environmental impacts Availability/accessibility Viable applications and future potential. Each chapter is rounded out by a chart which summarizes the material in a quick and accessible manner. Whether you are an owner preparing to build a green or natural home, or a conventional contractor determined to integrate sustainable alternatives into your existing construction practices, this up-to-the minute resource will help you make the best decisions for your project, while meeting your energy, efficiency, budgetary, and site-specific needs.

Sustainable building from the ground up - the pros and cons of the latest green and natural materials and technologies

This new textbook has two main themes. The first is Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) which is the off-site manufacture of a wide spectrum of products, ranging from whole buildings to be transported onto site, down to smaller units or components for site integration. The second theme describes the innovation and progress towards carbon zero by the major generators of CO2 in the construction industry – namely cement, steel and masonry. The first section of the book describes and illustrates with photographs, the major forms of Modern Methods of Construction. These include fully completed 3D units, panelised systems, pods, sub-assemblies and on-site MMC. The section on Innovative Materials then describes a wide range of construction products which are entering into the built environment sector. Some new entrants are variants on well-established construction materials such as steel and concrete. Materials such as these will remain major construction materials for the foreseeable future, but their composition and manufacturing processes will inevitably have to change. Timber also will remain a major construction material, but sustainable sourcing is key and its utilisation as cross-lamination timber (CLT) or as modified timber is rapidly developing. As a result, students and practitioners must familiarise themselves with these materials, their composition, and various uses. The book goes on to describe variants of other traditional building products, such as glass, plastic and insulation, which are undergoing major developments leading towards enhanced environmental sustainability, as well as many emergent materials, some of which are likely to be significant in future. Modern Methods of Construction and Innovative Materials is the only book combining these important elements of the future of the industry in an easy-to-read guide for students and new practitioners. It is essential reading for anyone studying and working in the built environment, be they architects, construction managers, surveyors or engineers.

You deserve a home that meets your specific needs and desires! If you find yourself dreaming of the perfect patio, the ideal kitchen, and inviting rooms where you love to spend time, it might just be time to start building! With Building Your Custom Home For Dummies, you won’t have to feel intimidated as you plan, finance, and oversee construction on your new oasis. You’ll learn what it takes to build a custom home, including which pros to call and when. This updated edition also covers the latest in real estate and home construction trends, including smart homes, green building, and banking options. It's more important than ever to live in a home that’s truly how you want it, truly your own. Now is the perfect time to get started—if you’re still in the dreaming stage, this book will help you identify your style and articulate your vision. If you’re further along in the process, you’ll benefit from checklists and pointers on reviewing architects’ plans, evaluating contractor bids, flipping the home you build, and more. The latest guidance on building a beautiful home on any budget New ideas for high-tech homes with low carbon footprints Step-by-step instructions for securing financing, hiring architects, and finding reliable contractors Advice on how to invest your home-building budget wisely and plan for the future Building Your Custom Home For Dummies takes you from finding the perfect homesite through laying the foundation to framing and finishing—in the friendly Dummies style you can trust.