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Building & Construction
 Websites presented in alphabetical order Advanced Buildings: Technologies and Practices 
 This searchable site explores "technologies and practices that improve the energy and resource efficiency of commercial and multi-unit residential buildings." It includes more than ninety environmentally appropriate technologies and practices. Design and construction issues, arranged by building-type, are building structure, finishes and furnishings, heating and cooling, plumbing and water heating, lighting and daylighting, load management, electricity production, ventilation and air quality, site, and motors and equipment. There are descriptions (including definition, building use and type, benefits, limitations, application, experience, and cost) of various building materials. This site is sponsored by a group of Canadian governmental and private organizations. http://www.advancedbuildings.org/ Topics: Architecture, Home & Housing, Home & Housing, Housing, Industries Last updated Aug 26, 2001 American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)
"The definitive resource for inspectors, consumers, real estate professionals and the media for information, advice and resources dedicated to home inspection." Includes a FAQ, state regulations, ASHI Standards of Practice, and ASHI Code of Ethics. Search for a home inspector in your area by ZIP code or browse by metro area. Searchable. http://www.ashi.org/ Topics: Architecture, Housing Last updated Sep 6, 2004 Blue Book of Building and Construction
Described as the "construction industry's most frequently used information source." There are hundreds of thousands of companies, including general contractors, sub-contractors, architects, engineers, manufacturers, equipment, material, and product suppliers. Searchable by region, then keyword or company name, then narrow by county. http://www.thebluebook.com/ Topics: Architecture, Business, Housing, Industries Last updated Feb 4, 2004 Build the Ultimate Tree House
Illustrated step-by-step instructions for building a tree house. Includes a materials list, lumber buying tips, and directions for building the frame, floor, ladder, railing, and roof. From FamilyFun.com. http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/build-the-ultimate-tree-house-708814/ Topics: Housing, Plants Last updated Oct 29, 2009 Building Materials and Wood Technology
A site that covers construction and related materials. Questions about building materials, forest products, wood, economics, and residential construction as well as those about business and marketing in the building materials industry can be answered for free at Ask the Experts . Feature Articles include: selecting windows, decoding building codes, controlling termites and carpenter ants, sizing and calculating loads for headers and beams, watertight details, using span table for joists, and many related topics. Additionally, there is collection of links, some annotated, on the building field including associations, building materials, construction, energy efficiency, research and building codes, publications, and more. http://bct.nrc.umass.edu/ Topics: Architecture, Energy, Housing, Industries, Insects & Arachnids Last updated Sep 4, 2009 California Straw Building Association
The Web site for "a non-profit organization whose members are architects, engineers, builders, and people interested in straw building." The site includes a FAQ, a bulletin board, technical information, an events calendar, a list of architects and other straw building resources, publications, and links to related Web sites. Also features a brief list of lenders "friendly to straw-bale built homes." http://www.strawbuilding.org/ Topics: Architecture, Housing, Industries Last updated Nov 3, 2004 Cement & Concrete Basics
Background information about cement, concrete (a mixture of cement and other ingredients), the cement industry, and concrete products. Includes lesson plans, a FAQ, and a virtual tour of a cement plant. From the Portland Cement Association, an industry organization that also offers updates on a potential cement shortage in 2004. http://www.cement.org/basics/ Topics: Architecture, Housing, Industries, Lesson Plans Last updated Aug 4, 2004 Code Check: Help with Building Codes
Searchable site for information on construction codes. Categories are building, mechanical, plumbing and electrical. Covers over 600 common building code violations often with citations to the code itself. Many clear, explanatory line drawings and charts. Includes a link for ordering a more complete book version of this site. http://www.codecheck.com/ Topics: Architecture, Housing Last updated Aug 26, 2001 Construction WebLinks
A searchable collections of links for the construction industry and related fields, including architecture and engineering. Included in Organizations are federal and state agencies, commonwealths, and territories and their laws and regulations; bidding and contract decisions, regulatory updates, and other legal documents of interest to the building industry; business and trade organizations; and colleges, universities, and libraries. Industry Topics contains licensing, financing, building codes, insurance and bonds, specifications, statistics, and more. http://www.constructionweblinks.com/ Topics: Architecture, Housing, Industries Last updated Nov 19, 2000 Dante N. Bini
The official site for this professional architect who is "a pioneer in automated building construction systems. Automated construction systems are obtainable by using applied physics and/or robotics." The site provides images and information about his "BiniSystem" for building construction, which often features dome-shaped buildings. Also includes a video about "Binishell" construction, and a bibliography of his publications. http://www.binisystems.com Topics: Architecture, Housing, Notable People: Arts & Humanities Last updated Feb 23, 2005 Efficient Wood Use in Residential Construction: A Practical Guide to Saving Wood, Money, and Forests
The online excerpts of this 1998 handbook summarize "the advantages of several wood-efficient approaches to design, material selection, and construction for residential applications, and describe the extensive practical and resource information for builders, architects, engineers, developers, lenders, and insurers provided in the print version." Includes related links. From the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). http://www.nrdc.org/cities/building/rwoodus.asp Topics: Architecture, Housing Last updated Jan 19, 2005 Free Green
This website offers "free, energy efficient, healthy house plans." Each of the plan packages comes with "full construction documents or blueprints, ... a home energy model for the city and state combination in which their home building project will occur, a LEED checklist," and related material. Includes plans for models such as a "Modern Cube," "Suburban Loft," and "Simple Villa." Also includes a blog. http://www.freegreen.com/ Topics: Architecture, Housing Last updated Apr 23, 2009 greenhomebuilding.com
Information about environmentally friendly, sustainable architecture and natural building, using renewable energy, local and recycled materials, and incorporating principles of conservation. Includes resource links and book and video recommendations. http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/ Topics: Architecture, Energy, Home & Housing, Housing, Science, Technology Last updated Mar 26, 2005 Hardwood Information Center
Extensive information on the nearly two dozen major U.S. hardwoods, including ash, cherry, oak, and walnut. Features the distinctive properties, specific uses, and availability of each hardwood, as well as design ideas, installation tips, and advice on how to care for hardwood floors, cabinets, and furniture. Also includes articles on "green" design and building. From the Hardwood Manufacturers Association. http://www.hardwoodinfo.com/ Topics: Crafts, Housing Last updated Feb 9, 2007 HomePlans.com
This commercial site allows users to search through hundreds of floor plans for houses. Plans are searchable by size of house and number of bedrooms, or by architectural style, such as A-frame, craftsman, and ranch homes. Simple floor plans are viewable for free, but full plans must be purchased. Also includes an articles library, with material on the construction process, home security, landscaping, and more. http://www.homeplans.com Topics: Housing Last updated Feb 27, 2006 Igloo Builders Guide
Step-by-step instructions for building an igloo, a project that "will take somewhere between 3 and 6 hours, depending on your previous experience and level of ambition." Includes photos. Based on an igloo built in Norway to accommodate two to three people. In English and Norwegian. http://www.igloobuilding.org/ Topics: Architecture, Housing Last updated Nov 6, 2009 ImproveNet
This site offers many useful tools and calculators for home remodelers. There are estimators for specific jobs such as roofing or kitchen remodels or total house redesign; there are house plans and room "visualizers" and project calculators for tile, wallpaper, painting, etc. Most are free; some require Adobe Acrobat Reader or other free software. Registration (also free) allows the user to participate in newsletters and expert advice forums. It is also convenient, for comparison purposes, to have in one place the major suppliers of a particular appliance or product. http://www.improvenet.com/ Topics: Architecture, Home & Housing, Home & Housing, Housing Last updated Aug 26, 2001 Lumber Basics
Guide to buying lumber, with an emphasis on purchasing wood from lumberyards instead of home improvement stores. Discusses types of construction lumber, rough-cut versus finished lumber, dimensions, and money savings. From DIY: Do it Yourself Network. http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/ww_materials_products/article/0,2049,DIY_14442_2276820,00.html Topics: Crafts, Housing Last updated Feb 12, 2007 McGraw Hill Construction Sweets Network
A searchable collection of information on building materials based on manufacturer's catalogs. The Business Directory of construction may be searched by state and city, name of company, and business type. There are links to trade organizations and relevant federal agencies. From the publisher of the print Sweet's Catalog Files (since 1906). http://products.construction.com/portal/server.pt Topics: Architecture, Housing, Industries Last updated Jul 11, 2007 Selecting and Buying Lumber
Illustrated guide to types of lumber (such as dimensional, finish, and tongue-and-groove) found at hardware stores and lumberyards, wood defects, and common grades of wood. Includes lists of typical lumber dimensions and instructions for measuring board feet of lumber. From Better Homes and Gardens. http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/maintenance/construction-basics/selecting-and-buying-lumber/ Topics: Home & Housing, Housing Last updated Oct 16, 2009 The Small House Society: Tools For the Small House Movement
Collection of resources about small houses, such as cabins, tree houses, and small cottages. Includes a short list of books, a message board, and links to websites for architects, builders, and organizations interested in small and sustainable homes. From the Small House Society, "a voice for the small house movement." http://www.resourcesforlife.com/groups/smallhousesociety/resources.htm Topics: Housing Last updated May 9, 2006 Systems Built Homes
Resources for consumers about systems-built housing, homes that are preconstructed or prefabricated in a factory or mill before being transported to the home site to be completed. Includes material about concrete, log, modular, and panelized homes. From the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and sponsored by home building companies. http://www.nahb.org/page.aspx/category/sectionID=934 Topics: Architecture, Housing Last updated Sep 22, 2009 The Treehouse Guide
Collection of material about tree houses. Features building advice (such as construction tutorials, waterproofing and choosing a tree tips, and learning about building regulations), book reviews, a discussion forum, and links to related sites. This site is a companion to a site that sells tree house plans. http://www.thetreehouseguide.com Topics: Housing, Plants Last updated May 14, 2007 |
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