Building
BUILDING GREEN: A Complete How-To Guide to Alternative Building Methods Earth Plaster * Straw Bale * Cordwood * Cob * Living Roofs
Clarke Snell, Tim Callahan. A groundbreaking manual that actually shows every step in eco-friendly building techniques.  Photos and in-depth descriptions follow the real construction of an alternative house from site selection to final-touch interior details, incorporating four different building methods: straw bale, cob, cordwood, & modified stick frame.  Includes thorough discussions of the fundamental concepts of construction, substitutes for conventional approaches, and more.  Conveys real-world challenges & processes, and offers dozens of sidebars with invaluable advice.  A start-to-finish guide to "green" house-building. 8-1/2 x 10, 616p (all in color), 1,200+ color photos, 2006. OVERSIZE
B5323 pb, w/flaps ..........US $29.95 CAN $35.95

YOUR GREEN HOME: A Guide to Planning a Healthy, Environmentally Friendly new Home
Alex Wilson.  From the founder of BuildingGreen (North America's premier green building authority), the essential information for homebuyers wanting to design & build a new green home.  Covers everything - from home location & its relationship to the community, site design, construction systems, building design to optimize energy performance, renewable energy systems, indoor environmental quality, water efficiency to material selection.  A valuable resource conveying the scope & principles of green building. 6 x 9, 256p, b&w illustrations, tables, 2006.
Y5556 paperback ..........US $17.95 CAN $19.95

WORKSHOPS YOU CAN BUILD
David & Jeanie Stiles.  Everything you need to know to build your own workspace inside and outside your home.  This step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process from start-to-finish - design & planning to construction & design fundamentals.  Includes construction diagrams, floor plans, and architectural details.  Contains designs for carpenters & builders, writers, artists, furniture makers, boat builders, gardeners, and more.  An ideal reference for both the beginner and the experienced builder. 8-3/8 x 10-7/8, 224p, 30 color photos, 300+ b&w illustrations, 2005.
W0295 paperback ..........US $24.95 CAN $24.95

THE WOODLAND HOUSE
Ben Law.  "Here is a house so ecologically sound, it breathes in time to the trees around it" - Kevin McCloud (frwd.).  Provides a practical manual & the story of a man realizing his lifelong dream to build one of the most sustainable & beautiful homes in Britain - chestnut timber frames from his own woodland, local straw bale infill, plaster from his own clay, sun- & wind-powered electricity, solar hot water panels, and more.  Gives details of the evolving design process, identifying materials, costs, project management, and the actual building.  A book that proves it's possible that low-cost, low-impact, and high aesthetics can go hand-in-hand. 8-1/2 x 10, 208p, 98 color photos, 10 line drawings, tables, 2006.
W0317 hardcover ..........US $25.00 CAN $29.95

CORDWOOD BUILDING: The State of the Art
Rob Roy.  “A one-of-a-kind reference that covers cordwood construction from soup to nuts.”  Over 25 of the world’s best practitioners describe the history of the method, showing how to build a cordwood home using state of the art techniques, such as double walls, Lomax corners, paper-enhanced mortars, and ways of creating round, hexagonal, and other building shapes.  With a special focus on building code issues, the book outlines the “5-E” advantages of cordwood buildings: their Ease of construction; Economy; Esthetics; Energy-Efficiency, and; Ecological harmony.  A “must read” for anyone considering cordwood construction. 8 x 9, 255p, color + b&w photos, illustrations, 2003.
C4754 paperback ..........US $26.95 CAN $26.95

NOTCHES OF ALL KINDS: A Book of Timber Joinery
B. Allen Mackie.  A traditional log structure was held together by gravity.  Logs were carefully cut to length, and notched at the joining points to ensure a very tight fit, great stability, and weather-tightness. The notches were also beautiful and functional as the dovetails of a master cabinet-maker.  Here, Mackie shows a complete selection of notches for corner joinery, roof beams and trusses and lateral grooves (for seating a stacked log firmly along the length of another wall log; and timber framing techniques).  Clear instructions and profuse illustrations and drawings make this a completely detailed manual for the log builder. 8-1/2 x 11, 92p, b&w photos & illustrations, 1998.
N0247 paperback ..........US $22.00 CAN $22.00

ROAD REPAIR HANDBOOK; The Complete Guide to Fixing Roads and Driveways
Roderick Johnston.  A complete reference to achieving better roads (community or private) and safer access.  Better understand how to plan and manage the time, money, and labor needed for road restoration and improvement.  Full of straight-forward advice, practical tips, and construction strategies.  Written in laymen's terms, but sophisticated enough for anyone associated with public or private road construction, repair, and maintenance. 6 x 9, 304p, 60 b&w photos & illustrations, 2002.
R7203 paperback     US $19.95 CAN $23.95

BUILDING INSIDE NATURE’S ENVELOPE: How New Construction and Landscape Preservation Can Work Together
Andy and Sally Wasowski.  A revolutionary new concept in construction that helps to preserve natural landscapes, whether building in pristine woodland or on an undeveloped suburban lot.  Introduces an exciting technique for salvaging the natural land upon which we build new homes, offices, or even shopping centers.  Outlines, with site profiles from across N.A., how this "light step" approach is cost-effective, simple, and environmentally responsible.  A practical blueprint to "achieving harmony between our natural and our built environment."  7-1/2 x 10, 176p, 41 color & 46 b&w images, illustrations, 2000.
This title has gone out of print, limited stock available.
B1762 paperback ..........US $27.50 CAN $44.00
         ON SALE ...........US $22.00 CAN $28.95

THE FENCE BIBLE
Jeff Beneke.  "Everything you need to know about the subject" - planning, materials, site challenges, construction, maintenance, and repair.  Covers every kind of fencing: wood, masonry, and metal, as well as shrubs, hedges, and trees.  Discusses the essentials of proper design and provides step-by-step illustrated instructions.  An in-depth, comprehensive "how-to' encyclopedia from a hands-on home improvement expert. 8-1/2 x 10-1/2, 320p, 400+ color photos + illustrations, 2005.
F5309 paperback ..........US $24.95 CAN $29.95

FENCES FOR PASTURES & GARDENS
Gail Damerow.  A complete guide to choosing, planning, & building today’s best fences: electric, wire, rail, high-tension, temporary, woven, snow, gates and trellises. 8-1/2 x 11, 160p, illustrations, 1992.
F753X paperback ..........US $16.95 CAN $19.95

FENCES, GATES & BRIDGES
George Martin.  A definitive timeless classic to the best methods of building an incredible variety of these devices, including the zigzag, barbed-wire, and sod & stone fences.  Includes the making and setting of posts, plus the construction & installation of swinging, sliding, pulley gates, and more. 4-1/2 x 7-1/4, 192p, b&w illustrations, 1900,  reprint 1999.
This title/edition has gone out of print, limited stock available.
F8890 paperback ..........US $12.95 CAN $15.95

LANDSCAPING EARTH PONDS: The Complete Guide
Tim Matson.  Drawing on 25+ years of experience, the guru of earth ponds explains how to site, design, shape, and plant these fixtures of rural landscapes - and make them fit your property and your life.  Full of general strategies, practical techniques, and specific examples of various approaches to pond aesthetics.  Includes plant lists and sources.  An indispensable resource. 8 x 10, 304p, 100 color photos, illustrations, 2006.
L2029 paperback ..........US $30.00 CAN $34.95

EARTH PONDS SOURCEBOOK, THE: The Pond Owner's Manual & Resource Guide (2nd ed.)
Tim Matson.  From the guru of earth pond building, an up-to-date reference featuring new tips, techniques, and hundreds of resources.  Covers the latest in new materials and suppliers, pond technology, building and maintenance, and more.  Learn how to evaluate the products on the market, where to buy supplies, and more.  A valuable resource guide and complement to Earth Ponds (E1557). 10 x 8, 176p, 20 b&w photos & 20 b&w illustrations, 1997, 2004.
E6125 paperback ..........US $21.95 CAN $25.95

EARTH PONDS A TO Z: An Illustrated Encyclopedia
Tim Matson. From the pond guru, a new A-Z guide provides pond owners and builders with an at-a-glance reference to answer any question.  From Acid Rain to Zooplankton, Matson defines and explains over 200 terms associated with pond building and maintenance, both familiar and obscure.   Includes descriptions and definitions of all significant pond elements. 7 x 8,160p, 60 b&w photos + illustrations, expected February 2003.  Orders taken.
E4947 paperback ..........US $18.95 CAN $22.95

EARTH PONDS
Tim Matson.  The country pond maker’s guide to building, maintenance, and restoration.  The standard book on ponds, entertaining even if you don’t build one.  From the first survey to final landscaping, learn how people get the most out of their backyard reservoirs (fishing, swimming, water supply, etc.) and how ponds are sited, designed, and excavated. Book: 8 x10, 160p, 50 photos, 10 illus., Video: 48 min., DVD format, both 1991.
E1557 paperback ..........US $21.95 CAN $25.95
E9019 DVD video..........US $29.95 CAN $34.95
E5719 book + DVD ..........US $46.95 CAN $54.95

EARTH PONDS SOURCEBOOK: The Pond Owner’s Manual and Resource Guide
Tim Matson.  Written by the guru of pond building. Offers new tips, techniques, and resources to build a new pond or revitalize an old one.  A companion to Earth Ponds (E1557). 10 x 8, 171p, 57 b&w photos & 27 illustrations, 1997.
E3584 paperback ..........US $21.95 CAN $31.99
      ON SALE .........US $17.95 CAN $21.95

SMALL BARN PLANS FOR OWNER-BUILDERS
Craig Wallin.  A complete reference for managing your own barn building project - in just four easy steps: designing your own barn; estimating the cost; managing your project like a pro, and; learning how to successfully work with subcontractors and suppliers.  Contains 12 barn designs, including six basic designs readily suitable for backyard barns, horse barns, and workshops.  Each comes with professional construction plans.  A straightforward, valuable resource. 8-1/2 x 11, 160p, b&w drawings, plans, 2002.
S9378 paperback ..........US $19.95 CAN $24.95

RENOVATING BARNS, SHEDS & OUTBUILDINGS
Nick Engler.  One of the best “how-to” writers shows how to renovate and restore, rather than replace.  Covers every aspect of renovation in clear, explicit instructions and illustrations.  Includes techniques for restoring frame, post-and-beam, and masonry structures.  Filled with Engler’s hands-on experience at renovating barns, carriage houses, sheds, log cabins, and even covered bridges. 8-1/2 x 12, 256p, b&w photos & illustrations, 2001.
R2164 paperback ..........US $24.95 CAN $29.95

BUILDING SMALL BARNS, SHEDS & SHELTERS
Monte Burch.  Provides easy-to-follow construction methods for low-cost, but attractive outbuildings.  Includes information on: tools and materials; foundations and floors; framing, sheathing and roofing; windows; doors; wiring & plumbing, and; finishing details.  Contains plans and how-to-build instructions for barns, woodsheds, garages, fencing, and animal housing. 8-1/2 x 11, 237p, b&w photos and illustrations, 1983.
B2457 paperback ..........US $16.95 CAN $20.95

BARNS, SHEDS & OUTBUILDINGS
Byron Halstead, ed..  Abounds in simple ideas that rural householders and farmers find useful today.  Barns, poultry houses, corn cribs, granaries, root cellars & even birdhouses are included in this compendium from days gone by. 5-1/2 x 8-1/2, 240p, 257 illustrations, 1881, reprint 1994.
B9125 paperback ..........US $14.00 CAN $16.95

HOW TO BUILD SMALL BARNS & OUTBUILDINGS
Monte Burch.  This award-winning book takes readers step-by-step through the fundamentals, from planning and laying out a site to framing, roofing, wiring, plumbing, and more.  Includes 20 projects from barns to sheds and garages. 8-1/2 x 11, 288p, photos, illus., 1992.
H7734 paperback ..........US $18.95 CAN $22.95

SHEDS: The Do-It-Yourself Guide for Backyard Builders (3rd ed., revised)
David and Jeanie Stiles.  Packed with detailed illustrations, plans and commonsense advice, this new edition of the classic do-it-yourself guide is like having a professional carpenter beside you, making the project easy to control and successful.  Helps the backyard builder think through all the issues involved in designing and building a shed: intended use, size, cost, placement, degree of construction difficulty, and much more. 8 x 10-3/4, 208p, 16p-color photo insert, b&w illustrations, index, 2006.
S2247 paperback ..........US $19.95 CAN $19.95

HOW TO BUILD YOUR DREAM CABIN IN THE WOODS: The Ultimate Guide to Building and Maintaining A Backcountry Getaway
J. Wayne Fears.  Based on his own experience, Fears explains how to make a dream cabin a reality and at a price that won't break the bank.  Covers - in words, photos, diagrams, and blueprints - all the important points, from buying the land, to planning your structure, to actually doing it - either on your own, or with some help.  A book that every cabin owner - or potential owner - will keep as a reference for years to come. 6 x 9, 240p, b&w photos + illustrations, 2004.
H3292 paperback ..........US $14.95 CAN $18.95

RUSTIC RETREATS: A Build-It-Yourself Guide
David & Jeanie Stiles.  A do-it-yourself guide to building 20+ low-cost, outdoor structures including garden retreats, sauna huts, a water gazebo, fold-up tree house, & primitive native shelters.  Illustrated step-by-step instructions.  Sections on building techniques, tools, safety, joints & joining methods, plus directions for building all types of windows, skylights, doors, roofs, and more. 8-1/2 x 11, 154p, b&w illustrations + diagrams, tables, 1998.
R0358 paperback ..........US $19.95 CAN $22.95

CABINS: A Guide to Building Your Own Nature Retreat
David & Jeanie Stiles.  All you need to build your own cabin.  Describes each step in the process, from buying land to developing plans for a structure.  Includes classic construction methods.  Discusses windows, doors, foundations, insulation, roofing, installing utilities, water & sanitary systems and heating.  Packed with illustrations, plans & common-sense advice. 8-1/2 x 11, 240p, 16p color photos, 100+ b&w illustrations, 2001.
C3735 paperback ..........US $19.95 CAN $19.95

LOW-COST POLE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION: The Complete How-To Book
Ralph Wolfe.  290,000 copies in print.  "This definitive how-to book will save you money, labor, and time in building a small home, barn, cottage, or other structure."  A "build-it-yourself" book. illustrated with plans, drawings, and photos.  Construction techniques are carefully explained.  The definitive book on the subject. 8-1/2 x 11, 192p, photos, drawings, illustrations, 1980.
L1701 paperback ..........US $14.95 CAN $18.95

THE CLASSIC HEWN-LOG HOUSE: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building & Restoring
Charles McRaven.  From America's considered foremost authority, "… the definitive guide for restoring, preserving, and building hewn-log structures."  Readers first learn about the history and background of hewn-log houses.  McRaven then describes the details of hewn-log construction, covering it all - from foundation to chimney, with plumbing and chinking in between.  Full of practical advice and clear, "how-to" line illustrations accompany the text throughout.  The classic volume on the sturdiest of pioneer building techniques. 8-1/2 x 10-7/8, 192p, 16p color section, photos & illustrations, 2005.
C5902 paperback ..........US $19.95 CAN $23.95

LITTLE BOOK OF LOG CABINS: How to Build and Furnish Them
William Wicks.  This handy, how-to manual is also a charming repository of make-it-yourself log furnishings & practical shelters that will inspire back-to-nature advocates.  Building instructions are accompanied by clear, accurate line drawings of simple log structures, lean-tos, fancy Adirondack cabins, fireplaces, stairways, furniture, beamed ceilings, and more. A perfect guide for anyone who loves the outdoors. 8-3/4 x 6-1/2, 96p, 102 line drawings, 1904, reprint 2005.
L2594 paperback ..........US $6.95 CAN $8.95

LOG HOME CARE AND MAINTENANCE: Everything You Need to Know to Buy, Maintain and Enjoy Your Log Home
Jim Davis.  For longtime and new log home owners alike, a U.S. reference intended to help save time and money, and avoid frustration.  Starts with the basics, explaining why logs make good homes, demystifying the science of wood, and talking about the properties of the various types of wood and how they respond to changes in temperature and humidity.  Features: complete instructions for dealing with the main enemies of a log home (sun, moisture, insects, & neglect); complete remedial instructions for existing structural problems, and; charts, recommendations on maintenance & sealant product types, and checklists for prospective buyers of previously-owned log homes.  A valuable guide. 7 x 10, 184p, b&w photos, tables, 2004.
L3381 paperback ..........US $19.95 CAN $22.95

LOG HOMES MADE EASY: Contracting and Building Your Own Log Home (2nd ed.)
Jim Cooper.  A revised, updated edition outlines what every owner-contractor needs to know before beginning a dream log home.  Provides tips throughout the entire construction process - from excavation to finishing.  Explores the myths and realities of log home life, including maintenance and energy efficiency. 6 x 9, 272p, 25 b&w photos, 40 drawings, 2000.
L8471 paperback ..........US $16.95 CAN $25.95
           ON SALE ..........US $14.95 CAN $19.95 (limited quantity)

THE OWNER-BUILT LOG HOUSE: Living in Harmony With Your Environment
B. Allan Mackie.  One of the world’s foremost builders provides an instructional “how to” guide for the average person.  Takes the reader step-by-step through the entire building process.  An abundance of photos + detailed diagrams.  Unique to this book, Mackie takes us through his current building project on a 100-acre wilderness site. 8-1/2 x 10, 232p, 200+ color photos, diagrams & illustrations, 2001.
O5487 paperback ..........US $24.95 CAN $24.95

BUILDING WITH LOGS (revised ed.)
B. Allan Mackie.  This revised classic shows how to select logs, plan a site, finance, and build a handsome log structure from the foundation to the ridge cap.  Considered the best book written on making a Canadian-style log home. 11-1/2 x 9-1/2, 136p, color and b&w photos, 1997.
B1023 paperback ..........US $24.95 CAN $24.95

TIMBER-FRAME HOUSES (Great Houses)
Fine Homebuilding magazine (Editor).  A collection of the best articles from the magazine’s first 10 years, offering a thorough introduction to modern timber framing.  Leading teachers & practitioners of the craft, like Tedd Benson, Jack Sobon, Ed Levin, and George Nash, discuss the history & evolution of timber framing, tools & traditional techniques, describe remodels & reconstructions, as well as inspiring contemporary designs.  Will inspire & inform readers seeking to understand and to practice this 2,000-year-old architectural style. 9 x 12, 160p, 207 photos, 101 drawings, 1993.
This title has gone out of print, limited stock available.
T150X paperback ..........US $19.95 CAN $23.95

TIMBER FRAMING FOR THE REST OF US: A Guide to Contemporary Post and Beam Construction
Rob Roy.  A manual for all without traditional skills who want to build timber framing.  Describes the methods (common fastening techniques) used by today’s professionals.  Everything an owner-builder needs to know, including: crucial design and structural considerations, procuring timbers; foundation, roofs, and in-filing considerations, and; the common fasteners.  Includes a detailed case study of a project from start to finish.  A practical guide enabling “the rest of us” to build like the professionals. 7-1/2 x 9, 176p, 120 b&w photos & illustrations, 2004.
T5084 paperback ..........US $22.95 CAN $27.95

THE TIMBER-FRAME HOME: Design-Construction-Finishing (2nd ed.)
Tedd Benson.  A “one-of-a-kind” reference to timber-frame house design, from one of America’s foremost builders.  Tells how to create a new house in the tradition of old-world craftsmen.  Discusses everything from joints, framing and windows, to wiring, plumbing, and more.  All the information you need to join the timber-frame revival. 9 x 11-1/2, 240p, 130 drawings, 145 color photos, 1997.
T1291 paperback ..........US $34.95 CAN $39.95

TIMBER FRAME CONSTRUCTION: All About Post and Beam Building
Jack Sobon, Roger Schroeder.  Explains the basics of timber frame construction in terms the beginner can understand and the more experienced builder will appreciate.  Covers framing, designing for strength and beauty, using modern tools, and selecting the appropriate wood.  Easy to follow and well illustrated. 8-1/2 x 11, 208p, b&w illustrations & photos, 1984.
T3658 paperback ..........US $19.95 CAN $23.95

BUILD A CLASSIC TIMBER-FRAMED HOUSE
Jack Sobon.  Working from actual plans, shows first-time framer how to build a classic hall-and-parlor home. Includes finding a site, creating a plan, selecting species, hewing and milling, assembling frame, and more. 8-1/2 x 11, 208p, photos & line illustrations, 1993.
B8412 paperback ..........US $21.95 CAN $26.95

TREEHOUSES & PLAYHOUSES YOU CAN BUILD
David & Jeanie Stiles.  Shows older children and adults how to build creative treehouses and playhouses, with or without actual trees.  30 unique projects include a Hobbit Treehouse, a Pirate Playhouse, a tree perch, a zip line, a drawbridge, a stealth fighter, an alligator slide, & more.  Includes step-by-step instructions, material lists, safety tips, and info on building accessories.  A book that "shows the average 'do-it-yourself family how to easily and affordably bring such structures to life using their own hands in their own backyards." 8-1/2 x 11, 144p, 30 color photos, plans, 2006.
T7800 paperback ..........US $19.95 CAN $24.95

TREE HOUSES YOU CAN ACTUALLY BUILD: A Weekend Project Book
David & Jeanie Stiles.  A practical “how-to,” do-it-yourself guide to designing and building a tree house.  Explains basic building procedures through clear, simple instructions and non-technical line drawings that illustrate every step.  Outlines five basic designs adaptable to virtually any set of conditions.  Includes: shingled tree house; pine log tree house; sunburst tree house, and; more.  A great resource packed full of ideas and tips for the whole family. 8-1/2 x 10-3/4, 128p, color photos, line drawings, 1998.
T2732 paperback ..........US $18.00 CAN $20.95

 

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