Ontario Home Builder

Posted In: Home Builders

Tish Minnifield says...

This is great for someone who has a general idea about how building a house works and wants more detail, especially when it comes to being "green"

Posted on August 25, 2010

Crysta Winslow says...

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.

Posted on August 26, 2010

Raymundo Eikner says...

The information provided is pretty basic, and only covers a handful of green building products.It is a great starting point, and everyone should build foundations as stipulated by this book.I really believe that someone needs to create a series of books like this, but that are more regionally specific.

Posted on August 26, 2010

Louie Zuniga says...

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!!

Posted on August 26, 2010

Rosella Hay says...

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.

Posted on August 27, 2010

Jaimee Gills says...

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.

Posted on August 28, 2010

Jule Heiken says...

GREEN FROM THE GROUND UP: SUSTAINABLE, HEALTHY, AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOME CONSTRUCTION will find its place in any builder or homeowner library. It provides an easy step-by-step course in green building packing in details for building professionals and covering the nuts and bolts of the green construction trend. The latest theories and proven methods of new and remodeled green construction habits are explained, from the basics of building to site planning, materials, and energy concerns. Color photos and charts pack a title filled with specifics, not theory.



Diane C. Donovan

California Bookwatch

Posted on August 29, 2010

Norma Aromin says...

A great book that covers everything.A good checklist of things to consider.The graphics provide highlights from different viewpoints -- green design, construction, would I do this? Lots of photos and drawings. A good book to have on the shelf for reference.

Posted on August 31, 2010

Mitzi Tuggles says...

As an owner/builder for a new home construction I have been researching and attending seminars for the past year + to learn about "green building". This book brings it all together. We are giving it to each of the subcontractors we are using.

Posted on August 31, 2010

Dean Denetclaw says...

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.

Posted on September 3, 2010