how to build a house

larry haun (habitat for humanity)

for probably about six years i have been looking for a book that describes how a typical house is built. these are surprisingly hard to find (i had to travel to portland). many treat specific niches: pole-construction, energy-efficient housing, etc. since HFH builds solid houses cheaply and uses unskilled, voluntary labor, it makes sense that they would publish a guide that could be used by potential workers and that deals with the materials and methods they use. and this is as close to a general house construction book as you can get.

during the months i read this (because of information density, i would only read 3 or 4 pages a day), i found myself studying the techniques work crews used on buildings going up on the way to work and studying the interior trim work in friends' houses and apartments. when a book can induce heightened awareness in the reader even when not being read, its worth multiplies.

a few other points:

an interesting read for old-timers since this guy talks about the techniques used in the past, their inadequacies, the current techniques that replaced the old, and their advantages.

applicable in all parts of the country (usa) since the guy discusses regional differences in materials and techniques.

nicely complements actually doing HFH work because the book explains the why's and how's that folks on the job site don't have the time or will or knowledge to explain.

interestingly (to me) this guy shares a surname with family of mine that also practice carpentry. part of the great german haun diaspora i reckon.