Handbook of Alternative Materials in Residential Construction

Rating:
Summary: Something good that could be bigger (and better)
Review: I agree with the reader that wrote earlier about the "Handbook"'s focus on accesible buildings. That chapter is an extremely lucid and practical discussion, and it's worth getting the book just for that.

However, I was somewhat disappointed by the main part of the book; I don't think it presented a very wide range of materials. That's understandable given the constraints of time and space. Maybe the book should be published in series, as another reader mentioned.

One final thing that bugged me about this book is the author's repeated caveat that their goal was to 'discuss new construction materials in a non- [or multi] proprietary manner', but that such a discussion was impossible for some patented materials; furthermore, that some of the text essentially was content forwarded to the authors by the manufacturer, and not independently tested. I don't know if this kind of presentation was a result of lack of time or resources, but I do feel that it made the book less readable, and in a sense, less trustworthy. It seemed like 'alternatives to the alternatives' were not presented in this format.

I should stress that this is a good and readable book, but it could be better!

Rating:
Summary: Rebuttal to Mr. Oliver
Review: I am afraid Mr. Oliver may be setting the bar unrealistically high in his review of my book. The dilemma when writing an extensive text about materials that are not yet widely distributed, implemented or even present in the everyday vocabulary of architects, contractors, homebuilders and homeowners is problematic. It is the very nature of these materials, and their "newness" to the construction world that requires research along uncommon and non-traditional paths. Periodicals, textbooks, manufacturer's literature, sales representatives and contractor interviews are the only means available when discussing an item that is new to a particular market. I don't think Mr. Oliver understands this. I stand behind the book as an unbiased, well-researched text that has opened up a whole new world of materials to professionals in the homebuilding industry. Finally, Mr. Oliver is in error regarding his comment about material testing. Testing was performed by independent laboratories for ALL of the materials reviewed, whether it be Underwriters Laboratories or Factory Mutual. ALL of the materials discussed are code compliant as well. I trust that future readers of my book will find the book as an insightful, informative and easy to read text- and disregard Mr. Oliver's review.

Rick Bynum, AIA

Rating:
Summary: Great Book for Everyone from Weekend Workers to Foremen
Review: The Handbook of Alternative Materials in Residential Construction was truly a fascinating read for me. I discovered there were so many things that I took for granted when it comes to home design and construction. Such a simple notion as how to make your home wheelchair accessible for anyone at any age at practically negligible additional cost is such a logical idea that I do not understand why more people are not building their homes with this in mind. The material was presented in such a clear and logical fashion that it was very simple to compare the common construction materials in use for homebuilding today to the "new and improved", innovative materials. Very enlightening. The comprehensive appendix in the back of the book also made it very simple to contact the manufacturers for more detailed information, product brochures and store locations.