Residential Framing: A Homebuilder's Construction Guide

I bought this book before starting my own house. I didn't do much framing on the house but the book gave me a good idea of what was going on with the framing while the house was being raised. It gave me a good basic understanding of how things are done and of the terminology used by framers which provided me with the knowledge to work with my framers without sounding like a complete novice. I also used the book to make some decisions on some of the framing techniques I wanted used in the house and I was able to use it as a reference to show my framers what I wanted. The diagrams are great. It's a good book. It's a little wordy in some of the more boring areas but it covers a wide range of topics and does so in a fashion that is easy to understand and follow.

So nice to see such a quality book that cover every detail big and small. It is my building bible! Every one who either owns a home of wants to do a building project should make this their first purchase.

Excellent diagrams, well-written, very thorough. If you can swing a hammer and have some basic mechanical inclination, this book will be invaluable. Or, even if you have a really good idea of what you're doing, this book will fill in the holes of your knowldge and you'll frame like the pros. This is probably the most useful book I have ever bought - on any subject.

Consider "Carpentry & Building Construction" by the same author. It seems to include most of the content of "Residential Framing" plus much more.

Spence's book is the most easily read reference I have seen on basic house framing. Excellent diagrams of everything from batter boards to installing crown moulding. Good info on scaffolding and other saftey items. Good basic reference on lumber grades and markings. I have consulted this book during every project from my shed to my addition and deck.