Down and dirty - a complete step-by-step guide to making, installing
and living with beautiful, all-natural earthen floors
Poor heat and moisture management are the enemies of durable,
comfortable, and efficient housing, and good building design and
construction starts with a solid understanding of good building science.
Essential Building Science provides a highly visual and accessible
introduction to the fundamentals of building science for residential
construction.
Part one covers the rationale behind high-performance design and the
fundamentals of building physics, including thermal dynamics, moisture
transfer, and hygro-thermal dynamics such as vapor drive and
condensation.
Part two teaches the vital critical thinking skills needed to consider
buildings as whole systems and to develop thermal and moisture control
strategies regardless of the specifics of the design. Case studies and
examples from across North American climatic zones illuminate real-life
problems and offer builders, designers, and DIYers the insights and
tools required for creating better new buildings and dramatically
improving old ones.
Good science plus critical thinking equals high performance buildings.