Complete Book of Framing: An Illustrated Guide for Residential Construction Paperback – December 13, 2011

WOW this book is outstanding! This book has great illustrations, instructions and photos in it. The amount of detail is incredible, this guy covers it all with clear and concise instructions, this book explains how to do framing very good. I am extremely impressed with this book. Whether you are a beginner or weekend warrior re-modeler or experienced pro, this book has something to offer each person.I was impressed with the amount of precision and concise details in each section of this book, it discusses, the planning, layout, the actual how to do it yourself, the materials purchasing, the tools to use and how to use them. The building codes that need to be used and proper standards of framing. This is all done for all framing, from the floor of a home to the walls, inner and outer, load and non load bearing, to second or third story homes, and the framing of various types of roofs.This book is an encyclopedia of framing, the best if not one of the best framing books I have ever used or read and I have not even gotten to read all of it completely yet but it has helped me a great deal already in month time. I just wish I had learned of or found this book sooner. If a weekend re-modeler or small business type like me can read this book and actually apply what the author instructs and it works, then anyone can. I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially if you are just starting out and want to learn or have self help with framing, this book is wonderful. And there is enough of more advanced ideas in it for the pro framer also. Buy it you will not regret it.

I first purchased this book in 2016 when I decided to build my first house. I had some minor framing experience, but I was always the guy pounding nails. I wanted to be the lead framer on my own house, and luckily I purchased this book.I built the perfect 2 story home with this book, and felt very confident in my abilities after studying this book and watching Larry Haun's videos.I have since built a few garages, a two-flat, and another single family home from scratch using the skills acquired this book. This book will easily net me a million dollars in the first few years.Buy it.

Pages were a little wrinkled and bent but the pages hold together fine.

I am a beginner that wants to build a shed. Most of this book is "way over my head" however it is totally enjoyable. With all of its pictures and "how to do photos" it is really explains everything about fraiming. My appreciation for carpenters went way up when I saw what building actually entails. I have learn a few things and I am sure I will learn a few more things as I gaze at this book. Watching YouTube videos on framing is a bit easier on framing. Going to a hardware store and learning how to communicate with the store reps is better. If you are in the trade I am sure this is a must know. Thank you for this wonderful book.

I learned so much with this book, it is incredibly detailed. I feel confident in all the components of framing a home after this book. Pictures and descriptions were just great, even for a beginner. Definitely worth a read!

I do not believe This is the book for a DIY-er or even someone just beginning to learn the trade. In essence, the author does a fine job of laying out all the "whats" of framing but rarely talks about the "whys" of framing. The trouble for me begins on the first couple of pages -- there's maybe half a page given to explaining a load-bearing wall, mostly just a diagram, a couple of sentences to go along with it "and that's it. I still have no idea how I would identify a load bearing wall and be able to explain WHY it's a load-bearing wall. It gets better ... later in the first chapter there's two pages full of pictures of common framer's tools, but absolutely no discussion on what to look for when selecting your own tools. Do we really need a picture of a measuring tape? Or an extension cord? If the picture of a tool belt had not been included, I'd be framing right now wearing a purple fanny-pack.There's also a section on deciphering lumber panels on page 12 of the second edition. All the author does here is label each part of the lumber panel and move on to the next topic. For example, it would have been nice to have a discussion on the the moisture content (S-GRN, S-DRY, MC-15) as it relates to new construction or remodeling work, when to use which moisture content, etc. But I guess I'm supposed to already know this.I gave it three stars because my viewpoint is only one valid viewpoint; others, probably seasoned framers, may actually find the content in this book helpful. As for the DIY-er who wants to learn the whys and be able to reason about framing construction, this book falls dreadfully short.If only Rex Cauldwell, the author of "Wiring a House" were a framer and had written this book ... this book is better off as a encyclopedia for framing contractors, as it contains 100+ pages on how to run a framing crew.I'll update my review with a suitable recommendation for a beginner DIY framing book once I have found one.

Great book that I reference a lot for being able to look over plans and check on construction work being done by others, caught my contractor lying about short changing the way things are done and got his work flagged by inspectors until it was corrected. Hashelp with my own little projects as well and gave me a much better understanding into the framing world.

I wanted this book to help me figure out how to build my own small garden shed. I have not read through all of it but I think it's just what I need when I finally begin the project. It's probably way over my head, but I would rather have something that has MORE info than I need than less.