Recommend a book on framing?

[burger]

I'm looking for a book to help me design the wooden structure of my new garage. This is a huge project and I want to educate myself to build a safe and sturdy structure.

Most books that I've seen on Amazon seem to either be introductory books for someone who is unfamiliar with a hammer or college textbooks with little in between.

What I'm looking for is something that will help me design the walls, roof, and storage second floor. I'd like something with tables that will help me determine joist, stud, and rafter sizes as well as spacing with a little text to help understand the tables. I'd like to figure out header sizes, beam sizes, etc.

So what did you use? Any architects care to recommend books they keep referring to? All the reviews on Amazon kind of blur together after a while.


Thanks,
Ed

 

[boiler7904]

There are a couple that I would recommend in a heartbeat:

JLC Field Guide Vol 1.

Graphic Guide to Frame Construction

Whenever I'm working with a wood frame building, these books are always used as a reference. These are the first of two volumes in each series. Each has a follow up that covers interior finishes, systems, etc. From what I've seen, you really can't go wrong with books put out by Taunton Press or JLC.

As a side note, one of the architects in our office had Rob Thallon (author of Graphic Guide to Frame Construction) as a professor during grad school for his masters in archtiecture at University of Oregon. He has said that the guy finds ways to communicate what he's trying to say as simply and to the point as possible so that you get and fully understand the point. After reading through the books, I'd have to agree.

 

[PAToyota]

I second the Taunton Press - hard to go wrong with anything that they publish. One of my first books for understanding how it all goes together is Building Construction Illustrated by Francis Ching. I still keep that close at hand on my desk at work.

 

[burger]

thanks for the recommendations. i ordered the ching & thallon books last night.

 

[bigdogrider99]

This is the one I have and it is the best I have seen, used it for to referance while building several sheds, home additions, and my garage. Outstanding book and it covers everything from digging the site planning, foundation, wall framing, roof and finishing the interior.

http://btobsearch.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&btob=Y&EAN=9780078227028&itm=1

Check this out and you can see what it lead to.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4230&highlight=bigdogrider99