Rehabilitation of Wood-Frame Houses

Wood-frame houses have long been the prevalent form of shelter in the United States. As a result, some houses in most mature communities are either outmoded or in deteriorating condition. Routinely, some are razed and others are simply abandoned. In either case, they are usually replaced with new living units, which is expensive and uses additional resources. If the house is demolished, the cost of waste disposal must also be considered. Many houses could be rehabilitated, which costs less than new construction and saves considerable materials. This book contained much material related to in-place evaluation techniques and rehabilitation methods, in addition to information about energy costs, health considerations, and fire safety.The section on in-place evaluation is a guide to determining the suitability of the wood-frame structure for rehabilitation. The book presents a systematic approach for inspecting the building and evaluating information from the inspection. If the structure is deemed worthy, the rehabilitation portion is a guide for planning and conducting the work.This handbook should be particularly useful for owners and prospective buyers of older homes. It should also be of interest to carpenters, contractors, and lending institutions, as well as groups that seek to maintain and improve homes within a community.The book was prepared by the Forest Service of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the National Research Center of the National Association of Home Builders.U. S. Department of Agriculture is the author of 'Rehabilitation of Wood-Frame Houses' with ISBN 9780894991646 and ISBN 0894991647.