Download Chapter 17 Construction Homes

Chapter 17
Constructing Homes and Other
Buildings
Objectives
Describe the preparation of a construction
site.
 Explain how foundations and
superstructures are constructed.
 Describe how interiors are finished.
 Discuss post-construction tasks.

Preparing the Site
Step 1 – Surveying the site to mark the
property line.
 Step 2 – Clearing the site of anything that
might interfere with construction.

– This might include trees, old structures, rocks,
and/or excess soil.
Site prep continued
– Demolition – rid the site of old buildings. This
is done by tearing it down or blasting it down
with explosives.

Earthmoving – excess earth and rock are
cleared away and the remaining earth is
leveled and smoothed.
Laying out the Site
Identifying and marking the exact location
of the structure on the property.
 Using the site plan as a guide, workers
take measurements from the stakes
surveyors placed at each corner of the
property.
 Boundaries are marked with batter board

Batter Boards
Are boards held horizontally by stakes
driven into the ground.
 Placed four to five feet outside the
buildings boundaries.

Batter Board
String is used to connect batter boards at
opposite sides of the building.
 The attached strings cross directly over
the boundary stake at the corners of the
building.

Foundation
The part of the structure that rest upon
the earth and supports the superstructure.
 Foundations are usually made from
concrete.
 Can be above or below ground.

Superstructure

The superstructure rest on the foundation

In buildings the superstructure usually
consist of everything above ground.
Excavating

Excavating, or digging, for the foundation
is done by heavy equipment such as
– Backhoes
– Front-end loaders
– And Trenchers.
Parts of the foundation
Footing – is the part
of the structure below
the foundation wall
that distributes the
structure’s weight.
 The footing is usually
twice as wide as the
foundation wall.

Building the Superstructure

There are two types of superstructures
– Framed structure
– Load-bearing wall structure.
Framed Structure

A framed building has a main skeleton, or
framework, that supports the weight of
the building.
Framing Members
Studs
Joists
Rafters
Roof
Trusses
Studs
Studs – parallel, evenly spaced, vertical
boards that form the frame of exterior and
interior walls.
 Studs are nailed at the top and bottom to
horizontal boards called plates.

Joists

Parallel, evenly spaced, horizontal boards
that form the frames that support floors
and ceilings.
Rafters or roof trusses
Rafters are sloping roof framing
members cut from individual pieces of
dimension lumber.
 They extend from the ridge downward
over the side walls of the building.
 Roof trusses – are preassembled
triangular frames that are used to frame
the roof.

Continued

The sloping sides of the truss’s triangular
frame serve as rafters; the base of each
triangular frame forms a ceiling joist.
Load-Bearing Wall Structure
Heavy walls support the weight of the
structure.
 There is no frame
 Bearing walls are usually made of concrete
blocks, poured concrete.
 Bearing walls construction is best suited
for low buildings of one of two stories.

Enclosing the superstructure
Sheathing – is a layer of material, such
as plywood, oriented-strand board, or
insulating board, that is placed between
the framing and the finished exterior.
 Vinyl or wood siding, stone, brick, and
other materials are placed over the wall
sheathing for decoration.

Installing Floors
Subfloors – consisting of sheets of
plywood or oriented-strand board, is
nailed or glued to the floor joists.
 The subfloor serves as a base for the
finish flooring.
 Underlayment – is nailed or glued to the
subfloor before the finish floor is applied.

Installing Utilities

Utilities refer to service systems in a
building
– Electrical systems
– Plumbing systems
– (HVAC) Heating, ventilating, and air
conditioning systems
Insulation
Is material that is applied to walls and
ceilings to help keep heat from entering
the building in the summer and leaving in
the winter.
 Helps make a house more energy-efficient
 Insulating materials are labeled according
to their R-value. The higher the R-value,
the better the insulating qualities.

Insulation Forms
Batts or Blankets – These are thick
fiberglass sheets or rolls, with a paper or
foil backing. Designed to fit between
framing.
 Rigid Panels – large sheets of plastic
foam or natural fibers.
 Loose fill – fibrous or granular material
that is blown into place using a special
hose.

Finishing the Interior

Ceilings and Walls – Enclosed with drywall.
Drywall is a general term used for plasterboard
or wallboard.
 Floor Coverings – finish flooring is usually
installed over the underlayment after the walls
and ceilings have been finished.
 Trim and Other Finish work – Used to cover
edges where ceilings, walls, and floors meet.
Prefabricated Structures
Components of structures and even whole
structures are now being built in factories.
 The prefabricated parts or sections are
shipped from the factory to the
construction site.
 Three Types

– Panelized Construction
– Modular Construction
– Manufacturing Housing
Panelized Construction
In Panelized construction, the floors, walls,
and roof all consist of prefabricated panels
that have been made in factories.
 Panels are then shipped to the
construction site where they are
assembled to produce the framed and
sheathed shell of the structure.

Modular Construction
Entire units, or modules, of structures are
built at factories and shipped to the site.
 The modules are assembled at the site to
product a finished structure.

Has been used
to build motels.

Manufactured Housing
Many new single-family homes are entirely
manufacture in factories and then shipped
to the site.
 These homes are built in two or more
sections to produce a finished structure.
 Example - Double wide or trailer

Finishing the Site

Paving – Several areas around the homes
and other buildings need to be paved.
– Driveways
– Walk Ways
– Parking Lots

Landscaping – Begins after all the debris
from construction has been removed.
– Changing the natural features to make it more
attractive.
Review
Preparing the site involves clearing away
unwanted objects, leveling and smoothing,
and laying out the site.
 The foundation, which supports the
superstructure, consists of footings and
walls.
 The superstructure may have a wood or
steel frame or may be a load-bearing wall
structure.

Review Continued
Once the structure is framed, it is enclosed, the
subfloor is laid, the utilities are roughed in, and
insulation is installed.
 Components of structures and even entire
structures may be prefabricated in factories,
then shipped to construction sites to be
assembled.
 Finishing the site involves paving and
landscaping. Then the project is transferred to
the owner.
