Used by thousands of builders, architects, remodelers, and subcontractors, Building Better Homes shows you how to apply the latest in green building science ideas to residential construction. Using a whole house systems approach, learn how to design and build high-performance houses that are healthier and more comfortable, more durable and energy efficient, and more affordable to own.

Building Better Homes also presents hundreds of real-world ways to prevent the most common construction errors. The program follows the construction process step-by-step, with photos of construction details, technical animations, and hours of interactive construction content. Web links and other resources help you stay up-to-date on the latest advances in green building science and the industry.

System Requirements

Windows®

Part 1: WHAT IS A BETTER BUILT HOME?
This part presents the building science principles and physics behind a better built home. It includes interviews with several successful home builders who've incorporated these principles into their construction systems and share with us why they would not build any other way.
Sections:
1. Challenges Today
2. High-Performance Homes
3. 8 Performance Rules
4. 5 Pairs of Glasses
5. Builder Interviews
6. Summary
7. Learn more

Part 2: BUILDING A BETTER HOME
This part shows how to apply the principles described in Part 1 to each stage of the home building process, using real-life examples and supported with construction details, installation video, printable instructions, and checklists.

Section 1: The Building Site
1. Introduction
2. Climate
3. Drainage
4. Solar Exposure
5. Noise
6. Seismic Conditions
7. Soils
8. Insects & Rodents
9. Location & Sustainable Design
10. Summary
11. Learn More
12. Checklist

Section 2: The Foundation
1. Introduction
2. Footings
3. Slab on Grade
4. Crawl Spaces
5. Full Basements
6. Foundation Walls
7. Water Management
8. Backfill & Grading
9. Foundation Insulation
10. Soil Gas Management
11. Summary
12. Learn More
13. Checklist

Section 3: Subfloor Systems
1. Introduction
2. Floor Joists
3. Rim Joists
4. Subflooring
5. Ledgers
6. Summary
7. Learn More
8. Checklist

Section 4: Exterior Walls
1. Introduction
2. Wall Structures
3. Exterior Cladding
4. Water Management
5. Windows and Doors
6. Wall Connections
7. Sheathing
8. Insulation
9. Managing Air & Vapor Flow
10. Interior Wall Materials
11. Summary
12. Learn More
13. Checklist

Section 5: The Roof
1. Introduction
2. Roof Design
3. Air Barrier
4. Insulation
5. Ventilation
6. Sheathing
7. Underlayment
8. Flashing
9. Roofing Material Types
10. Skylights & Roof Penetrations
11. Gutters & Downspouts
12. Summary
13. Learn More
14. Checklist

Section 6: Mechanical Systems
1. Introduction
2. Design
3. Heating Systems
4. Cooling Systems
5. Ductwork
6. Ventilation
7. Indoor Air Filtration
8. Managing Humidity
9. Exhausting Appliances
10. Summary
11. Learn More
12. Checklist

Section 7: Plumbing & Electrical
1. Introduction
2. Plumbing
3. Water Conservation
4. Electrical
5. Lighting
6. Summary
7. Learn More
8. Checklist

Section 8: Finishes & Appliances
1. Introduction
2. Wall Coverings
3. Paints, Stains & Finishes
4. Floor Coverings
5. Cabinetry & Trim
6. Appliances
7. Summary
8. Learn More
9. Checklist

Section 9: Remodeling
1. Introduction
2. Exterior Inventory
3. Interior Inventory
4. Exterior Recommendations
5. Interior Recommendations
6. Summary
7. Learn More
8. Checklist

Section 10: Turning Over the House
1. Introduction
2. Homeowner Orientation
3. Summary
4. Learn More

Part 3: GETTING STARTED
This part provides builders with tips, insights and a process for transitioning their
business and construction practices to using the whole-house systems approach
to building homes. It includes interviews with successful builders who are
already integrating this approach into their businesses.
1. Introduction
2. The Builder's Experience
3. Training & Education
4. Help is There
5. Construction Transition
6. Organization Transition
7. Summary
8. Learn More

Part 4: SELLING A BETTER BUILT HOME
This part provides ideas and suggestions on how to market higher performing
homes, including examples of sales literature, checklists, and a video of tips and
advice from builders and a realtor already applying the whole-house systems
approach to home building.
1. Introduction
2. Marketing
3. Training & Education
4. Sales Tools
5. Branding
6. Affiliations
7. Summary
8. Learn More
9. Checklist