As the first step in starting this project, I researched. All kinds of sources - from website, to books, to friends, to family - have lead me to where I am now and where I am going. Here is a list of resources that I found useful as well as the contractors that I contacted.
- Books & Magazines
- Building Codes
- Contractors
- Electrical
- Foundations
- General Construction
- Lumber/Supplies
- Websites
Books
Building a Multi-Use Barn
Author: John D. Wagner
ISBN: 0913589764
List Price: $14.95
Publisher: Williamson Publishing Company
This book was probably the most useful when it came to actually building. The book went through each step of building the structure. The author assumed that you were doing everything yourself, and that you didn't know anything about building. He went through pros and cons between approaches as well. It is an excellent book.
Code Check: A Field Guide to Building a Safe House
Code Check Electrical: A Field Guide to Wiring a Safe House
Author: Redwood Kardon, Douglass Hansen, and Michael Casey
(Building) ISBN: 1-56158-407-X
(Electrical) ISBN: 1-56158-550-5
Publisher: Taunton Press
These are checklists against the International Residential Code and the National Electrical Code respectively. While I didn't use these to decide what to do, I did use them to try a ward off any code violations.
Graphic Guide to Frame Construction
Author: Rob Thallon
ISBN: 1561583537
List Price: $34.95
Publisher: Taunton Press
This is one of the books from Taunton's For Pros By Pros series. It was a difficult read at times. As the title suggestions, it is written for someone in the construction trade, but it is still a very useful book. It helped in figuring out what was the best building method to use. For example I wasn't sure how I wanted to construct the wall corners. The Graphic Guide, listed the different methods to join wall corners and the benefits of each.
The best thing about The Graphic Guide is that it is thorough. It starts with the foundation and ends with the roof. It shows multiple scenarios and ways to address each. Finally you can copy the diagrams for use when you get permits.
Roofing With Asphalt Shingles
Author: Mike Guertin
ISBN: 1561585319
List Price: $24.95
Publisher: Taunton Press
Another book in the "For Pros By Pros", series. All of the books in this series offer so much knowledge that it makes a beginner like me feel as though their is an expert right next to me.
Setting up Shop
Author: Sandor Nagyszalanczy
ISBN: 1561585556
List Price: $19.95
Publisher: Taunton Press
Setting Up Shop helped with the big ideas. It covered concepts such as storage, lighting, HVAC, and dust collection. This helped me decide what I wanted and what I needed - two very different things.
The Very Efficient Carpenter
Author: Larry Haun
ISBN: 156158326X
List Price: $22.95
Publisher: Taunton Press
This is another book in the For Pros By Pros series. Larry Haun is great. He's the experienced carpenter everyone wishes they had standing next to them when they are building. He dishes out the advice in large portions. I highly recommend this book for anyone doing any type of construction.
Working Alone: Tips & Techniques for Solo Building
Author: John Carroll
ISBN: 1561582867
List Price: $17.95
Publisher: Taunton Press
Working by yourself can be tremendously frustrating. Some simple like measuring a wall can take twice as long without a helping hand. This book shows you where to find that helping hand, even when your neighbor isn't around. I wish I had this book before I started working on the framing. It would have been very useful.
Fine Woodworking
The annual Tool & Shop edition that comes out every year is a good resource for ideas on shop planning, flow, and construction decisions.
Building Codes
NAHB | National Association of Home Builders | Construction Codes and Standards
This is the building industries national association. They track all issues related to home building. While the site is geared toward the professional builder, I did find some useful information on building codes.
Visual Interpretation of the International Residential Code - 2000 Stair Building Code (pdf)
Here is a great document that I found on Fine Homebuilding's Breaktime forum. It explains the IRC code for stairbuilding with - here is the great thing - illustrations. I don't know about you, but it is difficult interpreting building codes. I'm a visual guy. This document's illustrations helped to answer a lot of questions.
Electrical
Electrical Diagram Symbols
I found this image online somewhere. It has all of the symbols that should be used for electrical diagrams.
Foundations
Ace Hardware | Laying Concrete Block
In my research as to building methods, I came across this article on how to lay concrete block. While it is an excellent reference, reading this made me realize that I didn't want to try something this adventurous. Maybe on a smaller project I will attempt to lay block, but on my workshop I am going to leave it to the pros.
PDF file is 2.2 mb in size
Permanent Wood Foundations, Design and Construction Guide
This PDF file, written by the Southen Pine Council shows the viability of a wooden foundation. The code has been accepted in the BOCA National Building Code and the International One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code.
General Construction
American Wood Council
This is a good resource to look at when you are trying to find out what can and cannot be done with wood. I especially like the two online calculators that they have.
Maximum Span Calculator for Joists & Rafters
Span Options Calculator for Joists & Rafters
Canadian Wood Council
This is a good general framing site. This site explains the different methods and techniques for framing. I found the section on nails and screws particularly helpful.
Simpson Strong_Tie
Lots of information on construction connectors. I was looking on information about joist hangers and hurricane clips and I found it here.
Lumber / Supplies
84 Lumber
84 Lumber is more geared towards builders and contractors then Home Depot and Lowes. Not that they won't help the average home owner, but they are more knowledgeable and proffesional with their day-to-day operations. They are also a lot less crowded, because they don't have the "I'm looking for a screw to hang a picture" customer like Home Depot and Lowes do.
Percontee Gravel and Sand
Senco Pneumatic Nail Chart (pdf)
This PDF file is a chart of the Senco line of pneumatic nails. It lists which nail to use when needing a certain size. This is helpful to me, because in the building codes, they list the nails by size (6d, 7d, 8d, etc.) and not length (1", 2 1/2", 3 1/4"). but what I discovered is that pneumatic nails are listed by length and not size. This chart help me tofind which ones to buy.
Websites
Grizzly Workshop Planer
This thing is just plain fun. It allows you to layout a workshop of your very own. It has access to many tools, cabinets, and benches that are TO SCALE. You can customize many pieces in here to fit your own needs. Kudos to grizzly for putting this out there.
HammerZone.com
HammerZone.com is a great online resource for do-it-yourself projects. I've read many of their how-to articles. They tend to be thorough with many pictures. I like the fact that they not only talk about what to do, but also why. This is an aspect of many how-to articles that are missing. If I know the "why", then I can apply that knowledge to another project, or figure out an alternative if the recommended solution doesn't work in my instance.
Miss Utility
1-800-257-7777. Miss Utility is a one-call notification center that notifies subscribing underground utility owners of proposed excavation plans. We take calls for MD, DE, and DC
SawMillCreek.org
I was told about this site by a co-worker of a friend. It is a web forum for woodworking. The people are realy helpful and open to communication.
Taunton Press
Taunton Press is THE source for all things do-it-yourself. I frequently read their magazines, Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding. Many of the books I have listed above are from Taunton Press. The website is very helpful, because they publish many of the magazine articles on the site as well. They also have a great forum "Breaktime" with helpful posters on building and construction.
Woodshop Demos
Woodshopdemos.com is a site run by John Lucas. It deatils a lot of projects with instructions and pictures. A very helpful site.