iii
Preface
Congratulations—you are about to gain knowledge and skills that will serve you well
throughout your life. You are preparing to learn the basics of residential and light construc-
tion. You will learn how a house is constructed from foundation to roof, and you will begin
to develop the basic skills needed to build and maintain a structure. Additionally, you will
learn subject matter that will help you understand green construction, electrical and plumb-
ing systems, as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) principles.
You have several choices of how you will make use of this knowledge and skill in your
future. The construction industry is a broad field, and career options are vast. You may choose
to pursue a career in the construction trades, perhaps as a carpenter, plumber, electrician, or
HVAC technician. Some tradesmen and women transition into fields that are related to con-
struction but are not actively building. Many companies eagerly seek out people with knowl-
edge in construction. Insurance adjusters, inspectors, safety professionals, trade journalists,
and salespeople are just a few examples of careers that you can qualify for with experience and
knowledge of the construction field. You may continue your education at a four-year college
and pursue a career in construction management or engineering. Even if you choose a career
outside of construction, your study of carpentry will benefit you as a future homeowner.
Modern Carpentry is a well-illustrated, easy-to-understand source of authoritative and
up-to-date information on building materials, tools, and construction methods. It provides
detailed coverage of all aspects of light construction. Included are site development, print
reading, site layout, excavating, foundation work, framing, sheathing, insulating, roofing,
window and door installation, exterior finishing, interior finishing, and mechanical sys-
tems. Because images are key to understanding, there are many updated and new images
in this edition.
Chapters are arranged in a logical sequence similar to the order builders use to complete var-
ious phases of home construction. Special emphasis is given to the construction careers and
workplace skills, including attitudes and relationships with coworkers. This textbook strongly
focuses on safe work habits in handling tools, materials, and prefabricated components.
Green construction practices are emphasized and have been updated in this thirteenth
edition. Thinking Green tips throughout the textbook highlight items related to sus-
tainable construction within the context of the chapter topic. In addition, a new chapter
Building Envelope and Control Layers, provides a foundational understanding of the basic
building science needed by today’s carpentry professionals.
This edition also includes increased coverage of safe work practices and building code
requirements. Safety is critical when working with construction tools and materials.
Modern Carpentry provides an overview of safe work practices in a dedicated Safety chapter and
then supplements this general knowledge with Safety Notes throughout the textbook. Code
Notes highlight construction requirements found in model building codes.
Modern Carpentry also provides chapters introducing mechanical systems: electrical wir-
ing, plumbing, and heating and cooling (HVAC). More than cursory discussions of princi-
ples, these chapters explain how to install such systems.
Enjoy your study of construction, the accomplishment of developing new skills, and the sat-
isfaction of building something with your own hands. Most importantly, always work safely.
R. Jack Jones
Willis H. Wagner
Howard Bud Smith
Mark W. Huth
Preface
Congratulations—you are about to gain knowledge and skills that will serve you well
throughout your life. You are preparing to learn the basics of residential and light construc-
tion. You will learn how a house is constructed from foundation to roof, and you will begin
to develop the basic skills needed to build and maintain a structure. Additionally, you will
learn subject matter that will help you understand green construction, electrical and plumb-
ing systems, as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) principles.
You have several choices of how you will make use of this knowledge and skill in your
future. The construction industry is a broad field, and career options are vast. You may choose
to pursue a career in the construction trades, perhaps as a carpenter, plumber, electrician, or
HVAC technician. Some tradesmen and women transition into fields that are related to con-
struction but are not actively building. Many companies eagerly seek out people with knowl-
edge in construction. Insurance adjusters, inspectors, safety professionals, trade journalists,
and salespeople are just a few examples of careers that you can qualify for with experience and
knowledge of the construction field. You may continue your education at a four-year college
and pursue a career in construction management or engineering. Even if you choose a career
outside of construction, your study of carpentry will benefit you as a future homeowner.
Modern Carpentry is a well-illustrated, easy-to-understand source of authoritative and
up-to-date information on building materials, tools, and construction methods. It provides
detailed coverage of all aspects of light construction. Included are site development, print
reading, site layout, excavating, foundation work, framing, sheathing, insulating, roofing,
window and door installation, exterior finishing, interior finishing, and mechanical sys-
tems. Because images are key to understanding, there are many updated and new images
in this edition.
Chapters are arranged in a logical sequence similar to the order builders use to complete var-
ious phases of home construction. Special emphasis is given to the construction careers and
workplace skills, including attitudes and relationships with coworkers. This textbook strongly
focuses on safe work habits in handling tools, materials, and prefabricated components.
Green construction practices are emphasized and have been updated in this thirteenth
edition. Thinking Green tips throughout the textbook highlight items related to sus-
tainable construction within the context of the chapter topic. In addition, a new chapter
Building Envelope and Control Layers, provides a foundational understanding of the basic
building science needed by today’s carpentry professionals.
This edition also includes increased coverage of safe work practices and building code
requirements. Safety is critical when working with construction tools and materials.
Modern Carpentry provides an overview of safe work practices in a dedicated Safety chapter and
then supplements this general knowledge with Safety Notes throughout the textbook. Code
Notes highlight construction requirements found in model building codes.
Modern Carpentry also provides chapters introducing mechanical systems: electrical wir-
ing, plumbing, and heating and cooling (HVAC). More than cursory discussions of princi-
ples, these chapters explain how to install such systems.
Enjoy your study of construction, the accomplishment of developing new skills, and the sat-
isfaction of building something with your own hands. Most importantly, always work safely.
R. Jack Jones
Willis H. Wagner
Howard Bud Smith
Mark W. Huth