HUD has released The Rehab Guide, a series of nine guidebooks to inform the design and construction industry about state-of-the-art materials and innovative practices in housing rehabilitation. The Rehab Guide series focuses on building technologies, materials, components, and techniques rather than projects such as adding a new room. When the series is complete, each volume will cover a distinct element of housing rehabilitation and feature breakthrough materials, labor-saving tools, and cost-cutting practices.

This publication, The Rehab Guide: Foundations is one in a series of guidebooks produced by the U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development to keep the design and construction industry abreast ofinnovations and state-of-the-art practices in home rehabilitation. As is too often the case, innovative techniques,materials, technologies, and products are slow to make their way into accepted practice. The Rehab Guide series is intended to accelerate this process by informing builders, architects, engineers, and other housing rehabilitation professionals about such innovations and state-of-the-art practices. The Rehab Guide was also prompted by the lack of a comprehensive publication to make thedesign and construction industry aware of innovative and cost-saving developments in housing rehabilitation. Professional trade magazines, conferences, and trade shows offer some distribution of this information, but they are rarely focussed exclusively on housing rehabilitation, as this series is, nor are they comprehensive. It is evident that such innovations will not advance unless the industry is made aware of them and they are tested.
The focus of this series is on housing rehabilitation, which is different than home improvement. Rehabilitate means “to restore to good condition,” not necessarily to improve to a state that is significantly different than the original. This is a fine line, but it distinguishes this series from “home improvement” books written for the amateur. The Rehab Guide focuses on building technology, materials, components, andtechniques rather than “projects” such as adding a new room, converting a garage into a den, or finishing an attic. Nor is The Rehab Guide intended to be a “diagnostic” tool; a number of such books is already available to the industry. The content for this guidebook, Foundations, has been gathered from professionals in the housing rehabilitation field; manufacturers and suppliers of innovative technologies, materials, components, tools, and equipment; trade shows, conferences, reports, and publications considering such issues; trade organizations; and building research centers. Assistance from the Remodelor’s™ Council of the National Association of Home Builders, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, and the National Multi- Housing Council was also solicited. Nine volumes will eventually make up The Rehab Guide in its entirety, and they are listed on theback cover of this volume. Each one is devoted to distinct elements of the house, and within each volume is a range of issues that are common to that element of home rehabilitation work. The present volume, Foundations, for example, covers topics from the design and engineering of rehab foundation systems to shoring and repair, waterproofing, crack repair, drainage, and insulation. Each volume addresses a wide range of techniques, materials, and tools, and recommendations based on regional differences around the country. Throughout The Rehab Guide, special attention is given to issues related to energy efficiency, accessible design, and sustainability.

This publication, The Rehab Guide: Exterior Walls is one in a series of guidebooks produced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to keep the design and construction industry abreast of innovations and state-of-the-art materials and practices in home rehabilitation. As is too often the case, innovative techniques, materials, technologies, and products are slow to make their way into accepted practice. The Rehab Guide series is intended to accelerate this process by informing builders, architects, engineers, and other housing rehabilitation professionals about such innovations and state-of-the-art practices. The Rehab Guide was also prompted by the lack of a comprehensive publication to make the design and construction industry aware of innovative and cost-saving developments in housing rehabilitation. Professional trade magazines, conferences, and trade shows offer some distribution of this information, but they are rarely focused on housing rehabilitation, as this series is, nor are they comprehensive. It is evident that such innovations will not advance unless the industry is made aware of them and they are tested. The focus of this series is on housing rehabilitation, which is different than home improvement. Rehabilitate means “to restore to good condition,” not necessarily to improve to a state that is significantly different than the original. This is a fine line, but it distinguishes this series from “home improvement” books written for the amateur. The Rehab Guide focuses on building technology, materials, components, and techniques rather than “projects” such as adding a new room, converting a garage into a den, or finishing an attic. Nor is The Rehab Guide intended to be a “diagnostic” tool; a number of such books are already available to the industry. The content for this guidebook, Exterior Walls, has been gathered from professionals in the housing rehabilitation field; manufacturers and suppliers of innovative technologies, materials, components, tools, and equipment; trade shows, conferences, reports, and publications considering such issues; trade organizations; and building research centers.

This publication, The Rehab Guide: Roofs is one in a series of guidebooks produced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to keep the design and construction industry abreast of innovations and state-of-the-art materials and practices in home rehabilitation. As is too often the case, innovative techniques, materials, technologies, and products are slow to make their way into accepted practice. The Rehab Guide series is intended to accelerate this process by informing builders, architects, engineers, and other housing rehabilitation professionals about such innovations and state- of-the-art practices. The Rehab Guide was also prompted by the lack of a comprehensive publication to make the design and construction industry aware of innovative and cost- aving developments in housing rehabilitation. Professional trade magazines, conferences, and trade shows offer some distribution of this information, but they are rarely focused on housing rehabilitation, as this series is, nor are they comprehensive. It is evident that such innovations will not advance unless the industry is made aware of them and they are tested.
The focus of this series is on housing rehabilitation, which is different than home improvement. Rehabilitate means “to restore to good condition,” not necessarily to improve to a state that is significantly different than the original. This is a fine line, but it distinguishes this series from “home improvement” books written for the amateur. The Rehab Guide focuses on building technology, materials, components, and techniques rather than “projects” such as adding a new room, converting a garage into a den, or finishing an attic. Nor is The Rehab Guide intended to be a “diagnostic” tool; a number of such books are already available to the industry. The content for this guidebook, Roofs, has been gathered from professionals in the housing rehabilitation field; manufacturers and suppliers of innovative technologies, materials, components, tools, and equipment; trade shows, conferences, reports, and publications considering such issues; trade organizations; and building research centers.

The content for this guidebook, Partitions, Ceilings, Floors, & Stairs, has been gathered from professionals in the housing rehabilitation field; manufacturers and suppliers of innovative technologies, materials, components, tools, and equipment; trade shows, conferences, reports, and publications considering such issues; trade organizations; and building research centers.

The content for this guidebook, Kitchen & Baths, has been gathered from professionals in the housing rehabilitation field; manufacturers and suppliers of innovative technologies, materials, components, tools, and equipment; trade shows, conferences, reports, and publications considering such issues; trade organizations; and building research centers. A variety of excellent resources exists for information on kitchen and bathroom systems and issues. The Kitchen and Bath Industry Technical Manuals, published by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, include resource books that address mechanical systems, construction considerations, function, design elements, equipment, and products relating to kitchens and bathrooms. A comprehensive source for manufacturers of cabinetry, hardware, appliances, fixtures, fittings, surface materials, and other products relating to kitchens or baths is available from Kitchen and Bath Business and Kitchen and Bath Design News.

The content for this guidebook, Electrical/Electronics, has been gathered from professionals in the housing rehabilitation field; manufacturers and suppliers of innovative technologies, materials, components, tools, and equipment; trade shows, conferences, reports, and publications considering such issues; trade organizations; and building research centers. A variety of excellent resources exists for information on electrical and electronics for homes. Old Electrical Wiring, published by McGraw-Hill, is an excellent book on wiring in existing homes and includes historical information and a resource section. Basic Wiring and Advanced Wiring, both published by Time-Life Books; Practical Electrical Wiring, published by McGraw-Hill; and Wiring a House, published by Taunton Press, are all comprehensive guides to wiring a house. The Old-House Journal Guide to Restoration, published by Dutton, provides a good history of wiring systems and tips for repair. Monthly publications of interest include the Energy Design Update, Environmental Building News, Journal of Light Construction, Home Energy, Old-House Journal, This Old House, and Traditional Builder.

The content for this guidebook, HVAC/Plumbing, has been gathered from professionals in the housing rehabilitation field; manufacturers and suppliers of innovative technologies, materials, components, tools, and equipment; trade shows, conferences, reports, and publications considering such issues; trade organizations; and building research centers. A variety of excellent resources exists for information on heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) and plumbing systems and issues. This Old House Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, published by Little, Brown and Company, is a comprehensive book on HVAC and water heating system alternatives. Plumbing a House, published by The Taunton Press, is an excellent source for information on plumbing systems. Monthly publications of interest include the Energy Design Update, Environmental Building News, Journal of Light Construction, Home Energy, Old House Journal, This Old House, and Traditional Builder.

The content for this guidebook, Site Work, has been gathered from professionals in the housing rehabilitation field; manufacturers and suppliers of innovative technologies, materials, components, tools, and equipment; trade shows, conferences, reports, and publications considering such issues; trade organizations; and building research centers. A variety of excellent resources exists for information on site rehab work. The Builder’s Graywater Guide is a good source on managing waste water on site; Energy Efficient and Environmental Landscaping is a guide to using the landscape for energy efficiency, and Landscaping with Native Trees is helpful in choosing the right vegetation for the various climatic regions of the US. include E-Build, Environmental Building News, Fine Homebuilding, Journal of Light Construction, Old-House Journal, This Old House, and Traditional Builder. Helpful information is also accessible via the Internet. Most equipment manufacturers and monthly magazines have websites where specific product information and past articles can be retrieved.