Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Architect Walter Segal refined timber frame building dramatically to make it accessible to all. Using this flexible method, this full-color book provides an easy approach for those with no previous building experience to create their own post and beam home with advice for all stages of planning, design and building. Consideration of the environmental impact of different materials helps readers create an affordable eco-friendly home.Note that this book originates from Europe and may contain measurement units, etc. not commonly used in the US.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Acknowledgments (p. 2)
• Foreword (p. 7)
• Introduction (p. 9)
• The nature of this book (p. 9)
• The housing crisis (p. 10)
• Ways of building (p. 11)
• Post and beam frames (p. 12)
• The legacy of Walter Segal (p. 13)
• Ecological timber frame building (p. 16)
• Will a timber frame building last? (p. 17)
• Minimising impact (p. 18)
• Energy in buildings (p. 18)
• The design process (p. 20)
• Designing for self build (p. 21)
• The essential Segal Method (p. 22)
• The choice of grid dimensions (p. 24)
• Will a timber frame building blow away? (p. 27)
• Construction: stages and choices (p. 33)
• Summary of the main construction stages (p. 34)
• How to use this chapter (p. 36)
• Foundations (p. 37)
• Square pads (p. 38)
• Round bored pads (p. 39)
• Piers (p. 40)
• Strips and plinth wall (p. 41)
• Structural frame (p. 42)
• Frame raising (p. 43)
• Flat roof frame (p. 46)
• Pitched roof - purlin frame (p. 47)
• Pitched roof - principal rafter frame (p. 48)
• Balloon frame (p. 49)
• Platform frame (p. 50)
• Frame timbers and structure (p. 51)
• Rectangular posts (p. 51)
• Square posts (p. 52)
• Simply supported beams (p. 53)
• Continuous beams (p. 54)
• Cantilever (p. 55)
• Knee-brace (p. 56)
• Composite beam (p. 57)
• Trusses (p. 58)
• Frame joints (p. 59)
• Bolted joint (p. 59)
• Housed joint (p. 60)
• Half-lap (p. 60)
• Pegged mortice and tenon (p. 61)
• Scarf joints (p. 62)
• Frame wind bracing (p. 63)
• Brace members (p. 63)
• Panel sheathing (p. 64)
• External skin: roof (p. 65)
• Ventilated 'cold' roof (p. 66)
• Unventilated 'warm' roof (p. 68)
• External skin: floors (p. 69)
• Suspended ground floor (p. 69)
• Solid ground floor (p. 70)
• External skin: Walls (p. 71)
• The 'breathing' wall (p. 71)
• Rigid panel (p. 72)
• Spaced panel (p. 72)
• Stud (p. 73)
• Spaced-stud (p. 74)
• Counter-stud (p. 75)
• External skin: windows and doors (p. 76)
• Manufactured units (p. 76)
• Built in-situ (p. 77)
• Bay windows (p. 78)
• Clerestory lights (p. 79)
• Conservatories and porches (p. 80)
• Verandahs (p. 81)
• Internal walls (p. 82)
• Internal rigid panel walls (p. 83)
• Stud walls (p. 84)
• Service voids (p. 84)
• Stairs and steps (p. 85)
• Services (p. 86)
• Space and water heating (p. 86)
• Electrics (p. 88)
• Electro-magnetic radiation (p. 88)
• Water (p. 88)
• Ventilation (p. 89)
• A Green Guide to Materials (p. 91)
• What are 'green' materials? (p. 91)
• Timber (p. 94)
• Metals (p. 97)
• Plastics (p. 99)
• Cement (p. 99)
• Roof finishes (p. 101)
• External wall finishes (p. 103)
• Internal wall finishes (p. 104)
• Floor finishes (p. 106)
• Thermal insulation (p. 106)
• Decorative finishes (p. 108)
• Appendix Tools (p. 110)
• Appendix Time and money (p. 111)
• How long will it take?
• How much will it cost?
• Appendix Glossary of terms (p. 112)
• Resource Guide (p. 113)
• Afterword (p. 118)
• Mail Order Form (p. 119)
• New Futures List (p. 120)