The Rehab Guide 1997-2000 Executive Summary The Rehab Guide is a series of guidebooks produced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to keep the design and construction industry abreast of innovations 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 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 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. FOCUS OF THE REHAB GUIDE 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 thin 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; such books are already available to the industry. HOW THE GUIDE IS ORGANIZED Nine volumes make up The Rehab Guide in its entirety. 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. 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. The full guide is available in PDF format:
Prepared for:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Policy Development and Research
Washington, D.C. Prepared by:
Steven Winter Associates, Inc.
Norwalk, CT |
