Book excerpt: A one-stop resource for residential or commercial construction projects, Construction Building Envelope and Interior Finishes Databook gives you instant access to hundreds of tables, specifications, charts, diagrams, and illustrations covering materials and components most frequently used on a typical job. In easy-to-understand language, construction pro Sidney M. Levy covers: *Interior metal stud specifications, design data and typical details...drywall installation...and fire and sound ratings *Structural steel, cast-in-place concrete and masonry structural systems, with details, specifications, and illustrations of component parts *Masonry shapes, patterns, installations tips and practices, with an illustrated guide to reinforcing specifications and materials *Roofing types and materials...flashing and waterproofing details *Finishes including plastic laminates...resilient flooring... painting specifications...and installation guidelines *Much more!