Manuals
Discover CHBA’s complete collection of industry-leading manuals—brought together to support builders, renovators, and professionals at every stage of the housing journey. From the Builders’ Manual, the definitive guide to constructing high-performance homes in Canada’s demanding climate, to the Renovators’ Manual, which dives deep into applying building science to existing homes, and the Adaptiv Home Renovation Manual, focused on accessibility and aging-in-place solutions, these manuals offer comprehensive, practical knowledge grounded in real-world expertise. Whether you’re building new, renovating, or planning for the future, these authoritative resources are essential tools for delivering better, smarter homes.
Explore the different manuals
CHBA Builders’ Manual
This is the definitive guide for home building in Canada
For those who need to know how to build homes in one of the toughest climates on earth, the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Builders’ Manual is the most authoritative guide you will find for building superior energy-efficient housing. And for the first time, this edition addresses Net Zero Housing – homes that produce as much energy as they consume each year. The new 2020 edition offers over 450 pages of concise information and easy-to-follow illustrations. The concepts, building science, techniques, materials, and building details discussed in this manual are applicable to all houses, no matter their size, energy performance target, or method of construction.
CHBA Renovators’ Manual
The new definitive guide for home renovation in Canada
In Canada, the renovation sector creates great jobs and employs even more people than the new home building sector. Annually, Canadians invest more in renovation and repair of their homes than is invested in building new homes. Approximately 90% of Canadians have said they want to live in their homes as long as they possibly can. There are many opportunities in the renovation industry.
Home renovation starts with a building that may be decades old, sometimes with hidden problems from the wear and tear of time, weather, older materials and more. Renovators need to understand and apply building science to every project they undertake.
CHBA Adaptiv Home Manual
The new definitive guide for adaptiv home renovation in Canada
Approximately 90% of Canadians have said they want to live in their homes as long as they possibly can. 15.3 million Canadians, or almost 16% of the population, are living with some form of disability that affects their level of freedom, independence, or quality of life, and it is estimated that by the year 2036, more than half of all Canadian households will be headed by people 55 years or older. There are many opportunities in the renovation industry: the Canadian Home Builders’ Association identified, through its own market analysis, that 80% of Canadian homes need to be modified in order for homeowners to age in place, and that the adaptive home sector is valued at approximately $77 billion dollars.
the bundle you've been waiting for!
Members SAVE $30
Bundle contains the Renovators' Manual, Adaptiv Home Manual and Builders' Manual. All three books will be shipped together.
CHBA Members receive an additional $30 off the bundle pricing. You must be logged in to the website for the discount to apply.
BUNDLE: SAVE $20
Bundle contains the Builders' Manual and Renovators' Manual. Both books will be shipped together. CHBA Members receive an additional $20 off the bundle pricing. You must be logged in to the website for the discount to apply.
BUNDLE: SAVE $20
Bundle contains the Adaptiv Home Manual and Builders' Manual. Both books will be shipped together. CHBA Members receive an additional $20 off the bundle pricing. You must be logged in to the website for the discount to apply.
BUNDLE: SAVE $20
Bundle contains the Adaptiv Home Manual and Renovator's Manual. Both books will be shipped together. CHBA Members receive an additional $20 off the bundle pricing. You must be logged in to the website for the discount to apply.