1 comments about Residential Construction Academy: Facilities Maintenance (Residential Construction Academy).

1. This text book does a fantastic job covering subject matter that is typicaly left out of the few other "how-to" maintenance books. I have found that the practical step by step instructions in this text are very useful, also current and up to date. I would definently recomend this book to anyone intrested in self study in the field of maintenance, or to a instructor of a related class intrested in a good text book to use.

No comments about Spon's Mechanical and Electrical Services Price Book 2008.

No comments about Understanding the Construction Client.

5 comments about The Complete Book of Paint.

1. I have been a professional faux painter for over 5 years. This is the book I turn to when a client is looking for something unusual. The photos provide endless, timeless finishes and designs. I have spent countless hours poured over Mr. Carter's book and I always find a little something in the pictures that I can turn into a 'new' look. The current 'in-style' colors may change, but that is the beauty of paint! Change the colors and you have a new look. As I always say, the best ideas usually begin as someone else's!



2. I have been a professional faux painter for over 5 years. This is the book I turn to when a client is looking for something unusual. The photos provide endless, timeless finishes and designs. I have spent countless hours poured over Mr. Carter's book and I always find a little something in the pictures that I can turn into a 'new' look. The current 'in-style' colors may change, but that is the beauty of paint! Change the colors and you have a new look. As I always say, the best ideas usually begin as someone else's!



3. I checked this book out of the library to determine if it was one I would like to add to my collection.
   
   The first half of the book "Inspirations" showed different rooms with various faux finishes and paint, none of which were detailed. The second half of the book was divided into "Technique and Effects", "Projects" and "Directory of paints and surfaces".
   
   "Technique and Effects" addresses the various techniques, i.e. sponging, splattering, combing, strie and others. Generally there were 1-2 small (about 2" x 4-5") close-up photos of the specific technique. The instructions for the technique followed with a few illustrations, not photographs. Some sections did not have illustrations, just text instruction of the technique (antiquing, aging wood and trompe l'oeil).
   
   "Projects" included things like:
   - Crackle-glazed headboard (basic and brief)
   - Opulent hallway (some weird star-like spots that seemed more appropriate for a child's room or maybe a celestial theme)
   - Faux Fur Interior (walls painted in a leopard-print using potatos)
   - Theatrical Drawing Room (very amateurish looking).
   
   There WERE several nice projects such as the:
   - Empire Style Salon which used Trompe l'oeil panels (no detailed instructions)
   - Townhouse Suite with Blue and white striped walls (again just brief steps)
   - Silhouetted Salon - very unusual technique and kind of a stylized art painting of a figure done in a navy color
   - Stone Blocked Bathroom - brief instructions but think I could follow this one without too much trouble
   
   "Directory" discusses different type of finishes and how they are used; exterior and how to paint various objects (gutters, brick, doors); tiles/ceramic/glass and plastic. I found this section very informative, even though it did not go into a great amount of detail on each component but it was helpful information.
   
   This book may be great for someone who already does faux-finishing, but I felt it lacked details for the beginner. I do think there are much better books out there for learning paint techniques which go into more detail. You might want to try Fresh Paint by Glenwood Sherry, Walls that Wow from Country Sampler Decorating Ideas (even though many of their techniques are not country) and Great Paint Finishes for a Gorgeous Home by Gary Lord



4. Carter's book gives a wide-ranging look at many aspects of decorative painting. He starts with a brief introduction, followed by a gallery covering just about every room in the house in his bold, dramatic painted treatments - the cover give just of his interior examples. Take that as an inspriation or warning, as you see fit.
   
   Next, he gives brief descriptions of many basic techniques, including multilayered washes of color, spattering, dragging, marbling, woodgrain finishes and others. This could have been a great resource, but lacks the detail and clarity needed for a do-it-yourselfer to have much chance of success. The project section includes two samples of furniture decoration, but the large majority describe room decorations. Again, I found the directions improvable, especially because I already had reservations about the wisdom or practicality of a beginner tackling such large projects with unfamiliar materials and techniques. I really had to wonder, too, about whether I'd like to live in a room decorated in faux leopard fur by means of stamps cut from potatos.
   
   The last sections present primers on paints, solvents, media, and surface preparation (primers included, if you'll pardon the pun). This is epsecially helpful for special problems, including metallic and masonry surfaces. In most other ways, though, other books are better for the fussy bits of technique, materials, and suggestions for approachable projects.
   
   //wiredweird, reviewing the 1996 edition



5. I love color, and I own about twenty books on painting. I have used this book dozens of times in the past few years--more than I've used any other painting book--and I have found it easy to recreate even the toughest designs. I've used my own paint colors or colors similar to these suggestions, all to stunning results. I think I've even covered a chair and made curtains based on something I saw in this book! I return to it over and over again.
   
   [...]

No comments about Installing & Finishing Flooring.

No comments about Salvaged Treasures: Designing and Building with Architectural Salvage.

No comments about Repair & Remodeling Cost Data 2005 (Means Repair and Remodeling Cost Data).

1 comments about Contractor's Pricing Guide 2005: Means Residential Detailed Costs.

1. Essentially, a quality reference book. I'm a remodeler and general contractor in Madison, WI. I've used this book to establish budgetary figures for homes I buy, renovate and flip. Being accurate with this book means being patient and flipping back and forth to find every little detail, but the time pays off - Means brings me in at or just above my actual costs. Couldn't ask for much more, except the layout according to the CSI Master Format doesn't make it easy to find all the right items and numbers. Also, Means doesn't allow for things like the style, height or complexity of the roof when determining cost to install shingles - so just be careful and remember to add in that contingency at the end. And don't forget to add local sales tax, if you have to pay it. (In my opinion, this book is better than Means Residential Repair and Remodel guide - that book gives you less options. However, it is organized they way you might layout a project. It's also easier to get a final number, but you defintely have to up your contingency factor because it's not as accurate.) If you're a remodeler, buy Detailed Residential Costs and use it - it'll save you time and money in the long run.

No comments about Spon's Estimating Cost Guide to Minor Works, Alterations and Repairs to Fire, Flood, Gale and Theft Damage (Spon's Estimating Costs Guides).

1 comments about Mechanical Behaviour of Engineering Materials: Metals, Ceramics, Polymers, and Composites.

1. a decent book. I have had worse required text. Makes a good accompaniment to lecture. The class was MSE 312 at Boise State University. The book would not be a great learning tool by itself, but does provide good reference and plenty of applicable tables and data.