5 comments about Trellises, Arbors & Pergolas: Ideas and Plans for Garden Structures (Better Homes & Gardens).

1. My husband and I had a landscape plan drawn up that included a pergola. Since my husband rebuilt part of our fence, he wanted to tackle the pergola himself. So, I bought him this book and he really loved it.
   
   The beginning of the book shows a variety of ideas for trellises, arbors and pergolas. Even if you're not going to build it yourself, the photos, drawings, and descriptions of styles may help you select or design one that you like and fits your house/yard. My favorite idea from the book was a trellis that goes over the garage door - what a neat idea!
   
   The next section of the book has all the necessary instructions and shows you how to build a number of these structures. This could come in handy if you decide to build it yourself.
   
   Section three offers some suggestions for plants that will climb up structure.
   
   The final portion of the book goes over the different types of tools you may need for your project. There are also drawings and descriptions to help the novice learn the basic building and wood-working skills needed for these projects.
   
   Although we haven't started our pergola yet, I'm sure this book will come in handy. We've definitely been enjoying looking through it to see what kind we might want!



2. Good information on the different aspects of building the various landscape structures.



3. Trellises, Arbors & Pergolas: Ideas and Plans for Garden Structures (Better Homes & Gardens)
   
   I had been searching for a long time to find a suitable design for an arbor at the end of three converging pathways on a rustic portion of our property. I finally found the design I wanted at the bottom of page 9. I showed the design to our carpenter and he built an identical copy out of ipe. The result was so perfect, that I asked him to build a small pavilion in the same style on another part of our property. It also was elegant and sturdy. He commenced these projects in the middle of January in snowy, icy, windy, sub-freezing weather and finished both within about two or three weeks. I am now designing a 200-foot-long fence along two sides of our property in--you guessed it--the same style. If I ever figure out how to work my husband's new handycam I may be able to submit a video review. Useful book.



4. This is an excellent how-to book; great designs, clear instructions and easy to read text. This is a good book for the beginner thru the professional. I highly recommend it.



5. I was a bit disappointed with this book - I was hoping for a lot more ideas - most that were shown were pretty weak designs. Books like this are mainly idea books and the more ideas, the better. This looked like a half hearted attempt. Unfortunately, I haven't found anything better. There's a definite need for a decent book on this subject...

5 comments about Landscape Construction.

1. I found this book to be very thorough and detailed in its approach to a variety of landscape construction issues. It has detailed pictures and diagrams that illustrate the processes and make it easier to understand. The information is up to date, easy to read and a great learning tool for the student, professional or hobby person. As a landscape student, I find it a great resource book.



2. Just another really expensive textbook with no real information provided. The Better Homes and Garden series has much more how-to information, great photographs, and ten percent of the cost too.



3. I found clear concise information on this subject rare until discovered Mr. Sauter's Landscape Construction. There is a host of Better H & G / Sunset books available, but those are really idea/coffee table books written for the weekend warrior. If you really want to know the best-practices and standards for the industry, this is the reference for you. Great for the student and pro alike.



4. This book is full of incredible and professional information related to Landscape Construction. It's not meant to be a DIY book you'd get from Home Depot or Lowes. This book is meant for students and professionals wanting to learn best practices regarding Landscape Construction. Amateurs, landscape designers and architects can gain some valuable insights, too. We used this book as our textbook in the various landscape construction classes I took, studying to be a landscape designer.



5. I'm glad I decided to buy this book, despite its high price. Having just recently become a landscape designer/contractor, it proved invaluable many times in the course of our company's first big job. For example, the sections on stone paving were very helpful when we were building a flagstone patio, as they helped us select the best foundation and edging materials.
   
   I like the way the book is arranged, i.e. having a large section on paving, beginning with materials and site preparation for paving in general. This is followed by a chapter on each of the specific paving materials, such as concrete, unit pavers, dry laid stones, mortared paving, and granular paving.
   
   The extensive section on retaining walls, which I am about to take advantage of in our next job, is arranged similarly.
   
   This book is the industry standard. It is used as a text in City College of San Francisco, and it is also listed as a resource in the California Contractor's State License Board's Study Guide for the Landscaping (C-27) License Examination.
   
   So if you want to do landscape construction, I highly recommend this one.

4 comments about Renovating Barns, Sheds, and Outbuildings.

1. It's easy to say that this is the best book on renovating barns - it's the only one that I know of. But, this book is very, very good. I'm lucky enough to be able to spend much of my time designing new barns and helping clients restore old ones. I'm amazed and embarrassed by how much I learned from this book. Nick Engler presents a good primer on barn design, and then goes to work, explaining in detail how to repair each and every common problem with old barns. If your barn is leaning, if the stone foundation is buckled, if your pole-barn posts are rotting, if your timbers have splintered, if your roof sways, you'll learn what to do to fix the problem and to keep it from happening again.



2. We just purchased a property with an old barn and this book was recommended to us as an initial resource. It has provided a good overview of barn history and guidance for restoration.



3. if you are looking for good, solid, usable information on restoring old barns and the mechanics of their structure, this book is the bible on it. quite detailed and good instructions. the author doesn't just tell you it can be done, but how to do it as well. this book won't help trendy city folk, with no building skills, pick out carpet samples for turning a barn into a home, but it is the number one resource on the structure of barns and making them solid and usable again before changing their purpose. I highly recommend this book.



4. Excellent book on how to tackle serious structural deficiencies of your barn from foundation up to the roof.I think you could use this usefull information on other types of buildings such as older homes and garages.In fact this book will show you how to replace rotted out logs in a log cabin.Many simple pictures and diagrams on how to get it done.Also good basics on how to run water and electric utilities once you square up your building.

4 comments about Outdoor Kitchens: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Design and Construction (Better Homes & Gardens).

1. The girls can look at the pretty pictures but this actually shows you how to do the job... (Or some of you girls can come over and help me with my project:)



2. This is a good book. I gave it three starts because it only gave s few designs for the construction I needed, but it was a good reference. I think its important to research projects with these books then launch your own project with the ideas you've learned.
   3 stars out of 5.



3. Okay, this is not a book of plans and layouts--there are several--but, that's not the primary purpose of a book like this. IDEAS that's what you got here.
   
   Transposing one of these designs wholesale into your backyard would be fine IF you have the space, the matching terrain and the $s and, if the design matches and fits the style, scale and complements the features of your house. The writers admonish the reader to sit down and seriuosly think about how they use their kitchen and how they plan to use their outdoor one--that bit of advice alone is well worth the price of the book.
   
   As to the do-it-yourself aspects of the book they are well thought out, well laid out and clearly illustrated--and they are repleat with warnings and "bail-outs"
   
   All around outstanding



4. I bought this for my husband who want to install an outdoor kitchen and this book gave good design ideas as well as installation tips.

1 comments about Taunton's Deck & Patio Idea Book.

1. This book has some good designs, but not what I was expecting. I am looking to build a new deck (my first), and want ideas... This book had some fancy ideas, but not too many practical ideas... So if you are looking at a book like this, you are most likely going to pay someone else to do the job... There is nothing wrong with that though.... ;)

5 comments about Building Screened Rooms.

1. This book helped me to understand that there is much more involved with building a screened porch than I could handle myself. The directions were clear enough that I think any do-it-yourself-er with some experience under her belt could do a fine job. Not as many examples as I would have liked to have seen.



2. A great book, Many picture, giving great ideas and also many helpful notations for builind one.



3. This book has good information, nice pictures and usable designs for building screened rooms. Excellent "how to" methodology along with lumber specifications, loads and design detail. Best book I've found for screened room subject matter.



4. I bought this book specifically because it said it would show you how to build a screened room. From the book's front cover, "A complete how-to guide." I had been turned off by other books which simply said if you want a Gazebo, buy a kit and here's how to put it together. I don't have the budget to build from a kit. I need to put in the sweat equity. I bought Building Screened Rooms because I saw that it did have directions and a material list. I took it to the lumber yard to buy the materials. They explained that there was not enough detailed instructions or material specs to be able to build this. He said, "If you have a really knowledgeable builder, he may be able to figure this out for you." Not everyone is rich enough to just drop a wad of money on some architect, landscaper, builder, gardner and step back and watch them do the work. There are real live people out here who need directions because we are willing to work to attain what we want and can't just buy everything. I am so completely and hopelessly disappointed!!!



5. I purchased this book to see if I could learn how to put my own screened room. Tons of ideas.

1 comments about Smart Guide: Ponds & Fountains: Step-by-Step Projects (Smart Guide).

1. This paperback gives you the basics, step by step, for constructing a water feature. It doesn't overwhelm you with projects that you can't possibly complete. Good entry level book.

5 comments about The Complete Guide to Decks : A Step-by Manual for Building Decks (Black & Decker Complete Guide) (Black & Decker Complete Guide).

1. After reading this book, I was able to build my own 22 by 12 ft. deck. It contains lots of plans for various deck types with lots of pictures showing you how to do everything from cuts to bolting. I couldn't have built my deck without it.



2. This book was ok, but I was still left longing for something more comprehensive, with more examples and more pictures.



3. A great book for deck building. My only complaint is there was a bit too much info on the exotic style decks that can be built. More regular first time info would have been helpful. Overall though a great book for the price.



4. The last time I did much carpentry was 30 years ago, so not being much of a carpenter, I'm having a deck built for me, but I still wanted to get some information on how its done, so I'd have some idea of what to look for in a well designed and built deck, and how to maintain it. This book was fine for that. It covers all the basics, the different parts of the deck, siting the deck, materials to choose from, design ideas, important things to consider, plus of course how to actually go about building a deck. I learned that many decks these days are actually more of a particle board or composite material, which is low maintenance, which lasts longer and is easier to maintain. I had always liked the idea of a cedar or redwood deck but decided that the other material was the way to go. It doesn't have the nice grain of natural wood, but better resists stains, water, and the elements. Overall, a helpful book, especially for a beginner with not much previous knowledge and expertise. I also liked the book: Building a Deck: Expert Advice from Start to Finish. These two books were the best of the many that I looked at.



5. Excellent book for the home DIY person. If you thinking of hiring contractors to put in a deck, forget it, buy this book and DIY.

5 comments about Sheds and Garages.

1. We have found this book to be extremely helpful so far. Has easy to read instructions with pictures to show exactly how to do things. My husband stated that this was the best book he has seen so far.



2. If you do not know what a plumb bob is, or how to mark a chalk line, this book will be of great value. If you are looking for plans to build a shed, buying this book is similar to paying for an order form.

   This will show you from the ground up how to build a shed, yes. However, one must pay another 15-30 dollars for the actual plans, despite the covers boast of "special section: 33 Great New Plans!". Reason #298 why to look at the book at a real bookstore before buying, too.

   If you know how to build anything, you may see this as a waste of time/money.




3. This book has an abundance of helpful information for the novice carpenter. Lots of good building designs also. Very good reference and learning book.



4. I loved this book!!! Not only did you see ideas on how to decorate but if you wanted to, "bulid it yourself", then it gave you step by step and tools as well as land lay out you needed.
   
   Also gave you garage/loft plans to choose from. Again loved it!!



5. This book gives good step-by-step instructions that are useful for building a shed, as well as for any framing or repair work. Amazon's price is well below Home Depot's.

3 comments about Kid's Places to Play.

1. Book is very informative and give several plans. Also explains how to make your own cargo net (if you can find the materials) and a really cool spider-web climbing net



2. This is a very comprehensive book on children's play structures that begins with lists of what children like to play with by age, what they can do to help build by age (nails, screws, shoveling gravel) and how to involve them in the design.
   
   There are water features, sand areas, play houses (from forts to teepees to castles), tree houses, cable rides, bike "roller coaster," climbing walls, skateboard ramp, and other fun things. There are amazing details like a periscope on a tree house, window boxes, steering wheels and a telephone of rubber tubing and funnels.
   
   Don't think you need a huge lot either, as these projects scale well and there is even a tiny yard shown with a water feature, a stage for plays, a circular bike path, and a sand box beside a grassy garden area.
   
   If you build these, they will come.



3. Places to play is what a grandparent wants.
   Ideas are great and easy to understand.