No comments about Pools and Spas.

No comments about Pools & Spas, 2nd Edition.

No comments about Porch & Patio Essentials (Black & Decker Quick Steps).

1 comments about Dream Porches and Sunrooms: Designing the Perfect Retreat.

1. Though the word "sunrooms" is included in the title, there are fewer than five sunrooms featured in this book.
   
   Most of the featured houses would cost $3-5million if purchased in California. The porch on the front cover is illustrative of the porches featured inside. If you can't afford the house that goes with that porch, you won't be able to afford the porches on the interior either.
   
   This complaint is no small matter--the issues that arise in trying to make the most of limited space with a limited budget are different from the issues faced by a multi-millionaire designing a dream house with a dream view.
   
   The self-congratulatory text concludes, "You've seen spectacular examples of porch design and been directed to the details that set them apart. Along the way, you've witnessed what is possible no matter the circumstances, regardless of the size of a house." I disagree.

No comments about Dream Backyards: From Planters to Decks, Over 30 Projects to Create a Beautiful Outdoor Living Space.

5 comments about Decks 1-2-3 (Home Depot ... 1-2-3).

1. This book describes in a complete step by step process how to build a deck. All the information you need to know is contained within.



2. Wonderful reference book. I had little experience building anything, and I built myself a deck with this book. I learned as much from studying the photographs as from the text. Hihgly recommended.



3. If you only buy one book, buy 'Decks 1-2-3' from the Home Depot series. This book tells you darn near everything you will need to know to build a deck. Their attempts to sell you every tool imaginable are pretty transparent -- there are several pages devoted to listing the "essential" tools, all of which are conveniently available for purchase at your nearest Home Depot. However, the technical descriptions of the construction tasks are clearly illustrated and explained, and that's really what matters.

   I recently built a wooden deck in my backyard. For other suggestions and review, check out my 'So you'd like to...' guide.




4. This is quite simply an excellent book on deck building. I have read many, and overall I think it is the best. It is probably best for those of intermediate skill level (those they call "handy" in their 3-level self-rating scale) because my guess is that people with absolutely no construction or design knowledge probably won't find enough information to really understand what the structural issues are. For example, the joist/beam/post spacing tables are rather sparse: enough information to do the calculations if you know what you're doing, but probably difficult to figure out if you don't.
   
   However, for many of us, it's just the thing. One of my favorite parts is all the Work Smart hints scattered throughout the book. These are tips from pro builders giving ideas and information that us non-pro wouldn't know. There are even tips in there about what to do if you make a mistake in building.
   
   The pictures are great too, better than any other deck building book I've used. This is where the book really shines. They give you step-by-step instructions with full pictures of several different decks under construction. The concrete pouring sequence alone is worth the price of the book.
   
   Despite all the tools they list that are mentioned in a previous review, it seems pretty honest to me: for example, they tell you, under mixing your own concrete: Pros don't mix their own concrete, they get trucks to deliver it. Pretty good, considering that Home Depot sells concrete mix and all the tools required to mix it yourself!
   
   The only major thing I can think of that it doesn't cover is composite decking materials. These are all the rage nowadays, of course, but they require some changes in design. It would be nice to have information on these changes, and hopefully future editions will have this information.
   
   Overall, an excellent book, and well worth its price.



5. This book was so-so and I was glad I didn't pay full price for it. I don't think it covers the topic completely, as I was hoping for something that gave more examples and provided more pictures, descriptions of the different materials available, and a detailed discussion of estimated costs of building a deck, DIY or through a contractor.

5 comments about The Art And Craft of Stonescaping: Setting & Stacking Stone.

1. When I started a stone-project at our farm in the Catskills -- re-cycling some old, fallen-down stone walls into a new retaining wall -- I bought a half-dozen books, including David Reed's Stonescaping. Although Reed's book was not the best one for my particular project, as a good how-to book, it is very good and as an idea book, it is excellent.

   On the plus side, Reed provides details and plenty of full-color pictures for everything from tools to stone varieties to uses for stone. He expands far beyond free-standing and retaining walls to benches, paving stones, terraces and even sculpture. After reading this book, I realized that I can use the stone I have at hand in quite a few ways besides walls.

   The main negative is the book is just too pretty to drag outdoor where I'm working. Of course, the easy solution to that is to photocopy the appropriate pages and take them to my worksite.

   It is a great book for anyone interested in adding stone texture to the garden, lawn, or general landscape.




2. A good book for anyone interested in landscaping their yard with dry stacked stones. It teaches you much more than just making retaining walls. Learn how to make paths, steps, benches, pools, and how to integrate plants into the stonework. It could have used some more photos of finished projects, but overall it should be enough to help you finish any stonescaping project you take on.



3. This book is full of beautiful photos and ideas for stonescaping. It includes stone paths, patios, steps, retaining walls, and even how to make an impressive stone waterfall. However, it's not only the wonderful photography that makes this book great, but it also includes information about how to accomplish these things. I would have to say this is a great "how-to" book that disguises itself as a beautiful coffee table book.



4. This is a decent book for the novice to overcome any initial trepidation about building drystone features. It is well illustrated, and comprehensive enough to get you started. However, with a few exceptions, the stonework illustrated is of average quality. For a true photo reference on the art of drystone, I would recommend Dan Snow's "In the Company of Stone" over Reed's book any day. Combine it with John Vivians "Building Stone Walls", and you will have everything you need to enter the world of drystone work: quality pictures of excellent stonework for reference, and solid, no nonesense text to guide you.



5. Very pleased with this book, it covers many aspects of stonework. Nice photos, lots of step by step projects with stone such as paths, walls, steps, waterfalls, pools, etc. Good early section on types of stone and the tools needed to work with stone.

5 comments about The Complete Guide to Decks: A Step-By-Step Manual for Building Basic and Advanced Decks (Black & Decker Home Improvement Library).

1. I thought this book said it all. It delivers just what you need, for information. This book is great for the first timer and for the advanced deck builder.



2. this book is great for beginners and has lots of pictures and step by step. lots of detail in this book even up to all the tools and parts you will need. im very happy with it.



3. I checked out many books from my library (which did not have this book). This book beats all other deck books I've seen for the following good points: * Awesome pictures & drawings: B&D accomplishes with a picture what others can only do with a drawing. * Great mix of design ideas with how-to detail for each design flare. * Very complete how-to teaching style with a level suitable for beginner to advanced. * Clear, consise writing style.

   B&D has fast become my favorite home improvement book source. Their advanced wiring guide is also very good!




4. This book has great step by step instructions on how to build a deck in general. It also has several start to finish guides (with good pictures) for specific kinds of decks, and the special stuff you do for those.

   The one complaint I would have is that the deck was tailored to building a deck with a cantilevered beam. I was building a corner-post deck, and some of the examples didn't show both. (Some of them did, but I could have used more detail.)

   I've also heard the Home Depot deck book is good.




5. Tons of photos, very good step by step instructions. Great for the begineer to intermediate DIY'er.

   However, be sure to check your local building codes before making any plans. It will save you a lot of money. This book (like most deck building books) are written with people in the North Eastern US in mind. Readers in the South East don't need such deep footers for example. It goes the other way too, the directions for attaching a deck to your home were insufficient for code in my local area.
   This book, like most other deck books, focuses on tall decks and really doens't discuss much about ground level decks.

1 comments about Making Paths & Walkways: Creative Ideas and Simple Techniques.

1. While I was thumbing through my new book, a good friend was looking over my shoulder, and asked if I would buy her a copy. We were both very impressed with the color pictures and great ideas. Instead of ordering through her book club we decided to look at Amazon.com. There is was.

1 comments about Treehouses.

1. Absolutely wonderful book. A gift for my daughter, who has loved tree houses since she was a toddler. She says it is one of the best she has ever seen! It's worth buying, just for the concept.