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Fundamentals of Building Construction : Materials and Methods (Hardcover) 
Now in its Fourth Edition, Fundamentals of Building Construction is an essential textbook that has been used by thousands of students annually in schools of architecture, engineering, and construction technology. The best-selling reference focuses on the basic materials and methods used in building construction. Emphasizing common construction systems such as light wood frames, masonry bearing walls, steel frames, and reinforced concrete, the new edition includes new coverage of green design and energy-efficient construction energies, and is based on the International Building Code(r).
Foundations & Concrete Work (Best of Fine Homebuilding) (Paperback)
In these collected articles from Fine Homebuilding magazine, professional builders, masons, and engineers show you how to mix and cure concrete for lasting installations, build a concrete or block foundation, avoid the most common mistakes in concrete and masonry, build a foundation on a sloping site, insulate and drain foundations, even in the coldest and wettest climates, make a permanent wood foundation, and work with concrete to build retaining walls and driveways.
Exterior Siding, Trim & Finishes (For Pros by Pros) (Paperback) 
A home's appeal depends a great deal on its exterior paint or stain, brick- and stonework, siding, trims, and other details - and it's not just the type of finish that's important, it's also how well the job was done. This first-ever compilation by Fine Homebuilding on the popular subject provides builders with ideas for choosing the correct finishes for home exteriors, plus solid how-to information.
Framing Floors, Walls and Ceilings (For Pros by Pros) (Paperback)
For the do-it-yourselfer who wants to build a new home from scratch, add on an addition, or tackle a major renovation, the mix of articles featured in this guide shows how to do it right the first time - from trueing up a mudsill and cutting multiple parts all at once (a tremendous timesaver) to selecting headers, erecting trusses, and completing cathedral and coffered ceilings. Each project is accompanied by step-by-step instructions and extensive color photos and illustrations
Insulate and Weatherize : Expert Advice from Start to Finish (Build Like A Pro) (Paperback)
Taunton has created its new "Build Like a Pro" series to help serious do-it-yourselfers perform projects of greater complexity than are usually covered in books for amateurs. An engineer who trains builders in energy-efficient construction, Harley offers a wealth of information that will allow readers to improve their home's efficiency, saving both money and natural resources. After an introductory section that explains the underlying principles of heat transfer, insulation, and air quality, Harley demonstrates basics such as weather-stripping and moves forward through advanced projects including insulation and major upgrades. Short "Pro Tips" as well as sections labeled "Trade Secrets," "What Can Go Wrong," and "In Detail" provide a great deal of helpful information.
Drywall : Professional Techniques for Great Results (Paperback)
Drywalling looks easy, but anyone who has tried it knows that it is physically demanding and that one needs a knowledge of many finishing touches and tricks-of-the-trade to ensure a good job. In this revision of a 1996 title, Ferguson, a drywall hanger with 20 years' experience, shares his hard-won knowledge with readers. The most commonly used drywall techniques are covered step by step, and there are additional sections on various types of drywall, tools, and decorative effects. A great deal of attention is paid to taping and sanding, which are the keys to an attractive job. Libraries owning the original edition should consider this update, as a number of new techniques and products have been developed. Recommended for all public libraries.
The Complete Guide to Doors & Windows (Black & Decker) (Paperback)
One of the hottest home improvement trends is "daylighting" -- remodeling to increase the number and size of windows and light-transmitting doors in a home. In addition, simple repair and replacement of doors and windows is a perennially popular home improvement project. This book is an all-in-one reference that provides everything a homeowner needs to know about choosing, repairing, replacing, and installing all types of windows and doors in all kinds of structures -- houses, garages, sheds and outbuildings. It includes information on exterior doors, interior passage doors, sliding patio doors, French doors, skylights, and basement egress windows. You'll find step-by-step directions and hundreds of photographs that take you through the process of framing new windows and doors as well replacing the ones you already have. There's even a section showing how to trim and finish windows and doors with hardware, locksets, wood trim, draperies, and other window treatments. Plus, we share ideas on ways you can make your doors and windows more secure and how to install digitally keyed locksets.
Framing Roofs (Best of Fine Homebuilding) (Paperback)
The For Pros By Pros titles are compilations of articles from Fine Homebuilding magazine, selected by the editors of the magazine and organized by subject. New articles from recent issues of the magazine have been added to this edition of Framing Roofs. Updated and redesigned throughout, this book gives builders the very best and current information.
Building Porches and Decks (For Pros by Pros) (Paperback) 
The For Pros By Pros titles are compilations of articles from Fine Homebuilding magazine, selected by the editors of the magazine and organized by subject. New articles from recent issues of the magazine have been added to this edition of Building Porches and Decks. Updated and redesigned throughout, this book gives builders the very best and current information.
Hardwood Floors : Laying, Sanding and Finishing (Paperback)
While wood flooring has been much in vogue in recent years, it has received little if any exceptional treatment from do-it-yourself writers. Bollinger, an experienced flooring contractor, has produced what has to be the definitive guide to installing and finishing wood floors. He addresses the three types of flooring: strip, plank, and parquet--covering such topics as estimating costs; selecting wood types and grades; preparing the underlayment; planning the layout; sanding; and applying various finishes. Bollinger brings in many tricks of the trade, such refinements as wood and metal inlays, and ideas for dealing with the irregularities that invariably crop up in the repair or layout of floors as part of renovation projects. Nicely illustrated with photos and drawings.
Wiring a House (Best of Fine Homebuilding) (Paperback)
Electricity is one of the least understood yet most important aspects of do-it-yourself building and renovation. Used safely, it allows us to enjoy a life of convenience, but when its basic rules are violated it can destroy one's home. A master electrician, building inspector, and licensed general contractor, Cauldwell shows how to properly use electricity in this revision of his 1996 text. Starting with electricity's basics, he then explains tools of all types, shows how and where electricity enters the house, and explains grounding (which is vital for safety). Proceeding through the house, Cauldwell demonstrates how to wire both new construction and renovations and to install receptacles, switches, fixtures, and wired-in appliances. Important safety information is provided, including ground-fault circuit interrupters, lightning, and surge protection. Finally, Cauldwell gives instructions for wiring "Above Code," his system of wiring that exceeds the minimum standards required by the electrical code and results in a safer, higher-quality installation. This title does an outstanding job of explaining an area of perennial confusion for do-it-yourselfers. Recommended for every collection.
Plumbing a House (For Pros by Pros) (Paperback)
This is more for people building a house than those remodeling one, but its no-nonsense, in-depth explanations and marvelously clear illustrations make it a worthwhile reference for anyone facing an expedition into the crazy world of domestic plumbing. Like any really good book, it broaches some controversy: Hemp apparently doesn't go along with the idea that fluoridated water is likely to bond with elements of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes and pose a health risk. But he isn't going to tell you what to do, merely how to do whatever it is you want to do. He mentions the controversy, but he describes in some detail several kinds of pipes for every application. Showing keen appreciation of where real power in the construction universe lies, he notes that local governing bodies are the ultimate arbiters of plumbing morality, so check with them before proceeding. Creating your own plumbing system is a daunting task. Those who are game will want to have Hemp, or at least his book, at their side.
Building Stairs (For Pros by Pros) 
Stairway design and construction is considered a cornerstone of homebuilding. To address this important topic, Building Stairs contains design, fabrication, and installation information for a wide variety of options, from simple, site-built utility staircases to elaborate spirals.
Setting Tile (Fine Homebuilding) (Paperback) 
Michael Byrne's Setting Tile is packed with more than enough information for those thinking of taking on a tile job in their home. It is so detailed and thorough that it serves as a Tile 101 introduction for those interested in entering the trade full-time or simply improving their skills and knowledge. He advises his readers that even after they've found the right tile for the bathroom floor or kitchen counter--the one that is just the right color and that the manufacturer recommends--to take those tiles and put them through a few of their own tests. Rub it with your favorite frying pan to see how easily it's marked up and, in turn, cleaned off. Scuff it with junior's hiking boots to see how it endures a day in the life. Chapters are devoted to materials, tools and safety, troubleshooting and repairs, and surface preparation. And in his chapter stressing the importance of doing a proper layout long before setting that first tile, Byrne also gives the reader a few clever ways to check levels, straightedges, and carpenter's squares for accuracy.
Finish Carpentry (For Pros by Pros) (Paperback)
The For Pros By Pros titles are compilations of articles from Fine Homebuilding magazine, selected by the editors of the magazine and organized by subject. New articles from recent issues of the magazine have been added to this edition of Finish Carpentry. Updated and redesigned throughout, this book gives builders the very best current information.
Built-Ins and Storage (For Pros by Pros) (Paperback)
Storage is a top priority for homeowners and builders alike, and this selection of articles from the editors of Fine Homebuilding magazine provides inspiring ideas, helpful case studies, and key construction details for a range of storage solutions throughout the house. Closets, entertainment centers, built-in hutches, bookcases, room dividers, and pantry organization are just a few of the topics covered in this whole-house approach. Helpful tips on staying organized accompany specific storage plans, all of which contribute to the beauty, value, and order of a home.
Additions : Design Ideas for Great American Houses (Great Houses) (Paperback)
House additions come in all sizes and levels of complexity. This book contains dozens of ideas for additions, everything from adding a sunroom to expanding a half-Cape into a full-blown house. Candid accounts of design and construction from the architects, builders, and homeowners are included, giving the home do-it-yourselfer or armchair architect the chance to learn firsthand the kinds of challenges that arise and how to overcome them. 180 color photos and 85 color illustrations add to this book of creative inspiration and expert advice for anyone considering a home remodel.
Big Book of Kitchen Design Ideas (Schiffer Design Book) (Paperback) 
More than 300 big, full-color photographs of stunning kitchens provide an encyclopedic resource of design ideas for homeowners, designers, and contractors. The kitchen designs presented here include award winning designs and fancy product showcases designed for many of the nation's leading manufacturers of cabinetry, countertops, windows, appliances, and floors. Many styles of kitchens are covered, from contemporary and country, to classic European looks, early American, retro, and art deco designs. Special needs are addressed for elderly and handicapped users, as well as design issues faced by families with young children. There are designs for people who entertain frequently, and for those who need the kitchen to serve every purpose--from home office to dining room, to laundry room. The book is designed as a reference library for use as a bank of illustrations to share with a designer or contractor when seeking the right look for your new home. A reference guide at the back of the book lists manufacturers and designers.
Complete Bathroom Design : 30 Floor Plans, Plus Fixtures, Surfaces, and Storage Ideas (Hardcover)
This book showcases a wide-range of bathroom designs, from exacting floor plans down to the little details such as built storage and digitally controlled thermal shower jets. Useful for the home investor who wants to paint a clear picture for an architect or a builder, this practical and visual guide will cover everything from antique fixtures, to modern luxuries, to high-tech touches. This book will provide a full range of styles and options, detailed resource listings, and sidebars to help consumers with their decision-making.
The Complete Guide to Building Decks (Black & Decker Home Improvement Library) (Paperback)
This book is a substantive revision of America's best-selling deck-building book. At 304 pages and with more than 650 photos, this book is an all-inclusive source of tips, techniques, and instructions for building decks. In this important revision, construction techniques have been altered to reflect latest building code requirements and building practices, and additional projects have been added.
The book opens with a revised portfolio section to help readers gain ideas, then moves to design and planning information. Next are comprehensive sections on basic and advanced deck-building techniques, followed by a chapter that shows tep-by-step procedures for building seven popular deck designs. As a bonus, the book includes a chapter on popular deck accessories, and also shows how to modify a deck design for a truly custom look.
In addition to the basic deck-building methods covered in the book, readers will also learn how to build multi-level decks, how to build stairways with landings, how to build curved decks, how to build decks with unusual angles, how to create overhead screens, and how to add electrical service and lighting fixtures to a deck.
Making Bentwood Trellises, Arbors, Gates & Fences (Rustic Home Series) (Paperback)
Long has written a friendly, conversational book about bentwood garden accessories, some fantastic, others prosaic or elegantly simple. In nine main chapters, he covers selecting wood, making a basic trellis, more elaborate and decorative trellis designs, bentwood gates, bentwood fences, arbors, and trellises made without bentwood. He discusses the selection of plants for your structures, and finally, adds a chapter on simply enjoying your bentwood structures, even going so far as to include a few yummy recipes for muffins, teas, and shortbread to savor in your newly created garden environment! The techniques outlined by Long can be easily adapted to your own individual designs and creative ideas. As Bertha Reppert, the founder of the Rosemary House, says, "I shall never look at plant prunings the same way again." Bentwood garden structures offer a natural, eye-pleasing alternative to plastics and mass-manufactured garden installations, making use of the garden itself to generate construction materials that might otherwise end up burned or in a landfill. --Mark A. Hetts
Retaining Walls
Step-by-step Outdoor Stonework: Over Twenty Easy-to-build Projects for Your Yard and Garden (Step-by-step DIY Series) (Paperback)
Patio Roofs and Gazebos
Log Construction Manual: The Ultimate Guide to Building Handcrafted Log Homes (Paperback)

"An indispensable guide for those who are going to build... by perhaps the leading log building instructor in North America."--Log Home Living Magazine

"Fantastic! In one book Chambers casts light into some of the darkest corners of log building. Buy it. Read it."--Log Building News





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