Shows techniques, materials, step-by-step directions, safety advice, and hundreds of color illustrations for building decks, porches, and patios.

A modern twist on a nostalgic favorite Nothing says elegant, genteel living like a well built, well appointed porch or sunroom. The Complete Guide to Porches & Patio Rooms offers design advice and easy-to-follow, concise instructions for adding living spaces that bring the indoors and outdoors together in delightful ways. In addition to offering hundreds of inspirational ideas, the book provides thorough plans and photo directions for six versatile, flexible architectural projects. For the 500,000 homeowners now building sunrooms each year, this book explores the most popular functions and then offers step-by-step instructions to design and build those specific spaces. For example, an open porch can be used for social gatherings, as a sheltered outdoor cooking space, or simply be added simply to improve a home’s curb appeal. A sunroom can serve as a full room addition to a home, complete with protective walls, ceilings, and electrical service; can serve as an indoor garden space for green living plants; or could be put into service as a music conservatory for an elegant grand piano. This book is an indispensable source of information on planning, designing, and building the addition of your dreams, from digging foundations to final decorating.

There are plenty of do-it-yourself books on the market, but sound information about hiring and working with home improvement specialists is hard to come by. Written for homeowners who are hiring pros for large-scale home improvement, remodeling, and maintenance jobs, these titles feature visually appealing, easy-to-read layouts, and are packed with sidebars and callouts of special advice on how to hire a contractor. Written by an author who is a licensed Master Plumber as well as a licensed Class A Builder with almost three decades in the construction field, each title features: A focus on how to screen and hire home improvement pros Time and cost saving tips and techniques including cost estimating charts for materials and labor Advantages/disadvantages of various materials Site, design, planning, and maintenance considerations Explanations of different options, and the benefits and the drawbacks of each

Expanded coverage of the new building materials available today Planning section helps readers evaluate their sites.

New articles from recent issues of "Fine Homebuilding" magazine have been added to this edition of this popular guide. Updated and redesigned throughout, the book provides the very best and current information on constructing porches and decks.

Life is just so much sweeter when experienced from a good deck or patio. Breezes, sunlight, the smells of the garden, birdsongs…just a few minutes in your own backyard can enliven the senses and rejuvenate the spirit. Meals become relaxed affairs. Food tastes better. Conversations are richer. Time eases its hectic demands and drifts by at a more congenial pace. Whether for a neighborhood barbeque or just a quiet afternoon with a paperback, decks and patios offer us the perfect space to kick back and let the good times roll. Decks and Patios for Dummies contains everything you need to know to design and build your dream deck or patio. Full of practical tips and clear, simple instructions, it shows the do-it-yourselfer how to solve problems in design and construction while avoiding pitfalls and unnecessary expenses. You’ll find useful information on: Choosing the location Sizing Choosing materials Preparing the site Building Adding barbeques, fireplaces, etc. Maintenance This is a start-to-finish guide on all aspects of deck and patio construction – including when you should seek help from the professionals! Designed to make the most of your budget, it walks you through: Dealing with contractors, codes, and feasibility The building checklist Lighting, outlets, faucets, and other add-ons Decks – from frames to finishes Patios: concrete, flagstone, or brick? Steps, stairs, and benches Special details and decorations Whether your project is a patio just big enough for two chaises-lounges or a screened-in, wraparound deck on the side of a mountain, Decks and Patios for Dummies makes building understandable and fun with illustrations, diagrams, helpful sidebars, and a color insert of photos to stir the imagination. Take advantage of this comprehensive guide and build your dream deck today.