Love all of your masonry and concrete projects--knowing that you did them yourself!--with help from our experts. No projects offer more aesthetic or financial satisfaction than DIY concrete and masonry projects. Homeowners can routinely save thousands of dollars in labor costs by buying and installing materials that are readily available. This updated 4th edition of Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Concrete & Masonry includes traditional techniques for laying concrete, adapted to make them easy for ordinary homeowners, and also features completely modern materials and techniques, such as tumbled concrete pavers, acid-etching for colored concrete slabs, and important green paving options, such as rain-garden arroyos and permeable pavers. Several cutting-edge projects, like polished concrete countertops and stamped concrete walkways, are included in this book. An exposed aggregate patio, a reinforced concrete block wall, and the latest tools and materials for handling new products are featured. A completely new section on foundation walls shows you all the options, including the latest structural insulated panels, that are now more DIY friendly than ever. No homeowner or do-it-yourselfer will want to miss this chance to master the best methods to create lasting beauty around the house.

In BLACK+DECKER Complete Guide to Patios 4th Edition, you’ll find brand-new projects as well as key updates and inspiration, including showstopping patios as well as a variety of walkways and paths.

"Shows homeowners how to build up, expand, refresh and accessorize their outdoor spaces using the most contemporary techniques, tools, and materials while following the most up-to-date codes"--

Provides step-by-step instructions for a number of tile projects from preparation to sealing, along with information on choosing tools and materials.

Be inspired by new design and follow the latest codes as you custom build the deck of your dreams. Architecture, building codes, and design are not static; they change constantly. That’s why there’s a new edition of the best-selling BLACK+DECKER The Complete Guide to Decks, incorporating updates to national building codes, as well as new developments in building materials and design. Calling attention to composite deckboards and railings, as well as other PVC products made from recycled plastic, the new materials systems featured in this book are environmentally friendly, easy to work with, rot resistant, and very low maintenance. Whether you opt for manufactured deck products or wood, the success of your project depends upon a sturdy deck undercarriage. Accomplishing this isn’t difficult, but building the framework requires that you have the latest information on building codes. In recent years, these codes have changed significantly, affecting everything from post diameter to allowable joist hangers to railing height and even the size of concrete footings. BLACK+DECKER The Complete Guide to Decks Updated 7th Edition is the only DIY deck book that’s fully updated to conform to the latest codes. Chapters covered in the book include: Deck Planning & Design Deck Materials & Tools Structural Support Decking Stairs Railings Accessories Finishing & Maintaining Your Deck Custom Deck Projects Gallery of Inspiring Decks BLACK+DECKER The Complete Guide to Decks Updated 7th Edition offers complete step-by-step photos and instructions, so even homeowners with limited DIY experience are assured of a deck that meets their needs. So, don’t wait any longer; build the deck of your dreams and start enjoying it!

Explains how to plan, design and build a deck, in a resource that offers step-by-step instructions for 30 deck projects, complete with floor plans and materials lists; money- and time-saving tip boxes that reveal carpenters' tricks of the trade; 545 color photos and 325 color illustrations; and more. Original. 15,000 first printing.

This book offers readers the most popular patio and walkway designs complete with step-by-step, full-color photo instructions. The projects are affordable yet on-trend and highly valuable, as they increase house value and living space. With hundreds of styles of brick and stone now available, it's never been easier to build a dream patio—saving thousands of dollars in the process.