Reviews (4)

Agreed
After doing my own research, I ended up purchasing this book. I agree completely with the other reviews - its the best book, its the only book you need, and I congratulate the author on making this a flexible yet thorough resource that guides you pictorally through every step of the process. Just plain awesome, and I just finished my deck and I love it - it exceeds my expectations and its due to the advice in these pages.

best deck building book I found
I am planning to design and build a large (40x15) deck, and I bought several books to learn about the process.This is far and away the best of the lot.Plenty of detail for each part of the deck.Great diagrams and pictures.Lots of great "tricks of the trade."Very readable.Highly recommended.
The Best Book on Design and Construction of Decks
I've been researching decks and screen porches for the last few months, with the intention of building a 16'X 34' elevated deck and screen porch on my home in Southern CT. I've done many home construction project big and small; however, I'm not in the construction business. Scott Schuttner's Build Like a Pro book on decks, is by far the best book on decks, period. It is clearly superior to the other books I've read on the subject (and I've purchase over four of them and flipped through a lot more). This one was really the only one I need to buy; unfortunately, I came across it after studying the other books and still not feeling that I had a full understanding on deck construction and design options. Schuttner's book lives up to its opening dedication: "...to all those who desire to do the best they can."Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Decks (Architecture, Domestic)    3. Design and construction    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Home Maintenance And Repair    7. House & Home    8. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    9. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - Patios & Decks    10. Outdoor Structure Construction    11. DIY    12. Greenhouses, conservatories, patios    13. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Construction - General    3. Design and construction    4. Engineering - Civil    5. House & Home    6. Outdoor Structure Construction    7. Repair    8. Swimming pools    9. Technology & Industrial Arts    10. Architectural structure & design    11. Building construction & materials    12. Public buildings: civic, commercial, industrial, etc    13. Swimming & diving   

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Barbecues (Fireplaces)    3. Design & Construction    4. Design and construction    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Garden Furnishings    7. Garden ornaments and furniture    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. House & Home    10. Kitchens    11. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    12. Outdoor Structure Construction    13. Outdoor kitchens    14. DIY    15. House & Home / Outdoor & Recreational Areas   

Reviews (4)

An excellent choice for building your shed
This book takes you through the steps of constructing an attractive, functional and well-built shed.The sheds are designed for New England snow loads, so they should stand up anywhere you build it, for a long, long time.Anyone with basic carpentry skills should be able to build most of the sheds shown in the book.The gambrel shed in the book is the most complex style mentioned.The shed styles explained are aa Lean-To Locker, a Saltbox Potting shed, Colonial style (shown on cover) and the Gambrel shed.
THIS BOOK IS MOSTLY FOR THE EAST COAST BUILDER
I purchased this book and read many parts of it. I was most interested in pouring a concrete slab foundation. This book covered every foundation but concrete slab, so I was disappointed in that. The sheds that are covered are very elaborate and built to last. I thought a better job could have been done in covering things like roof slope, and altering it from the sheds built in the book. Giving other options in different phases of construction. The pictures are good but there sure could be more of them(this book is nicely printed and color pictures are expensive). I am a picture kind of guy; a picture is worth a thousand words to me. The "pro tips" highlights are good and provide very usefull info at different stages of construction.
Shed Building In a Nutshell
what separates this book from the other riff raff shed building books is its title, its author, and publishing date. shed building is an american pasttime as long as building barns. In fact Truini delineates a nice history between the shed and the barn, two architectural cousins, who, having some rough times in the past, have reconciled. Shed Building cannot be seen as anything other than the construction of a shed with four walls, a roof, an at least one entrance.Shed building is also an activity that boils down to one thing, building a shed. Truini examines the etymology of the word shed, from its incorporation into Indo-European languages by Finno-Urgic nomads in the 6th century b.c., with the word schiiedde, which meant miniature house that looks like a house. Its interesting how in chinese, the word for shed is quang xi, which interestingly enough has a pictogram that looks like a shed, interestingly. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Construction - General    3. Design and construction    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Do-It-Yourself - General    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    9. Outdoor Structure Construction    10. Sheds    11. Building construction & materials    12. DIY    13. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Reviews (1)

Landscape Construction-David Sauter
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 forthe student, professional or hobby person. As a landscape student, I findit a great resource book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - General    2. Gardening    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Landscape    5. Landscape construction    6. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    7. Outdoor Structure Construction    8. Park Design And Landscaping    9. Reference    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Architecture / Landscape    12. Garden design & planning    13. Landscape art & architecture    14. Structural engineering   

Reviews (10)

Decent introduction to stonework, but better books available
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.

Beautiful book with detailed how-to info
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.

Stonescape
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. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Do-It-Yourself - Masonry    3. Garden ornaments and furniture    4. Gardening    5. Gardening / Horticulture    6. Landscape    7. Landscape Horticulture    8. Landscape gardening    9. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    10. Outdoor Structure Construction    11. Stone    12. Stone in landscape gardening    13. BG-FICTION OVER $5 - BG-SEC FICT $5/10    14. DIY    15. Garden design & planning    16. Gardening / Garden Design    17. Specialized gardening methods   

Reviews (1)

Excellent Buy
This book has a great variety of pool designs from contemporary to rustic designs.Fabulous book with alot of great pictures. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Home Improvement / Construction    3. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - Pools, Water Gardens, Ponds    4. Outdoor Structure Construction    5. Swimming pools    6. Building construction & materials    7. House & Home / General    8. Structural engineering   

Reviews (6)

Very nice starting point for a broad subject. Great bibliography
`Landscaping for Dummies' by Philip Giroux, Bob Beckstrom, Lance Walheim and a cast of thousands is a typically ironic example of what you will find in this huge `Dummies' series of books, which started out as a series of texts for PC subjects, where the PC had a knack of making us all feel like dummies. Since then, it has expanded to touch virtually every `practical' subject in the known universe. That is, I haven't seen any `Wittgenstein for Dummies' or `Quantum Thermodynamics for Dummies', as neither of these subjects are things the average intelligent, but uninformed person is likely to pick up to brief themselves for a weekend project of as a start to a new hobby.
Okay for the basic landscaper
I've been working in commercial landscaping off and on for nearly four years now.I borrowed this book from a friend just to check it out.I think if you are a new homeowner and don't have much experience in landscaping then this book will probably work.If you are familiar with planting tree's and shrubs, bricklaying, fencing, and bordering, then maybe you should try and find something a little more advance.I suppose it depends on how big the project is you are working on.

Landscaping For Dummies
A very informative tome, but I think its tries to achieve too much in what is a rather large and varied subject. Should focus on the basics.............but to be fair still an excellent guide ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Garden Design    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Landscape    6. Landscape Design And Planting    7. Landscape architecture    8. Landscape gardening    9. Outdoor Structure Construction    10. Gardening / Landscape    11. Landscape art & architecture   

Reviews (4)

Good enough to read twice
I borrowed this book from a co-worker and have read it with great interest.I'm here to purchase it because the information is so clear and appropriate.Tips for making a deck last and how to repair and maintain a deck.This book will help you make it right the first time.Every home owner should have this in their library!

OK if you only want to build a square or rectangular deck...
After finding that deck builders are getting $25-$35 per sq ft in MI I decided to design my own deck. If you only care about a square or rectangular deck then this book is pretty good. "The Complete Guide toDecks" from Black & Decker (available at Amazon.com also) coversthe basics plus gives detailed information on including angles, circularportions, steep slope construction and multi-level construction.

The best deck building guide by far.
I work for a lumber dealer and one of our areas of expertise is decks and deck estimates.When customers ask for a book or something to help them through the project I always suggest "The Complete Deck Book". Ihave reviewed many books for my company and this was the only one thatstood out.Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Decks (Architecture, Domestic)    3. Design and construction    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Do-It-Yourself - Carpentry    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Outdoor & Recreational Areas    9. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    10. Building construction & materials    11. DIY   

Reviews (1)

Great design ideas
First let me make it clear that this is not a book about building decks."Design Ideas for Decks" is a sourcebook for exactly what it states - designs.And the design ideas are plentiful and beautiful.Unique layouts, multi-level decks, accents to give aesthetic beauty, everything about design is covered in the book.Just looking through it once gave me several ideas for my backyard deck that I would not have thought of but will add a lot of character to the deck and make it the functional deck that I want."Design Ideas for Decks" is a highly recommended resource for ideas for your new deck or to remodel your current one to make it more functional or aesthetically pleasing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decks (Architecture, Domestic)    2. Design and construction    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    7. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - Patios & Decks    8. DIY    9. House & Home / Outdoor & Recreational Areas   

Reviews (1)

Great idea and how-to book
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.
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Subjects:  1. Design & Construction    2. Design and construction    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Garden Design    5. Garden Furnishings    6. Garden structures    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Landscape Horticulture    10. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    11. Outdoor Structure Construction    12. Garden design & planning    13. House & Home / Outdoor & Recreational Areas   

Reviews (1)

Buyer Beware!
I ordered the book from Amazon, the book pictured is NOT the one I recieved. That photo is no where in my copy. I do have a book titled Ultimate Treehouses by David Clark but it isn't the same one pictured. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Design & Construction    2. Home Improvement / Construction    3. House & Home    4. Nature/Ecology    5. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    6. Outdoor Structure Construction    7. Tree houses    8. Trees & Forests - General    9. Sale Books   

Reviews (1)

nice picture book, USELESS for building
I purchased this book after finding out they were tied to a large company that provide detailed plans as well.
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Subjects:  1. Decks (Architecture, Domestic)    2. Design & Construction    3. Design and construction    4. Designs and plans    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Domestic    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    10. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - Patios & Decks    11. Building construction & materials    12. Building skills    13. House maintenance   

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Architectural Detail    3. Architecture    4. Decks    5. General    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    9. Outdoor Structure Construction    10. Patios    11. Garden design & planning    12. House & Home / General   

Reviews (2)

Inspirational but not instructional
The beautiful photographs in this book will provide much inspiration for those looking to design a path or walkway, but don't look for a "how to" set of instructions. The author provides some general guidelines and points to consider, but seems to believe that one should leave paving to the professionals.

Inspirational & beautiful garden path ideas
This book is about the role of paving in adding beauty and functionality to the garden. The multitude of materials and patterns presented should yield something easily adaptable to each reader's own situation.Read more

Subjects:  1. Designs and plans    2. Garden Design    3. Garden walks    4. Gardening    5. Gardening / Horticulture    6. Gardening/Plants    7. Outdoor Structure Construction    8. Garden design & planning   

Reviews (3)

not more architectual fluff
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.

Excellent Resource
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.

The best book on renovating barns!
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. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Barns    2. Conservation and restoration    3. Construction - General    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Maintenance and repair    8. Outbuildings    9. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    10. Outdoor Structure Construction    11. Remodeling & Renovation - General    12. Sheds    13. DIY    14. House & Home / Remodeling & Renovation   

Reviews (2)

What a wonderful book!
This book is a must-have for anybody interested in building treehouses, sheds or small out-buildings of any kind!It is filled with all the information an amateur would need with step-by-step instructions on the building process, tools and materials and inspirational photographs of projects by other amateur builders that will inspire and motivate anybody interested in trying a building project in their backyard.The authors have provided clear, concise instructions and have taken the intimidation out of building.The authors are clearly interested in the reader having a joyful, successful building experience.Our own building projects have all been inspired by Jeanie and David Stiles' encouraging books.Thank you!

The latest and best book by Stiles
Happy to see that David and jeanie Stiles have written yet another book on treehouses and playhouses.We have built 3 structures based on designs and ideas from two of their other books and this new one may inspire us to build yet another treehouse!It looks terrific.More ideas and tips!Can't wait!!! Randy and Jheanelle ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Carpentry    2. Children's playhouses    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Do-It-Yourself - Carpentry    5. House & Home    6. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    7. Outdoor Structure Construction    8. Tree houses    9. Architecture    10. House & Home / Do-It-Yourself   

Reviews (9)

You can do it
Of all deck books, this is the best deck book if you want to build your own deck.It has step by step instructions and clear illustrations. I built two beautiful decks with this book.I have also built a screen porch and referenced this book often to do it.If I can do it with this book, you can do it.I would give this book 6 stars if I could.

Excellent book - buy it.
Superb book on how to build a deck, found it very useful and could follow it easily even though this was my first attempt at building one.Would recommend it to anyone.Only problem I found was it's obviously American, so all the dimensions and wood types didn't match what I was buying in France, so a few conversions and fudging were required, but I survived in the end.

Solid Basics
This book provides the beginner or experienced handy-person with the fundamentals they will need to design and build a safe and enjoyable structure.There are also lots of good ideas for those who want to be a bit more creative.Good photos and step by step instructions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Construction - General    3. Decks (Architecture, Domestic)    4. Design and construction    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Remodeling & Renovation - General    9. DIY   

Reviews (5)

Most complete guide I've seen
Tons of photos, very good step by step instructions.Great for the begineer to intermediate DIY'er. Great guide for the whole deck
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. Best of the lot. Joist the book you're looking for!!!
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.Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Construction - Carpentry    3. Decks (Architecture, Domestic)    4. Design and construction    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    8. Building construction & materials    9. Woodworking   

Editorial Review

Beckstrom, a nationally known home-remodeling and improvement expert, has put together an A-to-Z book about pretty near everything one needs to know about planning and building decks and patios: the choices of materials, tools, finishes, and accessories like planters, decorative railings, and benches.Read more

Reviews (1)

Help for the rest of us!
My husband is a construction type but I'm not and the deck was myproject to plan. This book was great! I looked at a couple of dozen deck books and this was the only one that explained how to build a deck in a way that mycontruction-impaired mind could comprehend. Very specific, step by stepbuilding instructions, a thorough review of the planning process andwonderful ideas for extra features. My only wishes are more photograhs andmore information on alternative decking materials. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Construction - General    3. Decks (Architecture, Domestic)    4. Design and construction    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Garden structures    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Landscape    10. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    11. Outdoor Structure Construction    12. Patios    13. DIY    14. Greenhouses, conservatories, patios