Black - Black & Decker the book of home improvement: the most popular remodeling projects shown in full detail

THE MOST POPULAR REMODELING PROJECTS SHOWN IN FULL DETAIL

2017 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

First published in 2017 by Cool Springs Press, an imprint of The Quarto Group, 401 Second Avenue North, Suite 310, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA. Telephone: (612) 344-8100 Fax: (612) 344-8692

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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the copyright owners. All images in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the artists concerned, and no responsibility is accepted by producer, publisher, or printer for any infringement of copyright or otherwise, arising from the contents of this publication. Every effort has been made to ensure that credits accurately comply with information supplied. We apologize for any inaccuracies that may have occurred and will resolve inaccurate or missing information in a subsequent reprinting of the book.

Cool Springs Press titles are also available at discount for retail, wholesale, promotional, and bulk purchase. For details, contact the Special Sales Manager by email at or by mail at The Quarto Group, Attn: Special Sales Manager, 401 Second Avenue North, Suite 310, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA.

Digital edition: 978-0-76035-794-1

Softcover edition: 978-0-76035-356-1

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016962896

Acquiring Editor: Mark Johanson

Project Manager: Madeleine Vasaly

Art Director: James Kegley

Layout: Danielle Smith-Boldt

BLACK+DECKER and the BLACK+DECKER logo are trademarks of The Black & Decker Corporation and are used under license. All rights reserved.

NOTICE TO READERS

For safety, use caution, care, and good judgment when following the procedures described in this book. The publisher and BLACK+DECKER cannot assume responsibility for any damage to property or injury to persons as a result of misuse of the information provided.

The techniques shown in this book are general techniques for various applications. In some instances, additional techniques not shown in this book may be required. Always follow manufacturers instructions included with products, since deviating from the directions may void warranties. The projects in this book vary widely as to skill levels required: some may not be appropriate for all do-it-yourselfers, and some may require professional help.

Consult your local building department for information on building permits, codes, and other laws as they apply to your project.

(top): Weather Shield

: Guy Cass Architect, AIA, NCARD

: Susan Teare

: Shutterstock

(bottom): iStockPhoto

, top: Oshkosh Designs

: Eric Roth for Thomas Buckborough

: Sun Tunnel Systems Inc.

: Bob Perron

(bottom): Cambria Natural Quartz Countertops

(top): DuPont Corian

(top): Julia Caruso

(left): GE Appliances

: Moen

: MTI

(top): Kohler

(top right): Interstyle

(bottom left): Duravit

(right): Distinctive Design

F or experienced (or maybe just intrepid) do-it-yourselfers, there eventually comes another step beyond the many basic repair and maintenance projects that are so crucial to home ownership. Just keeping a homes systems and structure in good working order is, of course, the goal of any responsible homeowner, but sooner or later most are ready to go to the next level by tackling projects that aim at improving, not just maintaining, their homes. These are projects that qualify as true home remodelingDIY projects designed to extend the homes usefulness and increase its real-estate value.

Thats where The Book of Home Improvement comes in. Earlier BLACK+DECKER major references, The Book of Home How-To and The Complete Outdoor Builder, were devoted to the basic skills and essential projects for keeping your home in good working order, both inside and out. The Book of Home Improvement builds on that foundation by offering a great selection of legitimate remodeling projects that can actually add financial value to the home while improving your familys enjoyment of it. Most homeowners will find great satisfaction by owning all three of these major home-improvement encyclopedias, as they are designed to work together.

This book offers well over one hundred fully illustrated remodeling projects, carefully selected for their popularity among homeowners and their value as equity-building improvements. These are the projects recommended by real-estate professionals for improving the value of your home. While some basic skills on your part are assumedlikely because you own other BLACK+DECKER books presenting the core DIY know-howall the information you need to complete these projects is found right here: lists of tools and materials, building plans, and the unsurpassed step-by-step photography youve come to know from BLACK+DECKER books. With projects ranging from fairly simple replacement of trim moldings to elaborate extension of living space with added room additions, The Book of Home Improvement will quickly become an essential addition to your home DIY library.

T he origins of the old idioms Measure twice, cut once and An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure are not definitively known, but we suspect they were coined by someone with rueful experience in home remodeling. Likewise for Where fools rush in, angels fear to tread. Adequate planning and preparation are crucial to getting good results with home-improvement projects, while hastiness can be the start of disaster.

Planning a major remodeling project is a complex subject that cant be addressed in a single chapter of any book, but the segments of this chapter outline some key ideas for good preparation for any project. Keep the following in mind as you prepare for your project:

Understand how your planned work fits in with the overall structure and function of your homewhether it is a carpentry project that integrates with the framework of your home or a heating, cooling, wiring, or plumbing project that will blend into an existing mechanical system.

Review the codes and acceptable building practices authorized by your community. These exist for your safety, and following them can prevent accidents and expensive do-overs.

Have a clear visual sense of the work you intend to do. A key step here is to have good, detailed plan drawings and practical schedules to organize the steps of your work.

Use tools and materials safely; review their proper usage, and make sure your skills are honed before tackling a big project. Dont get in over your head.