The common backyard swingset or treehouse or jungle-gym will never go away, but today's recreational landscape is also likely to have a full-featured sports court, a putting green, an outdoor kitchen for grown-up entertaining, or a board-game gazebo where the adults play bridge or mahjongg. Here, in one comprehensive book, are more than 25 complete DIY projects to create play spaces for family members of all ages--toddlers to old-timers. Also includes a detailed appendix giving rules and dimensions for all the popular lawn games, such as badminton and croquet. This is an ideal book for consumers traveling less and recreating at home more.

The most detailed, most current and most complete deck building book on the market. It reflects the latest changes in building codes and it features deck building materials that are popular today. The additional two signatures (32 pages) contain all-new deck plans with complete plan drawings. Updates to the materials section focus on new composite and non-wood deck building alternatives, as well as the current generation of deck hardware that resists corrosion caused by non-CCA pressure treated lumber. Step-by-step projects feature clever ways to customize and accessorize your deck to enhance both utility and enjoyment.

Rev. ed. of: The complete guide to contemporary sheds / Philip Schmidt. c2008.

Building materials evolve and change very quickly in the do-it-yourself world. New formulations, advanced installation systems, and a host of “plug-and-play” gimmicks make keeping pace with the things we put into our houses a constant battle. But ceramic tile is different. Although trends, colors, and shapes may look slightly different from year to year, tiling is a lifelong skill that will serve you well as long as you own your home. Laying tile is a very popular DIY project for a number of reasons, but the primary appeal is that tile is a manageable material that yields beautiful, long-lasting floors for a relatively small investment. Because of the nature of the material and the installation process, you can work at your own pace. If you make an error, it is not difficult to back up and re-do the work. This book features information that shows you, step-by-step, exactly how to work with tile. Layout, installing subbases, cutting and fitting, setting, grouting, and sealing are just some of the techniques you will learn. These projects are covered: Remove floor coverings Remove underlayment Install cement board Ceramic floor tile Stone mosaic floor tile Glass mosaic floor tile

The Complete Guide to Landscape Projects is a hardworking, comprehensive manual for renovating, building, and "greening up" your landscape. Inside you'll find complete directions for time-tested landscape building projects as well as new environmentally sustainable projects. From designing your landscape to putting the finishing touches on an arbor or custom gate, everything you need for landscaping success is right here. Learn how to make and install: compost bins, water management systems, dry beds, rain gardens, efficient irrigation, soil management programs, permeable patios & walkways, reclaimed fences, and more. You can build a sustainable, low-cost yard with the most efficient, cost-effective methods and products with the help of this book.

"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"--

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.

In this updated third edition of the best-selling BLACK+DECKER The Complete Guide to Outdoor Carpentry you will find a wealth of popular building projects that are fun and easy to build. The wood projects are shown in full detail with color how-to photos, step-by-step instructions, and exploded-view building diagrams, along with cutting lists and shopping lists. Carpenters of just about every skill level love to build outdoor projects. A picnic table has a different set of expectations than a dining table, which makes us more comfortable building it ourselves. Dimensional lumber, simple joinery, sturdy, satisfying results...these are just a few of the qualities we love about outdoor furniture. Inside are complete plans for creating your own: Adirondack chairs patio tables garden benches cooking and entertaining accessories a handsome four-post pergola and more! Build your carpentry skills while beautifying your outdoor space and making it more usable with this comprehensive guide.

This book is full of projects that can be built with ordinary power hand tools and materials available at any local home center. Complete construction plans and directions ensure foolproof results.