Customer Reviews

Attics, Dormers, and Skylights (For Pros By Pros)

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I found this book simple to follow. I was looking for a clear explanation of how to add a Dormer to a hip roof. The examples in this book provided clear diagrams and photos and enough explanation to allow me to move forward. I would have like to see a little more information about calculating dimensional lumber size requirements for sistering floor joists.

This book is a collection of articles by different builders, which all appeared in "Fine Homebuilding" in the mid 90's. It starts slow, but gets to the meat and potatoes after a few chapters. Really, I didn't buy this to get tips like, "Put an extra screw in the hinge when installing a folding staircase." After that first chapter I was feeling pessimistic, but my spirits were soon lifted. Don't buy expecting to learn how to build attics, dormers and skylights from start to finish, you'll need a more than basic knowledge of the skills and tools involved beforehand.

It does give many excellent tips - cutting compound miters using multiple strings to determine angles and lengths, appropriate applications of rafters vs trusses, different methods of building headers, dormers sills, etc, and contains a host of design ideas. A good many step by step photos of the more complicated procedures, as well as pretty pictures of the finished products, enrich and inform. Worth owning if the title piques your interest.