Complete Masonry: Building Techniques, Decorative Concrete, Tools and Materials (Sunset) [Paperback]

Editors of Sunset Books (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2004

Combining basic-to-advanced instruction and exciting projects, this complete guide shows how to build paths, patios, and walls using all manner of masonry, including brick, stone, tile, and concrete. It helps readers plan structures, choose materials, and select the right tools for the job. Projects include building an outdoor barbecue, casting stepping-stones, and using updated concrete decorating techniques such as acid staining, resurfacing, stamping, and tinting. Step-by-step instructions take readers through every phase of the building process with clear, easy-to-understand text and 200 how-to photos. Includes complete materials lists and information on maintenance and repair. Even more comprehensive than the ultra-successful Walks, Walls & Patio Floors!

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Oxmoor House; 1 edition (January 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0376015950
• ISBN-13: 978-0376015952
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 0.4 x 10.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #168,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #56 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements > Masonry

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book!, February 16, 2004

By 

Rick Van Hazel (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Complete Masonry: Building Techniques, Decorative Concrete, Tools and Materials (Sunset) (Paperback)

Sunset has published several books on this subject, 3 of them called "Complete Masonry" with different subtitles and a basic one, possibly others. This is the only one that I've actually gone through cover to cover and it is superb. I have the Black and Decker flavor of Complete Masonry too and this one is far better at 1/2 the price.

The projects described are quite a bit more appealing than the B&D's plain cookie cutter boring wall and walkway offerings. More importantly this book offers better techniques of design that can be applied to your own unique design.

Another of my favorites on the subject of concrete that is also applicable to walls, walkways, flooring or whatever else you wish to conjure is a book called "Concrete Countertops: Design, Form, and Finishes for the New Kitchen and Bath" It actually offers much more than what the title leads you to believe and suggests concrete as a very versitle replacement for standard brick and tile uses of the past.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book for the home improvement weekender, April 20, 2005

By 

The Old Philosopher "The Old Philosopher" (WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Complete Masonry: Building Techniques, Decorative Concrete, Tools and Materials (Sunset) (Paperback)

I bought Sunset's "Complete Masonry" because I am thinking about using concrete for my next kitchen counter top. I had heard on a radio home improvement program that concrete kitchen counters are popular in some other countries. Complete Masonry has one chapter on concrete counter tops, but the example they give is an outdoor barbecue, not a kitchen. The techniques can be adapted to a kitchen, but it's not the same as having illustrations of specifically what I want to do.

Other than that, Complete Masonry has lots of information for the home gardener or handy person. You get pictures and details for laying out and construction of walks, stairs, patios, walls, ponds, rock gardens and all kinds of decorative and imaginative masonry work around the home. It's aimed at the home improvement market, not for the professional mason, although a professional might get some creative ideas from it's illustrations. Complete Masonry starts with very basic teaching such as "what is a shovel" and works up to include all the details you would need to construct the projects in the book. Like a lot of Sunset books it's full of ideas and examples of very elaborate projects, though the projects appear to have been done by skilled professionals. Even so, with a little practice you could probably finish any of the projects if you have a little construction skill and are willing to do the work. It's a good idea book, and a practical how-to home improvement book.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, March 12, 2007

By 

Lourdes Gonzalez "Lourdes" (Navojoa, Sonora Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Masonry: Building Techniques, Decorative Concrete, Tools and Materials (Sunset) (Paperback)

This is a very well done book, and I enjoyed it very much. It has nice projetcs that you really can do by yourself. The pictures are wonderfull, and full of great ideas and details. The instructions are so clear, so anybody can understand easly.