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Decks & Patios for Dummies [Paperback]

Robert Beckstrom (Author), The Editors of the National Gardening Association (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)


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Book Description

For Dummies (Computer/Tech) March 30, 1998
Life is just so much sweeter when experienced from a good deck or patio. Breezes, sunlight, the smells of the garden, birdsongs…just a few minutes in your own backyard can enliven the senses and rejuvenate the spirit. Meals become relaxed affairs. Food tastes better. Conversations are richer. Time eases its hectic demands and drifts by at a more congenial pace. Whether for a neighborhood barbeque or just a quiet afternoon with a paperback, decks and patios offer us the perfect space to kick back and let the good times roll.

Decks and Patios for Dummies contains everything you need to know to design and build your dream deck or patio. Full of practical tips and clear, simple instructions, it shows the do-it-yourselfer how to solve problems in design and construction while avoiding pitfalls and unnecessary expenses. You’ll find useful information on:

  • Choosing the location
  • Sizing
  • Choosing materials
  • Preparing the site
  • Building
  • Adding barbeques, fireplaces, etc.
  • Maintenance

This is a start-to-finish guide on all aspects of deck and patio construction – including when you should seek help from the professionals! Designed to make the most of your budget, it walks you through:

  • Dealing with contractors, codes, and feasibility
  • The building checklist
  • Lighting, outlets, faucets, and other add-ons
  • Decks – from frames to finishes
  • Patios: concrete, flagstone, or brick?
  • Steps, stairs, and benches
  • Special details and decorations

Whether your project is a patio just big enough for two chaises-lounges or a screened-in, wraparound deck on the side of a mountain, Decks and Patios for Dummies makes building understandable and fun with illustrations, diagrams, helpful sidebars, and a color insert of photos to stir the imagination. Take advantage of this comprehensive guide and build your dream deck today.



Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com 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.

Covering all construction techniques literally from the ground up--from foundations, supports, and basic structural guidelines all the way to final finishes and maintenance--this book offers information on everything the do-it-yourselfer could want to know. Throughout, the book is highlighted with special tips and shortcuts, cost-saving tips and tricks, warnings about pitfalls and common mistakes, and a special emphasis on "learning the lingo": explaining the terminology of tools, hardware, and materials, as well as common building words and expressions. At 356 pages and with hundreds of useful illustrations, color photographs, and a detailed index for easy reference, this is the book you need if you are fantasizing about or planning a deck or patio for your home. --Mark A. Hetts

From the Back Cover

"The guidebook to turning your yard into your favorite getaway destination." — Bill Crosby, Editorial Director, ImproveNet "An outstanding reference for beginners and first-time homeowners." — Boston Globe "A concise, well-put-together summary of everything do-it-yourselfers need to know to build their dream decks." — Pamela Allsebrook, California Redwood Association

8 Pages of Colorful Photos to Motivate the Do-It-Yourselfer!

Build a Great Deck or Patio Without Breaking Your Back — or the Bank! Planning a backyard bash but have nowhere to put the barbecue? Let this fun-filled, practical guide help you design, build, and maintain the outdoor space of your dreams. Written with the do-it-yourself builder in mind, Decks & Patios For Dummies® brings you everything you need to know to do a top-notch job — including tips on when to get help! Before you know it, you'll be flipping burgers out back. Time to Hit the Deck!

  • Plan the functional and fun outdoor haven that works best for your space
  • Find out about basic rules of design so you can create your own layout
  • Choose your surface — wood, concrete, brick, flagstone, or tiles
  • Treat your deck with the right sealant for the surface you've selected
  • Build a solid patio foundation that won't flood with the first rain
  • Don't forget the amenities — barbecues, benches, overheads, planters, and more

Product Details

  • Paperback: 390 pages
  • Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (March 30, 1998)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0764550756
  • ISBN-13: 978-0764550751
  • Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #409,077 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Average Customer Review
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Help for the rest of us!, July 4, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Decks & Patios for Dummies (Paperback)
My husband is a construction type but I'm not and the deck was my project 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 my contruction-impaired mind could comprehend. Very specific, step by step building instructions, a thorough review of the planning process and wonderful ideas for extra features. My only wishes are more photograhs and more information on alternative decking materials.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for the weekend warrior, April 29, 2007
By 
This review is from: Decks & Patios for Dummies (Paperback)
This is a great book for someone thinking about building a deck or patio cover. I'm pretty good around the house with tools and backyard projects, but there are some great tricks in this book that I didn't know. I would recommend this book for those who need a little added confidence to take on a deck or patio project.
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
For most people, enjoying the great outdoors means packing up the car and driving all day to a distant destination. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
using deck screws, footing holes, deck site, decking boards, patio site, joist lumber, screed guides, decking lumber, tread stock, stamping pads, duplex nails, ledger board, cap rail, patio surface, semitransparent stains, deck framing, deck finish, railing design, post anchors, deck platform, circular power, riser height, railing posts, concrete pavers, steel trowel
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Deck Figure, Joist Span
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