More people than ever before are buying new homes or renovating existing homes. Confronted with hundreds of decisions that range from the deceptively simple to the complex and costly, most homeowners find themselves overwhelmed and bewildered: What sort of profile should the kitchen cabinets have–bullnose, cove, flute, ogee, reverse ogee, roundover or straight? How much would it cost to add electrical outlets or move the bathroom sink? Endlessly useful, beautifully illustrated, practical in organization and portable in size, this invaluable companion to The Pocket Decorator picks up where the first volume left off, exploring in depth the most complex issues facing most home buyers and renovators: construction and renovation, kitchens and bathrooms, space and stair configurations, and vital systems in the home, and well as appendices covering “green” design, mortgage terminology, and real estate terminology. From structural basics to hardware finishes, from adding or removing walls to installing a pressed tin ceiling, from choosing appliances and countertop materials to lighting, heating and cooling systems and floorplans, The Pocket Renovator is the perfect gift for anyone buying or renovating a home.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Mother and daughter team Pamela and Leslie Banker follow up their Pocket Decorator with this handsome if anemic primer to "the language of home improvement and renovation." Like its predecessor, this volume functions more as a glossary than a how-to or troubleshooting resource. Everything from architects to zoning are defined in short passages and clean, clear illustrations. In addition to defining just about every noun and verb associated with home construction, the duo cover the pros and cons of various roof styles, offer a handy guide to symbols used on plans and blueprints and provide basic tips on furniture arranging for a handful of standard rooms layouts. Unfortunately, a lack of elaboration and focus can frustrate; furnaces garner all of two paragraphs, more time is spent on the history of the refrigerator than what homeowners should look for when buying one, and there's a notable lack of tips on maintenance, installation or upkeep. Though it will help novices distinguish between a lintel ("horizontal supports that span an opening such as a doorway") and a joist ("supports for floors and ceilings typically made of lumber"), this reference is best suited for those who prefer to let others do the work.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
"...[A] portable primer...that is neither pretentious nor boring..." -- Washington Post, September 20, 2007
"This is a handy directory, profusely illustrated...You'll feel a lot less foolish navigating the aisles of the home center once you speak the language." -- St. Petersburg Times, September 8, 2007
"[an] indispensable glossary...a Rosetta Stone of sorts to cryptic contractor lingo." -- ELLE DÉCOR October 2007
"This is a handy directory, profusely illustrated...You'll feel a lot less foolish navigating the aisles of the home center once you speak the language." -- St. Petersburg Times, September 8, 2007
"[an] indispensable glossary...a Rosetta Stone of sorts to cryptic contractor lingo." -- ELLE DÉCOR October 2007
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Helpful advice for the novice homeowner,
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This review is from: The Pocket Renovator: An Illustrated Guide to the Language of Home Improvement and Renovation (Paperback)
First off, do not buy this book if you are looking for a how to book. This guide is not intended to show you how to complete a project. It is intended to show you, the average homeowner, with little or no construction experience what materials and techniques are available to do projects around the home. The authors cover a broad range of subjects, but not in depth. This book will enable you to communicate more effectively with your architect, builder or home improvement contractor.They cover alot in 200 pages, however there is so much to know in this field, that you could spend 200 pages alone on one subject such as fireplace techniques. However, for its intended purpose I rate it 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Extremely Useful Reference,
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This review is from: The Pocket Renovator: An Illustrated Guide to the Language of Home Improvement and Renovation (Paperback)
An extremely useful reference guide for navigating the jargon of renovation and construction. A visual dictionary, the book helps you figure out what it is you're looking for by matching illustrations with terminology. Now, when your contractor asks whether you want your new sink to be drop-in or undermount, you'll understand what he means. The entries frequently contain useful guidance points and tips, though that's not the primary point of this book. I really enjoyed the Pocket Decorator, this team's previous book, and am glad to see they've pulled off another success.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is such a help!,
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This review is from: The Pocket Renovator: An Illustrated Guide to the Language of Home Improvement and Renovation (Paperback)
This is a wonderful resource to have on hand when experiencing all aspects of a home renovation. To be able to speak the same language as your contractor is priceless, and to understand what he is talking about makes all of the difference. Built-ins, cabinetry, bathroom and kitchen projects, etc. are all addressed in this handy book. The book includes all sorts of vocabulary previously foreign to me, and is written in a refreshing, accesible style. Would be a great gift too.
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