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Construction books


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The Housebuilder's Bible 12th Edition

Whether you're a first-time selfbuilder or seasoned professional, this book tells you how to succeed at housebuilding. It explains everything you need to know about managing a build, buying and using materials, finding and employing the right people - and doing it all without the pitfalls. Previous editions have won huge praise. 'It contains all the things the trade know and take for granted, but that non-trade wouldn't know,' said one reader. Another wrote: 'This is a fantastic book for anyone who wants to understand the options when building or improving a property.' Written in a highly readable style this twelfth edition is fully updated and comes complete with tables for costing your building project.

Home Extensions

Adding an extension to a house is one of the most popular forms of home-improvement, and this comprehensive book will assist anybody planning such a project, whether they plan to build it themselves or to employ contractors. It presents a step-by-step guide and covers all the points of 'good building practice' that must be observed during construction to ensure that the quality of the building work meets a high standard.

Building Construction Handbook

The Building Construction Handbook is THE authoritative reference for all construction students and professionals. Its detailed drawings clearly illustrate the construction of building elements, and have been an invaluable guide for builders since 1988. The principles and processes of construction are explained with the concepts of design included where appropriate.

Extensive coverage of building construction practice, techniques, and regulations representing both traditional procedures and modern developments are included to provide the most comprehensive and easy to understand guide to building construction. This new edition has been updated to reflect recent changes to the building regulations, as well as new material on the latest technologies used in domestic construction.

BDA Guide to Successful Brickwork.

Based on actual teaching practice, the book is highly illustrated throughout to increase accessibility of the text for the reader in its exploration of the practical aspects of brickwork. It also includes an extensive glossary of brickwork terms for ease of reference.

The third edition contains new material detailing recent innovations in brickwork, in the areas of components, systems and techniques, which includes the development of thin-joint techniques for both brickwork and blockwork.

Driveways, Paths and Patios: A Complete Guide to Design Management and Construction

Driveways, paths and patios are an essential part of most properties and this comprehensive book provides a detailed explanation of exactly how they are designed, planned and constructed. The features of this book are: discusses the design of driveways, paths and patios with reference to their planned use, style, size, gradients and special features such as steps, ramps and terraces; considers the range of materials available including block paving, flags, slabs, setts, cubes, cobbles, loose aggregates, plain and patterned concrete and tarmac; analyses how to estimate costs and making the choice between the DIY approach and using a professional contractor; examines the critical issue of drainage; lays bare the mathematics associated with accurate setting-out and leveling; describes the range of tools and equipment needed; details the correct constructions of kerbs and edging and laying methods for flags, block paving; and much more.

Brickwork and Paving for House and Garden

This is a comprehensive guide to clay bricks and mortars, their physical and aesthetic properties, and their use in a wide range of building projects. The book covers the different types of brick and mortar; reclaimed bricks; assessing durability; estimating quantities; and buying materials.

It provides information on basic bricklaying tools and equipment; dimensions and setting out work; building straight and curved walls; and building simple arches. The appearance of brickwork; bonding patterns; free-standing and retaining walls; external walls; thermal insulation in cavity walls; brickwork as cladding to timber-framed buildings; and foundations are also discussed.

Paving is also explored - clay pavers; laying patterns; steps; drainage; flexible sand-bedded paving; and rigid mortar joined paving. Maintenance and repair is also covered including the repair of various types of damage; remedying water penetration; replacing bricks; repointing mortar; cleaning; tinting; and artificial weathering.

The Complete Guide to Sheds: Utility, Storage, Playhouse, Mini-Barn, Garden, Backyard Retreat, More

This second edition of CPi's Complete Guide to Contemporary Sheds picks up where the original left off. All of the most popular shed plans are still here, plus we've added several new designs to further widen the scope of the styles and plans. Because sheds with overhead doors are very popular with homeowners who drive a riding lawn mower or own a snow thrower, we feature a third mini-garage type shed. All major construction steps are shown in clear, full-color photos, accompanied by materials lists and a full set of plan drawings. For those who simply want a nice-looking outbuilding that's easy to build, we've added new utility shed plans to the mix. Combined with more than a dozen full sets of shed plans and step-by-step photos, the up-front technique material shows you how to accomplish every aspect of shed-building, from design to adding roof coverings.



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