Product Description

In this revised and expanded fourth edition of the all-time bestselling book on decks, homeowners learn, in unsurpassed detail, the process of designing, building, and maintaining a deck. Not only are all the classic deck-building techniques included, but the book also shows how to incorporate the latest contemporary options, such as how to work with eco-friendly wood and reclaimed plastic. Hiring a contractor to build a deck easily adds up to tens of thousands, but with the help of this book, readers can design and build the deck they want without the high price. For homeowners who already have a deck but are in the market to update or maintain that deck, The Complete Guide to Your Deck features important projects for repairs, upgrades, and major additions, such as adding full electrical service, lighting, and kitchen appliances. From design to construction, and tools, material, and planning, this is the only book consumers need to build the deck of their dreams.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #157732 in Books
• Published on: 2009-01-01
• Format: Large Print
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Review
I am in the midst of building my first deck which is in fact the first major home project of my life and this book is just perfect. At all levels, especially for beginners! I spent 2 weeks researching almost half a dozen deck building books before I bought this one and so far no complaints. Pros: 1. Step by step directions with tons of glossy magnified photos (not sketckes but actual photos). 2. Complete list of materials required before each project. 3. Gradually increasing difficulty level of projects..the chapters are layed out perfectly with an individuals learning curve. 4. Comprehensive chapters on how to care and repair your deck. I can already see using the care section once my deck is built. 5. Includes everything on decks - design, posts, framing, decking, stairs, railing, hot tubs, levels, simple to complex designs. You name it and this book has it. --G Gupta

First off, I'm not a builder. I'm a guy with an office job who sits behind a desk all day long. I think the last thing I built was a birdhouse in third grade and it didn't even last long enough to hang it on a tree. So, I knew building a deck was a BIG project. But, this book made it SO easy! The photos are incredible. They don't use sketches and drawings, they have actual photos. The steps are easy to follow and the instructions are clear from the tools needed to the types of screws to use. If you're looking for a how-to guide on decks, this is the best one! --Shawn Mulligan

This book is fabulous for anyone who wants to build a deck but doesn't know where to start. My husband and I used this book to build a deck even though we had never built anything this complex before. After looking over the detailed pictures (not drawings) and easy descriptions, we constructed a 16'x22' deck with angles. This book was a great help and I would recommend it to anyone looking to save money by doing it yourself. --Angela tilley

First off, I'm not a builder. I'm a guy with an office job who sits behind a desk all day long. I think the last thing I built was a birdhouse in third grade and it didn't even last long enough to hang it on a tree. So, I knew building a deck was a BIG project. But, this book made it SO easy! The photos are incredible. They don't use sketches and drawings, they have actual photos. The steps are easy to follow and the instructions are clear from the tools needed to the types of screws to use. If you're looking for a how-to guide on decks, this is the best one! --Shawn Mulligan

This book is fabulous for anyone who wants to build a deck but doesn't know where to start. My husband and I used this book to build a deck even though we had never built anything this complex before. After looking over the detailed pictures (not drawings) and easy descriptions, we constructed a 16'x22' deck with angles. This book was a great help and I would recommend it to anyone looking to save money by doing it yourself. --Angela tilley

decks are a popular addition to a home, extending living space outdoors. This revised edition does an excellent job assisting a confident homeowner throguh nine decking projects --Library Journal, March 2009

This book is fabulous for anyone who wants to build a deck but doesn't know where to start. My husband and I used this book to build a deck even though we had never built anything this complex before. After looking over the detailed pictures (not drawings) and easy descriptions, we constructed a 16'x22' deck with angles. This book was a great help and I would recommend it to anyone looking to save money by doing it yourself. --Angela tilley

decks are a popular addition to a home, extending living space outdoors. This revised edition does an excellent job assisting a confident homeowner throguh nine decking projects --Library Journal, March 2009

This book is fabulous for anyone who wants to build a deck but doesn't know where to start. My husband and I used this book to build a deck even though we had never built anything this complex before. After looking over the detailed pictures (not drawings) and easy descriptions, we constructed a 16'x22' deck with angles. This book was a great help and I would recommend it to anyone looking to save money by doing it yourself. --Angela tilley

About the Author
Chris Marshall is the author of dozens of books and hundreds of magazine articles on fine woodworking. He is a contributing editor at The Woodworker s Journal.

Customer Reviews

A great book for the novice and experienced deck builder
This book takes you from the basic in joints and deck supports right upto building massive decks to put a hot tub in. There are 100's of full colour pictures and diagrams to help you along.

I wanted to build a circular deck and this book showed me how to do it.

As the book is american all the measurements are in inches so you need to convert into mm

Buy this book and you will be able to build your own deck
Buy this book and no matter what your skill level you will be able to build your own deck. I read this book and was even more convinced I could build my own deck. The deck I am planning to build is very large, will have a hot tub in it and be multi level. I have every confidence that I will be able to do it myself and when visiting local timber merchants who sell decking I discovered that I knew more than them. It stops them from giving you BS. I posted the book to my father-in-law who's is going to help me. He phoned me two days later and reckons that the book has given him everything he needs to know in order to build the deck.

If you are planning a complex or a simple deck this book has it all.

Decking for the novice made easy
This is an excellent book, the detailed descriptions are explained in layman terms and there are plenty of pictures to put everything into perspective. I am by no means a DIY expert but I am confident that I will be able to build a deck with the help of this book.