Synopses & Reviews
When it comes to home renovation, there's no substitute for experience.
Renovation 4th Edition contains the collective wisdom of hundreds of contractors, architects and tradespeople who shared their first-hand experience with Mike Litchfield as he interviewed and photographed them on job sites across North America.
As a founding editor of "Fine Homebuilding" magazine, the author of 12 acclaimed books, and a home renovator himself, Litchfield was able to record lifetimes of practical, field-tested solutions and trade secrets from the cream of the crop--the pros that other pros admire.
Both first-time renovators and professionals who want to supplement their knowledge of specific trades will find Renovation 4th Edition invaluable. R4 reflects the new realities of planning carefully, spending wisely, maximizing space and building durably. Its 614 pages contain extensively revised chapters on planning; doors, windows and skylights; electrical wiring; and energy conservation. Its illustrations are crisp and informative. And its 1000+ photos were selected from more than 40,000 that the author has taken over the years.
This classic work covers renovation from start to finish surfaces. Best of all, R4 is written in a down-to-earth conversational style that is clear and easy to understand. Litchfield has a sharp wit and a dry sense of humor that makes this book not only useful, but great fun to read.
Review
"a masterpiece" "-- Library Journal""Hands down, the best home renovation book...written in a down-to-earth conversational style that's comprehensive, practical and easy to understand." "--This Old House" "Simply the best book we've seen on the subject." "--Toronto Star" "The most comprehensive single volume on home renovation ever." "--Popular Science"
Review
This is a book I wished I'd had when I started building...What differentiates this book from others of its ilk is that the author has gathered all this information in the field, interviewing carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and contractors, finding out what's important, what works, what's new. These guys love to talk about what they do well, and in this sense, the book is one of collective wisdom. It's at the same time highly useful to professionals, but also one that's invaluable for homeowners and people of the fixer-upper persuasion. --Lloyd Kahn, "Cool Tools"
"Michael Litchfield is the rare export who has not forgotten the confusion that new renovators often feel. His writing is easy to follow and encyclopedic in its breadth."
--Katherine Salant, Washington Post
"a masterpiece" -- Library Journal "Hands down, the best home renovation book...written in a down-to-earth conversational style that's comprehensive, practical and easy to understand." --This Old House "Simply the best book we've seen on the subject." --Toronto Star "The most comprehensive single volume on home renovation ever." --Popular Science
Synopsis
It has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States—home renovation. And with that boom comes a timely focus on spending more cautiously, increasing energy conservation savvy, and creating a space that homeowners can live in longer. With these trends in place, now is the perfect time to “renovate” the bible of all home renovation guides to bring homeowners the 4th edition of Renovation, the gold standard reference for the last 30 years.
In this brand-new edition, Renovation continues to guide homeowners on every topic imaginable, from foundations to finish flooring, and also addresses new elements such as affordability, adding value, multi-functional use, and flexibility of design. Replete with strategies, tips, and solutions for tackling renovations from start to finish, Renovation is a critical tool homeowners, and even builders, will want at hand.
Synopsis
It has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States--home renovation. With these trends in place, now is the perfect time to "renovate" the bible of all home renovation guides to bring homeowners a fourth edition of "Renovation," the gold standard for the last 30 years.
About the Author
Michael Litchfield has been renovating houses or writing about them for more than 40 years. During that time he has been a founding editor of Fine Homebuilding magazine, the author of 12 acclaimed books on home design and renovation, and editor of a CNET/Yahoo! Gold Star home improvement site. He is also a certified green building professional. Michael McAlister is a licensed electrician, C-10 Electrical Contractor, and B General Building Contractor in California and is currently Division Manager-San Francisco for Sprig Electric. He has worked in a design/build capacity in single-family residential, multi-family high density residential, commercial TI, biotech, high-tech, manufacturing, and alternative energy. He lives with his wife and two sons in San Francisco.
Table of Contents
1. Inspecting a House
2. Planning
3. Tools
4. Building Materials
5. Roofs
6. Doors, Windows, and Skylights
7. Exteriors
8. Structural carpentry
9. Masonry
10. Foundations and Concrete
11. Electrical Wiring
12. Plumbing
13. Kitchens and Baths
14. Energy Conservation and Air Quality
15. Finish Surfaces
16. Tiling
17. Finish Carpentry
18. Painting
19. Wallpapering
20. Flooring