From Publishers Weekly
Vila, host of the PBS series This Old House, which features home improvement and repair projects, here makes recommendations for assembling a properly equipped workshop that includes a range of common and special-purpose tools. He follows with exhaustive listings and analyses of many wood species and the characteristics and suitability of specific types of lumber for particular construction jobs. There are also equally detailed sections on masonry, roofing, exterior siding, doors, windows, flooring, walls and ceilings as well as plumbing and electrical systems and equipment. Like some other guides compiled by professionals, this book occasionally assumes reader knowledge of certain procedures and materials. (In the masonry section, for example, "pointing" is discussed without explanation.) Overall, however, tables, charts and line drawings help make this an unusual and well-organized encyclopedic manual. Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
This is yet another spin-off of the popular PBS series. There's precious little in the way of tools and building materials for the home that isn't covered here. Among the questions it answers: What are the reflectance values of typical paint colors? Which construction woods have the best nail-holding ability? What are the synthetic fiber brand names for Polypropylene olefin carpeting? Which of the eight types of plastic pipe have the greatest impact resistance? You get the idea. It does more than list and describe materials, however, explaining as well how best to use them in given applications. For all public library how-to collections, whether for reference, circulation, or both.Bill Demo, Tompkins Cortland Comm. Coll. Lib., Dryden, N.Y.Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

ANNOTATION

A complete encyclopedia offering advice, information and references on a wide variety of building and remodeling products.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Vila, host of the PBS series This Old House, which features home improvement and repair projects, here makes recommendations for assembling a properly equipped workshop that includes a range of common and special-purpose tools. He follows with exhaustive listings and analyses of many wood species and the characteristics and suitability of specific types of lumber for particular construction jobs. There are also equally detailed sections on masonry, roofing, exterior siding, doors, windows, flooring, walls and ceilings as well as plumbing and electrical systems and equipment. Like some other guides compiled by professionals, this book occasionally assumes reader knowledge of certain procedures and materials. (In the masonry section, for example, ``pointing'' is discussed without explanation.) Overall, however, tables, charts and line drawings help make this an unusual and well-organized encyclopedic manual. (November)

Library Journal