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.

Cons:
The section on mixing and pouring concrete for posts is a bit thin. I also bought the Quickrete Concrete Guide, which I would also recommend highly by the way, and it has made up for this minor shortcoming.

Overall a great book on deck building!!


Great Book for Novice Builders   June 16, 2003
Angela Tilley (Massena, NY)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

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.


You can do it   December 4, 2005
Lisa Coleman (West Virginia)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Of all deck books, this is the best deck book if you want to build your own deck. It has step by step instructions and clear illustrations. I built two beautiful decks with this book. I have also built a screen porch and referenced this book often to do it. If I can do it with this book, you can do it. I would give this book 6 stars if I could.