Illustrated Dictionary of Building Materials and Techniques: An Invaluable Sourcebook of the Tools, Terms, Materials, and Techniques Used by Building Professionals

Hi-early cement. Aiguille. Darby. You’re in the middle of a home improvement project and suddenly you’re confronted with words you’ve never seen before. You don’t know what these things are, how to use them or how you’re supposed to even recognize them at the hardware store. Help is here for every homeowner or do-it-yourselfer who’s ever stumbled over strange terminology, misleading instructions or inadequate explanations. Now, with this unique, fully illustrated dictionary, you’ll have the one tool every successful do-it-yourselfer needs—a complete understanding of your next home improvement project. This comprehensive dictionary features:

• Straightforward, plain-English explanations covering 4,000 building tools, terms, materials, and techniques—850 of which are shown in practical, helpful, cross-referenced illustrations
• Complete coverage of building, plumbing, electrical wiring, solar heating, hardware, architecture, heating, air conditioning, and more—including everything from archaic and slang expressions to the latest technical information
• Dozens of useful charts, tables, and illustrated guides to common abbreviations, lumber, and plywood grades, hardware specifications, construction measurements and formulas—a wealth of reference information
• Full cross-referencing and grouping of related terms under a single heading to keep all the information you need accessible and ready to put to work

Tackle your next project with this do-it-yourselfer’s reference power tool and feel the self-assurance that comes from knowing every professional term, technique, and tool—no matter how obscure.

PAUL BIANCHINA is a licensed contractor, energy analyst, and how-to writer based in Bend, Oregon. He has written articles for Home Mechanix and Family Handyman, and many others, and is the author of seven highly successful books on home improvement.