This offering from the successful Build Like a Pro series provides complete in-depth information, step-by-step instructions, focused sidebars, and tips that add up to a professional patio or walkway project that homeowners will enjoy for years to come.

Build a beautiful custom patio or walkway with the step-by-step, photo-illustrated guidance of BLACK+DECKER The Complete Guide to Patios – 3rd Edition. A patio is the hub and heart of any yard. It’s the hard, flat, well-drained surface where you can comfortably enjoy the sunshine, feel a cool breeze, relax with a cold beverage, or hang around the barbecue with your friends and family. Luckily, patios are relatively easy to design and install yourself, and don’t require a lot of expensive tools and complicated techniques. BLACK+DECKER The Complete Guide to Patios – 3rd Edition guides the way with easy-to-follow instructions to plan and complete virtually any patio or walkway undertaking you can think of. An extensive materials and design section helps you wrap your head around all the upfront planning, and the 30+ patio, walkway, and landscape projects are illustrated with detailed photographs to guide your progress. From flagstone to interlocking pavers or plain gravel, all options are covered, as well as design tips, excavation advice, how to install a subbase, and how to install the most popular surfacing products. You’ll also find a substantial section on earth-friendly patios that make use of recycled materials and keep water runoff to a minimum, conserving resources and removing pressure from our water-treatment facilities. Discover how to create captivating: Patio and edging projects using sandset brick, cobblestone pavers, mortared flagstones, tiled concrete, and more Earth-friendly patios using recycled plastic pavers, recycled rubber chips, composite permeable pavers, subsurface grids, and more Walkways and steps using sandset brick, concrete, flagstones, gravel, timber, and more Patio rooms and amenities such as an under-deck patio, patio enclosure, screened patio room, and patio kitchen Create the perfect patio for your needs with BLACK+DECKER The Complete Guide to Patios – 3rd Edition and you will truly understand how much enjoyment these humble structures have to give.

Patios and walks no longer consist of bland expanses of concrete or an unimaginative rectangle tacked onto the back of a house. Designs are elaborate and materials abundant. There's no better way to get a glimpse at how you can transform your landscape than with the inspiration in Patios & Walkways Idea Book. This book has it all, from front entries to back patios, pool decking to outdoor kitchens, paths through the woods to retaining walls and terracing close to the house. In addition to the wide-ranging examples of styles and materials, you'll find advice for all the practical concerns you have questions about.

Driveways, paths and patios are an essential part of most properties and this comprehensive book provides a detailed explanation of exactly how they are designed, planned and constructed. Discusses the design of driveways, paths and patios with reference to their planned use, style, size, gradients and special features such as steps, ramps and terraces. Considers the range of materials available including block paving, flags, slabs, setts, cubes, cobbles, loose aggregates, plain & patterned concrete and tarmac. Analyses how to estimate costs and making the choice between the DIY approach and using a professional contractor. Examines the critical issue of drainage. Lays bare the mathematics associated with accurate setting-out and levelling. Describes the range of tools and equipment needed. Details the correct constructions of kerbs and edging and laying methods for flags, block paving and much more.

A guide to hardscaping that provides information on structure and balance, discussing instilling motion, delineating spaces, creating privacy, and other related topics.

Transform Your YardNow you can create a beautiful and functional outdoor living space for you and your family.This book offers everything you need to add beauty and appeal all around your home. Inside you'll find projects, tips, shortcuts, and advice on creating:o Brick, stone, and concrete patioso Steps and rampso Fences and gateso Arbors and trelliseso Landscaping wallso Sheds and storageo Plumbing and drainage In this book:o More than 70 projectso 1,300 color photoso Dozens of illustrationso Easy-to-follow instructions from home improvement experts

"...a work of art as well as a manual...an inspiration."--ForeWord Magazine. Get where you want to go...in style, on an attractively laid out path or walkway that blends beauty and utility. Whether you desire a captivating stepping-stone path winding through garden gates; a classic brick walk leading guests up to your front door; or gravelworks paving a gently sloping site, all the confusing wheres and hows of designing, choosing a material, and putting down a base are cleared away. Brimful of magnificent photos (including a gallery) and instructions that literally lay out every step of the process, this guide alerts you to some easy-to-miss practicalities right from the start--reminding you, for example, sharp gravel will hurt the tender feet of any barefoot children running around or brick or concrete will make handling a stroller or wheelchair much simpler. Try ornamental stone, grass, pine needles, concrete--personalized with embedded shells or writing, elegant cut stone, intriguingly shaped natural stone, versatile and (if you want) colorful brick--each lovelier than the last.