Table Of ContentComplete Home Improvement—
Practical Homeowner Edition
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CCOOMMPPLLEETTEE
HHOOMMEE
IIMMPPRROOVVEEMMEENNTT
300 Projects
with
2000 Photos
and
CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA
www.creativepub.com
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INTRODUCTION ............4 BASIC TECHNIQUES ......24 Working with PEX Pipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Working with Plastic Pipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
ROUGH CARPENTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Working with Galvanized Iron Pipe . . . . . . .88
PROJECT PLANNING.......6 Removing Interior Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Working with Cast-iron Pipe . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Removing Exterior Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Planning New Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Learning About Your House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Making Temporary Supports . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Building Codes & Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Removing Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 WIRING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Planning with Universal Design . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Building Partition Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Wiring Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
Working with Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Framing Curved Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Planning a Wiring Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Getting Help from Professionals . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Framing with Steel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Common Circuit Layouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Making a Construction Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Framing Doors & Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Installing Electrical Boxes & Cables . . . . . .122
Installing Electrical Devices . . . . . . . . . . . .130
PLUMBING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Installing Telephone Lines & Structured
Plumbing Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 Media Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
Working with Copper Pipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
R
EMODELING PROJECTS
DOORS & WINDOWS....146 Installing a Bay Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184 Texturing Walls & Ceilings . . . . . . . . . . . . .236
Installing Glass Block Windows . . . . . . . . .194 Installing Ceramic Wall Tile . . . . . . . . . . . .237
Selecting Doors & Windows . . . . . . . . . . . .148 Installing a Tubular Skylight . . . . . . . . . . . .198 Adding a Wainscot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .244
Installing a Prehung Interior Door . . . . . . .150 Installing a Skylight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200 Paneling a Ceiling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248
Framing & Installing French Doors . . . . . . .152 Patching Exterior Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210 Installing a Suspended Ceiling . . . . . . . . .252
Installing a Pocket Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155 Installing Ceiling Tile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .256
Installing an Attic Access Ladder . . . . . . . .158 WALLS & CEILINGS.......216 Installing a Metal Tile Ceiling . . . . . . . . . . .259
Removing Doors & Windows . . . . . . . . . . .162 Installing Interior Trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262
Installing an Entry Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164 Installing Fiberglass Insulation . . . . . . . . . .218
Installing a Patio Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168 Soundproofing Walls & Ceilings . . . . . . . . .220 FLOOR FINISHES .........274
Installing Replacement Inserts . . . . . . . . . .174 Installing & Finishing Wallboard . . . . . . . . .224
Installing New Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176 Installing Cementboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234 Choosing a Floor Covering . . . . . . . . . . . . .276
Installing a Garden Window . . . . . . . . . . .180 Patching Plaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235 Preparing for New Flooring . . . . . . . . . . .278
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Removing Floor Coverings . . . . . . . . . . . . .280 DESIGNING KITCHENS Installing a Kitchen Sink . . . . . . . . . . . . . .508
Removing Underlayment . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284 & BATHROOMS...........406 Installing a Kitchen Faucet & Drain . . . . . .509
Repairing Subfloors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .286
Installing a Water Filtration System . . . . . .511
Installing Underlayment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288
Planning Kitchen & Bathroom Installing a Food Disposer . . . . . . . . . . . . .512
Installing Vinyl Flooring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .292
Remodels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .408 Installing a Vent Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .514
Installing a Floor-warming System . . . . . .302
Designing Kitchens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410 Installing an Island Vent Hood . . . . . . . . .518
Installing Ceramic Floor Tile . . . . . . . . . . .306
Determining Your Needs . . . . . . . . . . .410
Installing Laminate Flooring . . . . . . . . . . . .316
Selecting Kitchen Elements . . . . . . . . .412 REMODELING
Installing Carpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .324
Creating Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .414 BATHROOMS .............522
CONVERTING The Universal Kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . . .418
Designing Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .422 Plumbing a Half Bath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .524
BASEMENTS & ATTICS . . 344
Determining Your Needs . . . . . . . . . . .422 Plumbing a Master Bath . . . . . . . . . . . . . .526
Planning the Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .346 Selecting Bathroom Elements . . . . . . .426 Plumbing a Basement Bath . . . . . . . . . . . .534
Evaluating Your Basement . . . . . . . . .346 Creating Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .428 Installing a Macerating Toilet . . . . . . . . . . .540
Evaluating Your Attic . . . . . . . . . . . . . .348 The Universal Bathroom . . . . . . . . . . .430 Wiring a Bathroom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .542
Stairways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .350 Building a Shower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .546
Dealing with Basement Moisture . . . .351 REMODELING Installing a Bathtub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .549
Planning the Framing . . . . . . . . . . . . .354 KITCHENS.................434 Building a Custom-tiled Shower Base . . . .554
Adding or Enlarging Installing a Whirlpool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .560
Basement Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . .356 Plumbing a Kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .436 Installing Bathtub Surrounds . . . . . . . . . . .566
Planning the Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . .357 Wiring a Remodeled Kitchen . . . . . . . . . . .448 Installing Faucets & Spouts . . . . . . . . . . . .568
Designing a Guest Suite . . . . . . . . . . .360 Painting Cabinets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .462 Installing Vanities & Sinks . . . . . . . . . . . . .571
Preparing Basement Floors . . . . . . . . . . . .362 Refacing Cabinets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .464 Installing a Toilet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .576
Building Attic Floors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .366 Installing New Cabinets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .466 Installing a Bathroom Vent Fan . . . . . . . . .578
Covering Foundation Walls . . . . . . . . . . . .370 Installing Swing-up, Installing Grab Bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .582
Framing Soffits & Chases . . . . . . . . . . . . . .375 Glide-up, & Pull-down Shelves . . . . . .478
Building Attic Kneewalls . . . . . . . . . . . . . .378 Installing a Post-form Countertop . . . . . . .482
Framing an Attic Ceiling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .380 Building a Custom Laminate Countertop . . .486 Reference Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .584
Insulating & Ventilating Roofs . . . . . . . . . .382 Building a Stainless Steel Laminate Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .588
Installing a Gas Fireplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . .384 Countertop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .493 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .590
Building a Wet Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .391 Making Custom Wood Countertop Edges . .494 Photo Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .595
Adding Recessed Kneewall Shelves . . . . .398 Building a Ceramic Tile Countertop . . . . .496 Contributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .596
Building Custom Light Boxes . . . . . . . . . .402 Tiling a Backsplash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .504 Additional Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .597
NOTICE TO READERS
For safety, use caution, care and good judgment when following the included with products, since deviating from the directions may void
procedures described in this book.The Publisher and Black & Decker warranties.The projects in this book vary widely as to skill levels
cannot assume responsibility for any damage to property or injury to required:some may not be appropriate for all do-it-yourselfers, and
persons as a result of misuse of the information provided. some may require professional help.
The techniques shown in this book are general techniques for various Consult your local Building Department for information on building
applications.In some instances, additional techniques not shown in permits, codes and other laws as they apply to your project.
this book may be required.Always follow manufacturers’instructions
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The Complete Photo Guide to
Home Improvement
With a collection of over 250popular remodel- steel wall framing and PEX water pipe—
ing projects,the first edition of The Complete which are quickly gaining in popularity due to
Photo Guide to Home Improvementbecame the their affordability,easy installation,and high
essential do-it-yourself remodeling guide for performance ratings.
more than a quarter-million homeowners. The subsequent sections of the book are
Covering every aspect of home remodeling, loaded with remodeling projects for every
the book has provided expert advice,in-depth room in the house.In addition to the standard
information,and a wealth of resources to help door,window,wall,ceiling,and flooring instal-
homeowners of various skill levels turn their lations,you’ll discover projects for creating
existing houses into the homes of their specialized or custom versions of the basics,
dreams. such as pocket doors,glass-block windows,
So,how could we improve on a remodeling curved walls,and decorative-metal ceilings.
guide as comprehensive as this? The same way You’ll also find a full section on converting
you improve on the quality and comfort of under-used basements and attics into func-
your home—through expansions,additions,and tional,livable spaces,as well as a new section
updated materials. devoted entirely to planning and designing
Put simply,this new edition of The Complete kitchen and bathroom remodels.
Photo Guide to Home Improvementbuilds upon An important feature retained from the
its solid foundation to give you much more. previous edition and expanded upon here are
Each section contains new and expanded proj- Universal Design sidebars.Where traditional
ects,updated information to meet all national design concepts and guidelines provide a good
codes,as well as new full-color photographs starting point for creating safe and easy-to-use
and illustrations to reflect the changing func- spaces for everyone in your home,universal
tion and style of your modern home. design takes planning one step further to help
As in the previous edition,the first section you create spaces that accommodate people of
of this book,Project Planning,explains the all sizes,ages,and abilities.See page 17 for a
basics of your home’s structural and mechani- list of the universal design topics covered in
cal systems—things you should understand the book.
before starting any project.You’ll also find Home improvement can seem intimidating,
information on building codes and permits, but it doesn’t have to be.Once you understand
developing plan drawings,and working with a few basic design principles and building
professionals. techniques,you’ll find that most remodeling
The next section,Basic Techniques,covers projects are not difficult to accomplish.With
the details of carpentry,plumbing,and wiring. The Complete Photo Guide to Home
There’s background information on the spe- Improvementin hand,you’ll gain the confi-
cific systems and discussions of the tools, dence and know-how to transform any room
materials,and techniques needed for the proj- in your home into the useful and comfortable
ects in the book.You’ll also be introduced to living space you’ve always desired.
innovative new building materials—such as
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P R O J E C T
P
L A N N I N G
Learning About Your House. . . . . . . . . . . 8
Building Codes & Permits. . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Planning with Universal Design. . . . . . . 17
Working with Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Getting Help from Professionals . . . . . . 20
Making a Construction Plan. . . . . . . . . . 22
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A House with Platform Framing
Ridge Skylight
board header
Roof sheathing
Learning About
Shingles
Your House
Rafter Remodeling requires examination of your home’s existing structure and
its various systems—plumbing,wiring,and HVAC (heating,ventila-
tion,and air conditioning).For example,before removing a wall,you
must determine whether it is load-bearing and check for service lines
running within it.Understanding your home’s structure and mapping
Header
its systems will help you determine the feasibility of a project and
estimate how much work is involved.
Load-
Jack stud
bearing
House Framing
wall
King stud The basic structure of a house is made up of four systems that work
Double together to form a solid structure:the roof,the walls,the floors,and
top the foundation.Most houses are built using one of two framing
plate
styles—platformframing or balloonframing.The framing style of your
house determines what kind of temporary supports you will need to
Bottom
Header Cripple install while making any changes to the structural framing and can
plate
studs affect the complexity of a project.If you have trouble determining what
Joist
Wall
studs
Rim
Subfloor
joist Main
beam
Studs
Joist
Rough
sill
Wall shown Bottom
cutaway for Subfloor plate
Foundation clarity
Support
wall
posts
Platform framing(photos, left and above) is identified by the floor-level bottom plates and
ceiling-level top plates to which the wall studs are attached. If you do not have access to
unfinished areas, remove the wall surface at the bottom of a wall to determine what kind of
framing was used in your home.
Footing
8 Project Planning/Your House
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A House with Balloon Framing
Roof
Ridge board
sheathing
Rafters
Shingles
type of framing was used in your home,refer to the original blue- Header
prints,if you have them,or consult a building contractor or licensed
home inspector.
Platform framing is the style used for most houses built after 1930.It
can be identified by its wall studs,which are one story tall and extend
from a bottom plate at the floor (or foundation wall) to a top plate
attached to the joists above.The floor structures are complete platforms
Cripple
that extend to the perimeter of the building.Platform framing is easy studs
to alter because the support structure starts at the floor for each story.
Balloon framing,commonly used in homes built before 1930,has
wall studs that extend from the foundation walls to the roof structure. Load-
The first-story floor framing rests on the foundation walls;second- bearing
and third-story floors are supported by 1 ×4 ribbons set into notches wall
in the wall studs (see illustration,page 10).
With either framing style,the house frame is supported by the foun-
Studs
dation walls and a main beam,or girder,in the center of the house;in
turn the framing are supported by the earth around the foundation.
×
1 4
ribbon
King
stud
Wall studs
Jack
stud
Joist
Sill plate
Subfloor
Rough sill
Bracing
Fireblocks
Main
Joists beam
Subfloor
Fireblocks
Floor and
wall shown Support Foundation
cutaway for posts wall
clarity
Balloon framing(photos, right and above) is identified by wall studs that run uninterrupted
×
from the roof to a sill plate on the foundation. Full-width 2 blocking installed between the
Footing
floor (and ceiling) joists prevent fire from spreading up through the wall-stud cavities.
Project Planning/Your House 9
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