This complete guide shows you how to build walls and add paving using masonry materials ranging from brick, stone, and tile to concrete and adobe. Step-by-step instructions take you through every phase of the building process, from calculating the amount of materials you need to curing a concrete patio. You’ll also find complete materials lists for projects and information on maintenance and repair.

Building Barbecues & Outdoor Kitchens
144 Pages
101 photos, 204 illustrations

Advice and techniques to create the perfect outdoor cooking center for your home and lifestyle—from a simple traditional charcoal grill to an elaborate outdoor kitchen. The meat of the book is more than 15 complete barbecue building plans, ranging from simple surrounds for portable grills to built-in gas grills, smokers, and even fire pits. Whether you are planning to build your own or hiring a professional, Building Barbecues has the recipe for a successful project.

Building Birdhouses
128 Pages
150 Photos, 100 illustrations

Whether the goal is adding a whimsical touch to their home or garden or attracting serious nesters, readers will flock to Building BirdHouses. It has two dozen do-it-yourself projects, from the practical to the fanciful. Equal parts creative ideas, motivating photography, and practical instruction, Building Birdhouses covers the planning and design process, buying materials and tools, and basic woodworking and finish treatments.

Building Garden & Patio Furniture
128 Pages
240 Photos

Family, friends, kids—everyone enjoys hanging out in the backyard or garden. Just think how impressed they'll be when they find out you built the furniture. Sunset commissioned a master woodworker to design these 18 high-end, elegantly simple pieces of outdoor furniture. Fullcolor photography shows off the beautiful design and craftsmanship of the completed projects. Several kinds of outdoor-resilient wood are used, such as pine, teak, mahogany, and recycled plastic lumber.

Building Screened Rooms
128 Pages
200+ Photos

Release Date: January 2004

Expand your living space by enclosing an existing porch, patio, deck or gazebo with this new edition from Sunset’s outdoor building experts. It has everything you need to transform open outdoor areas into functional, inviting rooms for year-round use. Includes detailed step-by-step photography and building instructions for commonly used enclosure materials such as screened frames, the ScreenTight system, screened panels, and screen enclosure kits.

Complete Deck Book
256 Pages
300 Photos, 200 illustrations

Complete Deck is the only guide you'll need to design our dream deck, select materials, build it (or be an informed supervisor), and even repair and maintain it. Whether you're starting from the ground up or revamping an existing deck, this new edition of a Sunset bestseller will motivate you with an image gallery of stunning decks from around the country. Includes practical how-to advice, step-by-step photo-illustrated instructions, and detailed plans for building your choice of 16 state-of-the-art deck projects, all of varying degrees of difficulty.

Complete Patio Book
192 Pages
90 Photos, 316 illustrations

Through dozens of photographs and illustrations, you’ll learn about patio flooring options, overheads, lighting, how to repair and maintain your patio, and more. Building techniques and tools are fully explained and illustrated, and if you want to hire a contracting professional, you’ll find how to do that, too.

Complete Masonry Book
192 Pages
350+ Photos, 63 illustrations

Release Date: January 2004

Combining basic-to-advanced instruction and exciting projects, this complete guide shows how to build paths, patios, and walls using all manner of masonry, including brick, stone, tile, and concrete. It helps readers plan structures, choose materials, and select the right tools for the job. Projects include building an outdoor barbecue, casting stepping-stones, and using updated concrete decorating techniques such as acid staining, resurfacing, stamping, and tinting. Step-by-step instructions take readers through every phase of the building process with clear, easy-to-understand text and 200 how-to photos. Includes complete materials lists and information on maintenance and repair. Even more comprehensive than the ultra-successful Walks, Walls & Patio Floors!

Fence, Walls & Gates
128 Pages
222 Photos, 45 illustrations

Release Date: January 2004

Take a walk on the creative side with this inspiring new guide. Discover exciting new treatments for fences, walls, and gates by paging through the huge photo gallery. Then turn to the how-to section for detailed instruction, information on tools, planning, logistics, components, basic skills, and a complete shoppers’ guide.

Garden & Patio Living Spaces
128 Pages
82 Photos, 91 illustrations

Enjoying your yard or patio means more than gardening or barbecuing these days as more people discover the pleasures of outdoor living—for everyday enjoyment or for special-occasion entertaining. This book will show you how to build screened rooms, barbecues, outdoor fireplaces, greenhouses, sheds, and much more. There are even tips on selecting furnishings as well as creating play and recreation areas for both children and adults. Whether you are doing the work yourself or hiring a contractor, you’ll learn the crucial steps of planning and designing your project to ensure a successful outcome.