Planted freshwater aquariums combine the DIY aspects of terrariums with a sophisticated palette of gorgeous foliage plants. Sunken Gardens is packed with everything someone new to the hobby needs to know; it details the equipment needed to get started; surveys the best plants for aquascaping; and shows how to design, plant, and maintain an aquascape.

At some point a homeowner will be confronted by their plumbing: a dripping tap, a flood of biblical proportions, a freezing cold house, a new dream bathroom or the latest gas bill. This Haynes Manual covers it all and is bang up-to-date, dealing with real taps that often don't have washers (but still drip) right through to the latest green technologies and gadgets that could save a fortune. Everything is explained in a clear and light-hearted fashion that will leave the reader confident that they can tackle their own plumbing and not have to cross the living room by canoe afterwards.

'No one knows sheds like Joel Bird. The creativity and knowledge which won him shed of the year is echoed throughout this brilliant book.' - George Clarke The Book of Shed is for the new vision of the shed. A beautifully designed hardback book, it will provide you with the inspiration and the information you need to plan and create your new space by combining imaginative ideas and beautiful design with practical thinking and building knowledge. Written by designer-builder, TV personality and all-round shed-progressive Joel Bird, this wonderful tome is split into four comprehensive sections - on the history and basics of the shed; shed inspiration and style; the shed build; and some of Joel's most distinctive shed case studies - and is the perfect fireside read whether you're a seasoned shed-head or completely new to the joys of your own purpose-built haven, wherever and whatever that may be.

About the book: Author Lisa Barthuly asks, "Would you like to rid your home of commercial, toxic products but don't want to pay the price for the 'all natural', 'organic' products that line the shelf? Learn to make your own Create everything from your own laundry soap, to homemade dryer sheets, antibacterial spray cleaners, potpourri blends, fabric softeners, calendula salve, homemade 'Vaseline, ' handcrafted Eucalyptus Chest Rub...even tips for the outside of the homestead and much more A must have book for those looking not only to simplify, but to cut that grocery bill down, create a healthier environment for our families, and revive the art of making our own From the book: If we knew how to make our own cleaning products to replace the toxic, commercial ones...would we? Would we put forth the effort required? The desire to make my own products stemmed from the frugal, self reliant side of me. I wanted simple; homemade; natural. Remember the definition of simple is NOT 'easier.' Living "simply" in our times, means making a deliberate choice to differ from the mainstream of today's societal norm. My desire changed over to sheer determination, when one of my children was diagnosed with a myriad of allergies, chemical sensitivities, and asthma. After much study and research, we were determined that we could not have those products in our home, they are useless (when God has provided all we need to your own) and harmful to everyone in our home. Join me, as I show you how to easily make your own natural, homemade, handcrafted products that are not only less expensive but truly better for our families, our home and God's Creation.

In 2003 Ben Law captivated the nation by building his woodland house on Channel 4s Grand Designs programme, the home was later voted the most popular Grand Design ever by viewers. The presenter, Kevin McCloud, loved the project so much that he has written the foreword to this book! A Grand Designs Revisited programme was aired on British TV in October 2005. Full of stunning colour photographs, The Woodland House is a visual guide to how Ben built his outstandingly beautiful home in the woods. It is also a practical manual, and the story of a man realising a lifetimes dream to build one of the most sustainable and beautiful homes in Britain. The Woodland House gives details of the evolving design process, the identifying of materials, costings, project management and the actual building. It proves that low cost, low impact and high aesthetics can go hand in hand and that it is possible to build green and affordably. As the pre-eminent UK example of building with wood and renewable materials this will also appeal to the growing number of people with environmental and green interests, as well as to the building community

This comprehensive reference provides practical guidance for any homeowner who wants to create a more attractive yard. Written by landscaping experts, it provides time-tested, easy-to-follow instructions for designing and shaping an effective landscape plan. Whether renovating an existing landscape or completely starting from scratch, readers will learn to make the best use of the space that they currently have, while thinking ahead about how they might improve their grounds in the future. From growing lawns and planting trees, to putting in stone walkways or water elements, readers will discover the right way to do it in straight-forward steps that anyone can follow to realize their dreams. City dwellers, suburbanites, and rural homesteaders alike will find a wealth of useful ideas for landscaping their properties, accompanied by clear step-by-step illustrations. This all-you-need-to-know reference will prove indispensable for both amateur and professional landscapers. Readers will get useful tips on correcting drainage and preparing soil for planting, plus great information on planting and caring for newly planted growth. A section on hardscaping shows how to build patios, fences, walls and gates, with advice on working with pavers, brick, concrete and stone. A final section covers finishing touches, including planting and caring for newly planted flowers, bulbs, and trellises.

Design a rainwater harvesting system for any home in any climate.

Water is a crucial resource increasingly under stress. Yet rainfall, even in arid climates, can make up a sizable portion of any home, acreage, or farm’s water requirements if harvested and utilized with care. The key is appropriate planning and high-quality site- and climate-specific design.

Essential Rainwater Harvesting is a comprehensive manual for designing, building, and maintaining water harvesting systems for the warm and cold climates of the world. Presenting design considerations and approaches for the most common household rainwater supply scenarios – primary, supplemental, and off-grid supply – this step-by-step approach covers:

- Considerations for full-property water security

- Demand planning and conservation strategies

- Supply calculations and design implications for extreme rainfall and drought

- Materials selection and water quality

- System and site assessment

- Sizing and design of gutters, conveyance, tanks, and pumps

- Pre-filtration, filtration, and disinfection options

- System maintenance and upkeep

This practical resource provides DIYers, trades, and rainwater practitioners with the essential tools, methods, and technical know-how to design, build, and maintain rainwater harvesting systems anywhere.

Praise for the first edition:
" "B. Allan Mackie demonstrates to anyone who has ever dreamed of having a log home that ownership is within reach." "
-- Log Home Design

A decade ago, B. Allan Mackie was nearing completion of Ardea, the log house he built on Shanty Lake. He shared these experiences in the original edition of "The Owner-Built Log House." In this new edition he continues his personal journey, which led him to complete Ardea and realize he had yet to build the perfect log house. This book is a testament to Mackie's most treasured desire -- to reproduce the life and style of the pioneers.

In this unique book, Mackie provides a thorough, expert and practical guide to building a log house. He demonstrates that, with the will to learn, the average person is more than capable of building a log house that will serve for years to come.

This profusely illustrated book is both a technical manual and a photo essay. Mackie, renowned for his skill, recounts each step day by day. The chapters cover: The purpose of building a log house The building tree Making a set of plans How long it will take and how much it will cost Choosing a site and tools Log walls Notches Roofs Windows, doors and stairs Interior and finishing touches

Mackie also carefully addresses such issues as building ecologically and harvesting trees.

This new edition of "The Owner-Built Log House" includes a new chapter that covers the building and finishing of two additional log houses, which were only in the planning stage when the original book was published. Over 30 photographs take the reader carefully through the process of building the author's main house at Shanty Lake as well as a new and smaller retirement home in which the author currently lives.

This second edition of Workshop Electrics has been completely revised and updated to bring it in line with the latest advances in technology and to fully conform with BS7671 (17th edition of wiring regulations). A quarter of the illustrations are also new. The book deals with electricity in the workshop and includes everything from fitting a 13amp plug to wiring up a new workshop building. Safety, a key issue is covered as well as inspection and testing. Starting with the planning necessary before electrical installation commences, the book then deals with the fusing, equipment, lighting, fixtures, fittings and wiring for 230-volt mains electricity. Further chapters cover outside workshops, three-phase supplies and a range of low-voltage equipment. Finally there is a glossary, a list of useful addresses and an index.

Easy Closets is the ultimate resource for anyone looking to make the most from the storage space they already have in their homes. It offers expert advice on making the most of your home storage - no matter the size - for virtually every room in the house.Through easy-to-follow text and full-colour photographs - including step- by-step installation instructions - readers will learn how to select and install closet-system components that are available at DIY stores everywhere.Also included are dozens of hints and tips for organizing and storing everything from clothing to toys, sports equipment to cleaning supplies, as well as expert advice on creating storage space from scratch.

This zine provides practical advice about being homeless or low-budget in-motion by choice--camping on the edges, living simply, getting by on the road and loving it. Decades of collective experience have gone into creating this zine, so you know it is full of useful and tested information. This fifth collection contains "Dwelling Portably" (April 2010), Ab #9 (December 2009), and Ab #10 (May 2010).

This latest volume in the Workshop Practice Series presents a general overview of the grinding, lapping, honing and polishing of metal, as well as the materials used to make grinding wheels, belts and papers. The uses of various machines and grinding mediums are described, including the off-hand grinder, modern miniature hand drill/grinders and toolpost grinders. There are also instructions for making a small barrelling machine and other suitable devices.

Incorporating movement in the landscape is one of the hot trends in gardening today. As people invest more time and money in their homes, landscaping becomes a primary focus. How can we make the outdoors more inviting? Paths, steps, and footbridges are three key elements that help define a landscape and how people move through it and enjoy it. An inviting path that meanders through a garden, steps that connect terraced outdoor "living rooms," and a footbridge that spans a small stream each serves a utilitarian purpose, but when designed creatively and well can infuse a property with an irresistible sense of wonder and delight. In How To Build Paths, Steps & Footbridges, building contractor Peter Jeswald explains how to add practical and visually pleasing elements to any property. He advocates choices that complement, rather than dominate, the home and landscape and recommends natural and manmade materials appropriate for the goals and objectives of each project. Wood, masonry, stone, earth, and vegetation are all options he discusses for building and creating an environment that complements the topography. In addition to 64 pages of inspirational colour photographs, How To Build Paths, Steps & Footbridges includes hundreds of clear instructional drawings of plans and construction techniques. Jeswald provides careful advice for every stage of a project -up-front planning, assessing a site, finalizing a design, and selecting proper tools and building materials for construction - all with the goal of providing a strong theoretical basis that will allow readers to achieve the best possible result: greater access to and interest in their outdoor spaces.

Installing, replacing or repairing doors and windows is within the reach of the serious Do-It-Yourselfer with the hands-on advice of veteran carpenter, Scott McBride. Detailed step-by-step instructions take the reader though each process. Tips, shortcuts, and advice on how to solve common challenges cut these challenging jobs down to manageable size. This is a comprehensive guide to understanding door and window installation, including preparing and adjusting basic and specialized types of windows and doors. Scott McBride turns what has the potential to be a tedious complex task into a project builders can approach with confidence. - Interior Door Units - Exterior Doors - New Doors in Old Frames - - Fixing Door Problems - Storm and Screen Doors - New Windows - - Repairing Windows - Storm and Screen Windows - Skylights - - Interior Trim for Doors and Windows -

Learn to think like a design pro to get the bathroom you've always wanted without making the types of mistakes that cost money or leave you less than thrilled with the result. Bathrooms, Updated Edition explains everything homeowners need to know about budgeting; hiring contractors; designing and working with space; selecting cabinetry and hardware; shopping for fixtures; choosing appropriate countertop, flooring, windows and other finishing materials; and how to bring all off these elements together cohesively with style. Completely updated with the latest trends, products and innovative ideas, this new edition offers a smart approach to bathroom design.

From wastestream to mainstream, a practical guide to composting toilet systems. Composting toilets are a key feature for local resilience, money saving, water conservation, resource recovery, septic system replacement, and an improved bathroom experience in rural and urban buildings. Essential Composting Toilets is a streamlined manual that takes a practical, how-to approach to composting toilet system selection, design, installation, and operation, while meeting universal health and safety objectives. Drawing from existing regulations and research, this book dispels myths and provides tools to assess various systems. It includes: Easily-understood drawings, plans, and photos Coverage of all main composting toilet systems Selection criteria including site considerations, urine separation pros/cons, renovations/new builds, ventilation, servicing, and composting details Design and installation details. Offering a professional approach accessible to DIYers, homeowners, designers, building consultants, water conservation advocates, and regulators, Essential Composting Toilets provides key information for redesigning toilet systems anywhere in the world.

A sweeping overview of traditional stone architecture that graces the landscapes of many nations. Over 350 vivid color photos show buildings ranging from simple stone homes and practical farm buildings to imposing town halls and vaulting cathedrals. The extensive text explains the history, styles, and techniques of the stone cutters' and masons' arts. Also included is a practical, instructional handbook; it teaches the crafts of masonry and stone cutting as they have been practiced across the centuries. This book will be a treasure for the builder, art historian, and everyone with a passion for stone structures.

Here is the ultimate portfolio featuring some of the most advanced interlocking concrete paver technology available today. Over 300 full color images showcase innovative paver shapes, textures, colors, and finishes, as well as a wide variety of classic pavers in a stunning collection of residential and commercial projects. Homeowners, landscape architects, and builders should not be without this important resource, which inspires with hundreds of ideas for patios, pool skirts, driveways, shopping centers, parking lots, boulevards, and much more.

By combining proven and promising wind, solar, and other clean and renewable energy technologies, individuals, businesses, and communities can invest in equipment to produce electricity for themselves. This book explains how to reduce reliance on power companies, restore market forces, increase economic security, create jobs, improve efficiency, and reduce waste.For more than 100 years, electric energy has been a fundamental feature of human existence. It powers our tools, which helps us achieve our many individual and societal wants, needs, and goals. This comprehensive survey explores how electric power generation in the United States began, largely as a private endeavor, and quickly evolved into a race to capture and control its release to the people. The combination of wind, solar, and other renewable energy technologies, as proposed, enables people to restore their ability to independently generate electricity for home and business use.