Home repair hand-holding

Processing all the details of a home remodeling project can be overwhelming for homeowners who rely on the clerks at Home Depot for technical advice. Bay window or box? Wood flooring or laminate? Packaged heating and cooling system or split?

With its easy-to-understand writing and attention to detail, this invaluable reference book takes away the anxiety of making “the choice.” Koones focuses on the basic elements that make a house. Chapters are devoted to roofing, siding, windows, doors, flooring, lighting, stairs and mechanical systems. With the trend toward green building, a chapter on health and safety is a nice addition to the basics.

Extensive lists of advantages and disadvantages are helpful. Glass tile is impervious to stains and easy to clean, but the tiles require professional installation and are easily scratched. Simple facts like these can help stumbling renovators know what they want before they shop. Diagrams are easy to decipher, and resource listings, including websites, are also valuable. The book ends with a workbook section with ample room for notes and dreaming big.