Flooring 1-2-3

We knew nothing about flooring or how to install it, and were eager to replace the carpet in our home. This book told us everything we needed to know and more! Flooring 1-2-3 explains the various types of flooring (carpet, tile, laminate, hardwood....) and gives the benefits and drawbacks of each in terms that any layman can understand. It tells you what tools you need, and walks you through installation step-by-step. Problem solvers and tips are included. This book is a great value for the money, and a must-have for the DIY homeowner. We decided to go with laminate flooring, and are saving thousands by installing it ourselves thanks to this book. We plan to tile the kitchen and bathrooms next year, and will be referring to it again. Highly recommend for anyone who wants to do their own floor renovation, or even just to help you decide the kind you want.

I always look for a book like this before starting home improvement projects. This one covers installation of wood, carpet and vinyl flooring. You get photos to help with the planning and step-by-step instructions for several projects. For each project, it gives a time estimate for beginners and for the more experienced. It's best to allow yourself plenty of time unless you have an HGTV team there to do the work. It talks about preparing the floor, special tools needed and explains some techniques. Even with all that, I prefer having several books on hand, in case I don't understand the instructions or need alternate ideas.