Setting Tile (Fine Homebuilding)

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: This book may be the best of a bad lot, but it is a bad book nevertheless. It fails in its main task: telling do-it-yourselfers how to set tile. Consider the title carefully: "Setting Tile". If there is one thing a book with such a title must do, surely it must give the reader practical and detailed instructions for actually setting tile. Sadly, this book never quite gets around to that. Instead, it ambles in its own leisurely, wordy way from one vaguely related topic to another. But it never settles down to work; it never gets its hands dirty. Using the intellectual equivalent of buckshot, the book peppers the reader with superficial information about an almost endless series of vaguely relevant topics: 750,000 kinds of adhesives, 300 million types of water proof membranes, 70 kazillion types of mortars. And just when you think you've finally hit pay dirt, they send you scurrying off to some far corner of the book for more info (i.e., "see page 274"). But sadly, page 274 always disappoints...going almost, but not quite, far enough to be really useful. Granted, the book finally gets around to some practical details (perhaps by accident). And there's no question that a hard working homeowner can piece these together with the illustrations (the book's finest feature, by the way!) to develop a more-or-less satisfactory approach for completing a real project. But no reader should have to work that hard! What is needed, instead, is a book which delivers what this one merely promises: instructions for "setting tile". Don't you just hate books that promise more than they deliver!!!

Rating:
Summary: Worth its weight in gold!
Review: This is a great book. What I liked most about it was that the author explain in great detail HOW to tile. There are some books that merely show pretty pictures. He goes over the different types of setting, techniques, surface preparation, tools, you name it. I just completed my first tile job ... it turned out great!

Rating:
Summary: Best book/clear details/very well written
Review: This is best book of tile installing I've found. It's very complete. I used it's information to install over 600 sq ft of tile in my home. Although it is very detailed, which some people may not care for, it's sort of an "everything you need to know about installing tile, but didn't know you needed to know". The installation was our first and came out well. We were able to talk to tile people on their level and knew more than many people in stores. He points how how critical preparation is to a good installation. Even if you don't plan on installing tile yourself, you should go through this book to learn how it should be done right. I understand he also has a video out.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding How To Book
Review: Well written easy to follow. Tells not only what you can do, but when it would be best to consult a professional. Even when a professional is recommended, he gives clear instructions for anyone who insists on doing every aspect of the job unassisted. Also includes a good reference guide. Shari Luster Fairbanks,Ak