Replies

1. 
   Fred_M | Dec 25, 1998 11:34am | #1

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   To tell the truth, I find the best info. on the type of work I'm unfamiliar with within the pages of FHB. In lieu of archiving thru old issues try H'book of Dooormaking, Windowmaking and Staircasing, ed. Talbot, Sterling Publishing, NY

1. 
   alan_joseph_samson | Dec 26, 1998 05:30am | #2

   *Two books for indepth consideration: 1) Modern Practical Stairbuilding and Handrailing by George Ellis , ISBN 0-941936-15-5. 2) Modern Practical Joinery by George Ellis, ISBN 0-941936-08-2.These are both reprints of older books.For your small job, now, I recommend you get the ballistrade installation book put out by the L.J.Smith stair parts people.Home Depot is supplying these parts now. Find out from them how to get into contact with L.J. Smith or ASK JEEVES at http://www.aj.com.Hope this helps.

1. 
   Dann | Dec 27, 1998 10:07am | #3

   *Fred, I've been looking for that book for two years now, and can't find it anywhere. It's out of print, and very difficult to find. I don't suppose you have a couple of spare copies?

2. 
   Guest_ | Dec 28, 1998 12:55am | #4

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   Here's some more:
   Interior Finish, Bob Syvanen, The East Woods Press.
   Wood Frame House Construction, USDA Handbook No.73.
   A Treatise on Stairbuilding & Handrailing, W & A Mowat, Linden Publishing Co.
   Illustrated Interior Carpentry, Graham Blackburn, The Overlook Press.
   Check out the library and look at your old stairs.

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 28, 1998 07:35am | #5

   *I spent a long time looking for such a book and found none. I ordered an architechural "details" book thinking this was what I wanted and it was so far out there that I doubt I will ever build such stuff. I would love a comprehensive book on trim that really concentrates on using off the shelf stock. I have been fairly creative, but feel that there is so much to know about room scale and what are standard traditional stylings.I have seen pamphets from trim companies at 84 lumber, but really feel there is much to learn about appropriate styles for houses

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 28, 1998 05:23pm | #6

   *J.D., I think you might be putting the cart before the horse. The trim in a house should correspond to the style of the house, or the style type of the room. Some of the most challenging trim work might come from Louis XIV, Louis XV, Louis XVI, or even Victorian, Queen Anne, craftsman or high-tech. Respectfully, 84 Lumber might not be the source for expansion of your skills.

3. 
   Gerard_Y. | Dec 28, 1998 07:00pm | #7

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   Alan
   Thank you for your reply on the stair case and trim books, we have selected a trim theme for our home.I did not get it from Home Depot either went to my luber yard they helped tremendously. Do you know of any good firms nationally for trim or in the midwest?
   Regards
   Gerard d. Yankowski

4. 
   Guest_ | Dec 28, 1998 08:21pm | #8

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   I am not relying on 84 lumber for much knowledge, I had just seen pamphlets that had interesting ideas on using multiple pieces of trim for more interesting effect. The pamphlet was from G-P or who ever was selling 84 their trim. I fully am aware that house style can have a lot to do with things. But the most recent house I worked on was a cookie cutter colonial with DC-98 casings and ranch base. I told the people a little crown and some chair rail would look nice and it did. It was 3 5/8 crown and the most common chair. They liked it, but wanted something more for the crown and wanted a bigger baseboard. I went with a 3 piece base over new hardwood they put in and in subsequent rooms on the first floor we used the crown with built in dental. I did offer to change the first rooms (kitchen/den, but they were happy,just looking for more interesting stuff for other rooms. both types look good, but the fancier one piece stuff was a huge pain to install, multiple pieces would have been easier,
   but the stock I had readily available would have probably overwhelmed the 8' walls.
   Anyway a book that would give me trim ideas and pictures to show cliets and would discuss Styles in relation to houses would be great.
   Most work I would do would be in newer houses that lack a true style if you mean Victorian or Federal or something more distinct.
   I have taken my own little townhouse and added chair and crown and a better baseboard and have dramatically improved its feel.

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 30, 1998 01:30am | #9

   *For questions like this ASK JEEVES at http://www.aj.com.I am not sure if you are asking me if I know of an installer. If so, I dont know. That requires more research and investigation.So, uh, whats the trim theme you selected?Hope this helps.

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 30, 1998 01:54am | #11

   *J.D., Thanks for letting me pull your leg a little bit about 84 Lumber. Of course you wouldnt be here if you were that way inclined.For flooring pattern ideas, I have found an enormous selection on the web. First , I go to ASK JEEVES at http://www.aj.com.Maybe you could check there for some ideas.I found, at one time in my life, that I could most cost effectively gain knowledge in this area, by buying a roll of paper and laying out all the ideas that came to mind. I did it in profile, unless I liked it , or somebody wanted to see more.Profiles of the different styles are kept in a binder and tabs for each page for easy identification.Maybe, a profile a day, for a while.From that, make samples about three to six inches wide of the profiles that you like.Hope this helps.

5. 
   Gerard_Y. | Dec 30, 1998 01:54am | #10

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   I am looking to redo a 7 step run in our tri-level does anyone know of an excellent trim book about stair construction etc?