Builder

With so many bathroom options, no two rooms are likely to be the same. Wormer guides you through each choice, explaining how to select sinks, countertops, faucets, toilets, showers, and tubs; heating, ventilation, and lighting elements; and finish materials. He weighs the pros and cons of each choice, explaining the difference between, for example, installing a pedestal sink, a wall-hung sink, or an above-the-countertop sink. He also compares building material options, such as whether to use copper, cast iron, ABS, or PVC pipe for your drain/waste/vent system, and then explains how to incorporate these elements into a pleasing, practical layout that leaves enough room for storage.

The first section of the book focuses on choosing the materials and fixtures and planning layout, and the second on installation and finish work. Scattered throughout are color photos of various bathroom styles, plus detailed line drawings and charts of the more intricate technicalities of the building process. The book contains the most current trends in bathrooms, including installation instructions for natural stone flooring, jet tubs, and radiant floor heat systems. Whether you're remodeling a client's bathroom or your own, you'll do well to learn from Wormer's expertise, rather than the more costly method of learning from your own mistakes. From the nitty-gritty beginnings of a bathroom to the final detail trim, The Builder's Book of Bathrooms leaves no stone unturned. --Kris Law