From a young age, I learned that good workers always look after their tools, including the humble paintbrush. In this guide, I’ll show you how to clean and store paintbrushes like a professional decorator, including hints and tips to prolong their useful life. Tools and Materials Gather all the tools and materials below before cleaning …
How To Clean Paintbrushes (and how to store them) Read More »
Wall panelling was trendy when I started fixing up properties, but it lost its appeal and fell out of fashion. However, I’m pleased to say it’s back in vogue, making dull spaces sophisticated and characterful. This DIY guide first looks at various wall panelling designs and then shows you how to create a beautifully panelled …
How To Panel a Wall in 19 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
I remember my first tiling job — it didn’t go well! Never one to give up, I spent many hours researching and practising the correct tiling techniques. Before long, I was tiling like a pro, and I’ve since completed many successful tiling projects. In this two-part guide, I’ll show you everything I’ve learned so you …
How To Prepare a Wall for Tiling in 4 Easy Stages (DIY) Read More »
This article is part two of our two-part guide on tiling a wall. Assuming you’ve completed part one, ‘How To Prepare a Wall for Tiling’, we can now start the fun bit — tiling! Tools and Materials Ensure you have all the tools and materials below before tiling a wall. Tools Materials Safety Gear How …
How To Tile a Wall in 8 Easy Steps — A DIY Guide Read More »
Preparation is the key to a professional finish. I learnt this the hard way, so now I invest time preparing woodwork before painting. In this DIY guide, I’ll show you the steps to perfectly painted wood and offer hints and tips to make your life easier. Tools and Materials Ensure you have all the tools …
How To Prepare and Paint Interior Woodwork (2 Easy Methods) Read More »
Experience has taught me that nothing is as easy as it looks, including knowing how to remove wallpaper. You may be tempted to paper over the existing wall covering, but that can lead to issues like creasing further down the line. In this article, I’ll show you how to remove wallpaper in easy-to-follow steps, including …
How To Remove Wallpaper — A Step-by-Step Guide (3 Methods) Read More »
Knowing how to fix into plasterboard, brick, and breezeblock is a crucial DIY skill for any homeowner. Whether you’re hanging pictures, shelves, or wall cabinets, how you fix them differs depending on the wall material. Over the years, I’ve fixed thousands of items on various wall surfaces, so I’ll show you how to do it …
How To Fix Into Plasterboard, Brick and Breezeblock (DIY Guide) Read More »
I always thought hanging a picture on a wall was simple, but there’s more to it than you first think. It took me a couple of attempts to get it right and a few more to master it. In this DIY guide, I will show you how to hang a picture on plasterboard and masonry …
How To Hang a Picture in 11 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
Like many DIY enthusiasts, my first attempt at fitting skirting boards was a disaster! However, after several more attempts, I finally perfected the process. So if you want to learn from my experience, follow this step-by-step guide on how to fit skirting boards like a pro. Tools and Materials Every DIY project starts with planning, …
How To Fit Skirting Boards in 9 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
Nothing looks better than fresh varnish. It reflects light, protects wood, and seals surfaces. However, in my experience, water-based varnish only lasts for around three years, while oil-based products fare better at ten years. So what happens when varnish fades or gets scratched? This DIY guide will help restore your tarnished wood to its former …
How To Remove Varnish from Wood — 4 Easy Methods (DIY Guide) Read More »
I’ve fitted many kitchen appliances over the years, and in this guide, I’ll explain how to adjust integrated fridge door hinges. So, to prevent your kitchen cabinet doors from scraping along the floor, follow this step-by-step DIY guide. Types of Integrated Door Hinges Before adjusting your hinges, you must understand what type of door hinge …
How To Adjust Integrated Fridge Door Hinges (DIY Guide) Read More »
Use knock-down fittings if you want an easy life when joining two pieces of wood. They’re the simplest joinery method, widely used in everything from flat-pack furniture to kitchen units. Knock-down fittings have become my go-to solution over many years of DIY projects, especially when I’m against the clock. Knock-Down Fittings – The Basics Knock-down …
What are Knock-Down Fittings (and how best to use them)? The 7 Options You Must Know Read More »
On too many occasions, I have tried to cut corners using the wrong tools, and always to my cost. In this guide, I provide the definitive plastering tools list so you can avoid my mistakes and plaster a wall like a pro. 14 Must-Have Plastering Tools Let’s dive right in with our definitive list, starting …
Plastering Tools List — 14 Must-Have Items (DIY Guide) Read More »
Loft insulation lasts for a very long time. Most manufacturers quote a lifespan of 80 to 100 years, which means it will probably outlast you! However, that isn’t the end of the story. Loft insulation only lasts this long if you keep it in optimum conditions. Exposure to cold, dampness, compression, dust, nesting birds, insects, …
How Long Does Loft Insulation Last? (and how to extend its life) Read More »
Knowing how to dry out condensation in a loft will save you a world of pain further down the line. I’ve renovated several houses over the years, and whenever I encounter condensation in the attic, like all good detectives, I search for the usual suspects. Tools and Materials Before we get down to the details, …
How To Dry Out Condensation in a Loft in 6 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
Choosing between wood dye or stain is a big DIY decision. Get it right, and you’ll have spectacular woodwork. Get it wrong, and you could ruin your project. It comes down to knowing the difference between the two and when to use one over the other. Trust me, I learned the hard way, so I …
Wood Dye vs Stain — Which is Best in 2023? (DIY Guide) Read More »
A tenon saw is your new best friend if you want to make straight cuts in wood. It makes crosscuts and rips and allows you to make deeper cuts for precise mortise and tenon joints. This DIY guide explains how to use a tenon saw and offers pro-level tips for the best results. Tools and …
How To Use a Tenon Saw Like a Pro — Top 7 Tips (DIY Guide) Read More »
Using an angle grinder to cut tile can seem daunting, especially if you’ve never used one. Trust me; I learned quickly that angle grinders are excellent and versatile tools, but only if you know what you’re doing. I spent hours cutting tiles in too many renovations to mention, so I thought it would be helpful …
How To Use an Angle Grinder to Cut Tiles (DIY Guide) Read More »
Lap joints are commonly used in metalwork, woodworking, and plastic piping. It’s one of the most accessible joints to create, which I found to my advantage during my house renovation. However, is it the be-all and end-all for your upcoming project? I decided to focus on lap joint advantages and disadvantages to give you the …
Lap Joint Advantages and Disadvantages (Is It the Best Joint for Your Next Project?) Read More »
Lifting laminate flooring is easier if you remove the skirting boards, but sometimes that’s not an option. I found this out to my cost when renovating a Victorian house. The skirting was old, rare, and nailed every six inches! Instead of trashing the skirting, I opted to take a different route to remove the laminate …
How To Remove Laminate Flooring Without Removing Skirting Boards Read More »
Modern houses use tongue and groove chipboard flooring instead of traditional wooden boards. While it’s quick and convenient, it poses challenges when lifting the flooring for repair and replacement. Experience tells me that lifting the flooring without breaking it is tricky because some are nailed down while others are screwed. In this DIY guide, I’ll …
How To Lift Chipboard Flooring (6 Easy Methods) — DIY Guide Read More »
Double-glazed doors improve your home’s energy efficiency by trapping heat and sealing out cold. However, your doors are only as good as their hinges, and it can be difficult to understand the different types of uPVC door hinges. I spent plenty of time researching uPVC door hinges when I fitted my first set of uPVC …
Types of uPVC Door Hinges — The Top 3 You Must Know (DIY Guide) Read More »
Choosing an undercoat colour may not seem important because it stays hidden beneath the topcoat. So, why does the colour matter? Experience tells me that certain paints deal with UV light better than others. And deciding what colour undercoat to use will determine how fast the pigment fades. Join me as we look at the …
What Colour Undercoat To Use When Redecorating? (DIY Guide) Read More »
Knowing how to dispose of wallpaper paste is crucial for cleaning up after a wallpapering project. Can you throw it in the trash, or do you need a specialist disposal site that handles toxic waste? Every DIY project creates a mess (especially the ones I do), which must be disposed of somewhere. This guide shows …
How To Dispose of Wallpaper Paste in the UK (2023 DIY Guide) Read More »
Applying the correct amount of tile adhesive is a difficult skill. If you use too much, the surface will be uneven, but if you use too little, the tile won’t stick. In my experience, you must understand the type of adhesive and trowel you’re using to strike the right balance. Types of Tile Adhesive There …
How Thick Should Tile Adhesive Be? (and how to apply it) Read More »
Emulsion paint drying patchy is a real headache for decorators and DIY enthusiasts. And often, the bad news only becomes apparent after two coats of primer and three coats of emulsion — what a waste of all your hard work! Save yourself this headache by following my trusty step-by-step technique for preventing emulsion paint from …
How To Prevent Emulsion Paint Drying Patchy in 7 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
Your conservatory is a warm and inviting space to relax in the summer. But is your conservatory as welcoming in the dead of winter? Conservatories are notoriously leaky when it comes to heat retention, and with today’s energy prices, this can negatively impact your energy bills. Furthermore, organizations like Insulate Britain highlight the environmental impact …
How Much Does Conservatory Insulation Cost in 2023? (UK Cost Guide) Read More »
Your wallpapering project could be a two or three-day job. So, mixing up another batch can be inconvenient and costly if your paste dries up. In this article, I use my years of experience to answer the question, “how long does wallpaper paste last?” I also offer some tried and tested storage tips to extend …
How Long Does Wallpaper Paste Last? (plus 3 easy storage tips) Read More »
