A tiled floor adds a touch of class to any internal space, but properly laying it is an intricate job that requires planning and precision. It’s tempting to cut corners – metaphorically, of course – but the quality of the finish will suffer if you do. We explain below how to tile a floor in …
How To Tile a Floor in 12 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
A solid wooden floor will last many years, adding character and style to your home. Fitting it is one of the more process-driven DIY jobs, which is why we’ve created this step-by-step guide on how to lay solid wood flooring. The process will vary depending on your property’s construction and sub-floor, but some steps — …
How To Lay Solid Wood Flooring in 12 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
We’ve all seen shows like Amazing Spaces and The Repair Shop, where vintage furniture is glossily repurposed. Yet this apparent transformation often involves little more than smoothing exposed wooden surfaces before applying protective treatments. The four treatment options (Varnish, Stain, Wax and Oil) each have their merits, and which one you choose may depend on …
How To Varnish Wood and Apply Stain, Wax and Oil (DIY Guide) Read More »
When is a door not a door? When it’s yet to be hung. An often-underrated aspect of interior décor and design, doors require a couple of hours’ installation in exchange for decades of uncomplaining service. In this comprehensive guide on how to hang a door, we cover handle and latch installation, planing and drilling. We …
How To Hang a Door Like a Pro in 11 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
It was 3am when the crash summoned us to the kitchen. Vast chunks of plaster had been ripped out of the wall, with plant pot fragments scattered around the mahogany shelf that had dented the worktop during its unexplained descent. That shattering incident inspired me to ensure future wall-mounted objects would stay there forever — …
How To Put Up a Shelf in 8 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
If you’ve ever steamed off wallpaper, you’ll remember the unique smell that accompanies it. It’s been decades since I stripped my first wall, yet the memory of scooping pieces of soggy warm paper into a black sack remains vivid. Although plenty of internet guides about painting and decorating exist, only some authors focus on the …
How To Prepare Walls for Painting & Decorating (DIY Guide) Read More »
One of my earliest memories was the military precision with which a team of carpet fitters installed new flooring throughout our family home. Your carpet fitting might not follow the same ruthless efficiency, but you can achieve equally effective results by following this step-by-step guide on how to lay carpet like a pro. Tools & …
How To Lay Carpet in 10 Easy Steps (DIY Guide and Pro Tips) Read More »
Wallpapering is a surprisingly complex DIY skill, requiring planning, focus and meticulous measuring. My first teenage DIY memory involved wallpaper paste slopping off my dad’s brush mid-stroke, leaving a slug trail across our carpet and prompting rare paternal fury. I realised there must be a more efficient approach, but it’s taken 30 years (and extensive …
How To Hang Wallpaper in 10 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
As I’ve learned from years of DIY experience, masonry paint can transform the appearance of a wall, fence, patio or outbuilding. However, it must be hardwearing and easy to apply to withstand the worst British weather. If you’re in a hurry to start external painting, we recommend Crown’s Sandtex range of smooth masonry paint. Delivering …
Best Exterior Masonry Paint in 2023 (UK Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
Tile paints represent a cost-effective and straightforward way of injecting new life into ceramics which have otherwise seen better days. Generally intended for internal use only, some tile paints are fully weatherproof and apply to materials as diverse as brick, stone or concrete. However, tile paints deliver their best work when lightly applied to internal …
Best Tile Paint in the UK (2023 Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
Skirting boards are a highly underrated aspect of any home, modern or traditional. The iconic TV series ‘The Thick of It’ once acknowledged this by comparing a character to skirting boards – “I assume we need them, but I’m not sure why”. Yet as the bridge between your walls and floor, skirting boards do a …
Best Paint for Skirting Boards in 2023 (UK Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
Finding a dependable gloss paint can simplify the annual (or biennial) task of sprucing up woodwork. It can also transform metallic surfaces, adding new interest and character. While there’s a bewildering array of white gloss paints available, we reckon the best product you can buy is from Dulux’s Quick Dry range. Living up to its …
Best White Gloss Paint in 2023 (UK Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
Picking the best filler for walls and ceilings may seem like a simple task that requires little research. However, it’s surprising to discover many differences between similar-looking products once you get past the basics. In this guide, we’ve spent hours reviewing three very different fillers that all claim to be the best filler for walls …
Best Filler for Walls and Ceilings in 2023 (UK Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
Filling knives are an unglamorous but essential component in any DIYer’s tool bag. Once you’ve tried filling a crack or smoothing a rough edge without one of these flat spatula-type knives, you appreciate their value. Our recent guide to smoothing walls without plastering demonstrates this point neatly. A quality filling knife justifies the few extra …
Best Filling Knife in 2023 (UK Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
Brad nailers aren’t a romantic purchase and don’t include advanced features. A brad nailer is one DIY product where simplicity is a virtue and affordability is vital. If you want a quick and dependable way of applying nails to fabrics or relatively thin timbers, there’s no reason to look beyond VonHaus’s electric staple gun/nailer. Not …
Best Brad Nailer — The Top 3 in 2023 (UK Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
Laminate flooring is an obvious choice for a hallway or well-used room, but its installation poses various challenges. Unlike carpet and vinyl, which are typically contained in vast four or five-metre rolls ready to be cut to size, laminate flooring is sold in boxes. These boxes vary considerably in volume, complicating any calculations on quantities. …
How Many Boxes of Laminate Flooring Do I Need? (DIY Guide) Read More »
Wallpapering is a surprisingly time-consuming job, whether you’re redecorating an entire room or merely papering a feature wall. Yet the success of any wallpapering project literally and metaphorically hangs on the quality of the wallpaper paste you’re using. By ‘quality’, we don’t necessarily mean the brand you choose or how much you paid for it. …
How To Mix Wallpaper Paste in 5 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
There’s something therapeutic about ripping up an old carpet, but there’s nothing therapeutic about the gripper rods which remain behind once the carpet lifts up. Those timber batons lurk around every edge of a once-carpeted room, promising to inflict pain on any feet or paws which stray towards them. This guide will show you how …
How To Remove Carpet Gripper in 5 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
Slicing and shaving timber may be a straightforward task for anyone with a rasp or some sandpaper, but creating a neat hole is a far more skilful discipline. Wood is a beautiful material, but it can be surprisingly stubborn when adding a spyhole, hanging hook or decorative hole. This guide explains how to cut a …
How To Cut a Hole in Wood — Top 4 Methods (DIY Guide) Read More »
Laminate flooring has become the default choice for many people, yet it’s surprisingly easy to spoil its aesthetic with a lousy finish. In particular, poor edging is often to blame — I.e. where the floor meets a skirting board or doorframe. Although it’s not always practical, removing skirting boards and laying laminate flooring underneath is …
How To Finish Laminate Flooring Edges in 6 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
Wherever you see a right angle or a moving component, there’s a good chance a screw is tucked away somewhere inside it. As well as being central to many DIY projects, screws come in a bewildering array of sizes, shapes and designs. Below, we’ve listed the 11 different types of screws you need to know. …
11 Different Types of Screws You Must Know (and when to use them Read More »
In the Victorian heyday of British housebuilding, hallways were usually straight and long. In response to their predecessors’ focus on symmetry, Edwardian architects and builders adopted wilfully asymmetrical designs like L-shaped hallways. This trend continued into the Art Deco movement, leaving us with a surprisingly high proportion of homes whose hallways aren’t even on nodding …
How To Lay Laminate Flooring in an L-Shaped Hallway (DIY Guide) Read More »
Bricklaying is a surprisingly technical process, which you can only complete with the right tools. Most people would include spirit levels and club hammers on their bricklaying tools list, but more specialised items, such as bolster chisels and hawks, may be omitted. Avoid mid-job trips to the DIY store by stocking up on these essential …
Bricklaying Tools List — 15 Essential Items Every Brickie Needs (DIY Guide) Read More »
Like skirting boards and plug sockets, carpet underlay is an underappreciated home component. This cushioning material serves a vital role despite being completely hidden from view. Most people only notice their underlay when it begins to fail! To determine how long carpet underlay lasts, we must consider several factors, from materials and installation to tread patterns …
It might seem like a minor detail, but your choice of sealant gun can seriously affect the finish of your DIY job. Buy the wrong gun, and you’ll struggle to apply neat silicone lines or apply too much caulk because the trigger isn’t sensitive or accurate enough. If you want to cut to the chase …
Best Sealant Gun in the UK (2023 Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
There’s much more to think about when knocking down a wall than simply breaking out the sledgehammer and impersonating a wrecking ball. The size of the wall, its relation to other load-bearing structures and the quality of work required can all affect the cost of knocking down a wall in the UK. This guide considers …
How Much Does it Cost to Knock Down a Wall in the UK? (2023 Price Guide) Read More »
If you’ve ever taken something out of a cupboard or wardrobe and noticed a slight clamminess, you’ve encountered the unwelcome phenomenon of condensation. Synonymous with windows, damp and clammy air can cause significant issues in wardrobes, though these problems may not immediately be apparent. This guide explains how to stop condensation in built-in wardrobes so …
How To Stop Condensation in Built-in Wardrobes (Step-by-Step Guide) Read More »
Decking quickly becomes dull and worn when left untreated, and anti slip paint represents a colourful and safer alternative to varnishing or staining. While there’s no perfect product on the market, we highly recommend Cuprinol’s anti slip decking paint. During our extensive reviews, Cuprinol’s paint consistently scored top marks in all areas. The only downside …
Anti Slip Decking Paint Reviews — 2023 Buying Guide (UK) Read More »
DIYers of a certain age sometimes claim that different jobs call for different drills, but the historic performance gap between corded and cordless products has narrowed in recent years. Advances in battery technology and improvements in product design have led to Bosch claiming there’s no longer any difference in durability or power when comparing a …
Corded vs Cordless Drill — Which Power Source Is Better in 2023? Read More »
Typically costing between £95 and £160, a scroll saw can deliver better results than a jigsaw without the bicep-busting strain of a coping saw or fretsaw. Below, we review the best scroll saws in the UK and explain what to look for when comparing them. Best Scroll Saw Reviews — The UK’s Top 3 in …
Best Scroll Saw in the UK — Top 3 in 2023 (Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
There are plenty of Jigsaws to choose from in the UK, but only a few are worth your hard-earned money. To help you pick the best jigsaw for your DIY needs, we’ve spent hours separating the good from the bad to arrive at the best jigsaw in the UK. So to avoid making a costly …
Best Jigsaw in the UK — 2023 Reviews & Buying Guide (The Top 5) Read More »
Painting a radiator requires precision and diligence to achieve a quality finish that will last for years. Furthermore, choosing the best radiator paint can significantly simplify the task and improve the finish’s longevity. Today’s radiator paints provide consistent coverage and fewer drips than their poorly-regarded ancestors, generating fewer toxic fumes. Pro Tip: Always open the …
Best Radiator Paint in 2023 (Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
Increasingly eclipsing the less practical circular saw, the spring-mounted circular blades on plunge saws are ideal for precise and consistent cuts through the hardest woods. However, with so many plunge saws on the market today, it can be tricky to choose the best model. After testing the UK’s most highly-rated products side-by-side, we determined that …
Best Plunge Saw in the UK (2023 Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
With thousands of different paint brushes on the UK market — mostly sold in multipacks containing a variety of head sizes — choosing the right paint brushes for your home is a daunting process. We’ve tested three of the best paint brushes in the UK. Two manufacturers fought for top billing, but our recommendation for …
Best Paint Brushes in the UK (2023 Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
Whether chopping down a tree or trimming a hedge, having a cordless chainsaw is extremely useful, combining practicality and freedom of movement without worrying about power leads. However, with so many products available, how do you choose the best cordless chainsaw in the UK? After many hours of research and testing, we’ve done the hard …
Best Cordless Chainsaw in the UK (2023 Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
A hand saw is an essential component of any toolkit, but few DIY products come in a broader assortment of shapes and sizes, prices and brands. At Property Workshop, we’ve tested many types of saws. In our latest closely fought contest, Stanley’s STA515244 FatMax narrowly wins the ‘best hand saw in the UK‘ award. Part …
Best Hand Saw in the UK (2023 Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
When it comes to the best emulsion paint, it’s often worth paying a little extra for a higher-quality product. High-quality paints have the texture and finish of single cream, whereas cheaper alternatives can resemble skimmed milk. Our three shortlisted products all claim near-identical coverage of between 12 and 13 square metres per litre. This number …
Best Emulsion Paint in the UK (2023 Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
Chalk paint is underpinning the burgeoning fashion for upcycling older furnishings or accessories. Thinner than gloss and more muted than emulsion, chalk paint allows the weave or grain to show through. However, not all chalk paints are created equal. Some are suitable for upcycling metal surfaces or objects, while others aren’t. Also, coverage varies from …
Best Chalk Paint in the UK (2023 Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
If you have a large amount of heavy-duty drilling to get through, an SDS hammer drill is your ultimate weapon. However, there are huge price differences between the leading models, so is it worth paying more than twice as much if you’re after the best corded SDS hammer drill in the UK? This article explains …
Best Corded SDS Hammer Drill in the UK — (2023 Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
After many hours of research and rigorous testing, we highly recommend the Stanley Fatmax 5-in-1 Hacksaw. It’s uniquely flexible (though not literally — its lightweight frame can deliver 100kg of blade tension) and has five different configurations, including one as a jab saw. While any hacksaw can cut plywood, it takes plenty of chassis strength …
Best Hacksaw in the UK (2023 Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
Less precise than a scroll saw and less powerful than a circular saw, a bandsaw may seem unnecessary compared to other tools in a carpenter or handyman’s armoury. However, bandsaws are great for repetitive cutting actions. The English Woodworker describes bandsaws as “hand saws with endurance”, capable of endlessly slicing through hardwood and some softer …
Best Bandsaw in the UK (2023 Reviews & Buying guide) Read More »
Whether you’re moving into a new house with a turfed lawn but no boundaries or improving the privacy of an existing garden’s open fencing, there are plenty of reasons to learn how to build a close board fence. A fully boarded fence gives you complete privacy at ground level, preventing your pets from seeing neighbouring …
How To Build a Close Board Fence in 5 Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
When it comes to high-speed cutting, there’s nothing to match the power and durability of a circular saw. Capable of slicing through anything from timber and plastic to ceramic and metal, circular saws are uncomplicated one-job machines that come in various weights, power settings and states of portability. Best Circular Saw Blades Reviews — The …
Best Circular Saw Blades in the UK (2023 Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
There are plenty of pillar drills to choose from in the UK, but only a few are worth your hard-earned money. We’ve spent hours filtering the good from the bad to find the best pillar drill in the UK. To avoid making a costly mistake, both in time and money, keep reading to find out …
Best Pillar Drill in the UK (2023 Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
Do you know how much to hang a door? Many don’t, and it’s costing them. Whether you need to buy materials to do the job yourself or decide to hire a carpenter to do it for you, it’s important to know what you ought to be paying. This guide will take you through the pros …
How Much to Hang a Door in 2023? (UK Cost Guide & Money-Saving Tips) Read More »
Rendering the exterior walls of your home is an excellent way to give it a new lease of life and impress potential buyers. If you want to use render to spruce up your property, you must consider the average rendering cost per m2 in the UK. In a Hurry? Find top-rated plasterers in your area …
Rendering Cost per m2 in the UK (2023 Price Guide & Money-Saving Tips) Read More »
Many home improvement projects aim to make the most of the available space in a property, but sometimes the setup of your home may waste precious space. If that’s the case, installing a stud partition wall is a great way to improve the layout. This guide will take you through how much stud partition walls …
Stud Partition Wall Cost per m2 (2023 UK Price Guide & Money-Saving Tips) Read More »
Good cavity wall insulation can work wonders for your heating bills. Slowing the movement of heat through your walls helps your home stay warmer for longer. If your insulation isn’t installed correctly, you can suffer significant issues. This guide explains when (and why) you might need to remove cavity wall insulation. It’ll outline how to …
Cavity Wall Insulation Removal Cost in 2023 (UK Price Guide & Money-Saving Tips) Read More »
Installing fire doors isn’t something many of us will have done before. Fire doors aren’t necessary for all property types and development projects, but it’s crucial to know what they are and when to use them. This guide answers these important questions and outlines the UK’s average fire door installation cost. In a Hurry? Find …
Fire Door Installation Cost in 2023 (UK Price Guide & Money-Saving Tips) Read More »
Damp is a complex issue. Depending on the type and extent of a damp problem, it could cost thousands of pounds to sort out. Even worse, some unscrupulous tradesmen prey on people’s concerns about damp, making homeowners pay over the odds for damp proofing they don’t need. The only way you can be sure to …
Damp Survey Cost in 2023 (UK Price Guide & Money-Saving Tips) Read More »
Homeowners often think it’s too difficult to do anything with their stairs. They’re not confident enough to replace their stair carpet themselves. However, hiring a professional carpet fitter is expensive, as we recently explained in our guide to carpet fitting costs. Moreover, stair carpet fitting isn’t as tough as you may think. It starts with …
How To Measure Stair Carpets in 7 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
Most of the time, you might not give the doors in your home a second thought. That is, until they start sticking, scratching your floor or otherwise giving you grief. Then they can quickly have you on the threshold of madness. If you have a door needing attention, it’s generally easier to resolve than you …
How To Plane a Door in 6 Easy Steps (DIY Guide & Pro Tips) Read More »
Not all home improvement projects need to be super complicated or break the bank to make a real difference. There are some simple things that anyone can handle, so to speak, which can liven up the look of any room. Fitting new door handles is a great example. Once you know the steps, it’s a …
How To Fit a Door Handle in 6 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
We’ve all got home improvement projects we should work on. According to research from B&Q, Brits typically have 16 small projects either on the go or on their minds. The same research also revealed that replacing tiling was a project one in six respondents felt needed to be done at home. So what’s holding people …
How To Remove Wall Tiles in 5 Easy Steps (DIY Guide and Pro Tips) Read More »
Amateur DIYers and home improvement newcomers fear few things as much as plastering. It’s a job with a reputation for being devilishly difficult to get right. Kezzabeth brilliantly sums up the frustrations which may arise in her blog post. There’s one key thing any would-be plasterer can do to boost their chances of success. That’s …
How To Mix Plaster in 5 Easy Steps (DIY Guide & Pro Tips) Read More »
If you’ve got some plastering work, you’re probably wondering whether you should try it yourself. Plastering is something of an art form, and it can go badly wrong if you don’t know what you’re doing. With the right guidance, even an enthusiastic amateur can achieve great results. Jan and Christine, writers of the Little House …
Why You Should Use PVA for Plastering (and how best to apply it) Read More »
The 1970s have a lot to answer for in the interior design stakes. You only have to think of avocado bathroom suites and Artex to realise that. However, one of the worst decorating trends of the era has to be the compulsion to install polystyrene ceiling tiles. These unsightly tiles have long since fallen out …
How To Remove Polystyrene Ceiling Tiles in 5 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
Is an exposed boiler spoiling the look of your kitchen? You’re not alone. Research has found unattractive exposed boilers are a major bugbear among UK homeowners. A whopping 57% would want £5,000 off the house price just because the boiler was on show! Fortunately, you don’t have to grin and bear it by living with …
How To Box in a Boiler in 6 Easy Steps (DIY Guide and Pro Tips) Read More »
