Neil Cumins

Neil's been a property journalist since 2003, writing about everything from architecture and construction to interior design and home improvements for property clients worldwide.

neil
how to varnish wood and apply stain, wax and oil

How To Varnish Wood and Apply Stain, Wax and Oil (DIY Guide)

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 …

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how to hang wallpaper

How To Hang Wallpaper in 10 Easy Steps (DIY Guide)

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 …

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best exterior masonry paint

Best Exterior Masonry Paint in 2023 (UK Reviews & Buying Guide)

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 …

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best tile paint in the uk

Best Tile Paint in the UK (2023 Reviews & Buying Guide)

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 …

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best filler for walls

Best Filler for Walls and Ceilings in 2023 (UK Reviews & Buying Guide)

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 …

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best filling knife

Best Filling Knife in 2023 (UK Reviews & Buying Guide)

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 …

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best brad nailer

Best Brad Nailer — The Top 3 in 2023 (UK Reviews & Buying Guide)

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 …

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how many boxes of laminate flooring do i need

How Many Boxes of Laminate Flooring Do I Need? (DIY Guide)

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. …

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how to mix wallpaper paste

How To Mix Wallpaper Paste in 5 Easy Steps (DIY Guide)

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.  …

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how to finish laminate flooring edges

How To Finish Laminate Flooring Edges in 6 Easy Steps (DIY Guide)

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 …

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how to lay laminate flooring in an L-shaped hallway

How To Lay Laminate Flooring in an L-Shaped Hallway (DIY Guide)

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 …

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bricklaying tools list

Bricklaying Tools List — 15 Essential Items Every Brickie Needs (DIY Guide)

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 …

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how long does carpet underlay last

How Long Does Carpet Underlay Last? (DIY Guide)

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 …

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how to stop condensation in built-in wardrobes

How To Stop Condensation in Built-in Wardrobes (Step-by-Step Guide)

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 …

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anti slip decking paint reviews

Anti Slip Decking Paint Reviews — 2023 Buying Guide (UK)

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 …

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corded vs cordless drill

Corded vs Cordless Drill — Which Power Source Is Better in 2023?

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 …

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best radiator paint

Best Radiator Paint in 2023 (Reviews & Buying Guide)

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 …

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best plunge saw

Best Plunge Saw in the UK (2023 Reviews & Buying Guide)

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 …

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best cordless chainsaw in the UK

Best Cordless Chainsaw in the UK (2023 Reviews & Buying Guide)

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 …

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best emulsion paint

Best Emulsion Paint in the UK (2023 Reviews & Buying Guide)

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 …

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best chalk paint in the uk

Best Chalk Paint in the UK (2023 Reviews & Buying Guide)

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 …

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best bandsaw in the uk

Best Bandsaw in the UK (2023 Reviews & Buying guide)

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 …

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best circular saw blades in the uk

Best Circular Saw Blades in the UK (2023 Reviews & Buying Guide)

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 …

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cavity wall insulation removal cost

Cavity Wall Insulation Removal Cost in 2023 (UK Price Guide & Money-Saving Tips)

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 …

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fire door installation cost

Fire Door Installation Cost in 2023 (UK Price Guide & Money-Saving Tips)

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 …

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how to measure stair carpets

How To Measure Stair Carpets in 7 Easy Steps (DIY Guide)

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 …

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