When I moved into a brand-new house many years ago, I immediately noticed bulges in the freshly laid vinyl flooring. After ripping it up, I found the subfloor was covered in tiny concrete lumps. This discovery provided a salutary lesson about the importance of installing vinyl flooring properly. The time I spent rectifying this issue […]
How To Lay Vinyl Sheet Flooring Like A Pro (DIY Guide) Read More »
Unless you live in a flat with an internal kitchen and bathroom, knowing how to tile around a window is crucial when redecorating these rooms. This skill can also save you a considerable sum on hiring a tiler, especially given the cost of tiling a bathroom nowadays. Yet how can you achieve a professional finish
How To Tile Around a Window — A Step-by-Step Guide (DIY) Read More »
Over the years, I’ve undertaken various hotel inspector and mystery guest assignments. One of the first things they trained me to look for was mouldy bathroom grout — a surefire sign of missed maintenance and deteriorating cleanliness. Tiles can last for decades, but the grout holding them in place requires more frequent attention. Fortunately, knowing
How To Regrout Tiles Like a Pro in 9 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
If you want to refresh your tiles without replacing them, follow this DIY guide on painting tiles like a pro. Why Paint Tiles? There are several good reasons to paint tiles rather than replace them: Painting a tile doesn’t extend its lifespan. It’s better to think of a painted tile as a stopgap rather than
How To Paint Tiles Like a Pro in 9 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
From covering up repairs to freshening up dulled surfaces, exterior paint can transform your home and give it a new lease of life. Below, we explain how to paint a house exterior in 9 easy steps, including choosing the right paint and knowing when to break out the roller… Why Paint a House’s Exterior? Painting
How To Paint A House Exterior in 9 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
If you’ve ever wielded a paintbrush in anger, you might approach decorating bathrooms in a similar manner to any other room around the home. However, several factors make bathrooms and cloakrooms unique, regarding how you tackle them and the materials required. Based on years of experience (and the odd mistake along the way), we’ve assembled
How To Paint a Bathroom in 8 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) Read More »
I grew up in a bungalow with carpet tiles across the kitchen floor, tripping over them whenever their poorly applied adhesive failed. To help others avoid this trip hazard, I’ve put together this step-by-step guide on how to lay carpet tiles like a professional. Fortunately, the same process applies to laying vinyl tiles, so this
How To Lay Carpet Tiles Like A Pro (DIY Guide) Read More »
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 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 hanging a door, we cover handle and latch installation, planing and drilling. We also provide
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 »
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 a bewildering array of white gloss paints is available, we highly recommend Dulux’s Quick Dry range. Living up to its name by being ready to repaint in
Best White Gloss Paint in 2024 (UK Reviews & Buying 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 your wallpaper paste. By ‘quality’, we don’t necessarily mean the brand you choose or how much you paid for it. We’re referring
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 »
Many people have chosen laminate flooring as their default choice, yet it’s surprisingly easy to spoil its aesthetic with a lousy finish. Poor edging, where the floor meets a skirting board or doorframe, is often to blame. Although it’s not always practical, removing skirting boards and laying laminate flooring underneath is one option. A popular
How To Finish Laminate Flooring Edges in 6 Easy Steps (DIY Guide) 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 Read More »
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 (2024 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 all affect the cost of knocking down a wall. This guide considers key questions, such as
The Cost of Knocking Down A Wall in 2024 (UK 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 »
As I found during my recent decking project, anti-slip paint represents a colourful and safer alternative to varnishing or staining. In this buying guide, I share my #1 anti-slip decking paint for after many hours of rigorously testing and reviewing the most popular options. I also share the key features to look for and what
Anti-Slip Decking Paint Reviews (2024 Buying Guide) 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. Scroll Saw Reviews — The UK’s Top 3 in These
Best Scroll Saw in the UK — Top 3 in 2024 (Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
As I discovered while writing my recent hole-cutting guide, accurately cutting along a curved line repetitively and consistently requires a high-quality jigsaw. 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. Jigsaw Reviews — The
The UK’s Best Jigsaw in 2024 (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 (2024 Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
As I discovered during my recent painting project, it’s worth paying extra for the best emulsion paint as high-quality paints have the texture and finish of cream, whereas cheaper alternatives can resemble skimmed milk. I don’t know about you, but I prefer the former! Our three shortlisted products all claim near-identical coverage of between 12 and
Best Emulsion Paint in the UK (2024 Reviews & Buying Guide) Read More »
If you have a lot of heavy-duty drilling to get through, an SDS Plus 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 SDS Plus drill in the UK? This article explains why Bosch
Best SDS Plus Drill in the UK (2024 Reviews & Buying 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. Circular Saw Blades Reviews — The UK’s
Best Circular Saw Blades in the UK (2024 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 (2024 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 2024? (UK Cost Guide & Money-Saving Tips) Read More »
Rendering exterior walls is an excellent way to give your home a new lease of life and impress potential buyers. This UK cost guide looks at the average rendering cost per m2 and provides top tips when hiring professionals. In a Hurry? Find top-rated plasterers in your area by clicking the button below: Rendering Costs
Rendering Cost Per Square Metre in 2024 (UK Price Guide) 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 covers stud partition wall costs in the UK for
Stud Partition Wall Costs in 2024 (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 need to remove cavity wall insulation. I outline the process of
Cavity Wall Insulation Removal Cost in 2024 (UK Price Guide) 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 knowing what they are and when to use them is crucial. This guide answers these important questions and outlines the UK’s average fire door installation cost. In a Hurry? Find top-rated
Fire Door Installation Cost in 2024 (UK Price 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 »
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 »
I know from years of plastering experience that PVA is the secret ingredient for professionally plastered walls. In this DIY guide, I provide handy tips for preparing a wall for plaster, including why you should use PVA for plastering and how best to apply it. Why You Should be Using PVA for Plastering PVA stands
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 »
