May 19, 2012

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Fit a skylight to make your bedroom brighter

September 12, 2011 By Jake

While it may seem daunting to cut a whole in your roof to fit a skylight, the process is actually far easier than installing ordinary windows. So, if you’re an experienced DIYer, it could be a task you manage to undertake with ease.

The majority of skylights come with flashing systems that will seal the roof effectively, so you won’t need to worry too much about leakages once you’ve finished the installation. If you’re looking for an easy way to upgrade your bedroom and make it brighter, a skylight could be a great answer. You can put a blind on it as well, so it’s not going to let in the sunlight too early in the morning either if you don’t want it to when all your family are in their beds.

There are two different types of skylights you’ll be able to get your hands on – a curb-mounted style or one with a frame in place. If you’ve got a curb-mounted one, the first thing you’ll need to do is nail the skylight into place before running a bead of caulking around the top of the curb, putting that in place and fastening it securely.

The sill flashing needs to be installed as well – look at the manufacturer’s instructions for guidance, but usually this will be done by nailing the flashing into the curb before cementing it to the roof. Put the side flashing in first and if you’re using step shingles, put them underneath every row of roofing shingles, working from the bottom upwards. The base of the head flashing has to be placed under the shingles before being put over the top of the side flashing.

Once it is fastened in place, you’ll be done and you can go back upstairs to the roof or loft, removing any temporary supports from the ceiling. The next time you all lay on your mattresses after that, you’ll be able to look up at the bright sunshine or even the stars in the night sky.

Filed Under: DIY: Household Tagged With: ,

Why not tile your own kitchen?

September 12, 2011 By Jake

If you’re keen to undertake a new DIY task around the home, you might want to consider tiling your kitchen. Kitchens are an important room for most people, as they tend to be a hive of activity most of the time, whether people are making their lunch, baking some cakes or eating their dinner.

Whether people have fitted kitchens or not, there’s scope to make some improvements in the room, so why not pick out some stylish new tiles and get started? First of all, you’ll need to mix up some thinset to cover the floor before you put the backer boards down. At this point, don’t mix up too much mortar, as it’ll dry out and won’t be as effective – try and only make enough to last around an hour. Put the thinset on the base of the floor using a notched trowel, smoothing it out over the surface. Then, once the whole floor is covered, you’ll need to start putting the backer boards in place. Set the pieces down slowly and screw them into place – it should have a grid-like pattern to follow to ensure all the pieces are in the right places.

After this, you’ll be able to decide on a tile pattern. Use some spacers as a guide and lay out an entire row of tiles across the floor – this will allow you to estimate how many tiles will be needed and if any problems might arise along the way, for example, when you get to a corner. Spread some more thinset after you’ve done this and lay down the tiles very carefully, making any necessary adjustments to the pattern while the mortar is still wet. Insert some spacers immediately afterwards, to make sure they are all evenly spaced out on the floor.

Make sure you clean up any thinset while it’s still wet, otherwise it’ll be quite tricky to do. And once the tiles are done, finish off with some grouting, then voila, your DIY project is complete.

Filed Under: DIY: Household, Kitchen Tagged With: , ,

Choosing the right bathtub

August 31, 2011 By Jake

Chances are that when it comes to decorating your home the things you’re likely to spend the most on is the kitchen and bathroom while the more expensive pieces items will be the sofas and dining room furniture. It’s acknowledged that kitchens and bathrooms sell houses when it comes to putting your home on the market and can even add value so making sure it looks its best is essential. Of course you may be looking to revamp your bathroom for your own pleasure in which case there’s several things you’ll need to take into account.

Space will be a deciding factor as this will determine if you will have a bath tub or just a shower cubicle.
Most bathrooms have a standard bath set against one wall with one side exposed but bathrooms come in different shapes and there are different size tubs to fit. Often the bathroom can be a small room in order to allow for bigger bedrooms. In this case you can just use a shower cubicle or a corner tub. These often have a small shelf or seat to sit in.

What really looks great though is a free standing bath if you have the room. Old bathtubs can be made of cast iron in which case you’ll have to ensure your floor can take the weight. You can set the bath on a raised platform. Another luxurious option is to set your bathtub into the floor but again the weight will have to be considered. Or a treat you can install Jacuzzi or whirlpool jets. You’ll have to research the electrical involved and test out the volume of the jets.

Filed Under: DIY: Household

Island and Peninsula Destinations

August 30, 2011 By Jake

I would love to say that I am about to wax lyrical about some exotic far flung holiday paradise but unfortunately I am actually thinking about my latest DIY project to spruce up the kitchen. Don’t stop reading just yet however as there might just be something of interest, even if it isn’t an idyllic sandy beach or a trailing palm tree…

 

My kitchen is quite large and very square and currently has a floor space area which is too small to fit a table and chairs without impinging on workspace but is an inefficient use of the room. I am also suffering from a lack of space on my kitchen worktops as the work spaces are all broken up small areas in between appliances. Whoever designed it was very unimaginative and a little bit annoying!

 

So, to the drawing board, with the ultimate aim of creating a more pleasing arrangement and making better use of the dimensions of the room, and this is where the islands and peninsulas come in. An island unit as you are probably aware is a standalone unit which in its most basic form usually contains some kitchen cabinets below and a work surface above. Things can be fancier however, by incorporating appliances, a sink, a hob or even separate height finishes for food preparation and eating. The design considerations will be determined by how big the island will be and what your plans are elsewhere in the room. A peninsula is simply an extension of a kitchen work top over empty space to allow for stools underneath and to create a breakfast bar or eating area.

 

I plan to add both into my new kitchen and may even combine the two! The result will be a much more efficient workspace and a more sociable environment with seating rather than lurking room. Wish me luck – I can’t wait!

Filed Under: Decorating, Kitchen Tagged With: , ,

Slash your energy bills by installing insulation

August 30, 2011 By Jake

If you’re speedily trying to get your DIY jobs out of the way this summer, there’s one thing that should be top of your to-do list – installing insulation.

Insulation is an absolute must for homeowners and it really should be put in place before the cold weather arrives in the UK.

In recent months, some of the biggest energy suppliers in the country have announced electricity and gas price rises, which is bound to have a massive impact on households this winter.

One way you can try to protect yourself from the price hikes is by taking some time out to insulate your home.

Even if there’s already some insulation in your property, there are bound to be other places you can install some, to ensure your home is as cosy and energy efficient as it can be this winter.

Look in your attic spaces, ducts in unconditioned spaces, exterior walls, floors above garages and even in the foundations of the building to find somewhere to insulate your home.

There are a vast range of different products to choose from, so you’ll definitely need to do your research to make sure you get the best type for your home.

Fibreglass, plastic fibres and mineral wool are all great things to consider if you’re a fan of the do-it-yourself approach, as are reflective systems – foil-faced kraft paper, plastic film or polyethylene bubbles – all of which are easy to install as well.

Whatever you decide is best for your property, now is the ideal time to install it, as you really will want to reap the benefits during the colder months of the year.

With energy prices unlikely to drop any time soon, you’d be wise to look for ways to protect your household against the hikes.

 

Filed Under: Construction, DIY: Household Tagged With: ,

Can You Convert Your Kitchen?

August 23, 2011 By

If you are eyeing up your kitchen for a major re-vamp or considering purchasing a house with a kitchen that you hate, there are a few options to think about beforehand.

It can be hard to imagine the room without anything in it, fitted units included, but that is often the easiest place from which to start your thought process while making your decision.

With kitchens that are too small, you could consider knocking through to the dining room to make a larger, open plan living space. This can work well for families as Mum can be in the kitchen preparing a meal whilst children are doing their homework at the dining table. There may also be the option to build an extension along the back of the house to increase the size of the room and the amount of light that comes in. Conservatories work well as kitchen extensions and are a great place to locate a dining table.

Perhaps you just don’t like the arrangement of the kitchen cabinets . In this instance, it may just be a case of engaging the services of a professional design service to make the most of the space available. Maybe you could introduce different elements to improve the workspace, such as a central island unit, or simply move everything around. These changes will partly depend upon plumbing and electrical considerations, so make sure your scheme is possible before you start ripping out the old units. A badly laid out kitchen is horrible to live in but may actually be quite easy to fix.

Once your plans are in place, you may decide to do some or all of the work yourself as a DIY project. Be careful not to be over ambitious and don’t be afraid to ask for help from a contractor if you need it. Remember it can often be cheaper to get work done right in the first place than to have mistakes rectified at a later date! Get your kitchen conversion right and the whole family will benefit every day of the week.

Filed Under: Kitchen Tagged With: , ,

Do your own Double Glazing? Apparently it’s not rocket science!

July 28, 2011 By

If you’re a keen DIY-er or you love a challenge, it might be incredibly tempting to give double glazing companies a wide berth and install your own!  Obviously you will have to be extremely competent and determined, but will you really save that much money in the end?

Those in the know say DIY installation of Double Glazing isn’t rocket science.  Some special Double glazing companies, eager for any sales, have designed products for purchase by the DIY market.  You’ll probably pick up the odd door or window on Ebay, then go into panic mode at the thought of fitting it.  Try to find Double glazing companies that are going into liquidation or closing down as your suppliers too. [Read more...]

Filed Under: DIY: Household, Featured Tagged With: ,

DIY Homing Projects

April 24, 2011 By

The sorts of DIY house projects one can do will rely upon that person’s woodworking talents; somebody with little woodworking abilities will be in a position to do some DIY house projects, but not as many as somebody with basic or moderate woodworking abilities. An advanced wood worker can tackle more DIY projects. Those householders without woodworking talents at all may be restricted to faster redecorating projects, though with a little bit of research, they can do some DIY projects that are rather more advanced. Installing a coat rack, for example, is a quite easy process that any person with a drill can do. Space-maximizing DIY house projects are maybe some of the most typical DIY projects a home-owner will undertake.

This can mean something as straightforward as reorganizing a closet space using closet organizers like shoe racks, door units, shelving and drawer units, and the like. It might also mean redesigning a washing room to incorporate fold-down tables, raised washer and dryer stands, and installing tile on the floors for water resistance and straightforward cleaning.

All these processes can be done without trouble, though some research will be important to do DIY house projects that use particular tools or need the purchase of precise materials like tile and glues to install the tiles. Painting is another common DIY house project that may be done with minimal prior experience. It’ll be necessary to do the projects correctly nonetheless, and one of the most ordinarily skipped steps in the painting process is the applying of primer. Primer helps the paint apply more uniformly to a surface, and it can usually help cover up the prior layer of paint to stop it from showing through. A few layers of paint is just about always required, and the 1st coat must dry satisfactorily before the following coat is applied. Painting projects can, take all day or perhaps a few days, dependent on what is being painted. DIY house projects can be done outside of the home too. Repairing damaged gutters, trimming hedges, cutting grass, planting gardens, and even building out of doors terrace spaces are all projects the householder can do on his or her very own with a little bit of research and patience. A DIY patio space will take a day or a few days to build, though small prior building experience will be mandatory, and in many cases, the investment in tools will be quite low.

Filed Under: DIY: Household Tagged With: , ,
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