What are the Benefits of Venetian Blinds?
by diysuper on Feb.22, 2012, under Home Improvements, Interior Design
Venetian blinds are a popular choice as they are so practical and versatile. Venetian blinds are available in a range of colours, finishes and materials, including wood, aluminium and plastic and can fit in with the existing decoration in most rooms. These blinds also take up very little room, allowing them to be fitted within a window frame and combined with curtains. For narrow windows, the vertical lines of Venetian blinds can also help to give the illusion that the window is wider.
One of the most effective ways to control the amount of light that comes in through a window is to install a Venetian blind as they are highly adjustable. The angle of the slats in this type of blind can be adjusted easily by pulling a cord and can also be drawn completely to allow the maximum amount of light to enter a window. Light control helps to prevent sunlight from dazzling and reflecting off the television at certain points in the day. It also helps to prevent sunlight from causing soft furnishings to fade. In their fully-closed position, Venetian blinds provide a high level of privacy, a particular advantage when installed in rooms such as the bathroom.
The materials that Venetian bathroom blinds are constructed from make them a long-lasting solution. Another advantage of these blinds is that they are easy to clean. Dust can easily be cleaned from between the slats by wiping with a cloth, dusting with a feather duster or even by using a narrow nozzle on a vacuum cleaner. In the kitchen, Venetian blinds do not tend to absorb the strong odours produced from cooking and allow condensation and grease to be wiped away easily. Most rooms can enjoy the practical benefits of Venetian blinds.
Blocking up a fireplace
by diysuper on Feb.21, 2012, under DIY Tips, Home Improvements
Although a fireplace can be a beautiful feature in a room, they sometimes need to be blocked up for practical reasons. The key to successfully blocking up a fireplace is to enable a small amount of air to flow through the chimney, whilst keeping water out from the top to prevent damp.
Before you start to block up a chimney, make sure that it has been properly capped at the top with a cowl that keeps the rain and birds out, but still allows airflow. You should also make sure that the chimney has been recently swept so there are no deposits of soot or birds’ nests inside. You will probably need to remove the fireplace surround to create a smooth wall, and this should be done carefully.
Now you can either block the opening with bricks and cement, or you can use plasterboard. Whichever method you choose it is essential that you install an airbrick or a ventilator plate in the centre of the opening, near the bottom.
If you are bricking up the fireplace you will need basic bricklaying skills, and for large openings you will need to ‘tooth in’ with the surrounding brickwork. Make sure your new bricks are in line with the original brickwork around them, set back from the front edge of the wall. This will give you enough room to plaster over them.
If you are using plasterboard you will need to install wooden battens around the inside edge of the opening, set back from the edge. The plasterboard needs to be cut to the exact shape of the hole and screwed to the battens. With the ventilator plate securely in place you can then skim over the board with a layer of plaster, bringing it level with the surrounding wall.
Bathroom accessories – adding the finishing touch to your bathroom
by diysuper on Feb.20, 2012, under Bathrooms, Home Improvements
For those who wish to modernise their bathroom, but aren’t confident that their Do It Yourself (DIY) skills are sufficiently good to undertake a complete renovation, an inexpensive and easy way of changing the look of the room is to invest in some chic bathroom accessories.
Bathroom accessories can range from changing the taps and Triton showerheads to curtains and blinds. Some people have found that just by adding a fresh coat of paint and upgrading their bathroom cabinet the room can be transformed.
New tiles are another very efficient way of revitalising a room and uplifting a jaded colour scheme. Most of the DIY websites and manuals provide instructions on how to tile a room without having to employ an expensive professional.
Even a simple touch, for example, adding flowers or plants to a bathroom, can change the overall feel of the place. There are many types and styles of plant pots on the market and most of them are inexpensive. It is always a good idea to ensure that soap and make-up are stored tidily and an investment in some good quality shelving can enhance a room.
Lighting is also very important. A well-designed lighting system can only enhance a room and make it appear more inviting. Since electricity and water can be a lethal combination it is a good idea to have any electrical work in the bathroom inspected by a reliable electrician. Motion sensitive mirrors are a dynamic innovation that will add interest to any bathroom.
There are numerous examples of bathroom sink currently on the market. Some of these are made from marble; others use the standard porcelain construction. If someone doesn’t have the sufficient finances to buy a totally new bathroom suite, then a change of basin could suffice to renew the room.
Clearing toilet blockages
by diysuper on Feb.19, 2012, under DIY Tips
When the toilet gets blocked it is no laughing matter. On the scale of domestic emergencies, a blocked loo rates pretty highly. So it is understandable, then, that the first thing many of us do is reach for the telephone to call in help from the emergency plumber.
Calling in the experts can be expensive, and if you are inclined to have a look at the problem yourself you may be surprised at how simple it is to fix. Blockages in toilets are most frequently caused by foreign objects or an excess of toilet paper being flushed down them.
Your first job is to locate where the blockage is. If possible, check below the outdoor drain inspection cover closest to the toilet’s evacuation outlet pipe. Should you discover the chamber is full, use a drain rod to clear the chamber and surrounding areas around the waste pipe. However, if the chamber is empty and pipework is clear, the blockage’s location is somewhere further up between the toilet and the inspection chamber.
Go back into the toilet and insert a drain-clearing wire down the toilet bowl – push it as far as it will go. Have someone keeping a watch over the drain inspection chamber outside so they can advise you if it becomes clear. Any material that comes free should be removed when it reaches the inspection chamber to avoid it causing problems further down the drain.
The plunger is the first tool many people reach for when the toilet is blocked and it is often an effective choice. Also useful is the toilet auger that can be found in DIY stores. This tool has a flexible reach that works in a corkscrew motion to clear pipe blockages. Less sophisticated methods can be popular too, with many householders reporting success using a domestic mop covered with a plastic carrier bag as an improvised toilet plunger.
The Best Blinds for Bathroom Windows
by diysuper on Feb.17, 2012, under DIY Tips, Interior Design
The water and steam that are part of daily life in a bathroom mean that some materials are more suitable than others when it comes to selecting bathroom blinds. Contact with water tends to stain some fabrics and can cause real wood blinds to change shape over time. Even when bathroom blinds do not come into direct contact with water, they can develop mould from condensation if they are made from fabrics that are not damp-resistant. Although most blinds that are designed for bathrooms are easy to wipe clean with a cloth, roller blinds tend to be particularly easy to clean and dry.
It is important to consider how much privacy a bathroom blind will provide. Roller blinds are simple to roll down to ensure privacy and can roll away completely to provide maximum light and ventilation which is very useful in bathrooms as they often have small windows. Blackout roller blinds can offer complete discretion as they prevent any light inside the bathroom from being seen from the outside. While Roman blinds may produce similar effects when it comes to privacy, they are more difficult to keep clean and are often made from materials that are unsuitable for bathrooms.
Vertical and Venetian blinds are also suitable options for a bathroom as they are easy to close for privacy and can also be opened easily to allow for ventilation and light. Bathroom blinds are available in a range of styles, designs and colours to offer practical solutions for the bathroom and match the décor of the home.
Domestic W.C. Facts
by diysuper on Feb.15, 2012, under Home Improvements
There are four basic toilet pan/cistern arrangements: the old-style, high-level cistern on the wall above and behind the pan with chain pull; the low-level with cistern above the pan on the wall with either a lever or push button flush; the close-couple with the cistern sitting on the pan or behind the pan with either a push button or lever; and the hidden, wall-mounted cistern with an exposed button or lever.
When planning where to site a toilet, apart from the dimensions of the chosen product, minimum clearance space of 600 millimetres in the front and 200 millimetres either side is required. The size of a toilet seat is variable, with many seat options available to homeowners. Soft-closing seats can be fitted to most models of toilet. Luxurious, heated toilet seats are available.
Dual-flush cisterns are able to save homeowners water by offering a half-flush for liquid waste and a full-flush for solid waste. In the past, toilet pans either featured “S” or “P” trap outlets. The “P” trap outlets face the wall and are now most common type of outlet.
Family-friendly Garden Rooms
by diysuper on Feb.14, 2012, under Garden, Home Improvements
Garden rooms are cosy, comfortable structures that are built in your garden and create a stunning room where you can enjoy a wide range of activities. They are perfect for family life.
The popularity of these eco-friendly structures is on the increase in the United Kingdom, as families begin to see the benefit of having an extra room that can be used for a wide and varied range of activities. They are very versatile and could, for example, serve as a teenage hideaway, a play area for children, an art room, or a studio. They are perfect for studying, and can also serve as a home office. For the more social activities, they can be used as somewhere where parties can be thrown, or as a handy extra room where weekend guests can be entertained.
The huge number of potential uses for these garden rooms, mean that they are suitable for a wide range of different people, and a whole host of different lifestyles. They are perfect for those with a young family, either for the young family to use, or as a refuge when you need to get away from the noise and bustle that a young family can bring! It can be a tranquil environment, set in the relative peace and quiet of your garden.
For those musically gifted families, a garden room can be the perfect place to practice – as long as you make sure you don’t annoy the neighbours! The wide range of styles available, make it possible to fit your room out as an artist’s garden studio where you can paint, write or compose in the peace and inspiration of your garden.
Garden rooms are built so that they fit in with your specific requirements and look good in their immediate surroundings, creating a focal point in the garden that only adds to its natural beauty. These family-friendly and environmentally friendly buildings are the perfect places to set up an extra room for your home where you can spend a lot of quality time with your family.
Classic Bath Designs
by diysuper on Feb.13, 2012, under Bathrooms, DIY Tips, Home Improvements
Though many more contemporary designs have sprung up in recent years, the classic, elegant baths are still a popular choice for the bathroom suite. The following is an introduction to some of the more coveted models.
First and foremost, most classic bath designs are freestanding, since bathtubs were not traditionally built into the wall. The feet that may be on such bathtubs are wide ranging, but one of the most popular foot designs is the claw foot. The claw foot provides a look that is both unique and elegant. A traditional chrome foot is also common with classic bath designs. The boat style bath does not have feet.
As far as the design for the tub part of the bath, there are several available. Popular examples include the slipper style bath, where one end is raised to create a more ideal lounging environment, and the double ended tub, where both ends of the tub are rounded instead of having one end flat. There is also the double slipper tub, which entails both ends of the tub being raised and sloped.
DIY Tips – Loft Insulation
by diysuper on Feb.10, 2012, under DIY Tips, Home Improvements
Why You Should Insulate
Insulating your loft is a great way of saving energy and money; around a quarter of all the heat generated in the average home is lost through the roof. Installing roof insulation will trap that heat, preventing it from escaping.
Safety Considerations
Loft insulation material can be an irritant when it comes into contact with the skin or eyes. It is therefore essential to wear protective clothing; overalls, gloves, plastic goggles and a dust mask. Working in a loft, with restricted headroom, can be dangerous, so protective headgear should be considered. Ensure you only stand on the joists when working or use planks.
Insulation Material
There are two main types of insulation material available and it is recommended that you insulate to a depth of 200mm.
Vermiculite is sold in the form granules packed in bags and also known as ‘loose-fill’ insulation. The bags are simply emptied into the space between the joists, smoothing the surface as you go.
Glass fibre is a popular choice; this is sold in rolls, which are laid between the joists. The width of the rolls varies, so check the distance between the joists first.
Preparing Wooden Floors for Sanding
by diysuper on Feb.08, 2012, under DIY Tips, Home Improvements
Wooden floorboards can add to the character of a home, highlighting the beauty of existing decor and furniture. However, floorboards have often been covered for many years, either by carpets or tiles or both. The floorboards may also have suffered from spillage stains and damage. In older properties, there may be a ribbon of dark stain around the floor’s edges from the era before carpets were fitted.
To make the most of the natural wood floorboards, a homeowner must first repair and sand them. To sand floorboards, the room must first be cleared. Homeowners should remove all floor coverings and take stock. Black underlay residue can hide problems so it is essential to vacuum it up. Next, a homeowner should look for wide gaps between the floorboards or between floorboards and the skirting. The floor should also be checked for splints and rot damage. Homeowners should make any necessary repairs and countersink any nail heads or pull them out if possible. Floorboards should be replaced with boards of the same size. Any heavily painted areas should be stripped of their paint.
Homeowners should hire a sander suited to use on their floor area. Sandpaper and a block for final finishing will also be required. Goggles and a facemask are necessary. With a level, fairly clean floor, DIY enthusiasts should work along the boards. However, if their floor is warped and uneven, they should work diagonally before finishing lengthwise. Homeowners should always finish with a fine (120 grit size) abrasive. Ideally, a 40-60 grit size abrasive should be used for heavy work and an 80-100 grit size for lighter work.