So you want to know whether sleepers are hardwood or softwood? well, let’s have a look. The simple answer is sleepers can be hardwood or softwood. Genuine reclaimed railway sleepers will be hardwood. They are usually made from oak but can be other hardwoods but oak is the most common. Softwood Sleepers Softwood sleepers are…
Two of the more popular modern DIY stores in the UK toolstation and Screwfix are seemingly locked in a never-ending struggle for supremacy. But who owns Toolstation and Screwfix, it not one of those deals where one mega corp owns both brands is it? Let’s find out. Toolstation and Screwfix are separate companies that are…
If you are thinking of putting new flooring in your kitchen then herringbone flooring may have crossed your mind. Whether it is real wood, laminate or even tile, herringbone can look really classy. But does it work in a kitchen? Well as it happens, I actually have just laid a solid ash herringbone floor in…
If you have just been painting your fence and have some leftover paint then you may well be wondering about using it on your garden furniture. But does this work? Can you use fence paint on garden furniture? let’s have a look. Why Fence Paint Might Not Be A Great Choice The first thing to…
Raised garden beds made from sleepers look amazing, but which type of sleeper should you use for them? Hardwood? Softwood? Maybe even reclaimed? Why You Shouldn’t Use Reclaimed Sleepers While they look amazing and are pretty much guaranteed to last decades you shouldn’t use reclaimed railways sleepers for raised beds. The reason for this is…
Sugar soap is a great all-around decorating cleaner. But just how potent is it? Could it remove paint for example? No, sugar soap will not work as a paint remover. It can remove paint from surfaces like uPVC and should not be used for cleaning paintings. Sugar Soap Uses Sugar soap is really good at…
Bumpy walls are a staple of any older home. And bar getting a plasterer in they can be a little tricky to fix. That is where today products come in, wall smoothing paints. These products are designed to be applied like paint but fix any cracks and bumps in your walls. But which one to…
Artex ceilings were once all the rage, leaving many people buying houses complete with a funky ceiling. Now, these features aren’t quite as desirable, leading to many people wanting to get rid. But how easy is that? Can you simply plaster over the top of Artex to hide it? Let’s have a look. Can You…
If you are a novice wallpaperer then one question that has obviously popped into your head is just where to start. Do you start at the edge of the wall or should you start in the middle? Let’s have a look and find out. If using a large patterned paper then it is best practice…
Lining paper is a great way to cover up minor imperfections in your walls before wallpapering on top of it. But can it be used for more? Can you just paint straight onto the lining paper to achieve a painted plaster look? Can you paint lining paper? Yes, you can. You can even use decorators…
Lining paper is a great way to absorb smaller bumps and cracks in walls and ceilings. If you have just lined your walls you may be wondering how long you need to wait before painting or wallpapering over the top of it. Let’s have a look. How Long Should I Leave Lining Paper To Dry?…
Building Mastic is an oil-based compound intended for general pointing and sealing in traditional forms of construction. But how long does it take to dry? let’s have a look. Most mastics will form a skin within 24-48 hours, they will take around 7 days to fully cure. This is obviously very general information. For a…
Yacht varnish was created to be used on yachts, you don’t say! but has since become so popular it is used in a multitude of circumstances. Yacht varnish is a clear, marine-grade varnish. It is ideal for use on yacht woodwork, doors, gates, fascias, sheds, furniture etc. Can be used over existing paintwork to increase…
Reciprocating saws, (commonly shortened to recip saws) are a type of power tool that is getting ever more popular. in this buyers guide I use all my experience as a professional joiner to help you make the perfect buying decision, so read on to find the best reciprocating saw for you. My Best Reciprocating Saw…
Polyfilla is an incredibly popular wall filler. One of those brands that has had so much success it has become synonymous with the whole product category. You think filler you often think Polyfilla. “Enough of the fluff already!” I hear you scream, “I’m only here because I want to know how bloody long it takes…
The answer to this will depend on the adhesive used. Ready-mixed adhesives tend to react with air and then dry. Whereas powdered adhesives have a chemical reaction that starts as soon as they are mixed. Powdered tile adhesives are usually ready for light traffic in 3 hours. Ready mixed adhesives need at least 24 hours…