This blog is the result of over 20 years of working in building and renovations and a growing career in writing guides, columns and books.
Posted in Buying Guides, Decorating Tool and Material Reviews on January 21st, 2011 by Julian Cassell – Be the first to comment
If you’re thinking of buying a wallpaper stripper – wallpaper steamer, steam stripper, or steamer (there are just so many terms for this tool!), you’ve clearly had enough of sponges and buckets of warm water, products in bottles that promise they make stripping so much easier, and scraping away till the small hours and cursing the fact that you keep digging holes in the wall. We’ve all been there, and to be honest, unless it’s a very small area of paper, I won’t even entertain stripping walls without having a wallpaper stripper to hand. read more »
Posted in 'How-to' Guides, Doors and Door Security on January 21st, 2011 by Julian Cassell – Be the first to comment
Door viewers, or peep holes as they are often called, simply allow you to check who’s on the other side of your front door before you open it. As security systems go, they are incredibly effective whilst also being a very cost effective option. You can buy door viewers in different finishes to match your other door furniture – brass or chrome are the most common door viewer finishes available. read more »
Posted in Buying Guides, Hand Tool Reviews on January 19th, 2011 by Julian Cassell – Be the first to comment
So where do you start when buying a spirit level? Firstly, you really do need to spend enough money to ensure that the level is a quality product. If there’s one thing more annoying than putting up a shelf, which when you stand back to admire your work, you find it’s clearly not level, it’s when you then put your spirit level back on the shelf and that bubble is bang in the middle. It’s normally at this point, as you stand there staring in disbelief, read more »
Posted in 'How-to' Guides, Windows and Window Security on January 19th, 2011 by Julian Cassell – Be the first to comment
Window stays and pins are usually used along the bottom edge of a window to both hold it closed and allow you to prop the window in an open position. Changing stays and pins is a simple way of revamping the look of a window and is very straightforward to do. This job is normally carried out in conjunction with changing the window fastener – see guide ‘Changing a mortice window fastener‘. read more »
Posted in 'How-to' Guides, Windows and Window Security on January 19th, 2011 by Julian Cassell – Be the first to comment
Changing a mortice window fastener is very straightforward and can totally revamp the look of your windows. However, before going out and buying new window fasteners, be aware that there are three common types, and you need to choose the right one for your type of window design. Mortice and wedge fasteners are used with windows where the casement (opening part) closes against the frame. read more »
