FLOOR TILING

Chalk lines to obtain room centre point

Please read tips and advice on the tiling page for tips on tools required, setting out, using a guide rod, cutting tiles and using tile spacers. DIY tip :-  To achieve a better finished 'look' to your tiled floor, skirting boards can be removed and replaced after the floor has been tiled to give a cleaner looking edge.     Just like a wall that is going to be tiled, the floor needs to be clean, solid, flat and free from any loose debris, dust or holes before you start to lay tiles on it. Start tiling from the centre of the room, so measure and mark the centre … [Read more...]

GROUTING TILES

Adhesive and grout spreader

Tools required :-   Grout spreader, sponge, sealant gun, damp and dry cloths. When the tile adhesive has set, you can grout the joints between the tiles. Most ready mixed adhesives double up as a grout as well. Check the adhesive you have left over for grouting doesn't have any dust or debris mixed in with it from your tiling, as it will obviously discolour the grout, if it does it is probably better to purchase a new small tub of the adhesive so you achieve a clean white finish to your grouting. DIY Tip :-  Where tile edges meet kitchen worktop surfaces I prefer to fill this … [Read more...]

ADDING A WALLPAPER BORDER.

Adding a border to your freshly decorated room can be done quite easily, a lot of wallpaper manufacturers also produce borders to compliment their range of wallpapers and a border can enhance even a very plain decorated wall. First decide on a suitable height for the border and mark this measurement around the room using either a tape measure and a long spirit level, or if you have one a laser level, any height levels should be marked in pencil so that they can be easily removed later if necessary.  The strip of border on each wall should if possible be in one complete length to save … [Read more...]

HOW TO FIT A DADO RAIL

fig 1

Tools required :- Tape measure, spirit level or laser level, wood saw, hacksaw, mitre box, hammer, silicone gun. First of all you will have to decide on a suitable height for the dado rail, it doesn't want to be either too high or too low, as an example, on a recent project the dado rail was fitted at a height of 37 1/2" (950mm) to the top edge with a room ceiling height of 116 1/2" (2450mm). When you have decided on a suitable height check the dado will look alright  from the aesthetics point of view, i.e. where it meets up to your fireplace, window ledges etc. Mark the chosen … [Read more...]