May 14
We have a new project on the website for those of you who are needing to replace or lay a new floor for your bathroom or kitchen.
Your bathroom is obviously a wet place and the type of flooring you choose is very improtant, just as in your kitchen where there are often spills, so a waterproof flooring is a great idea. This project introduces a waterproof laminate flooring by Industrial Plastic Solutions Ltd (IPSL UK) called Aquafloor, which is 100% waterproof and can be laid yourself. It is an easy to fit interlocking system just like any other laminate flooring but instead of being manufactured from MDF, it is made from polymers, which as well as being waterproof is also very tough.
The ‘how to waterproof a floor’ project gives step-by-step instructions on how to prepare the floor, how to lay the boards and how to get the best finish. There is a range of colours available and you can get samples and order online.
Apr 12
Great new projects on painting wooden floors and painting wooden stairs have now been added to the website. They give step by step instruction and advice on each project so that you can get the best finish.
Many people are choosing to update a room by painting the floor as it gives such a clean and bright feel and changes the feel completely, and you can alter the style of stairs by giving it facelift. Choose muted tones of white, off-white or pale grey or go for something complely different and choose a bold bright colour! Most importanly is your choice of paint – make sure you choose a paint designed specifically for floors as it has to withstand an awful lot of wear and tear.
Both projects will talk you through the preparation needed and the tools needed for the job. It is worth spending time on the prep or you will find the paint will not adhere to the surface. Some planning before starting will be necessary as if you are painting a floor, it is best to have cleared the area completely for the duration of the task, and if it is a staircase, you really need to avoid using the stairs as much as possible to avoid dust and grease and to allow a decent amount of drying time.
Having said all that, it is a hugely satisfying DIY project to do and if you have any photos of a floor or staircase you have painted in your home, send them in to us or post them here on the blog!
Feb 03
Natural floorboards shrink and expand with the seasons. This means the best time to fill the emerging floorboard gaps are when they are at their largest.
Through the past months central heating systems may have caused traditional floorboards to shrink opening up wide gaps. These gaps can let cold draughts intrude into rooms making them cold and uncomfortable as well as increasing heating bills.
Now, when the gaps are at their largest is the best time to fill them. DIY gap fillers like papier mache and glue are not able to withstand the movement of the wood and will eventually drop through the gaps. As DraughtEx is very flexible it will expand and contract within the floorboard gap leaving you with peace of mind for years to come.
The same flexible properties also allow an easy installation in a wide range of gaps. Old Victorian houses often have wooden floorboards with strongly varying gaps. Our three different versions of DraughtEx will allow you to cover a gap range of 1-11mm width. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to receive more information or visit our website www.draughtex.co.uk
Jan 26
If you are updating or renovating a room in your home and are looking at laying floor tiles, we have got all the information you need. Whether you are planning on laying a stone floor or vinyl tiles, our project on How to lay floor tiles will give you sound advice.
It covers the pro’s and con’s of tiling over varying existing flooring, and how to tackle it, as well as instruction on how to remove existing vinyl or quarry tiles. Depending on the type of flooring you have, e.g. timber or concrete, you need to be sure to prepare the surface properly, and we have a plan you can follow when you actually come to lay your tiles.
As the project states, most tiles are straight edged with angles of 90 degrees, but unfortunately most rooms are not, so it is really important that you lay the tiles square to each other and ignore the walls of the room. It is best to mark out lines using a chalk line so you have something to follow, then keep following the plan and instructions. There is also advice on how to cut different types of tiles and the tools you need for the job.
If you are considering a natural stone floor, there is information and examples provided by Shaw Stone on the vast selection available and the advantages and different effects you can achieve by having a stone floor.
Sep 08
DIY Doctor are pleased to welcome Sainsburys Finance to the website. They are sponsoring our Wood Flooring and Engineered Wood Flooring project page which gives advice if you are considering having quality wooden floors fitted in your home.
Sainsburys Finance are able to offer loans if you are planning any home improvements up to £25,000 and they also offer Homeowner loans if you are looking for more than £25,000.
