Julian Cassell's DIY Blog

Home safes are becoming an increasingly popular option for storing valuables as they are very quick to install and have come down considerably in price compared to a few years ago. Designs and installation techniques will differ slightly between manufacturers, but the example below shows a typical system. Some home insurance policies will specify safes for your type of cover. You may also want to consider firesafes, which as the name suggests, will offer a fireproof option. read more »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Simple shelf brackets come in many shapes and sizes. As with most shelving systems, the brackets should have manufacturer’s guidelines relating to how much weight they can support. Most brackets are fixed to the wall using the technique below, where screws are used to secure the brackets to the wall. As always, take great care when fixing into walls so as to avoid cables and pipes that may be buried under the wall surface. read more »