Julian Cassell's DIY Blog

Front or back doors can be better draught-proofed simply by fitting draught excluders around the door frame. Because most front doors open inwards, these excluder strips are normally positioned on the outside frame. Designs vary, the one shown below is basically made of a metal strip that holds a rubber seal which fits tightly against the door when it is in a closed position – therefore stopping any draughts from entering the house. read more »

Something as simple as fitting a brush draught excluder can make a big difference in keeping a room much warmer. They are relatively inexpensive and can be fitted in a matter of minutes. Brush draught excluders are most commonly fitted along the bottom of a door, as shown below, but there are also self-adhesive draught excluders that are effective around the frame of a door or window opening, as well as other designs that are commonly fitted around the frame of an exterior door. read more »

Insulating your loft correctly will not only save you money on your heating bills but also help the environment. The regulation depth for blanket insulation is around 30cm. A good approach is therefore to lay 15cm of insulation between the joists and a further 15cm layer across the top of the joists. To estimate the quantity you require, divide the loft area (in square metres) by the area of one roll, which should be marked on the roll packaging. However, you must check the depth of the rolls you are buying as blanket insulation can be sold in 5cm, 10cm and 15cm depths. read more »

Varnishing wood is a straightforward decorative option to using paint. Varnish can be used inside and out, as long as recommended by the manufacturer, and you can buy varnish either water-based or oil-based. The water-based options are quick drying and more user friendly but I still think the oil-based options offer a harder wearing finish. Take care when choosing filler to carry out any repairs as you need to choose a type/colour that is compatible with your chosen varnish. read more »

When painting exterior wood, you’ve got to be thorough with preparation, or the paint finish simply won’t last. You always have the option of stripping the paint right back (see guide – ‘Stripping paint‘), but this is only really necessary if there are lots of coats of paint and/or it is in a really bad condition. I would always use an oil-based paint for exterior wood – normally a gloss topcoat, although you can now find eggshell designed for exterior use. read more »