Julian Cassell's DIY Blog

The tools you need for laying a laminate floor include many of the items you’ll find in your household toolkit, such as a hammer, saw, and tape measure. Some power tools are also handy such as a jigsaw, and mitre saw, but it would normally be possible to lay a laminate floor without them. However, there are three other more specialist tools that you won’t find in your toolbox, which are definitely essential pieces of equipment if you are intending on laying a laminate floor. read more »

When deciding where to start tiling a floor, you can employ a number of techniques that will help in your decision-making process. The aim is to produce a tile layout that provides the most balanced effect, in terms of cut tiles around the edge of the room, as well as trying to establish any areas where you ideally need to centralise the design, such as at a door entrance, for example. In reality, your tile layout will normally have compromises read more »

Choosing the best wood floor for your home can be a tricky process unless you know precisely what options are available to you. This process is further complicated by manufacturers using all sorts of differing terminology that can hinder, rather than help, the consumer know exactly what they are getting. In this guide I’ll try to simplify the process, explain some of the buzz words, and therefore allow you to make an informed decision on buying the best wood floor for your needs. read more »

The Guardian, Saturday 20 November 2010

I plan to lay cork tiles on a concrete kitchen floor. Would you recommend self-adhesive or ready-sealed?

“Both are easy to use,” says DIY guru Julian Cassell. “Prepare the floor properly and you’ll have no problem. First, it must be dry, so if it is newly laid, wait three months. It must also be level – if not, use a self-levelling compound (around £15 for 25kg, from DIY outlets). The floor must also be spotless, as even tiny pieces of grit may show through to the cork surface. Before fitting, give the floor a coat of PVA solution (one part PVA to five parts water) and leave to dry. Once the tiles are down, apply further sealant.”

You can tile directly onto concrete floors if they are sound, dry, and level, or you can use a self-levelling compound to improve the surface. Floorboards should be covered with 12-18mm ply to provide a sound, rigid surface for tiling. For more information on laying a suitable subfloor see the related posts at the bottom of this page. read more »