Julian Cassell's DIY Blog

Laying hardboard on top of wooden floors, commonly floorboards, provides a smooth, flat subfloor for some types of new floor covering. Hardboard is often used before laying carpet, sheet vinyl, and soft tiles such as cork, carpet and vinyl. Hardboard is generally laid smooth side up, especially when floor coverings are to be stuck down, such as with vinyl tiles. Always check which side up a manufacturer recommends for its particular floor covering. read more »

Fixing any loose floorboards is a necessity for any floor – whether the floorboards are going to be the finished floor in your home, or, they are to be the base for a new floor covering (subfloor), in all cases it is important to make sure they are fixed down properly. Screws are normally used if the floor is not going to be exposed, whereas if the boards are on show, lost head nails are a good option. read more »

Space solves

Kitchen flooring that is warm and soft under foot

The Guardian, Saturday 16 January 2010

I am looking for some kitchen flooring that is warm and soft under foot. I like the green credentials of linoleum, but it needs professional fitting, which can be expensive. Does it have other disadvantages? Does the smell disappear once laid? Or are there any other alternatives? read more »

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Is oil strong enough to protect a wooden kitchen floor?

The Guardian, Saturday 4 July 2009

Is oil a suitable finish for a sanded kitchen floor? And will it stand up to spillages? read more »