Want to know how to build a DIY Porch Roof? In this post and video I will show you exactly how I made a small pitched roof, step by step. For a maintenance-free finish I used cedar shingles as roof tiles and charred wood cladding on the gable. Our house in the UK had a flat concrete roof above the front door. I didn't think it looked particularly nice and, whilst tackling damp … [Read more...]
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Home improvement is a seemingly never ending part of life. I always seem to have a to do list of things to fix or improve around the house. I struggle to pay others to do something I can do, and as a result often end up 'getting stuck in' myself... You'll find my content about home improvement here!
Shou Sugi Ban – charred wood effect. A DIY Tutorial
Shou Sugi Ban is an ancient Japanese technique of preserving wood by burning it. This post and associated video will show you how you can make charred wood at home, without having to go and buy or hire an expensive propane torch. Shou Sugi Ban has been used to protect external cladding in Japan for centuries. The outer layer of the wood that will be exposed to the elements is … [Read more...]
DIY Cavity Tray Installation (Type E Cavitrays)
Cavity tray installation - these three words might not exactly fill you with excitement but, if you would like to live in a damp-free home, this article is worth a read! What are cavity trays? Cavity trays are pre-formed polypropylene trays. They are installed into the external bricks of a cavity wall and their purpose is to collect any water dripping or running down the … [Read more...]
How to point paving stones. A simple patio jointing guide for beginners
Weeds growing between paving stones' can be a real pain in the derriere! This post and the associated video will show you how you can use a simple dry sand and mortar mix to point the gaps between patio stones / flagstones for a permanent solution to this problem. This really is an easy job and, looking out on your weed-free patio for years to come, you will be very grateful … [Read more...]
Brick removal: How to remove single bricks without damaging them
Brick removal is not a complicated job but the bricks themselves often get damaged during the removal process. In this post and associated short video I will demonstrate a brick removal method which keeps the bricks intact, allowing them to be reused. Bricks are cheap and it might not seem like too big a deal if a few of them get damaged during a home improvement project. … [Read more...]
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