Ask the EXPERTS
Our panel of those in the know answer your home improvement dilemmas
QI’m saving for a bathroom renovation next year but I’m worried that rising costs will mean my budget won’t go as far. How I can keep the expense down? Emma Cunliffe, Portsmouth
A Trinity Owhe, Design Expert at Victorian Plumbing, comments… Planning is one of the most effective ways to maintain a budget. Consider everything from practical needs to stylistic preferences. Ask yourself if you need just a shower or a shower and bath. If you would like both, what’s best for your budget is a shower bath combination. While wet room screens are a stunning addition and absolutely worth the price, they can be expensive, so having a combined shower bath will help keep costs minimal while providing both features.
When it comes to tubs, there are a variety of materials to choose from. One of the easiest to maintain that is also fairly durable is acrylic. For tiles, you really don’t want to cut corners. However, shower wall panels have become increasingly popular. They are 100 per cent waterproof and you won’t have to deal with grout, making them super easy to install and keep clean. This might save you some money on installation fees and they are a good substitute if the style of tile you want is expensive, such as marble. Opting for bathroom suite packages can also be a good way to get a large amount of your bathroom furniture in one go. They are also great for creating a cohesive aesthetic.
QI need a new fridge freezer and I’m planning to snap one up on Black Friday. Any tips on how I can make sure I get the best deal? James Morton, Northampton
A Lauren Clark, Large Appliance Expert at AO.com, says… Create a wish list of the items you need and keep an eye on the price until the Black Friday sales launch. Look for other key deals like discount codes offering free delivery and for larger items like fridge freezers, consider offers for half-price installation or free recycling. Many retailers also provide a price match promise. It’s all about getting your timings right. Avoid peak internet traffic times and go on the sales early in the morning or late at night. Finally, make the most of the extended sales periods. We now see Black Friday as a month-long event so it gives customers longer to shop, as well as the biggest opportunity to get genuine, great-value deals.
QI love my Victorian flat but it does have lots of draughtsfl How can I keep the chill out without covering up all the beautiful features? Jeff Garcia, North London
A Joanna O’Loan, Knowledge Manager at the Energy Saving Trust, has these suggestions… Floorboards and skirting boards laid in the 1800s will likely have gaps, letting cold air in and warm air out. These gaps can be filled with colour-matched products, such as a silicone-based filler. An open chimney can be draught-proofed from the inside with a chimney balloon or brands, such as Chimney Sheep, offer chimney draught excluders – see more on p116. Both can be removed if you’d like to use your fireplace.
For sliding sash windows, it’s best to fit brush strips rather than foam strips that are typically recommended for windows. A professional installer will know which materials will work best. Your external door may have small gaps around the frame that can be subtly covered with a brush, or hinged flap draught-excluder. Consider fitting a letterbox flap or brush and a purpose-made cover over the keyhole.
Q I’m on the hunt for a compact dressing table to fit into my very small bedroom – any ideas? If it has some added storage, that would be amazing. Zainab Taylor, Cardiff
A Sapphire Hales, InHouse Designer at Futon Company, advises… The way we live has changed drastically over the last few years. We demand more multi-functional pieces in our homes to keep up with our modern lifestyles, especially when space is at a premium. For instance, a desk that doubles as a dressing table enables us to maximise its use throughout the day.
For small bedrooms, a ladder desk is a good option as it takes up very little floor space and requires minimal effort for installation. You simply lean it against a wall, as long as it is flat and clean, or take it away easily if you fancy a change. Thus, it’s perfect for those who live in rentals. Also, many leaning desks come with shelves and drawers, offering storage space for make-up, jewellery and little knick-knacks.
The most space-savvy example is our mini ladder dressing table. At just 55cm wide, it can pretty much fit into any tight corner. The leaning ladder desk is also a great option. You can use the desk for work or study, providing great versatility and, with built-in shelves and a drawer, it has plenty of storage space, too.
Q We’re thinking of switching our kitchen tap for a boiling water tap or filter version. As well as being better for the environment, will they save me money in the long run? Lisa Howdens, Tiverton
A Stephen Johnson, Managing Director at Quooker, has this advice… A boiling water tap is one of the best investments you can make in your kitchen. Incredibly convenient, safe to use and far greener than the energy-guzzling kettle, boiling water taps are proven to save time, money and water.
The average kettle is responsible for using 2,200 watts to boil 1.7 litres of water. Often used multiple times throughout the day, this appliance expends huge amounts of energy. Comparatively, boiling water taps have tanks that store water at high temperatures under pressure. Think of it as an electrically-powered flask, from which no energy can escape. Quooker is the only hot water tap to store water at 110 degrees and to dispense water at a true 100 degrees. This means that while a kettle costs around 2.5p per boil, a Quooker boiling water tap costs just 3p per day to run on standby.
The environmental benefits are also notable. Dispensing the right amount of water needed at any given time, boiling water taps help reduce water wastage. Gone are the days of overboiling the kettle only to pour away unused water. At Quooker, we have also introduced the CUBE, which dispenses filtered, chilled and sparkling water directly from the tap. The average UK household uses on average 360 singleuse plastic bottles per year. Our instant, always-fizzy water, with canisters that can be recycled and re-used, is a game-changer.