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Our team of professionals answer your home improvement questions
Your home improvement questions answered
We need to get new blinds and curtains but don’t have much of a budget. What’s a cheap option that’ll still look nice? Elizabeth Jones, Cardiff Neil Makinson, Head of E-Commerce at Swift Direct Blinds, says… Many online retailers now offer a made-tomeasure service with a variety of styles at affordable prices, allowing homeowners to style their windows to their personal taste.
For blinds, we would recommend looking at faux wood if you’re on a budget. They offer all of the characteristics of real wood blinds but without the hefty price tag. Available in a range of styles, including shutters and venetians, it’s easy to achieve the premium look that real wood blinds offer. Roller blinds are also an excellent costeffective window treatment. Not only are they available in a number of designs, but you also have the option of choosing blackout blinds, which provide the benefit of light control in rooms such as bedrooms.
When it comes to choosing curtains, there isn’t often much difference in price between eyelet and pencil pleat. However, it’s important to select a style that suits your needs. Thermal lined or blackout will save you from spending more money elsewhere.
Price often comes down to fabric choice, so in order to make sure you find a design that aligns with your budget, order samples. This allows you to look at the quality, look and feel of the material before committing to a design.
I’ve just downsized into a flat and the bathroom is on the smaller side. How can I make the most of the space? Harriet Carlisle, Chester
Ben Bryden, Sales Director at RAK Ceramics, says… While your bathroom might not be graced with a huge amount of space, there’s no reason to think it can’t be comfortable and welcoming. There are various ways you can create a bathroom that is both practical and stylish, and even make it feel bigger than it actually is.
Firstly, it is important to keep things simple. Opt for a light and neutral colour scheme and add character with a few accessories that can be easily changed. In terms of fixtures and fittings, opt for a wall-hung WC as it saves space and will make the room appear bigger as the floor remains visible. Chose slim-line fixtures where possible too as these are specifically designed to encroach less on the room. A slimline base unit beneath a washbasin, for example, will maximise on storage space, helping to keep the bathroom tidy, too.
We have a beautiful old fireplace in one of our bedrooms, but the previous owners painted it in a thick coat of cream gloss (and covered it in stickers!) – how can I strip it back to its former glory? Nathan Parker, Bromley
Chris Moorhouse, Category Director for Décor, Building and Gardens at Wickes, says… It’s no secret that a gloss can provide a beautiful finish, but sadly, it’s not the easiest product to remove. Although it may seem like a tricky and time-consuming job, it actually can be achieved in a small number of steps! If you don’t mind taking your time and are a bit of an amateur DIY-er, opt for a classic paint stripper. It’s a cost-effective option and easy to source. However, as gloss paint can be stubborn, you may find that it will take a while to break down the substance. Alternatively, for a guaranteed elimination, you can use a heat gun to strip the paint. The Einhell TH-HA Classic Heat Gun 2,000W is a powerful tool for removal and there is built-in overheating protection to ensure maximum safety. The gun also includes two temperate and air flow settings and comes with a paint scraper for any final removal. This option is not recommended for those who aren’t familiar with this technique.
I’m looking to replace the tired floor in our kitchen-diner. How costeffective is real wood flooring compared to laminate? Jeanette Holden, Brighton
Peter Keane, Director of The Natural Wood Flooring Company, says… Wood flooring is a popular choice for the kitchen because it works on a practical and visual level. While it can be tempting to be led by price with a wood-effect option such as laminate, investing that little bit extra and opting for engineered real wood flooring will give you many advantages and be more cost effective in the long-term.
Engineered boards are suitable for humid areas and can be floated or fixed to most types of subfloor together with an underlay. This means that they can be used with underfloor heating.
Perhaps the best news for family homes is that engineered wood flooring is so simple to keep clean. It’s easy to take care of muddy footprints and spillages with a gentle mop and some mild detergent. And unlike laminate, an engineered wood floor can be sanded down and refinished numerous times over its lifespan, so it lasts much longer than seemingly cheaper alternatives.
I am about to renovate my home's ground floor and I need to choose between underfloor heating and traditional radiators – what are the pros and cons of each, please? Rose Pritchard, Lincoln
Steve Birch, Sales Director at Vogue UK, says… For radiators, quality raw materials are fundamental and different options can influence the performance. Stainless steel and brass are incredibly versatile and durable. Stainless steel can be chrome-plated, coated or painted, allowing the look to be customised according to the individual. In addition, brass and stainless steel radiators are suitable for connection to both open and closed heating circuits, thus not limiting the end user to one mode of operation.
In my opinion, the finest radiator material would be mild steel because of its versatility. Not only is it suitable for all types of heating system, mild steel radiators also deliver a high heat output, which means they are extremely efficient. High-quality mild steel is a must for all other towel rails and designer radiators where a superb finish and longevity is required.
Highly flexible, underfloor heating has been designed to accommodate any room irrespective of size or layout. Furthermore, you have complete control in terms of whether you use the underfloor system as your main supply of heating or whether it is installed to coincide with central heating and act as an additional source of heat and comfort in a room.
In comparison to central heating, underfloor heating could be viewed as the superior heating option due to its advanced performance. Not only is it quieter when in use, but unlike the heat that is distributed from a radiator source, underfloor heating provides a more even, and constant distribution as the heat rises as opposed to being circulated around the room.