Renovation Advice
Latest
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Floor insulation: how to make your home warmer by insulating old floors
Floor insulation is the best solution when boards or tiles are draughty, damp or cold to the touch. Find out how to make them warmer without damaging their integrity
By Roger Hunt •
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How to repair a Victorian roof
Roofs are more likely to develop faults than any other part of older properties, so understand their traditional construction and follow this advice on how to spot typical defects
By Ian Rock •
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How to clean terracotta floor tiles
Find out how to clean terracotta floor tiles and restore them to their former glory. Follow DIY expert Helaine Clare’s step-by-step guide
By Helaine Clare •
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How to open up a fireplace
Want to know how to open up a fireplace? If, like many renovators, you've been lucky enough to uncover an original fireplace in the process of working on your home, you'll need our tops tips to reopen it successfully
By Natasha Brinsmead •
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How old is my house?: working out the age of your home
If you are wondering 'how old is my house?' we are here to help you discover its hidden history. Emma Lawrence, head of casework at the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), explains how to work out which era a property belongs to
By Period Living •
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How to lime wood: everything you need to get that white wash effect
Want to know how to lime wood? Helaine Clare's simple, step-by-step instructions will help transform old wood furniture and exposed timber surfaces
By Helaine Clare •
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How to paint metal railings: cleaning and repairing railings and gates
Old metal railings and other exterior metalwork needs regular care and attention to prevent decay, so spot the signs of wear and tear and know what action to take with this practical, step-by-step guide
By Helaine Clare •
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How to lighten oak beams
Learn how to lighten oak beams – including the tools and equipment you will need – with step-by-step instructions from DIY expert Helaine Clare
By Helaine Clare •
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Expert guide to plaster in old homes
Understanding and maintaining plaster in old homes is an important aspect of caring for a period property. Discover how to identify which type you have, how to go about repairing, and what it costs
By Roger Hunt •
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How to repair wooden floors
Find out how to repair wooden floors with this expert advice and how-to guide
By Ian Rock •
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How to repair stone floors
Find out how to repair stone floors, with expert advice from Douglas Kent, technical and research director of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
By Douglas Kent •
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How to clean stone floors
Find our how to clean stone floors with DIY expert Helaine Clare's easy-to-follow demonstration
By Helaine Clare •
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How to buy an old house
When property hunting, it is all too easy to let your heart rule your head. But there are many things to consider before taking the plunge. Make sure you are up to the task ahead with expert advice, and use our essential checklist on buying an old house
By Roger Hunt •
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How to deal with damp and rot
Problems with damp and rot are a common curse, particularly in older properties, where inadvisable remedial work can make it worse. Here, we look at the causes of damp – and its solutions
By Ian Rock •
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How to put up a curtain pole
Giving your room a quick refresh with some new curtains? Check out our simple step-by-step guide on how to put up a curtain pole
By Helaine Clare •
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How to maintain and repair an old timber frame
Often forming the integral framework of period properties, and an aesthetic feature, timber posts and beams must be treated with care and attention to ensure their longevity
By Roger Hunt •
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17 renovation mistakes to avoid
Restore your period home properly and avoid renovation mistakes that cause more harm than good, with advice from experts Peter Barker and Douglas Kent
By Douglas Kent •
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How to restore your front door
The front door gives a first impression of your home to visitors, as well as a taste for what's to come on the inside. Make it a positive reception using our step-by-step guide to how to restore your front door, with expert tips from Helaine Clare
By Helaine Clare •
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How to repair internal doors
We offer expert advice on how to fix he most common issues with internal doors – and when to replace them
By Douglas Kent •
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How to restore wood doors
Refinish and restore your interior wood doors with Helaine Clare's step-by-step project, which shows you how to clean the timber, fill holes, repair damage, cover screws and replace hinges
By Helaine Clare •
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How to repaint and revive outdoor woodwork
In this step-by-step guide, DIY expert Helaine Clare shows how to repaint and revive outdoor woodwork
By Helaine Clare •
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How to restore and maintain timber windows
As the eyes of a house and a key architectural feature, it’s important to maintain and repair original timber windows. Follow this expert advice to find out how
By Roger Hunt •
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How to maintain and repair leaded windows
Original leaded light windows are historically important architectural features, so when they need attention it's essential to repair and care for them correctly
By Douglas Kent •
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How to repair and maintain metal window and door frames
Properly maintained, metal windows can last for centuries. When protective coatings are neglected, however, corrosion may occur. Here's how to repair your metal door and window frames
By Douglas Kent •
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How to create an open plan layout in an old home
Knocking down walls to create a more open plan layout is an increasingly popular trend, but it must be handled with sensitivity. Architect Neil McKay explains the main considerations
By Melanie Griffiths •
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How to repair a chimney
Your unchecked chimney could be concealing some dangerous defects. Find out what to look out for, and how to deal with these common chimney problems
By Ian Rock •
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How to replace broken glass
Breaking a pane of glass in a window or door is a hazard of restoration projects – if it happens, Helaine Clare shows how to replace a small pane safely and without too much trouble
By Helaine Clare •
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How to restore a garden bench
DIY expert Helaine Clare shows how you can repair and restore an old garden bench using the right tools, paints, varnishes and a little bit of elbow grease, in this step-by-step guide
By Helaine Clare •
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How to deal with cracks in walls and structural problems in old houses
Cracks in walls, bulging, damp and movement are all signs of something sinister going on. Learn how to identify and repair these structural issues in period properties
By Roger Hunt •
