Latest Designer Bathroom Ideas and How To Guides for your Home

Developing property has recently become very popular, and it is not difficult to see why.

Over the last few years, property prices have been rocketing, and it looks obvious that you can make a killing if you invest in bricks and mortar. Renovating a house can be creative, as well as excellent exercise, and certainly beats sitting in an office for the whole day. It does not need any qualifications either. No application forms, no gruelling interviews, just using imagination and muscle power, with a big payout at the end – it seems the ideal way to go.

There are no overheads in terms of office space, and you can work when it suits you, such as evenings or weekends if you are hanging on to the day job as a safety net.

There are a number of things to bear in mind though, such as the area, the purchasing price (which determines the profit), and the fact that you will have to work extra hard for a fast turnaround.

You can do your own research on the internet, in the press and through estate agents, to work out demand in that area. If your idea is to buy a big house cheaply and renovate it for letting out to students, you will obviously want it to be near a college.

The other thing is not to go over your budget, because the housing market is subject to fluctuation, so it might be you yourself who will be looking for somewhere to live if it goes against you and you have overreached yourself.

Do you know how your underfloor heating system works?  If you don’t already know, we’ve put together some of the basics to give you a better understanding.

Basically, underfloor heating systems work to provide even distribution of heat throughout the rooms in which they exist. These floor heating systems are typically easy to install and very cost efficient.  In fact, today DIY underfloor heating is very popular.  There are no special skills or knowledge other than a little research and reading required in order to successfully install an underfloor heating system.

All underfloor heating systems are unobtrusive and unrestricted.  That means that because they lie under the floor, you have the freedom to place furniture as you see fit.  Furthermore, such heating systems require very little maintenance.

There are two main types of underfloor heating systems – electric and wet.  With the wet underfloor heating system pipes are buried in the foundation or right under the floor surface to distribute the heated water to heat the home.  Some systems even allow for water to simply be running beneath the surface. Electric underfloor heating systems are generally more expensive than their wet counterparts and are not highly recommended for wood floors. 

Regardless of the type of underfloor heating system you choose, there will be benefits and disadvantages to both.  For instance, neither is an instant heating solution – they will take time to take effect if they have been turned off.  They will also require cool down time.  So, depending on your preference and your budget, you may find that the wet underfloor heating system is better suited to your home than a dry one or vice versa.

Having loose floorboards is a common, and depending on the noise they generate, an annoying aspect of domestic space. However, this type of remedial DIY work is normally straightforward in terms of skill required, as well as the money and time to be spent.

The simplest method of all is to fit material such as folded plastic, paper, or specially cut pieces of wood between or underneath the offending floorboards. Although it may sound like a temporary measure, it may do the trick sufficiently well, and last for long enough, to not require anything more.

An additional option is to tighten the screws, or perhaps to replace any faulty or missing screws or nails which are holding down the floorboards. It may be that the screws or nails have loosened over time. A word of warning here, though – inserting new screws or nails where there were none before may be hazardous if there are electrical cables or water pipes directly below the floor.

In cases where one or more floorboards have become damaged beyond repair, it may be necessary to replace them altogether. Clearly this will work only if a replacement can be found that matches the rest of the floor. If no matching replacement can be found, one option is to replace it regardless and then paint or colour the entire floor in a different colour. Another option is to replace the entire floor using new floorboards, or to use the empty space for something else, such as placing furniture over it.

Fixing a loose floorboard can potentially lead to a larger DIY project, such as installing underfloor heating.

When you are contemplating installing an underfloor heating system, you have a few decisions to make including whether you want it professionally installed or if you want to take on a DIY underfloor heating project.  Additionally, you will need to decide on the heating technology you want to use.  Here are some considerations if you are thinking about installing an electric underfloor heating system.

If there is a smaller area to heat (one to three rooms), an electric underfloor heating system costs less and is easier to install.  Additionally, they have a lower start-up cost than other types of heating systems.  However, you should be aware of the fact that the efficiency factor involved with the use of fossil fuels to generate electricity is considerably lower.

If you want to handle the installation as a DIY underfloor heating project rather than having it done by professional contractors, electric systems are relatively easy to install.  In addition to this, they are still more energy-efficient than conventional forced-air heating systems.  You can “zone” individual rooms and install an underfloor heating thermostat so that one room can be heated independently of the others.  This will save you money on your monthly utility bills.

Another advantage of electric underfloor heating systems is that the floor height build-up can be as thin as 1 mm.  The electric cables required for the system are usually placed on an installation board, or they can be installed directly onto the carpet padding or on top of the sub flooring.

In recent years underfloor heating, also known as UFH, has become quite popular throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States.  Underfloor heating systems are easily installed in both existing homes and new builds.  Of course, there are various things to consider when installing an underfloor heating system that will affect which method of installation and heating will work best for your home.

In the case of a good underfloor heating system, your floor will become an integral part of that system.  In fact, the floor will actually become part of the insulation and heat emitting process.  Heating from the floor up will allow for a more uniform temperature throughout a room and a more evenly heated home.

There are two main types of underfloor heating systems – electric and water based.  The way they work is almost identical except in where they get their heat from.  Obviously, wet underfloor heating systems work with warmed water whereas electric underfloor heating draws warmth from electric heating cables.

The water-based underfloor heating system is ideal for homes equipped with high-efficiency condensing boilers.  It is also suitable for use with heat pumps and solar water heaters.  Heat is generated by mixing the water in the underfloor heating system’s pipes with hot water from the boiler.  Electric underfloor heating systems draw warmth from the heating elements, mats, and cables.

Just remember, different underfloor heating kits are manufactured for different installation methods.  Always be sure that you read each system’s instructions carefully before actually tearing up your floor or making any plans.

An easy DIY job is laying laminate flooring. If the longest wall in the room you are working in is straight and true you can start immediately with the first row along that wall. Lay the first line with the grooved edge facing the wall and a plastic spacer in place every two feet. If the wall is uneven, lay out a line of laminate flooring and, touching the most prominent area, mark the line of the rest of the wall on the boards.

Get a scrap of wood the same width from the wall as the widest point, and use this as a guide to make a pencil mark along the length of the laminates. You should then cut the pieces with an electric jigsaw for ease.

As before, lay out the first length, separated from the wall by the spacer. Each piece of laminate will either snap together or be held in place with a little glue. Make sure you stagger the successive rows by about a foot so as to give them the appropriate look. You can now proceed to lay the rest of the flooring making sure to pack them firmly against each other.

Cutting around doorframes can be tricky, so either make a template of the section you need to cut out or saw a section off the architrave to the thickness of the board and push it underneath.  Once the floor is completely fitted you can then reattach the skirting boards or fill in the remaining gap with a half rounded moulding to hide the expansion space.

Once you have chosen the bed that is right for you, of the right size, bed frame, colour and mattress, you may also chose to fit a headboard to it. Headboards are a type of detachable bed accessory fitting to the top end of a bed. They can function as a decorative finish to the bed or as a functional addition to lean against when reading or watching television.

Decorative headboards, which may be too light or difficult to lean against, as in the case of a series of vertical bars, can transform the look of the bedroom space or act well in conjunction with existing furniture. Many headboards are suggested for addition to particular beds. When choosing your own combination, ensure the headboard and the bed will match, and that this combination works well in the bedroom.

Headboards can be made of the same range of materials as beds themselves, such as wood, cast metal and aluminium. Padded headboards, in which an additional layer of soft material fits over the solid framework, are the most common type of functional headboard. These are comfortable to sit against or to put pillows alongside. Padded headboards are commonly finished with decorated, patterned fabric or leather, fitting well with leather beds.

Headboards for children’s beds are often highly expressive and decorated, giving that little extra touch to a child’s bedroom. Of course, making the right choice depending on individual wishes is important for children as well as adults.

Wood is a very popular choice for beds, and understanding your options lets you find the perfect wooden bed for your room.

Different woods give a different look, so knowing the types of wood most commonly used to build furniture will help you choose a style that suits your decor.

Mahogany, oak, pine, cherry, maple, walnut, and rosewood are all popular furniture woods.  Finishes and stains range from dark espresso to light honey, painted to natural.  Hardwoods like oak, walnut, and mahogany are usually used to make high-end, solid wood furniture and beds, while softer woods like pine and cedar are used by many budget manufacturers to create veneered or particleboard pieces that are more affordable.

Cherry is a reddish wood known for its strength and durability.  Maple is a popular choice for painted beds.  Oak is very heavy and strong, and carves extremely well so it’s often used to create ornate headboards.  Pine is lightweight and evenly textured, though its durability and knotted surfaces make it ideal for rustic beds.

Wooden beds provide a wide range of style options for any decor.  The sleek, elegant look of a raised platform bed is well-suited to modern design; many platform beds also include built-in storage.  Dramatic wooden canopy or four-poster beds certainly make a statement in any room, and draping fabrics over the canopy can tie a room together.  A sleigh bed can be modern or traditional and is perhaps the most versatile wooden bed.  And, of course, classic wooden bunk beds are a great space-saver for any child’s room.

Underfloor heating system insulation boards and tile backer boards are under-flooring boards specially designed for use with underfloor heating systems.

Why use underfloor heating insulation boards?

An installed underfloor heating system produces heat that travels in two directions – upwards into your floor and room, and downwards into the sub-flooring and screeds. While the former is exactly what is desired, the latter results in the loss of precious heat and energy. Using underfloor heating insulation boards prevents that unwanted loss of heat and energy, ensuring that your underfloor heating system is operating as efficiently as possible. The result is a room that is not only warms up more quickly, but also retains that warmth for longer. The rule of thumb is: the thicker the insulation board, the more effective it is.

Are there different types of underfloor heating insulation boards?

The first type is the tile backer boards for wooden sub-flooring. Tile backer boards are made from a lightweight type of insulated board that is designed to be fixed to prepared wooden sub-floors. Their high compressive strength makes them suitable for use with under tile heating, while their waterproof, rot-resistant design makes them perfect for use in wet areas like bathrooms.

The second type is the thermal insulation boards for concrete sub-flooring. These are designed for use over solid concrete sub-floors and cement screeds. Like tile-backer boards, they are designed to support extensive and long-term static loads. They are also lightweight, waterproof, and rot-resistant.

While installing underfloor heating insulation boards is not always mandatory, doing so will always improve the performance of your underfloor heating system.

If you are a DIY enthusiast you will know that looking after a house can be one huge learning curve, with many things always needing to be done, alterations made, and improvements lined up in a queue for your attention.

The great thing about DIY is that it is a healthy hobby, it saves you significant sums of money, and has a result that everyone will appreciate, and hopefully praise you for.

In terms of sheer exercise, yoga, step aerobics, Pilates and workouts at the gym cannot compete with DIY. It also keeps your mind fully active as you grapple with how to get things done effectively and tastefully. You will grow in confidence at every completed stage, and acquire a Zen-like ability to absorb criticism and plod on regardless.

If you have mastered painting, plastering, decorating and laying underfloor heating you might be flexing your muscles for a new challenge. Fitting a kitchen or fitting a bathroom may seem like climbing the Matterhorn, when compared with the molehill of giving the walls a new lick of paint, but it is hardly rocket science.

Those of us who do not have access to architects and interior designers need not languish helplessly in a house we are not happy with. Fitting kitchens may seem daunting at first, but it involves many skills that you already possess, and the challenge is in the planning and methodology. DIY kitchens come with complete assembly instructions, so it is just a matter of not panicking, and of taking things slowly and patiently.

After fitting a new kitchen or bathroom you will feel confident enough to tackle anything!