DIY Spotlight Archives | DIY Extra

Mosaic tiles can create a great finish in both kitchens and bathrooms. Mosaic tiles come in large sheets on a mesh backing to hold them all together. This makes it much easier and quicker to lay the tiles and allows you to buy ready made patterns.

Brick and Stonework DIY Spotlight

Building a Brick Pier

April 9, 2015July 19, 2018 DiyEx brick, pier, wall

Building a pier into a wall not only looks good, but it also adds to the structural strength of the wall as a whole, particularly on Half Brick Walls (walls which are only one brick thick).

Brick and Stonework Building Guides DIY Spotlight

Lintels

April 9, 2015July 19, 2018 DiyEx 0 Comments lintel, lintels, walls

If you are planning to add a doorway or window to a load-bearing wall, you will almost always be required to support the load of the wall above the planned opening with a lintel.

DIY Spotlight Stud Walls

Building a Stud Wall

April 9, 2015July 20, 2018 DiyEx 1 Comment partition wall, stud wall

Have a look at our complete DIY guide to planning, building and finishing a Stud Partition Wall.

DIY Spotlight Flooring Tiling Guides

Laying Soft Floor Tiles

September 3, 2014July 18, 2018 DiyEx cork, flooring, tiles, vinyl

This guide looks at laying self-adhesive soft tiles, and the steps are the same for vinyl, cork or any other flexible tile.

Decorating DIY Spotlight Painting

Painting Walls and Ceilings

May 11, 2014July 18, 2018 DiyEx paint, painting, walls

When you are painting a whole room, you should always paint the ceiling first to avoid splashing paint on walls and woodwork.

Carpentry Guides DIY Spotlight Home Security

Fitting a New Door Lock

May 17, 2012July 18, 2018 DiyEx bolt, door, lock, security

There are two main options available when fitting a lock to a solid wooden door: A Mortice Lock and a Cylinder Rim Lock.

Brick and Stonework Building Guides DIY Spotlight

Building Block Partition Walls

May 17, 2011July 29, 2018 DiyEx 0 Comments blocks, partition, wall

Non-loadbearing Partition walls are usually constructed from wooden studs and plasterboard, and in many cases you will not need to look for another solution. If, however, you are planning to build a partition wall on a solid concrete floor, it is worth considering using concrete blocks for the construction.

Concrete and Render DIY Spotlight Outdoor

Laying a Concrete Slab

March 14, 2011June 24, 2011 DiyEx 0 Comments concrete pad, concrete slab, shed

Before erecting a shed or greenhouse, it is a very good idea to lay down a pad of concrete for it to sit on. This serves not only to give the shed/greenhouse a firm footing, but will also help to reduce moisture seeping up from the ground into the timber.