Recent content by chriseastlondon

Hi. I'm trying to restore a Victorian front door that has cricket bat panels. It's supposed to look like this: https://www.doorsie.com/external-doors/islington.html The top 2 panels are missing. In order to replace them, I need to either make or buy the raised moulding in the centre of each...

Thanks. That probably explains it. I'd imagined they were available from mainstream DIY stores because I see at least a couple on every street around me, but perhaps not. Pretty much the only firms I can find that sell them are specialist security companies.

I can see lots of firms that do gates but very few options that either allow the postman access to the letterbox or include a built-in letterbox, plus include a lock rather than relying on a padlock. I see them on streets around me all the time so I'm surprised I can't find more options online.

That sort of thing. I did similar Google searches but couldn't find a suitable one that had an integrated lock and letterbox.

Hi. Does anybody know where to get those black metal security gates you see in porches of terraced houses? I wanted one with an integrated lock so I don't need to use a padlock, and a letterbox - or a gap to allow access to the letterbox in my front door. I'd expected them to be easy to get...

Thanks, both. Very helpful. The Latham doors look great. I think I've found a local carpenter who can help make the door more secure in the short term.

Hi. I need to replace my front door because I was burgled a couple of days ago. I'd like to get it done quickly. There's a company in London that does next day door replacements. They advertise what they describe as a solid hardwood security door. I asked them what type of wood they use and...

Thanks.

I need to get a plasterboard ceiling taken down. I'm reconfiguring the rooms so covering it up isn't an option. Part of it is Artex, which has been covered over with plasterboard, now exposed in places where internal walls have been removed. I expected the Artex to be positive for asbestos, as...

Great. Thanks.

Thanks. Is it the High Impact Finishing Plaster I need for the walls? Do you mix and apply it in the same way as gypsum?

I'm decorating an upstairs bedroom in my house, which is a 1890 Victorian terrace. I've had to remove the damaged old ceiling, exposing the joists. I'm getting the ceiling plasterboarded and the walls and ceiling skimmed. I haven't had any problems with damp. I'm wondering whether the plasterer...

I'll definitely get a roofer to have a look at it.

Ah, okay. That's really helpful.

Thanks for all the advice. Really helpful.