Decorating

Water based paint The most common type of water based paint is emulsion. There are two finishes – matt or silk and an endless range of colours. It comes as a traditional liquid, solid (bought in a tray) or as a non-drip jelly. If walls or ceilings are to be covered, then 2 or 3 […]

Tiling around a bath Where the bath meets the tile, it is necessary to seal the joins with a silicone rubber caulking. This is necessary as the fitting can move enough to crack a rigid seal, causing the water to penetrate the wall between the bath and the tiling, leading to further complications with dampness

Introduction Once you have decided on the tile, note its length and width and measure the room carefully. Measure its height and divide it by the length of one tile. Round up the number of tiles to the next whole number. Now measure the width of the room and divide that by the width of

Introduction It is very important to choose the correct adhesive for the chosen paper. Discoloration of the surface, not sticking to the wall or mould growth are all possibilities if the wrong adhesive is chosen. All-purpose paste is suitable for all wallcoverings. It contains a fungicide, but as it is suitable for more than one

Marking the wall Never assume that corners of a room are square or completely vertical. They are often out of line as can be doors and windows. Use a plumb line to carefully measure the first length. Do not measure at a corner or next to a door or window. If there are more windows

Plugs and switches When papering a length including a plug or switch, always turn the electricity supply off at the mains. Then unscrew and loosen the plastic covering. It is unnecessary to remove the cover completely. Position the length of paper in a similar way to any other length. Feel for the switch / plug

Papering arches If the archway forms part of a wall section – above a window, in an alcove or between two rooms add an extra inch of paper to follow the length of the shape of the arch along the wall. Cut the shape, paste and hang. Smooth the paper down onto the wall, joining

Oil based paint Solvent based paint, often known as oil based paint is made from a mixture of resins and oils. Covering woodwork or metalwork requires the use of different paint types used in conjunction with each other. The surface is prepared, suitably primed and sealed before one or two undercoats and the top coat

Sizing walls Size a plaster wall to prevent loss of adhesion by absorbing of water from the paste. It also makes the wall slippery, which helps when positioning each length. It is important to follow the manufacturer”s instruction when mixing the proportions together prior to sizing. Size is an adhesive (see Choosing the wallpaper adhesive)

Cement based paint Cement based paint gives a matt finish which can be used as an inexpensive way to cover large areas, such as cellars and garages. It is sold in powder form which has to be mixed with water before application. Related Pages Selecting the correct paint