Decorating

Choosing the tiles There are various materials available when you consider tiling a wall. The surface of the wall must be repaired if necessary, removing wallpaper or treating powdery, flaking paint. The wall must be a stable base, as flat as possible, clean and dry. Mirror Tiles Use of mirror tiles can change the look […]

Method Remove furnishings and fittings before starting. If the room is carpeted and too difficult to remove, try to roll up the end where you are working to avoid splashing with water. When working near a switch or plug socket, turn off the electricity if the switch is unscrewed to remove paper around it. Cover

Cleaning and Caring Ceramic tiles do not require polish as they come with a natural glaze or matt finish. Wash by hand and polish with a dry cloth. The beauty of ceramic tiling is the low maintenance required. If a tile is damaged or cracked through wear and tear, replace the tile if you have

Method If the tiles are being removed due to one or two being cracked or damaged, it may be advisable to replace the damaged tiles, see Replacing a damaged ceramic tile for more details. If the surface is going to be re-tiled, it may prove easier to tile over the original tiles. Old, firm, established

Method Thick, textured paper often covered with layers of emulsion is not an easy surface to remove. It is not advisable to sand the surface area. Some old coverings may contain asbestos and are more safely dealt with by keeping the surface damp to avoid inhaling any dust. It is a messy and time consuming

Method A more flexible filler is required to bond the two surfaces. An applicator of foam filler is the best method of bridging the gap. Follow the manufacturer”s instructions carefully before applying the chemical. The foam is applied via a nozzle and expands as it is applied. Usually the area is left to dry and

Wallpaper Available in many attractive designs and finishes, wallpaper makes a popular choice for home decoration. Although widely known as wallpaper, only a proportion of wall coverings are made from wood pulp. If it is a first attempt at hanging wallpaper, avoid the heavier papers or the deeply patterned papers. If the area to be

Stairwells Always start with the longest length. If you lack experience, you will find it easier to use a paper without a matching pattern. Cut a length long enough to reach the ceiling and the lowest edge of the sloping skirting board below. You will need to build a work platform and secure it over

Pasting Try not to have too much paste on the brush as it can drip or splash. Spread the paste along the centre of the length as far as the pasting table will allow. Smooth the paste outwards toward the edges in a herringbone fashion. Pull the paper along the table and gently fold over