Show us yer house and house-related meddlings

[Sweet FA]

First off, that's quite beautiful. Such a simple design, but the artwork and finish is spot on.

Vice or a work bench is a good idea. Wood clamped in place is far easier to cut straight with much less sawing effort, and all your corners will be squarer with less tearing at the finish.

To make neater joints, without the need for metalwork - dowels joints. Tap 2 panel pins into the end of each piece, and cut off the head until only a mm or 2 is showing. Locate the piece against the wood you want to join to and push - hey presto, location marks for your dowels with the job of a centre punch already done to guide your drill bit. Take apart again, remove the panel pins, drill 4 holes for your dowels deep enough for concealed fixings.

Plenty of glue, clamp it tight and wipe off the excess glue being squeezed out - a pair of sash clamps is a worthy investment for any workshop. Without clamps; screw or nail the joint tight.

If you still have a hairline gap in the joint, sand it while the glue is still tacky. Wood glue dries clear, but the sawdust creates forms your own filler.

Thanks for the advice

I've got a cunning plan for my next little project but will definitely need more room. Plus the shed roof leaks in many places so I can't work inside which is more of an issue now.

Perhaps my next project should be 'build a shed'?

 

[Looby]

A heads up for all those looking to paint. There is a real shortage of paint at the moment. Especially of the darker base colours for custom mixed paint.

Homebase told us they had a shortage of mixers on the phone then when we got there they told us they couldn’t mix any emulsion. Helpful!
Wickes had everything.

 

[Sapphireblue]

I need some advice/ideas. I need to refurbish the kitchen. Currently located at the rear, leading into the garden. I live on a busy road and currently the living room is at the front of the house. There is another room next door that doesn't get used much.

Would it be a daft idea to swap the two around? Living space at the rear, onto garden. Join the two rooms at the front to make a kitchen/diner?

I think it will make the refurbishment more expensive but I want to make to most of the space and it seems to make sense?

We would have to move services, probable rsj for the joined rooms at the front. Putting the living space at the back means that area will need refurbishing too but that could be done much later.

I'm not really sure how bad an idea it is to have living space -> garden. That doesn't seem to happen in this style building. People seem to expand the rear space (side return), open plan it and leave living space at the front?

i like the idea of the living room opening into the garden, we use it a lot more than the kitchen / dining area. we have an unusual layout in that our house is really wide and we have 2 living / family rooms, one along the back with patio doors and one down the side also with patio doors. one thing to bear in mind with switching is where does the sun hit? the back room gets a lot, lot, lot of sun. which is lovely to show-off to visitors / entertain in and go in and out of the garden, but day-to-day it can be a right pain that it's so bright and hot, we have to close all the blinds / curtains to be able to watch tv for example. also in a heat wave the room is almost unusable. the other room that opens into the garden but doesn't get as much sun is really lovely. if we only had the back room (which is practically a conservatory there's so much window) i'd find it difficult.

 

[Zapp Brannigan]

Thanks for the advice

I've got a cunning plan for my next little project but will definitely need more room. Plus the shed roof leaks in many places so I can't work inside which is more of an issue now.

Perhaps my next project should be 'build a shed'?

Do tell what the project is!

Who's up for a suburban shed build? Like DIY SOS but with less Nick Knowles.

My latest project - a wall mounted, piano-hinged, fold down desk with storage space for the Branniganettes to do homework. Just needs a catch to keep the desktop upright when folded away and a pair of stays for added strength when folded down. No-knot pine courtesy of Wickes.

 

[WouldBe]

Do tell what the project is!

Who's up for a suburban shed build? Like DIY SOS but with less Nick Knowles.

I'd rather have NK than Billy on the electrics.

 

[Sweet FA]

Do tell what the project is!

Who's up for a suburban shed build? Like DIY SOS but with less Nick Knowles.

My latest project - a wall mounted, piano-hinged, fold down desk with storage space for the Branniganettes to do homework. Just needs a catch to keep the desktop upright when folded away and a pair of stays for added strength when folded down. No-knot pine courtesy of Wickes.

View attachment 229615View attachment 229616

That's very cool. How is it going on the wall? Brackets underneath?

There's 2 things I've got in mind. The easy one is a low level stand for Lil'FA's keyboard. The other one will definitely need more workspace though - I want to take apart our old coffee table and rebuild it as a er coffee table. Mrs FA really doesn't like it and admittedly it is pretty crap. We've had it a long time though and I'm a sentimental old fool. It's got these big metal bolts that sit proud of the table top and Lil'FA basically teethed on them, stuff like that.

No idea about what it might look like yet though.

 

[tommers]

We're buying a house and we're looking at the description and lots of the bedrooms have "media outlet points". Anybody have any idea what that means?

 

[moose]

We're buying a house and we're looking at the description and lots of the bedrooms have "media outlet points". Anybody have any idea what that means?

USB sockets in the walls, I would have thought. Very useful.

 

[tommers]

USB sockets in the walls, I would have thought. Very useful.

God. Imagine that. What a life.

 

[Epona]

We're buying a house and we're looking at the description and lots of the bedrooms have "media outlet points". Anybody have any idea what that means?

It could be something useful like USB or Ethernet, or it could be additional cable outlets if the current occupiers have Virgin or something - worth asking about IMO

 

[tommers]

Hang on. Ethernet in the walls is the dream. Why are USB good? Can you not just plug stuff in anyway?

 

[mauvais]

I imagine it'll be HDMI, or a close second, ethernet. Unlikely to be USB.

 

[wtfftw]

Mine has a TV socket in each bedroom. I just assumed they were useless but maybe still a thing?

 

[danski]

Probably a combined BT and TV/satellite outlet.
Often they have extra modules to allow RJ45 / Ethernet sockets.
Down to the developers spec.

Maybe this sort of thing in the lounge

Legrand Synergy Wiring Accessories And Devices | CEF

With smaller in bedrooms

Quadplexed 2 X Sat/BT Outlet/Coaxial - Nexus - Brushed Steel | BG (NBS69-01)

www.tlc-direct.co.uk

Sorry, not the best examples, I’m trying to go to work!

 

[kabbes]

Hang on. Ethernet in the walls is the dream. Why are USB good? Can you not just plug stuff in anyway?

We put in plug sockets that also have USB sockets when we redid some rooms. It’s great because there is SO MUCH STUFF that powers via USB now, so it’s like getting a four socket in the space of a two socket and you don’t have to have loads of adapters around the place. A minor but tangible victory over life.

 

[Red Cat]

We put in plug sockets that also have USB sockets when we redid some rooms. It’s great because there is SO MUCH STUFF that powers via USB now, so it’s like getting a four socket in the space of a two socket and you don’t have to have loads of adapters around the place. A minor but tangible victory over life.

Good idea Kabbes. We have one (!) plug socket in the bedrooms, unchanged since 1968, as it's on the very long to do list to at least make them double, I'm guessing it can't be much more work to add USB sockets.

 

[kabbes]

Good idea Kabbes. We have one (!) plug socket in the bedrooms, unchanged since 1968, as it's on the very long to do list to at least make them double, I'm guessing it can't be much more work to add USB sockets.

I didn’t do it myself but I believe it is as simple as it is to change it for a normal plug socket and only costs a few pounds more

 

[Red Cat]

While I'm here. I have some questions:

I don't suppose anyone has had a loft conversion on a 1960s end terrace have they?

I don't think we can afford to extend the kitchen due to the cost of a w truss loft conversion but we could do with a re-model. I need to check what money we can borrow. The space we have is ok, a kitchen diner, a good size living room but its north facing and gloomy and i hate it, open planning would help would help but we need some wall space. The flow doesn't work, and there is unused space. I want the back wall replaced with sliding doors but we have a toilet that juts out from the back, a bit like a porch., if that makes sense, so its not straight at the back. I'd quite like to get rid of it, but we could also use the space for utility room. In a way, it's simple, but have also wondered if an architect could give us some ideas? I'd feel silly for such a little job. I'm not sure who to contact - do we get specialist loft conversion for the loft and.....architect technician for the downstairs? Or architect for all?

There are some architects locally who look good, they do domestic work,extensions etc. but will they laugh at me????

 

[Epona]

Would you be able to post floor plans or photos? I don't know whether we have any architects here and the job sounds like it would need some professional advice prior to execution, but there are loads of imaginative and practical folks here who might be able to suggest solutions or spot potential problems before you start the process (and start paying for it iykwim)

EDIT: I don't think any job is too small btw, if you need an architect then go for it and you may well need one if walls are going to be moved - certainly consult a professional rather than end up with a botch job.

 

[danski]

Good idea Kabbes. We have one (!) plug socket in the bedrooms, unchanged since 1968, as it's on the very long to do list to at least make them double, I'm guessing it can't be much more work to add USB sockets.

I didn’t do it myself but I believe it is as simple as it is to change it for a normal plug socket and only costs a few pounds more

Be careful to check the depth of the back box required. Some manufacturers require greater depth than others.

 

[danski]

Good idea Kabbes. We have one (!) plug socket in the bedrooms, unchanged since 1968, as it's on the very long to do list to at least make them double, I'm guessing it can't be much more work to add USB sockets.

Also, you might want to get a condition report done. That’s a long time. Ideally should be done every ten years.

 

[Red Cat]

Also, you might want to get a condition report done. That’s a long time. Ideally should be done every ten years.

We had an electrician mate check the electrics when we moved in 10 years ago, he put new sockets in the living room, and checked the rest. But you're right, needs doing sooner rather than later.

 

[Red Cat]

Would you be able to post floor plans or photos? I don't know whether we have any architects here and the job sounds like it would need some professional advice prior to execution, but there are loads of imaginative and practical folks here who might be able to suggest solutions or spot potential problems before you start the process (and start paying for it iykwim)

EDIT: I don't think any job is too small btw, if you need an architect then go for it and you may well need one if walls are going to be moved - certainly consult a professional rather than end up with a botch job.

I could try. Working today but that's a good idea. I wouldn't do anything myself, it's about getting the right professional, it's feels hard to know where to start, so I haven't started, but we really need to.

 

[WouldBe]

While I'm here. I have some questions:

I don't suppose anyone has had a loft conversion on a 1960s end terrace have they?

I don't think we can afford to extend the kitchen due to the cost of a w truss loft conversion

60's building shouldn't have trusses and you don't need to put trusses in to do a loft conversion.

 

[Red Cat]

60's building shouldn't have trusses and you don't need to put trusses in to do a loft conversion.

It has w trusses. It was built 1968 or 1969. It can be converted, but it costs more.

 

[WouldBe]

It has w trusses. It was built 1968 or 1969. It can be converted, but it costs more.

That's unusual then. My parents previous house was built in the early 70's and has joists and perlins for the roof.

 

[Red Cat]

That's unusual then. My parents previous house was built in the early 70's and has joists and perlins for the roof.

I think it's the other way round - houses since the 60s usually use trusses.

 

[danski]

I would’ve thought that as it was a transitional period you’d get both.
Would depend on the type of builder, type of client and type of development. Possibly regional variation too.

 

[Red Cat]

I would’ve thought that as it was a transitional period you’d get both.
Would depend on the type of builder, type of client and type of development. Possibly regional variation too.

Yes, that sounds right. We're talking cheap housing estate housing here, think it was housing association rather than council but similar thing. But googling w truss says things like if you have a pre-60s house it's easy to convert, if you have a later house it's more likely trussed and harder to convert. We have the harder to convert.

 

[equationgirl]

We're buying a house and we're looking at the description and lots of the bedrooms have "media outlet points". Anybody have any idea what that means?

Could be TV aerials in modern parlance?