AS uncertainty hangs over the housing market, many more homeowners are opting to improve, rather than move.
With energy, food and other household bills rocketing, you may be looking for ways to do up your property which won’t weigh too heavily on your wallet.
If you’re on a budget, a fresh lick of paint can go a long way.
So whether you’re sprucing up one room, or giving your whole house a refresh, Jimmy Englezos, painter, decorator and all-round DIY pro, who is also a product expert at Ronseal, has some tips to help you on your way.
1. Don’t replace tiles – paint them instead
If finances are tight and you can’t afford to replace your bathroom or kitchen tiles, then give a new lease of life to rooms by painting the existing tiles instead, Jimmy told The Sun.
“Getting a bathroom re-tiled could cost you around £250, depending on the size,” said Jimmy.
“But for just £20, you could pick up a 750ml tin of tile paint at your local hardware store.
"One tin could go a long way and may be enough for the whole room.
"Further savings can be made by only painting alternate tiles, or going for a pattern.
"Make sure to do a good job though, to avoid it looking like a cover-up.”
If you have white tiles, look into investing in some stencils.
“You can buy these for a few quid from Amazon,” said Jimmy.
“With just a little bit of effort, you can get your kitchen or bathroom looking like a brand new space.”
2. Revamp windows and doors with uPVC paint
If your windows and doors are looking tired, don’t assume you need to make big costly changes.
“Replacing items could easily set you back a few thousand pounds,” said Jimmy.
“Why not purchase uPVC paint instead, costing around £20 for a 750ml tin?
"You can apply this directly to the surface without the need for a specialist primer.
"You just need to make sure the window or door is clean.
"Give it a wipe down, and maybe a light sand, and then the paint goes straight on.
"If you’re not sure what colour to choose, anthracite grey is all the rage at the moment.”
You should find that uPVC paint stands up to rain and other weather conditions without cracking or flaking.
3. See if you can save on the cost of new carpets
Before rushing in to re-carpet your home, a job which could cost hundreds of pounds, take a look at what’s currently underneath.
“See what the floorboards are like, and whether you can bring them up to scratch by sanding and painting them,” said Jimmy.
“You’ll need to prepare the wood. This may involve renting a sander, but you should be able to do this for under £50.
"You’ll probably also need to spend £20-£30 on wood filler.”
You’ll also have to buy the paint, but should be able to get a 2.5l tin of hard white floor paint for around £35.
This will cover 30sq m.
“For a relatively small outlay, you can add a lot of character to a room,” said Jimmy.
“It will require a bit of hard graft, but his DIY job will mean some big savings compared to the cost of re-carpeting.”
4. Don’t scrimp on preparation
As a budding DIY-er, you might be chomping at the bit to get the brush in your hand.
But for any type of paint job, preparation is key.
“If you fail to prepare the surface, the paint won’t last,” said Jimmy.
“It will get tatty quickly, meaning you have to do the job again.
"By contrast, if you put in a bit of elbow grease and get cleaning and sanding first, this will give your paint job longevity.
"This will also save you money, as you won’t have to repaint again so quickly.”
5. Remember to take off metal items before you paint
Removing handles and hinges and other bits and pieces can seem time-consuming when all you want to do is get painting, but resist the temptation to cut corners.
“If you leave this hardware on, there’s a risk you’ll end up dripping paint on metal-ware, and it won’t look tidy,” said Jimmy.
“If you want to achieve a professional finish, remove items before you start.”
If you have circular handles which don’t have obvious screws, the trick is to rotate the cover to get access to the back screws.
Once you’re finished, you can then spin the cover back on.
If you can’t remove items, tape them carefully instead.
“This will make the job look a lot neater,” added Jimmy. “Painstaking as it may feel, it really is worth the effort.”
6. Make use of water-based paints
While solvent-based paints can have a tougher finish than water-based paints, over time, they can become brittle.
By contrast, water-based paints are more flexible, less brittle and don’t crack, according to Jimmy.
“They stand up to wear and tear and last longer,” he said.
“They dry more quickly and don’t produce anywhere near the same amount of fumes, so they are better for the air in your house while you’re painting.
"However, water-based paints don’t ‘level’ as well as solvent-based ones, so you need to take care to go with the grain.”
Jimmy also warns that if you attempt to go on top of a water-based paint with a solvent-based paint, it could get rejected.
“The key here is to sand back to the wood, or use a ‘difficult surface primer’ before repainting,” he said.
7. Try a two-in-one primer and gloss paint
One final simple way to save both time and money is by using a “two-in-one primer and gloss paint,” as this removes the need for priming surfaces first.
“This stuff does what it says on the tin, and can be a quick and easy option for paint jobs such as skirting,” said Jimmy.
“It can be used on bare or previously-painted wood, and requires just two coats.
It is designed to last a long time, meaning you won’t have to pay for new paint for potentially as long as 10 years.”
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