The top 3 DIY projects in the UK and the best cities to find supplies to do them

The top 3 DIY projects in the UK

With the recent changes to employment habits, many people have begun to work from home. This has led to a surge in home improvements and with these updates there’s been an increase in DIY projects.

Home bar

The garden bar boom

With the restrictions in the UK in place over the last year and more, many people found a new passion for their gardens, with some even getting around to installing their own personal garden bars! With pubs closed and families stuck at home, the bar boom sky-rocketed with over 3,600 monthly searches for ‘Garden Bars’ in London alone!

From converting your old shed into your own personal gin club, to fully installing your own keg machine with taps, there are countless ways to add your own garden bar both in miniature and larger forms! So if you’re looking to get yourself your own bar set up, we recommend you jump on this DIY trend and give it a go yourself!

seating & low tables made from wood pallets

Popular pallet furniture

With the recent COP26, green issues have become more important than ever. One of the latest trends is pallet furniture. Whether you’re sprucing up your garden with a bench set and table, or making yourself an outdoor bar and stools, pallet furniture allows you to make rustic looking furniture at a fraction of the cost. You can pick up pallets from as little as £1.99 each online, and some shipping companies or warehouses give them away for free!

After getting your hands on the main construction supplies, all you really need is the tools; some paint or gloss and some nails! If you want to take it a step further, American artist, Kat Scott, has incorporated the use of pallets into her art, with her pallet mosaic pieces!

Wall rustic wood panelling

Wonderful wall panelling

According to the latest figures, the most popular and Googled DIY trend is wall panelling! Wall panelling is the act of putting up panels on one or more of a room’s interior walls to add a physical structure or effect. This is first noted to originate in the late 15th century and became a popular trend in the 16th & 17th centuries. Recently, it has seen an increase in popularity as it can add a classic and expensive look to any room or house.

This simple and uncomplicated method allows you to change a room’s entire look. So whether you’re looking to add a classy look to your room, or hoping to modernise it and give it a more structured look, wall panelling is the way to go.

Hardware store graph

Best DIY cities

If one of these trends catches your fancy, or if you’re interested in doing a completely different project then you’ll need to know the best places to shop for supplies!

According to the latest figures the best place to get into DIY is in the capital itself. In London you are spoiled for choice when it comes to finding a large DIY store, with 19 to choose from. Comparatively in the North, the best city to find a big DIY store is Manchester with 8, whilst in Scotland both Glasgow and Edinburgh have 4 each, and in Northern Ireland, Belfast has 5.*

In stark contrast, over the West Midlands, Birmingham has 8 large hardware stores, ranking it joint 2nd with Manchester in terms of number of stores. However, Birmingham also holds the highest number of registered tradespeople with nearly 4,500 according to the latest figures.

Hire Station undertook a recent study that looked at the most DIY cities in the UK and even developed their own scoring system to calculate which city really is the most DIY city.

Hire Station studied the top 14 most populated metropolitan areas and looked at the cities with the greatest number of tradesmen, which cities have the most big DIY stores and which cities searched the most for DIY Trends.

If these trends have inspired you to start your own DIY project like wall panelling or furniture making, make sure you feel confident in your ability, and if you find yourself uncomfortable with or unsure of the work, we recommend you hire a professional to help you – especially when undertaking tasks that may compromise your health & safety if done improperly.

**These figures are according to Hire Station’s latest study.

#DIYLeagueTable

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Why home improvement shows are so popular

Why home improvement shows are so popular

Home improvement TV shows are a staple of multiple cable channels. These shows use industry experts to show how anyone can make their home fashionable and functional. If you dissect these shows, you can see how these shows gain and maintain an audience.

Illustration of a decorator with paintbrush and roller in front of a red brick wall

Personalities

Every successful home improvement show features one or multiple personalities who make people want to tune in. These individuals must use their charisma to draw viewers in and help them understand how to complete a specific project. Modern, energetic hosts have helped to evolve the genre from the technical jargon-heavy style of the past to the brighter style of today.

Many of these personalities achieve a level of fame that eclipses the overall show. An example of this is Chip and Joanna Gaines. The pair starred in the popular HGTV series “Fixer Upper” and have parleyed their fame into multiple companies and endorsement deals. After the pair moved on from “Fixer Upper” they were highly in demand by other networks and advanced their careers even further.

In addition to having charisma, these personalities must also be experts in their specific areas of home improvement. Viewers may come for the TV personality’s charisma, but their expertise will keep them watching.

If viewers tune into a show that claims that it will help them choose and install dark wood kitchen cabinets, they want a knowledgeable and experienced cabinet expert to present it to them. Similarly, they want actual interior designers to explain their thought process, and real estate agents to explain what sells and what doesn’t.

Illustration of a person giving a presentation

Viewers want to hear a story

One of the most timeless truths in entertainment is that people are attracted to a story with a beginning, middle and an end. You may not be aware of it, but each of these modern home improvement shows tells you a story while they instruct you in DIY projects.

Typical home improvement shows follow a broad formula:

  • Problem – The living room floor is structurally unsound
  • Formulation and execution of a plan – The experts examine the floor and make a plan to fix it. They purchase the supplies and execute the plan
  • The finished product – They present the finished project and wrap up the segment/show

Years of consuming entertainment have psychologically conditioned viewers to expect this type of formula in any entertainment medium. Sticking to this outline gives viewers a sense of comfort and will keep them coming back.

Illustration of a person thinking about home ideascredit

Viewers like to imagine what they can do to their home

Most people are not 100% happy with their homes. No matter how much energy and love they have put into it, there are always some things that they would change. Home improvement shows stimulate their imagination and gives them a chance to explore the possibilities within their own space.

They may watch the show and decide to hire a landscaper to finally redo the garden they’ve been putting off for years. They could also be inspired by a kitchen renovation to completely gut their own and start from scratch. Or to contact a Flat Roofing Specialist to install a new roof. These shows teach people that the possibilities are endless when it comes to the improvements they can make on their own homes.

Illustration of a man's head with an idea lightbulb

Some viewers want to learn

Home improvement shows have been around for decades but, the current crop of shows is very different from those that aired in the 1970s. Past eras of home improvement shows placed a large emphasis on the correct procedures without worrying about making the show flashy to appeal to viewers.

However, many people use modern home improvement shows as a jumping-off point for their own personal projects. They learn the buzz words and trends, then research deeper to understand how to carry out the project.

Home improvement shows attract viewers because they feature big personalities, a cohesive story, and informational content but, there are also intangible reasons for their success that are hard to describe. According to CNN, the Review Home Warranties website is offering money to find out exactly what attracts viewers. The website offered $1,000 to someone who’ll watch a variety of home improvement shows and write down their detailed opinion.

The popularity of home improvement shows has endured for decades and, there’s no sign that the public taste will turn against them any time soon. People just love to watch them. The reasons for their success are many, but at their core, they appeal to every person’s desire to improve their living space and their lives.

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How to maintain a natural gas garage heater

How to maintain a natural gas garage heatercredit

A natural gas garage heater is an energy-saving electrical appliance that’s usually to be found in residential settings. Natural gas garage heaters are robust and can last for a long time; however, they can deteriorate due to prolonged usage and neglectful handling. It’s possible to do some of the necessary maintenance tasks yourself without seeking professional help and to do that, you’ll need a few basic tools and knowledge to execute these troubleshooting tasks.

Venting the natural gas garage heater

Venting is important because the gas-based heaters use natural gas as fuel. When combustion occurs, natural gas often leaves a small quantity of residue in the form of gas and vapour. Over time, these particles alter and become debris and affect the supply systems and plumbing installations of the natural gas garage heater. Venting the system ensures that harmful residues of this nature are removed. If they’re not, these toxic fumes can chemically corrode the surrounding surfaces such as walls and floor.

The process of venting involves locating a spot along the floor of the garage where a pipe can be linked to the outside. One end of the pipe is connected to the venting hole of the gas heater. Here you’ll need to slide the other end of the venting pipe through the wall. This can be a laborious task as you’ll need to drill a hole through the wall. The connecting pipe must be secured with mortar and caulk. However, these venting pipes shouldn’t need replacing for many years to come. Just ensure that you purchase a galvanised venting pipe together with specialist screws that have had anti-corrosive treatment.

Natural gas garage heater control systems – troubleshooting

The majority of gas garage heaters come with adjustable controllers. This is a temperature regulating device used repeatedly to control the temperature range of the heater. It’s possible though for the knob to become loose. To tighten the adjustable controller, you’ll only need a simple tool such as a screwdriver or spanner. However, if the controller displays signs of substantial wear or surface damage, you’ll need to get a replacement. This too is straightforward as controller knobs are manufactured in standardised sizes and are sold by most natural gas heater system sellers.

Troubleshooting: gas garage heater surface coating

Almost all natural gas garage heater surfaces are painted or have some kind of treatment to protect them against moisture and seepage issues such as corrosion. For this reason, it’s important to make sure that this treatment is repaired before it gets worn out completely. If you’re unable to identify exactly the kind of coating originally used, you can simply paint the surface of the unit with metallic paint. Simply enquire at a paint supply store about paints that are most suitable for resisting heated surfaces.

Troubleshooting: overloading of natural gas garage heater

In some instances, your garage heater may suffer from overload, resulting in increased utility bills. This, however, is only applicable to natural gas garage heaters in cold areas. In cold climates, water loses its heat rapidly. To combat this, wrap a thermal blanket around the tank to increase the insulation and maintain an even temperature. This will help to augment the overall life of the natural gas garage heater by decreasing unnecessary burden on the appliance.

Natural gas garage sedimentation

Even if your home has a supply of clean, treated water, it’s necessary to do a yearly de-sedimentation. This is important because trace amounts of minerals in the water get deposited within the inner surface of the tank. Sedimentation can choke the plumbing connections of the heater system. All you need to do is open it and wash it with a high-pressure garden hose.

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DIY vs hiring an expert: Should you fix your own lighting?

DIY vs hiring an expert: Should you fix your own lighting?

Hiring a professional electrician to complete electrical installations, repairs or replacements provides you with a sense of security that the job has been done properly, with lasting results. Although hiring a qualified electrician will guarantee that the job has been done perfectly, there are certain aspects of changing and updating lighting that requires a professional.

Not all lighting jobs necessarily require a qualified electrician to complete. If you feel confident in your DIY skills, there are a few minor electrical projects that you can perform yourself in your home that could save you both time and money. However, if the project you’re looking to undertake is something like wiring a ceiling light, this should be completed by a qualified electrician if you have never undertaken a task like it before.

If you’re thinking of fixing any lighting fixtures in your home, here are just a few tips to know what’s possible to do yourself, and what will require an expert.

Light fixture iconcredit

Replacing light fittings

Even if you’re not a certified electrician, replacing a simple light fitting is one of the few electrical projects you can do in your home. Fortunately, there are numerous videos and articles which will take you through step by step on how to change a light fitting. As long as you have the correct tools on hand, this is quite a simple task that does not take up too much of your time.

Outdoor lighting iconcredit

Installing outdoor lighting

If you want to brighten up the exterior of your home by adding outdoor or garden lights, this has to be completed by a qualified electrician. This project falls under the Part P of the Building Regulations in the UK, meaning that jobs that fall under this umbrella should not be carried out by anyone besides a Part P certified technician.

Illustration of an arm reaching for a light switch

Changing light switches or sockets

As functional items, most light switches tend to be basic in style, mainly made from white plastic they can look slightly plain, especially in a uniquely decorated room. Simply switching to a more decorative looking switch could be the perfect finishing touch for your home. Alternatively, you can update a current switch to one that provides multi-way control if you have a more open-plan space, or for your hallway and stairwell. Changing the light switch is a simple procedure that can be done by yourself, with the help of a few online videos if needed.

Aside from being a job that you can perform yourself, you can also purchase any parts needed from most online electrical wholesalers. Sites such as Expert Electrical provide a vast range of products from cables, switches, sockets, circuit protections and consumer units.

Illustration of an electricity socket and plug cable

Rewiring faulty sockets

The reason behind rewiring faulty sockets, and also lights is because they are tripping the fuse. Like installing outdoor lighting, rewiring faulty sockets also requires to be completed by a certified electrician. It might seem easy to ignore a faulty socket, however, if there is a more serious problem behind it, then your property could potentially be at risk of developing an electrical fire.

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