20 free guides for little jobs around the home, explained like a friendly tradesperson would. Now with a plain-English product chooser and DIY glossary.
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Check sizes, compatibility and quantities before purchasing.
🎨 How much wall paint?
Estimate paint for four walls. Subtract door and window areas if you know them. Always check coverage on the tin.
Assumes 10 m² per litre per coat. Extra coats or textured walls need more.
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🎨 Which product do I need?
A quick starting point for common decorating jobs. No jargon.
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and check compatibility. If the surface is damp, flaking, mouldy or suspected to contain lead paint, investigate before coating.
📖 DIY words, explained
Primer
A first coat that helps the next paint stick or seals a surface. Choose one suited to the material.
Undercoat
A preparatory paint coat used before some finishing paints, especially on woodwork.
Cutting in
Painting the edges of a wall neatly with a brush before using a roller on the main area.
Keying a surface
Lightly sanding a suitable sound surface to help the next coating adhere. Remove dust afterwards.
Caulk vs sealant
Decorators' caulk fills small dry interior gaps before painting. Suitable sanitary silicone seals wet-area joints; ordinary caulk is not a substitute.
Mist coat
A first coat used on suitable new plaster. Follow the paint manufacturer's specified dilution and preparation; not every paint should be watered down.