CrossTeam Properties Offers Advice on Home and Garden Improvements

Travertine is a natural stone which has been used for thousands of years as a building material. It has multiple applications including interior and exterior floors, walls and surfaces and can be supplied in its standard form (pitted holes and troughs) or filled and smoothed to a shiny finish.

Travertine tiles are popular with construction companies and home owners alike as they are strong and durable and will last for many years; travertine also stays cool in the summer even during intense sun light and prevents efflorescence, which is a white substance that can stain concrete and other man made materials, thus making them less desirable for a luxury style.

There are many types of travertine tile available on the market such as standard and paving tiles as well as a range of mosaic tiles including square mosaic, brick mosaic, French mosaic and mixed colour mosaics. Travertine tiles are also available in different colours from grey to red-coral which will easily suit any home.

Under tile heating is a type of underfloor heating. Underfloor heating is an efficient, relatively low cost method of heating, which contrasts with conventional forms of heating such as radiator systems or wood, gas, coal or oil burners, by emitting radiant – and thereby longer lasting – instead of convected heat.

In rooms with a tiled floor, it is common to use electric underfloor heating instead of the other most common type of water underfloor heating. Under tile heating can be either based on electric cables or mesh, or electric heating mats. Cables, mesh and mats are quite easy to install, being easy to cut into shape and size. Installation can be done on a DIY basis by use of an underfloor heating kit.

Electric heating mats are waterproof and also act as the first layer of insulation from the temperature of the ground beneath the room tiles. The benefit of using an electric heating mat is that it evenly distributes heat emission underneath the tiles.

In rooms that are being newly built, under tile heating can be an easy part of the construction process. The under tile heating mat can be rolled out, cut into shape, fitted and tiled over in a very short stretch of time. Single, double or multiple coiled heating mats can be used, depending on the requirements. In smaller spaces such as bathrooms or utility rooms, single coiled under tile heating mats may well be sufficient, whereas conservatories can require multiple coiled heating mats.

If you’re considering a significant property development project, whether with your own home or somewhere you’ve acquired to renovate, there are a few things to bear in mind before you start. Unless you’re a very accomplished all-rounder, with excellent building skills, you’ll be grappling with a lot more than DIY. You can certainly help keep costs down if you’re confident with painting and decorating and if you can stretch to plastering, too, significant savings can be made. Depending on how adventurous you aim to be, calling on the advice of architects would be a wise early move, not least because they can also advise and apply for, any planning permission you may need before you begin. Prominent extensions and major internal alterations usually require the local planning department’s approval. Unless you have the required permission for building projects that alter the form and use of the building, you’ll be breaking the law.

In addition to planning permission, you’ll need to be familiar with the relevant building regulations. These generally don’t apply to minor alterations, like repairs, a new central heating system or installing a new bathroom or kitchen. However, new extensions or changes to elevations, including significant internal renovations, like loft conversions, will require building regulation conformity. Again, architects can ensure that the legal requirements are complied with, as can chartered surveyors and master builders. You need to be prepared for all of the costs involved with the fittings for a property. The main expenses will be the kitchen, so plan for every cost from appliances to granite worktops.

Always remember that if your project affects any wall between your property and another, you’ll need to obtain a ‘party wall agreement.’ This obliges you to pay to rectify any damage to the integrity of the party wall that any building work on your part might cause. A simple motto, ‘plan before you build’.

DIY installation of underfloor heating kits has become increasingly popular over the last few decades. Electric underfloor heating became prevalent in the 1960s but was at that time somewhat difficult and costly to install. This was because electric cables were laid in thick concrete pathways within the floor.  Water underfloor heating, which had been popularised in the early twentieth century by the American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, used a system of concrete water pipes connected to the main water supply.

Nowadays however, underfloor heating DIY has become relatively straightforward, with underfloor heating kits sold in many DIY shops or online. Kits will include a full set of instructions as well as technical support options, and the material is straightforward to use and light in nature.

Electric cables, heating mats or water pipes have to be carefully placed in the selected underfloor area, with close attention to an equal distribution of the material. Electrical control wiring is a key requirement. Also, before the material is laid out it is important to measure the amount needed in order to cover the entire selected area.

When laying out water underfloor heating pipes it is important to remove air from the system before first use.  This is done in the same way as in a regular water radiator system. Testing the thermostat is also important before final use. When first using the system, it is advised to raise the temperature gradually over a number of days so as not to overload the system.

If you like to walk around your house barefoot, then you will know that the sensation of stepping on to warm tiled floors is absolute bliss. Underfloor heating feels like a real luxury. Whereas radiators heat a room through convection, allowing hot air to rise to the ceiling and then to fall as it cools, underfloor heating is much more efficient.  It radiates heat more evenly throughout a room and will keep your feet warm and the environment at the set temperature. The way that heat rises evenly throughout the whole room is very pleasant compared to the hotspots, cool zones and draughts created with traditional heating systems. Also, an underfloor heating kit is a perfect solution when you are building an extension or conservatory, as it is easier to install, doesn’t require wall space and is separately controlled.

Underfloor heating systems are controlled by programmable thermostats that control the temperature in every room, making them extremely flexible. They can be set to lower temperatures than conventional central heating to achieve the same level of comfort. The lack of radiators and pipes in a room with electric underfloor heating keeps it free from visual clutter as well as being easier to clean. This means that when designing room layouts the positioning of components such as pipes and heaters does not restrict you. Underfloor heating is hidden, but the controls are accessible for easy maintenance. Best of all, the cost of installing floor heating is comparable to, and often less than conventional systems, particularly when building or renovating a home.

Kitchen and bathroom floors covered in new stone tiles can look absolutely gorgeous, but old, cracked tiles can look like a set of crooked, broken teeth. You don’t need to be latent architects or have sophisticated building skills to get rid of an old tiled floor; your DIY skills will suffice. It’s strangely gratifying, but while painting, decorating and plastering all require a degree of patience, you can just let rip on this one.

Arm yourself with a long-handled tile scraper, lever under a tile and push. If it won’t lift easily and it really is satisfying when it does, you might have to break the tile up with a club hammer, gentle taps will do the job. Generally, though, you’ll be able to slip that strong, broad blade through the grout and push through the adhesive, bang goes another tile.

Sadly, this is rarely the end of the story. You’ll almost certainly be left with clumps and splodges of adhesive residue. The best solution is to melt them into docile mush with a hot air gun and use a stripping knife as you go to scrape the mess away. If this works, all you need to do before laying your new floor covering is seal the area with a coat of diluted PVA. If you’re out of luck and the old adhesive is too stubborn to remove, your best bet is to cover the area with a layer of plywood or hardwood and get on with setting those new tiles. You’ll end up with a DIY job that looks like real property development.

Fixing a bookshelf, bathtub or basin to a hollow wall can be a nightmare, unless you strengthen it first. Many buildings have internal ‘stud walls’, which are constructed from sheets of plasterboard fixed between timber studding. Happily, strengthening them is relatively easy; all that is needed to complete the job will be a touch of painting and decorating. You won’t need to be an architect, basic building skills will do.

To strengthen the wall, you’ll need to locate the timber studs beneath the plaster, taking care to check that there are no cables or pipes running through the area you want to work on, using a cable sensor. Work out which studs you’re going to use as upright supports for the horizontal timber bridge you’ll be using to strengthen the wall. The bridge will need to be at the correct height and of sufficient length for your fixing. Place it on the wall using a spirit level and draw an outline around it.

Drill holes into the plaster at each corner and then use a pad saw to remove the plaster between studs. Clear out the strip of plaster and recess the studs, where your bridge crosses them, using a chisel. First tap in some rows of horizontal chisel grooves to the thickness of the bridge then pare the wood out. You might need to recess your bridge, too, if it’s very thick or you’ll weaken the studs. Fix the bridge into place on the studs and screw it into position, using screws of sufficient size to carry the load. Finish off with a little plastering followed by a lick of paint and hang your fixing.

The cost of DIY underfloor heating will be less than paying to have it professionally installed, provided that you have an extensive level of DIY knowledge. After all, you do not want to end up paying tradesmen to help you, as you could well end up paying much more for your heating system

However, if you are purchasing an all-electric underfloor heating system, for example, and are happy that apart from actually connecting it to the mains you can install the rest of the system, then you will definitely save money compared with getting the professionals to do the job for you. A water underfloor heating system is always trickier, as you are dealing with plumbing and electrics, so your DIY knowledge needs to really be professional level. Obviously, if you are a plumber or electrician and are installing an underfloor heating system in your home, then by all means consider the DIY route, especially if you can still take advantage of wholesale deals.  

As far as finding the components is concerned, you should always shop around and see who is offering what. Remember, you can often get a better deal by shopping online and may find a real bargain, because some Internet based companies do not have the overheads that result from owning a shop. These companies can therefore afford to sell you the goods at reduced rates. Finally, don’t forget to include delivery costs in your price comparisons.

Usually the best products used in building and finishing for homes and commercial premises, are natural products such as travertine, which when cut and dressed to form a classy tile enhance any area into which it is fitted. Travertine tiles can be used as a flooring material, kitchen countertop and increasingly as a wall tile. Travertine tiles are increasingly used for exterior cladding and patios and the travertine tile most commonly used is a natural chipped edge version, but honed and polished travertine tiles are best if used as a wall decorative cladding.

Travertine tiles can be supplied as a mosaic; patterns include, brick, standard mosaic, French pattern and mixed colour mosaic. Travertine is a long lasting stone and its durability lends itself to all kinds of application, from private homes to commercial developments.  It provides a truly classical look and has a timeless beauty.

The natural colours of travertine make it particularly appealing and although in its purest form travertine tiles are white, but impurities can cause the colour of travertine tile to vary and to be yellow and brown. This beautiful natural stone belongs to the limestone family and because of the way it is formed; it has a unique composition which is due to water that is rich in carbon dioxide travelling through rocks, which are in limestone areas.  The water creates cavities, which give travertine tiles their special characteristics and make it so different to other natural stones, giving travertine tiles a unique appeal.

You may not be planning on moving house immediately, but improving your home in sensible ways can add significantly to the value of your property. Here are a few ideas, some DIY, some more in the field of property development.

Building a well-designed extension can add between 10% and 50% to the value of your home. Choose wisely though, if you’ve got a couple of bathrooms, but a claustrophobic kitchen, the kitchen should win as the site for extension. Adding a glass extension to a small dining area can create the enchanting effect of eating al fresco whilst being protected from the elements in centrally heated comfort. Unless it’s a major project, like adding a new storey or doubling the floor area, you won’t need to employ architects, but a good builder will be invaluable. Even if you can’t afford a new kitchen, just replacing the doors, wall tiles and worktops and installing new appliances can give it a dramatic facelift.

Replacing old, tired bathtubs, basins and WCs doesn’t necessarily involve calling in a plumber, none of these is too difficult to install if you’re not changing their locations. Replacing the tiles and flooring, too, can make the room look fabulous.

A painting and decorating facelift, both inside and outside the home, may be a little time consuming, but can have a truly dramatic effect, making your property look like a gleaming show home for relatively little cost.

Finally, if your carpets have seen better days, getting a new one; bold, funky colours and stripes are in vogue at the moment, will add a razzle-dazzle finishing touch.