| |
Posts Tagged ‘door<’
Fitting new interior doors is not as simple as it may seem. To begin with, you are dealing with “a given” in terms of the existing space and door frame. Then, the chances are that you will need to trim the new door to size too, and this could involve more than one side. Lining up the hinges and door lock can be a headache too. 
So, if you want to avoid ending up with a new door looking anything but well-fitted, consider finding a door fitter through Mr-Skill. That way, you’ll have more time to focus on something you really enjoy doing, as our expert door fitter transforms your home.
Meanwhile, we asked one of our regular London door fitters to provide some tips for the die-hard DIY types, and here’s what he has to offer:
- Don’t forget to have a spirit level handy, as well as a hammer, plane, saw and screwdriver set. You will need a chisel too, to cut the recess for the door lock, We assume, of course, that you have already bought your new door.
- When replacing a door, be sure to take the exact measurements. Check the height twice on the left and right side, and again twice for the width at the top and bottom. This will ensure that your replacement door is a good fit.
- Put the new door flush up against the framed opening of the doorway. Now position the door so the edges are flush with the frame, making sure the hinge side is plumb using the level.
- Use your hammer to gently tap some wooden wedges to support the door. You can now work out the fit of the new door and mark up exactly where it needs to be trimmed.
- Make gradual adjustments and check back to the frame – this way you will see how your new door’s shaping up.
- Once the replacement door fits correctly, you can mark up the hinge positions on the one side and the door lock on the opposite.
Our door expert jokingly says that if you haven’t hung yourself before your new door, you’re really doing well. If you find it’s all too much for you, check the Mr-Skill home page and get some door fitting quotes right there. Then, pop the kettle on and make a nice cuppa tea, while you wait for the professionals to replace your doors for you, just as you intended!
Tags: adjustment, DIY, door, door frame, door lock, find a window and door fitter, fitting, hammer, hinges, interior door, level, london window and door fitter, mark, plane, plumb, saw, screwdrivers, trim, wedges, window and door fitting quote
Posted in Window & Door Fitting | Comments Off
Building Regulations in the UK changed markedly in 2002, and the driver of these changes was energy conservation. Moreover, these changes affected all homes from the ceiling to the floor, and new rules came into being regarding insulation materials, window and door frames, and the glass too. Now you wouldn’t want to run foul of the law would you, so rather find your window-and-door-fitter here, and know that your replacements will meet the strict new standards. 
What You Need to Know
Replacement doors and windows have improved enormously since the new regulations arrived. These days, it is possible to match virtually any type of window or door, and, more importantly, you can retain the traditional look of your home in the process. Thanks to the new Building Regulations, all replacement doors and windows must comply with high thermal qualities too. Improved security and low maintenance also form part of these new-generation replacements.
Where to Find Help
Your search for registered window fitter’s ends right here on Mr-Skill. Our members are all pre-screened, and they are ready to assist you right away. The good news is that they are offering incredible deals, with up to 30% off normal prices at the moment. Get your window-and-door-fitting quote without delay, safe in the knowledge that our members are fully compliant with latest Building Regulations, and will obtain the necessary consent for you.
Insist on Compliant Replacements 
Your new doors and windows must fully meet requirements laid down in the latest rules. Mr-Skill is aware that certain operators – and a number of DIY applications – do not meet these strict new standards. These illegal fitters will not likely be around when your property sells one day, and the solicitors request the specific certification for your new doors and windows.
Pence Sense and Pound Sound
One of our long-standing London window-and-door-fitters is very proud of the high standards now applying to replacement fittings. When you think it through, it can only benefit each household as homes become more efficient, thermally speaking. That means real cool in summer, and warm as fresh toast in winter! Plus the bills will look better too!
Tags: building regulations, ceiling, compliant, consent, door, door fitter, energy efficient, find a window and door fitter, floor, incredible deals, london window and door fitter, memebers, Mr Skill, new doors, new windows, registered fitters, standards, window, window and door fitting quote, window fitter
Posted in Window & Door Fitting | Comments Off
There’s nothing quite as annoying as having a badly-fitting outside door, especially on a winter’s day when there’s gale outside. It’s amazing how much harder central heating has to work, and what this costs. Don’t just sit back and accept this. Either Get Door Fitting Quotes on Mr-Skill, or have a crack at it yourself.
 Draught-Proofing Strips – The handiest solutions are the rolls of sticky-backed foam that hardware stores all sell. The upside is that the result is instantaneous. The downside is they soon wear out. At best, this is a cheap stop-gap measure.
Sealing Door Bottoms – Gaps at the bottom of doors are a common problem where tiles have replaced a thick-pile carpet. You could try a draught-excluder, although in my experience these don’t always work particularly well. My advice would be to Find a Door Fitter and ask them to attach a matching piece to the bottom of the door. That way the problem should go away, permanently.
While You’re At It - Check out other suspect areas by holding a burning candle near the letterbox and keyhole. Flaps and keyhole covers become sticky and it’s in human nature to adapt to almost anything. It could be an idea to check all the other doors and windows too. You never know what’s there until you look.
 Safety Warning – When I mentioned that I was writing this, my friend the London Door Fitter who hangs out in Charing Cross whistled sharply. I think I may have mentioned him before. Don’t make the place completely airtight, he grumbled. Air still needs to move around the house especially when your central heating and gas appliances are working.
This information comes to you with compliments of Mr-Skill. That’s the matchmaker website that connects customers with tradespeople. Use us with confidence anytime you like. We only recommend first-class craftspeople whose rates are reasonable too. You can trust them to get the job done properly.
Tags: airtight, appliance, bad, bottom, carpet, cheap, door, doot fitting quotes, draught, exclude, find a door fitter, fit, foam, gale, gap, heat, key, keyhole, letterbox, london door fitter, outside, roll, tile, window, winter
Posted in Window & Door Fitting | Comments Off
More UK residents are adding the WOW-Factor to their homes every year, by replacing unsightly French Doors with Bi-Folding Doors in PVCu,  Timber or Aluminium. That’s because not only do they open all the way in glorious summer. They’re also among the snuggest fits available in winter too. And this gives you the best of both worlds when you need them.
While most people prefer to Find a Door Fitter on Mr-Skill to fit Bi-Folds to existing openings, the brave could possibly install these by themselves. If contemplating this yourself, please do offset the risks of inadvertent damage against the savings on the labour. The following are criteria you may like to consider when specifying Door Fitting Quotes instead
- Standard Sizes – If your opening is slightly oversized, consider lining it with appropriate material to take up the gap, and pre-empt requiring an expensive special order
 Slim Sightlines – How much clear vision will the frame sacrifice? You need to get as close to unobstructed as possible, albeit within constraints
- Thresholds – Do you require low-maintenance flush-fitted thresholds, or those recessed for outdoor weatherproofing?
- Locking – What level of security is wise? Locks are not all that expensive. Think ahead here – it could be time for an upgrade
The secret to a successfully trouble-free Bi-Fold Door installation – as any London Window Fitter knows – is a completely square and plumb installation. We cannot over-emphasise the need for this. If in any doubt at all of your ability to achieve this, why not rather seek Expert Advice instead? We’ll introduce you to a skilled and rated tradesperson, absolutely free to you.
Tags: aluminium, bi-fold, bi-folding, bifold, bifolding, clear, close, damage, door, door fitting quote, find a door filler, flush, gap, line, lining, lock, london window fitter, open, opening, outdoor, over-size, oversize, plumb, pvcu, saving, security, snug, square, threshold, timber, uPVC, vision, wide, window, wood
Posted in Window & Door Fitting | Comments Off
 A good London Decorator will tell you that keeping mould at bay is as simple as not creating an environment in which it flourishes. The problem is of course that we share a liking for similar humidity and temperature levels, which is where the problem begins.
Mould is a fungus that spreads across almost any surface, sowing spores everywhere it goes. It’s not poisonous. In fact it’s not dangerous at all. But it is unsightly and nobody likes to see it. It flourishes in warm damp conditions where the temperature is above 70-Degrees Fahrenheit, and the Relative Humidity over 70% too.
- When you shower, open a bathroom window to keep the temperature and humidity down.
- If you can’t stand the idea, then open it before you leave the bathroom, closing the door behind you as you go.
 This is not to say you won’t still get mould on your bathroom ceiling though. You’ll just have to do the following less frequently. If you don’t, you’ll need to Find a Decorator to eventually clear up the mess.
- Wipe away the mould using a damp cloth. Get rid of all of it.
- Sterilize the ceiling using a fungicidal barrier from a mould eradication kit.
- Next time you are looking for a Decorating Quote, specify a fungicidal additive added to the paint.
Now was that really all that complicated? Just another service from Mr-Skill. Your provider of tradesperson quotes at no charge at all.
Tags: damp, decorating quote, door, environment, eradicate, eradication kit, find a decorator, fungicide, humid, london decorator, moist, mold, mould, shower, spores, temperature, warm, window, wipe
Posted in Painting & Decorating | Comments Off
Posted in Kitchen Fitting on Dec 19
London Kitchen Fitters are an astute lot, and the first thing they’ll ask when invited to quote is usually, have you got a plug for it? That’s because if they find you don’t, then they’ll have to come back a second time when they’ve already quoted a set price. Here’s how you might be able to go about the job yourself. If you don’t want to though, you can always Find a Kitchen Fitter on Mr-Skill right here.
• Decide where you want the under counter freezer to go. Everything is modular these days – if you have a modern kitchen  most freezers will fit into the space behind a cupboard door. Make sure you allow an inch of free-space all around when measuring. That’s for air circulation, and to get your hands in to pull it out again for cleaning.
• Have the power supply installed. This is usually on the wall behind the freezer which should have sufficient cable length supplied. Don’t get clever with electricity though. Find an Electrician to do the job.
• Purchase your under counter freezer. Base your decision on three factors. These are appearance, energy efficiency and usable capacity. Does it have a drain for when you decide to defrost it, and finally, is the electric cable going to be long enough?
• Prepare for installation. The electrician may have removed the cupboard door and any shelves. If not, then now’s the time to do so. HINT The door and shelf make useful spares. Keep them, don’t chuck them away.
 • Inspect the under counter freezer. Unwrap your new appliance carefully and check for any damage. Plug it in to see if it starts up, then turn it off again and unplug it. Remove it from the packaging completely, and set it down near the opening where you can make sure that it’s perfectly level.
• Now finally install it. Plug in the appliance again, and gently slide it into the cavity taking care not to snag the cable as it goes in. Then turn it on. That’s all folks. You did it yourself. Congratulations!
Now that sounds easy, doesn’t it? But sometimes the cavity is too small or the kitchen floor uneven. When that happens there’s no need to despair. That’s because you can get Incredible Kitchen Fitting Quotes right here, and not pay a penny for them either.
Tags: air circulation, appearance, appliance, cable, capacity, cavity, door, drain, electrician, electricity, energy, find a kitchen fitter, freezer, install, kitchen, kitchen fitting quote, level, london kitchen fitter, modular, package, plug, power, remove, shelf, shelves, space, supply, turn on, under counter, undercounter
Posted in Kitchen Fitting | Comments Off
While replacing glass in a UPVC door (or window) is something professionals usually do, there may be times when you have to do the job yourself – like over the Christmas break.  You could do the job yourself provided you can lay your hands on a suitable pane of glass, but do wear gloves and work carefully. At other times it makes far more sense to Find a Window Fitter on Mr-Skill.
- Examine the door frame around the damaged glass to determine from which side it was fitted. One side will have an unbroken line over a strip of rubber. On the other side there will be four pieces of beading that clip in to hold the glass.
- Take up a sharp putty knife or paint scraper and work it under a bottom or a side piece of bead. Hold your other hand out of the way in case the tool slips. Carefully prise out the bottom and side beads, except the top one which will still be holding the glass in place.
 Have an assistant hold the glass in the door frame while you take out the top bead. Hold the pane on both sides while you gently lower it out. Be careful! Wear gloves. The edges will be razor sharp!
- Install the replacement pane in the reverse order, taking care not to crack the glass by applying too much pressure. London Window Fitters often use the trick of applying a little dishwashing soap to the recess in the window frame, when pressing in the final bead.
Under normal circumstances we would recommend that you get Window Fitting Quotes instead and perhaps on Mr-Skill too. That’s because you run the risk of injuring yourself, if for no other reason than that the job may be a little bit unfamiliar to you.
Tags: bead, beading, bottom, broken, clip, crack, damage, dishwash, door, find a window fitter, fit, frame, glass, harm, injure, install, knife, london window fitter, pane, pressure, prise, quadrant, replace, rubber, scraper, sheet, side, soap, strip, top, uPVC, window, window fitting quote(s)
Posted in Window & Door Fitting | Comments Off
Posted in Carpentry & Joinery on Dec 07
While Carpenters generally speaking cut and finish wooden planks before assembling them with screws and nails, Joiners put more detailed work together using a combination of joints, wooden dowels and glue. Another difference is that Carpenters generally work on site, while you’ll more often Find a Joiner plying their trade in a workshop.
 When you look around your home or office you’ll find considerable evidence of the fascinating art of Joinery:
- A wooden staircase rising to an upper level is the ultimate statement of a gracious interior. If you have a fine piece of architectural woodwork like this, you could be well-advised to contact a leading London Joining Firm if it needs repair so it’s not accidentally ruined.
- Furniture with exposed frames, like most dining-room and some lounge suites are often classic examples of a Joiner’s art. Dowels taken from the same piece of wood are frequently almost invisible. If you spot an antique leather-topped desk in a showroom or second-hand corner shop, consider it carefully because these things are vanishing.
 Better-quality wooden doors, and wooden door and window frames are the work of trained Joiners too, and rely on joints that you can spot when you look carefully. It is these joints that give them the extra strength they need, when a gust of wind unexpectedly slams them closed.
Joiners provide a service to several different market sectors, where their different titles may be confusing. Cabinet Makers make storage furniture like shelves and cupboards; Shop Fitters create display and service points; Boat Builders finish off the interiors of yachts, and so on. The common denominator is the care they take, and their love of wood.
When you advertise a woodworking job on Mr-Skill that you need attending to, it is always a good idea to indicate the trade you need. Use key phrases like simple carpentry job, or needs a person experienced in making joints. That way you’re more likely to find the right person to provide you with the Joiner Quote you want.
Tags: antique, architect, boat builder, cabinet maker, care, carpenter, desk, dining, Dining Room, door, dowel, find a joiner, frame, glue, gracious, home, joiner, joiner quote, joint, leather, london joining firm, lounge, love, nail, office, plank, repair, screw, service, shop fitter, stair, staircase, strength, window, wood, wooden, workshop
Posted in Carpentry & Joinery | Comments Off
Posted in Carpentry & Joinery on Nov 08
Bedroom fitters seem to find it necessary to install cupboards from the wall to ceiling. While this makes sense in terms of managing the dust on top, customers often end up with storage space that looks more like the inside of a church steeple. The solution? Add a space below for storing shoes, or above for keeping what almost inevitably turns out to be junk.
 I personally don’t have much time for using the plastic shelf blocks that seem all the rage these days. That’s because they involve point contact and it’s difficult to get them aligned perfectly. Moreover, in these times of chipboard everything, an overloaded shelf can easily come crashing down.
The following is what Professional London Carpenters still prefer to do:
• Remove the cupboard doors for ease of access and to avoid straining hinges. Measure the internal depth of the cupboard from front to back at both left and right. While you’re at it, measure the cupboard internally from left to right too. Enter the information on a drawing, because in all the years of providing Carpentry Quotes I have seldom come across a cupboard that’s perfectly square.
• Ask the hardware store to cut a shelf to size and to cut battens to support it on the left and right too. Make sure they also supply half-a-dozen screws of the appropriate length.
•  Pre-drill the battens in the middle and towards either end. Fix the first one in the middle only and set it horizontal with a spirit level. Draw a pencil line along the bottom edge and fit the other two screws accordingly.
• Measure from the top or bottom of the cupboard to determine where the second batten should go. Screw it into place, again just using the middle hole. Test fit the shelf in place. It should be level and fit snugly so you can complete the installation and replace the doors. If not, you may need to make adjustments.
You could also save yourself a heap of trouble and get Highly Competitive Carpentry Quotes on Mr-Skill instead. We have carpenters at every UK postcode. They’re on standby to fit that shelf for you, and much more.
Tags: battem, bedroom, block, bottom, carpentry quotes, chipboard, complete, cupboard, cut, door, drill, dust, find a carpenter, fit, hinge, horizontal, length, london carpenters, measure, plastic, remove, replace, screw, shelf, shoe, size, snug, spirit level, square, storage, strain, support, test, top, vertical, weight
Posted in Carpentry & Joinery | Comments Off
Posted in Locksmith on Nov 07
There’s nothing quite as unnerving as arriving home from holiday, and finding you’ve either lost your key or the front door lock refuses to budge. This unfortunately boils down to a lack of care or just stupidity. I can say that, because I’ve been guilty of these oversights myself when I was younger.
 Lost Keys – The solution is as simple as people’s failure follow it is incredulous. Leave a spare set of keys with a good friend you trust, so they can visit your home from time to time too. That way, you may never need to Find a Locksmith at such an inconvenient hour.
Jammed Locks – It’s a funny old thing, isn’t it? We update our ant-virus databases and we even sometimes mow our garden lawns. Yet we leave our essential door and window locks to take care of themselves completely, when all you need to do is the following:
• Lubricate all your exterior door locks with a puff of graphite powder (not oil because that will attract the dirt and dust). Lock and unlock them several times to work the lubricant in. If the lock is exposed to the elements and seldom used, consider taping over the outside keyhole with a piece of weatherproof tape to keep the moisture out.
•  The advice of every London Locksmith and all others lock repairers too is to take action as soon as a lock starts giving trouble. If you can open the door or window you could change the lock yourself. At the least you could possibly avoid paying overtime rates.
• Inspect your keys monthly for signs of damage, and never, ever use worn ones. That’s because a broken piece of key can be impossible to remove, necessitating an expensive repair.
Whatever else you do please do not overlook the need to maintain your locks. Did we mention you can get Locksmith Quotes on Mr-Skill too? You’ll find the rates more than competitive and our service exemplary. Isn’t that good to know. Remember that in times of trouble we’re here for you.
Tags: break, broken, budge, care, change, damage, door, element, find a locksmith, friend, graphite, inspect, jam, key, lock, locksmith quotes, london locksmith, lose, lost, lubricate, maintain, moisture, oil, powder, rate, remove, replace, solution, spare, stuck, tape, weather, window, work
Posted in Locksmith | Comments Off
|
Subscribe to our RSS Feed