Home DIY

I do now! Thanks for the heads up, I probably wouldn't ever have tried it.

Does anybody have any experience with the one way reflective film for conservatories? I’m wondering if it could a) reduce the heat gain and b) mean I can use it for bike storage etc instead of building something in the garden

Nah but i got a loan of one for cutting channels off a electrican for a rewire job and it was fuckin great.

Soul is on commission for one of those companies. I'll see if I can find the link to stop him getting any more.

Here you go
https://www.abodewindowfilms.co.uk/product/prestige-70-ultra-2/

Advice/opinion needed.
Somebody has tried to force the door to my flat, only noticed as the mortice lock was stiff to lock and on closer inspection one of the yale screws is loose.
am only here for another month or 2 so thinking of getting an indoor camera/motion sensor and then taking it with us when we move, that flat is a bit more secure and has better locks.
This flat will be having a new fire door fitted at some point so loathe to spend on a locksmith but could fit another deadlock higher up or lower down if i buy a chisel as i already have all the other tools.
there is a door reveal which means the yale keep was a bit more secure but the latch body took the strain.
Not sure on the next step, actually its to relieve the deadlock a bit as only I have the knack to lock it and my partner can't so it doesn't get locked if she goes out and i'm not in.
whats the next step after that that doesn't eat up half the fire door budget?

Yeah they look like carpet beetles to me. Little mini ladybird looking things

Awesome, thank you

Fit a London bar?

Thought about that but there is only 15mm of the frame showing next to the keep as the door is inset and they all seem to be 20mm+ it’s the Yale lock on the door that will give out rather than the keep, there is a short kick stop bar available and this might fit over the lock rather than the keep.
I have some ply left over from bathroom and i might screw that over the damage to the door, it’s just popped the wood facing off the frame which isn’t that obvious and wouldn’t have noticed.

Might fit one of these lower down the door as we are supposed to have thumb turn exit for fire regs and it can go on the new door when fitted.
https://jwl-online.co.uk/edb5025sss-carlisle-brass-easi-t-euro-profile-british-standard-double-cylinder-and-64mm-deadlock-complete-set-satin-stainless-steel

Slightly out of my comfort zone but i have auger bits, pencil, square, tape measure and a youtube video.

I have a Bosch GTA 600 Table Saw Stand - £25 collect SE15. Doesn’t include table saw!!

https://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-gta-600-table-saw-stand/

PM if interested! Ta!

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buy a cheap video doorbell and stick it on the door so you at least get alerted if anyone is messing around.

Fit one of these?

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8841807

Might not be a deterrent to it being forced but once it's done it might scare them off

That will go off every time you enter and turn off when the door closes so not ideal,
There are a few smart home cameras with motion sensing and door/window sensors for not a lot a money which I need to investigate, I know very little about these smart home things.

I fairly sure you can turn it off when you're about and turn it on when you leave home.

Think this £30 reinforcement plate for the mortice lock will do the trick and strengthen the door

They do 3 different keyway options for that reinforcement bar:-
3/5 lever mortise lock 9600UK
Euro cylinder 9600EU
Oval cylinder 9600OV (the one you pictured)

I take it the mortise lock is just a deadbolt, and not a sashlock where you need provision for a handles and spindle
If you did, sashlock guard 9619 would suit with some through bolts to secure the handles on.
https://www.kickstop.co.uk/contents/en-uk/p3178_Kickstop-SashlockGuard---9619.html

it’s just a mortice lock, the price seems to go up if you want a traditional UK keyhole but I don’t think it matters if it’s an oval hole.
It’s the area around the yale above that’s a bit compromised but the bars for those are for the keep and that’s not going to break first with a shove, there is a short universal yale bar available that might work over the lock itself as they are the same height/depth as the keep but i’m not sure if it will clear the little button that locks the latch (evidently it’s called a snob button)

evidently it’s called a snib button)

Close^
If theres not enough space for a bar over the latch, you could bluff that theres one fitted, a bit like fitting a dummy security camera.
Get some dome head m5 coach bolts. Cut them down and glue them into shallow holes,
having the heads showing may look like there's extra reinforcement for the night latch. Especially if there's the kickstop bar over the mortise lock.

Autocorrect!? good idea about the bolts but thinking about it a bit more i might buy the generic yale bar and cut the middle of the lock section out to clear the snib button, it will still strengthen the door and a bar for each look will be a visual deterrent.

Is there a paint I can get matched to Paint & Paper Library that’ll do walls, skirting, primed boxing and primed door? Guess it has to be at least wipeable. Ideally matt though.

Probably one paint for walls and one for woodwork but it’d be great if we didn’t have yet another can of something under the stairs.

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Also, if anyone needs some nice dark blue marmoleum for cheap we have some Forbo left over.

I think there’s a Benjamin Moore product that does well on woodwork and walls. No idea if they colour match but their colour range is huge, I have been reading too many reviews on pro decorators forums..
Will see if I can find it later.

Update: Benjamin Moore Scuff-x
if you go 2 cans then Tikkurila Helmi on woodwork and whatever matt they do at the sheen level you want.

Some light diy demolition...

We had some wood panels on one wall and didn't know how far they protruded out and if it'd impact the floor we're having layed next week.

Quite satisfying

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Immediate improvement!