Home-DzineIDEAS AND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR HOME

March 2013

online

Craft • DIY • Food • Green • Home Decor & Design

HappyEasterHappyEaster

8 GREEN BUILDINGNew homes or home renovations

Home-Dzine Online is written and compiled by Janice Anderssen. All projects in this issue, or any other issue, remain the property of Home-Dzine and Janice Anderssen, or the respective copyright holders, and may not be copied or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission.

This year the DIY Divas get to take a break from Homemakers Expo, aaaaah ! More time to focus on this month’s issue of the magazine. I have been wanting to do some features on ‘green’ and ‘sustainability’ for some time, and here’s my chance. Having just finished reading a couple of fiction booksthat look at how the Earth could be if we don’t do something now made me realise that we don’t do enough and before we know it, it could be too late.

Enjoy!

Janice

a word or two

5 POWER UP YOUR PATIODual-purpose solar panels

11COST EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONSChanges you can make NOW

13GREEN HEATING & COOLINGIdeas for a home

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14 EASTER CELEBRATIONColourful paper lanterns

16 DIY DESK OR DRESSING TABLEMake it over a weekend

25 HOME IMPROVEMENTFix up chipped corners on walls

29 DIY CLOSET CHALLENGEUsing wasted space

33 BROKEN WINDOWSReplace them yourself

36 WEATHERPROOF & INSULATEwith glass

45 HIDE UGLY PLUG ADAPTORSAn aesthetic and childproofing solution 38

48 SUSTAINABILITY OUTDOORSBe more eco-conscious in your garden

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KZN’s finest décor, design and lifestyle expo themed ‘bliss’ promises to provide plenty of design and décor ideas and inspiration, a showcase of the latest decor trends as well as lots to buy and loads of practical know-how.

Decorex Durban’s customary demo’s and how to’s promise to inspire a whole new approach to home living and a variety of trendy pop-up restaurants mean visitors are guaranteed a great day out.

21– 24 March 2013

Trade Day – Friday 22nd

10am – 8pm (6pm on Sunday)

Durban Exhibition Centre

Adults R60

Students/Pensioners R50

Kids U12 R10

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decor and design

power upYOUR PATIO!

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ABOVE: This unique photovoltaic solar system serves a dual purpose: The system is mounted on a frame to provide a patio roof, as well as a solar array.

If you are planning to do home renovations, building a new home, or just looking for an option to add a roof to your patio, this unique way of mounting a photovoltaic panels allows you to add a roof to a patio and power your home with solar energy. All the necessary wiring is hidden within the structural beams to add to the aesthetics. This type of canopy system helps overcome some problems associated with traditional solar systems, such as roof penetrations, access to roofing material under panels, andgeneral aesthetic issues.

power upYOUR PATIO!

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Due to the fact that these panels are bi-facial, they can capture reflectedsunlight from the bottom of the array and actual power production can exceed the rated power production of each panel by 30%.

Another benefit is that15% of the natural light penetrates through the panel, thus enhancing the atmosphere and look of the patio.

Although I have done a bit of research locally, I haven’t come across any similar designs here in South Africa. If there are any enterprising DIY-ers reading this who are looking for a challenge, here’s a project that would benefit many South Africans.

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Green building is growing in popularity across the world, yet South Africa lacks a strong movement in the area. This is surprising to me, as green buildings are designed to use less energy and water, are healthier for occupants, and can last longer than normal buildings. Not only is it currently possible to create homes that are environmentally responsible, but it can be cost-effective to do so.

The first step in planning for a greenbuilding is during the design stage and involves the placement of the home. Whenever building or remodelling, you want to take advantage of unique site conditions – like shade trees and mature landscaping – and minimise disturbance to the site. In my case, the location of the existing structure limited the design

possibilities, but I was able to position the addition around a large pine tree in the rear of the property.

Product selection is an important aspect of building a green home and it is easiest to plan for the use of environmentally friendly products during the planning process – prior to construction.

One of the main monetary benefits ofliving in an energy efficient green home isthe low electric bill. The savings became apparent after receiving my first electricbill and have continued since then. To achieve these savings, I focused on five areas of potential for improving theenergy efficiency of a home, includingthe selection and design of: insulation, high efficiency air conditioning, solar

BUILDINGgreen

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water heating, energy star appliances, and high efficiency lighting. Some ofthese products cost less than standard building products, but others did cost more. However, several of the more expensive materials had payback periods of less than three years. The fiveareas are tied closely to the each other and all contribute to the reduction in electric consumption and cost.

Water conservation and storm water management also led to environmental benefits and monetary savings throughseveral cost-effective investments during construction. Surprisingly, most water in residential settings is used for irrigation. For this reason, the proper design of the landscape and irrigation system is critical. I focused on the use of drought-

The green features are not the first thing you noticewhen looking at my home. Originally built in 1967,

I completely gutted the home and re-designed the style to make it marketable.

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to a reduction in water use and a smaller impact upon the environment.

Many green building techniques are currently cost-effective and provide environmental and monetary savings for years to come. It is important for homebuyers to ask about the ‘green’ features of houses that they are interested in. The costs of electricity and water consumption can easily be estimated and should be accounted for when purchasing a home. Even if you are undertaking a renovation on your existing home, think about your green options – some can save you money and help protect the environment.

When remodelling or building, ask your contractor to design and build you a green home.

tolerant and indigenous plants, along with an irrigation system that is zoned according to the water requirements of the different plants. The efficient designof the landscaping and irrigation system is increasingly important, as watering restrictions become more stringent. I also incorporated a vegetable garden and a compost pile to help recycle materials. To improve storm water retention and reduce runoff, I installed a pervious paver driveway that allows water to percolate back into the ground instead of running into the City’s storm water system. I was able to reduce water consumption within the home through the central placement of the water heater and also the use of high efficiency fixtures anddual-flow toilets. The combination of awell-planned landscape and thoughtful selection of plumbing fixtures contribute

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Take a look at the benefitsof building a green home, or renovating an existing home to incorporate green design, and see for yourself the benefits:

Reduced water consumption and lower water bills:

• High efficiency taps

• Dual-flow toilet system

• Efficient shower system

• Drought-tolerant landscaping

• Timed and zoned irrigation system

• Rainwater collection

Reduced electricity consumption and lower electric bills:

• Solar water system

• Energy star rated appliances

• Home insulation and weatherproofing

• Energy efficient lighting

COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS

Look at the option of installing a solar heated

geyser.

Install a dual-flush toilet or update yourexisting toilet to dual-flush.

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Healthier environment:

• Environmentally friendly building materials

• Use of low VOC paints and fittings

• Compost and vegetable garden

Make use of environmentally-friendlymaterials such as composite decking.

Rainwater harvesting by means of collection tanks can save you a lot of money if you use for watering your garden and vegetable patch, as well as for cleaning your car.

Think sustainability and renewabilitywhen choosing materials for your home build or renovation.

Replace taps and shower head with modern water-efficient fittings.

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Building a new home or remodelling an old one is a great opportunity to be able to design to limit the amount of energy you need to use on air conditioning. By following solar passive design principles, installing insulation and by shading your home you can make your home more energy efficient and can then minimisethe size of the air conditioner needed. Also bear in mind that for every degree above 20°C that you set the thermostat, you use around 15% more energy to maintain that temperature.

Using ceiling fans might not be a substitute for good passive design, but when you’ve exhausted your design pallet a cooling fan can make the difference between loving summers and loathing them. Ceiling fans should be the first choice over evaporative coolers andair conditioners, for reasons of energy efficiency and cost savings.

Wood can be an excellent fuel when sustainably harvested. However, air pollution from wood fires and thetransport of firewood to urban areas areenvironmentally detrimental. If you have a wood heater, use only sustainably-harvested wood to avoid habitat destruction and rare species extinction, and do not use treated timbers that may give off toxic pollutants when burned.

Solar hydronic heating warms your home by taking advantage of an environmentally friendly energy source - the sun. Hydronic systems are one of

the oldest methods of heating. It refers to a selection of technologies using water as a heat transfer mechanism including solar geysers, underfloor heating andradiators.

One of the best ways to save money on energy bills is to insulate your home. Insulation is like a barrier, preventing heat passing in and out of the house. By reducing heat flow you can maintaina comfortable temperature inside, regardless of the temperature outside.

With a little strategically placed shading, you can block up to 90% of all heat coming through your windows and still enjoy the view. Shade structures can range from awnings to eaves, shutters, shade sails or trees.

Poorly planned or wrongly sized windows can either let in unwanted heat, or hamper the flow of fresh air into yourhome.

Tinted glass is coloured glass that acts like sunglasses to reduce the amount of heat and light entering your home. Reflective glass has a coating thatreflects heat and light away from thewindow.

Double-glazed windows are window units with two panes of glass and a sealed air gap in between. These are far superior to single-glazed windows for insulating your home.

Heating and cooling are the most energy hungry activities in a home. Effectively managing your household’s heating and cooling can save you a lot of money. Find out more about household heating and cooling solutions that can make a big difference all year round

GREENER OPTIONS TO HEAT & COOL

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EASTER CELEBRATIONvia martha stewart

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Make your own colourful lighting or display for an Easter celebration with a paper shade, some cut out circles of coloured crepe paper and a roll of clear sellotape.

Starting at the bottom of your shade, start sticking the circles onto the paper shade, overlapping the shapes as your work around.

Only apply a strip of sellotape at the top of each circle, so that when you lift up the shade the circles hang down nicely.

Continue applying cut circles all the way to the top of the lantern and, voila... a colourful shade for above your table.

FIND MORE EASTER PROJECTS, CRAFTS AND RECIPES ON THE HOME-DZINE WEBSITE

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diy project

I was finally asked to makeone of these elegant desks for a client of Shabby-Chic.co.za. The request was actually for a dressing table for her daughter, but the design of this piece of furniture allows you to use it as a desk or dressing table.

diyDESK orDRESSING TABLE

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YOU WILL NEED

16mm PG Bison SupaWood (SW)12mm PG Bison SupaWood (SW)44 x 44mm PAR pineWood glueWood fillerMedium panel pins4 drawer pulls or knobsPlascon Polvin - whiteAcrylic sealer or antique wax400-, 1200-grit sandpaper

TOOLSDrill/Driver + assorted bitsCountersink bitsOrbital sander + asstd sanding padsJigsaw and clean-cut jigsaw bladesTape measure and pencil

QTY W L Material Item1 120 880 16mm SW Cubby base1 120 900 16mm SW Cubby top6 120 120 16mm SW Cubby sides1 200 860 16mm SW Cubby back1 500 1000 16mm SW Desk top1 500 1000 16mm SW Desk base4 110 408 16mm SW Desk inner supports2 110 352 16mm SW Desk sides2 110 840 16mm SW Desk front/back panel4 44 x 44 760 pine Legs4 118 248 12mm SW Cubby drawer front/back4 118 96 12mm SW Cubby drawer sides2 224 96 12mm SW Cubby drawer base4 338 68 12mm SW Desk drawer front/back4 384 68 12mm SW Desk drawer sides2 314 384 12mm SW Desk drawer base

CUTTING LIST

The desk was made using 12mm &16mm PG Bison

SupaWood, which was painted with Plascon Polvin using a

Bosch PFS spray system.

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GOOD TO KNOW

Select the straightest pieces of PAR pine for the legs, making sure there are no knots in

the timber.

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HERE’S HOW:

Step 1 (Pg 9)Measure and mark all the pieces for the cubby section of the desk to drill pilot holes for quick and easy assembly.

Step 2 (Pg 10)On the underside of the desk top, measure and mark the top section as shown below. The guides and supports are mounted by drilling pilot holes, countersinks and driving screws through the top.

Step 3 (Pg 10)Attach the legs to the guides with wood glue and screws. Drill pilot holes through the pine legs and board and countersink.

Step 4 (Pg 11)Before mounting the front desk panel, measure, mark and cut out openings for the drawers.

Step 5 (Pg 11)Cut the desk base out to fit around legsand then mount and secure; drill pilot holes, countersink and drive screws through the desk base.

Step 6Fill all holes with wood filler; leave todry and then sand smooth with 180-grit sandpaper. While waiting for wood fillerto dry, sand all cut edges with 240-grit sandpaper until smooth and shiny.

Note: I didn’t taper the legs, but you can easily do this with a jigsaw or tablesaw.

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Step 7The drawers are made by gluing together all sections and tapping in a few panel pins for added strength.

FinishingIf you are using a Bosch PFS spray system, paint the drawers separately, placingthem on a board to raise them and make it easier to spray all around in one go.

BOSCH PFS 65 SPRAY SYSTEMWe use the PFS 65 for all projects that require a professionalfinish. It’s easy to use and easy to clean.

The drawer bottoms are not sprayed, as this needs to be smooth for easy sliding in and out of the drawers.

After spraying the desk, use 180-grit sand-paper to remove paint overspray from inside the drawer cavity.

For a professional finish I normallyapply a slightly watered down base coat, followed by 2 coats of paint.

Once dry, this is sanded down with 400-grit sandpaper before two more coats of paint are applied.

Once dry, the surface receives a further sanding with 1200-grit

sandpaper and then a final coat of clearacrylic sealer. Alternatively, if you prefer a matt finish, apply Woodoc antique wax.

BUY EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR THIS PROJECT

AT YOUR LOCAL BUILDERS WAREHOUSE

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Mobelli’s Pop Foam Bags literally pop as you take them out of their vacuum-sealed pack. The Pop Foam Bags are filled withcompressed foam, which ensures they maintain their shape at all times.

Easy to hold with a built in handle, the Pop Foam Bags can effortlessly be moved from the patio to the poolside.

The 300gm polyester UV coated waterproof fabric ensures Pop Foam Bags last longer in the sun and are able to withstand water splashes and wet costumes.

Available in two sizes, Pop Foam Bags can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Choose from five vibrant colour ways- purple, lime, orange, beige and chocolate - in the adult range, or blue and pink in the kiddies range.

Cost:R 1,600.00 large Pop Foam Bag R 699.00 small Pop Foam Bag

For more information on Mobelli: www.mobelli.co.za or call 0861662355

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If your house is anything like mine, you have chipped corners where the plaster has been bumped, uneven plaster finishand walls that aren’t quite straight.

I am tired of fixing up thechips and dents that are a part of everyday life with two grown boys and their overgrown toys.

To prevent these accidents from happening in the future I have decided to frame all the corners, doorways and door frames in my home. It will not only protect the corners, but having already started the project - it really looks good and adds a more finishedtouch to the areas being tackled.

ABOVE: I have a double-storey house and one passageway runs beneath the stairs. This area has quite a few doors leading off it and because of the constricted space it’s always prone to chipped edges on the corners of the walls.

F ix uPCHIPPED CORNERS

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In this issue I’m going to show you how to clad the corners, as I haven’t yet started on the door frame surrounds.

Step 1Use a tape measure and pencil to mark up all the sides, corners and doorways that you want to clad and write all the details on a piece of paper. I found it easier to give each piece a number and write that number onto the wall with a pencil. When it comes to fitting the panels, at least youknow which one goes where.

Step 2Apply No More Nails adhesive to the back of each panel. This adhesive has a fair amount of tack and will hold nicely in place until it dries.

Step 3When measuring up make sure you allow for any skirtings or areas that you need to cut out. Mark these details onto the specific panels.

Step 4Each upright panel is cut to be level with the bottom edge of the doorway and then a panel is mounted on top of this. As you can see the adhesive didn’t quite hold the top panel in place, so I had to make a plan to keep it there until the glue dried.

Note: Don’t stress too much about any small gaps as these can be filled quite easily withacrylic sealer.

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Step 5Use acrylic sealer to fill in any gaps so thatyou have a perfectly smooth finish beforepainting. Have a damp cloth handy to wipe away any excess before the sealer dries... and it dries quickly !

Step 6Although the frames for the passage are fairly plain, I added more detail to the panel frames around the bathroom doorway.

To add the detailing I used strips of moulding and trim, as well as a piece of extruded polystyrene crown moulding. I’m really impressed with how good it looks.

Step 7Once all the panels have been added and you have filled in the gaps, you can startpainting. I used Plascon Wood Primer for the first coat and then rolled on PlasconVelvaglo in white to paint all the panels.

I used Velvaglo because it will be easy to wipe clean and will also protect the finish.

I will use this same method to add panels around the steel door frames to improve their appearance and also have a much nicer finish.

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The Dremel 3000 is the perfect all-round multitool. The Dremel 3000 is the ideal tool for users that like to carry out detailed tasks, such as cutting, sanding, engraving etc, whether occasionally or regularly.

Owning a Dremel MultiTool means that you have a handy tool that is easy to use for hundreds of tasks and projects in and around the home. I’m embarrassed to say that my own home has been lacking in attention for quite a while, as I focus on other projects. But the time has come to get down to fixing up details, and in this issue youwill see that I am framing walls and doorways. Before I frame the doorways I need to fix them up, and my Dremel MultiTool came in handy for sanding down chipped paintto ensure a smooth finish once re-painted.

THE HANDY TOOLTHAT DOES IT ALL !

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When you have a home built-off plan, or buy a built home, you normally end up with closets that are boring and basic.Melamine doors over a hanging rail or deep, deep shelves. The problem with deepshelves is that you end up with small pilesof clothes that only fill half the space to allowyou to find what you need.

CLOSET CHALLENGE

diyI am fed up with my closets and have previously mentioned that I want to do something to get them more organised.

In the January issue of Home-Dzine Online I showed how I re-faced the edges and painted the doors, and this month I am solving a storage dilemma by cutting the doors in half and adding shelves.

This is an easy DIY project that will give you much more storage space without taking up any more room.

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1. Remove the doors and use a jigsaw and clean-cut or laminate cutting blade to cut off as much as you need to. I cut off the bottom section of the doors - just below the level of a shelf.

2. Measure up and mark for mounting new shelves to support the drawers. I have enough space for 3 drawers - each 30cm high. This will allow plenty of storage space.

3. Have someone hold the shelves in place while you mark where to mount the brackets and then drill pilot holes to make it easier to mount the shelves.

4. Here are the three new shelves that will support the drawers. I used PG BisonBord for the shelves, as the drawer fronts will covered up any bare edges. Or add an edging strip if you prefer.

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5. Each drawer is made of PG Bison 12mm SupaWood. This is light enough to be able to pull in and out easily, yet still thick enough to provide strong drawers.

6. After cutting the drawer fronts I added detail with 3mm SupaWood strips to create a frame around the board. The strips were glued on with No More Nails adhesive and left to dry.

7. The drawer fronts were painted with Plascon Kitchen & Bathroom paint to match the already painted doors. Use a foam roller on all flat surfaces and asmall paintbrushes around the frame edges.

8. After using double-sided tape to position and align the drawer fronts, and to hold the fronts in place, they were fastened with screws through the inside of the drawer itself.

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The previous two shelves have now been replaced with 3 deep drawers that can easily be accessed, allowing far more storage without taking up any more space.

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Broken windows happen but there’s no need to panic when you need to fix abroken window, because many Builders Warehouse stores now offer a glass cutting service.

So you can pop into Builders Warehouse to have your glass cut while collecting a few other items you will need to replace a window pane:

YOU WILL NEED:

Window puttyPanel pinsPaint scraperPaintbrushScrewdriverHammerHeavy-duty glovesSafety goggles

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brokenGLASS

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PREPARATION

Because you will be working with glass, it is essential that you wear thick gloves and safety goggles or glasses.

It’s also a good idea to put down a dropcloth or sheet to catch any glass shards.

Step 1On a wooden window frame you will need to remove the small stiles around the window frame that hold the glass in place. More often than not these are pinned in place and the easiest way to remove is to insert a screwdriver down the sides and bottom and lever it out. Be gentle - you don’t want to break the stile.

On a steel window frame you can start by removing the old putty around the frame with a paint scraper. Over time the putty becomes brittle and easy to break away.

Step 2 Remove the stile or putty completely from all sections around the frame to make it easier to remove the old glass pane.

Step 3Carefully pull out any small shards, being extra careful if the glass is broken at the bottom but the top section still remains in place. There’s always a chance that the top section can still drop down.

Lift the glass away from the frame and dispose of safely by wrapping in newspaper or placing in an old cardboard box.

If you are removing a large pane of glass, have someone on hand to help

you lift out the pane.

Step 4Use a paint scraper to remove any remaining putty that is left behind. You want a nice clean bed for the new putty.

Step 5Use a paintbrush or vacuum cleaner to clean away the debris before continuing.

Step 6Open the packet of putty and roll into long, small sausages that will fit nicelyinto the frame and onto the sides. This will provide a firm bedding for the new glass.Don’t leave any gaps, as this can cause a weakness in the glass and also allow draughts through. The putty should be about 3 to 4mm thick on the back and side of the frame.

Now you are ready to bed the glass. Starting at the bottom, place the glass on the putty in the frame and gently lift up to position the glass within the frame. Gently press down on the sides, top and bottom (not the centre of the glass) to squeeze out any excess putty and then wipe this away.

Step 7For wooden window frames, re-insert the wooden stiles and use a hammer to tap in panel pins until the frame is secure.

For steel window frames, add another sausage roll around the frame and then use a paint scraper or putty knife to smooth out the surface to a slight angle away from the glass to the frame edge.

ImportantAllow the putty to dry completely (for at least 7 to 8 days) before painting or applying sealer to the window frame. Don’t leave for longer than 10 days, or the putty will start to crack.

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design by kate ridder

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WEATHERPROOF AND MAKE YOUR HOME SAFE WITH GLASS

Having just replaced a broken window (see page 27), the new pane of glass supplied and cut by Builders Warehouse that I installed was a 5mm-thick pane. This got me to thinking about how most houses have 3mm glass fitted as standardto window frames.

After installing the new glass pane I was instantly aware of how much noise was blocked out. The extra 2mm of glass not only blocks out more noise, it also add more insulation, helping to keep a home warmer in winter and cool in summer.

Another factor to consider, especially if there are young children in the home, is the safety factor. It is much harder to break a 5mm-thick piece of glass, thereby making your home safer. And if you then add window film, or replace standardglass with shatterprufe glass, accidents are less likely to happen.

This is extremely important on sliding doors or windows that are closer to the floor.

5mm-thick glass also add another level of safety to your home, as this glass is not as easy to break.

So look at replacing any 3 or 4mm glass in your home with 5mm or safety glass to block out noise, weatherproof and make your home safer.

In terms of the National Building Regulations, glazing material must provide an appropriate level of protection in the case of human impact.

For example, safety glazing is required in doors and entrances, windows, bath enclosures, balustrades and stairways.

Any safety glass that is not marked - is not safety glass.

Any window with a sill height lower than 500mm must be glazed with safety glass.

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When cutting mitre joints there are two common but easily avoided errors that lead to sloppy joints. The first is in the accuracy of the angle. The second, which is often overlooked, is the length of the box sides.

If the length of each side doesn’t perfectly match its mate on the opposite side, no amount of precision in setting the angle can compensate.

A popular technique is to mitre four pieces equal in length and check that the angle closes at all corners. If one or more corners shows a small space at the inside, either the angle of the blade or the mitre gauge should be decreased very slightly.

If the corners appear slightly open on the outside, increase the angle very slightly. It can be aggravating to go through trial and error every time you change the setting of the saw or the exact angle of the mitre gauge, so when you get it just right, adjust and tighten the angle stops on your mitre gauge.

treasured trinketsLearning how to make perfect mitre joints allows you to not only craft beautiful pictureframes, but also get creative with boxes, and particularly trinket boxes.

The Taunton Press

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1. Dry-fit the pieces together to ensure you haveperfectly mitred corners. Use a tablesaw, Dremel Trio or router to cut slots for the base. Place packing tape where all the sides meet.

2. Apply glue to the mitred surfaces, roll the box around the bottom. Additional layers of tape increase the pressure on the joints, holding them securely as the glue dries. If any adhesive is left on the wood once the tape is removed, alight sanding will remove it.

3. To make the lid, begin by cutting it to size. Cut a lip along the underside of the top using a router table and straight-cut router bit, or a Dremel Trio.

4. On this box I used a Danish oil finish because Ilove the way it brings well-sanded wood to life. The second coat builds to a higher gloss, butdries more quickly. Don’t let the finish becometacky before rubbing it out.

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new tools

I really look forward to new power tools coming onto the market, especially new tools from Bosch, because these new tools generally incorporate new technology, are more compact in design, or have a feature that makes them easier to use. The new Bosch PKS 66 A is no exception to the rule.

The new model has a new casing design that really makes it look good. The cutting blade is well-concealed and out of harm’s way, while the comfort grip handle is definitely comfortable when pushingthe saw across a board.

It’s light enough to be portable, but has sufficient weight that it is wellbalanced and smooth when cutting. So much so, it almost glides as it cuts.

What makes this new model more user-friendly is the added dust collection container. If your workshop is not fitted with a dust-extraction system, a circular can make a lot of mess when cutting timber and boards.

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CUTTING A STRAIGHT LINE

While there are those that can cut a straight line without any difficulty whatsoever,I find it almost impossible to have a perfectly straight line in one, long cut. The easyand simple way to overcome this and be able to make accurate and straight cuts is to use a guide. I have a long steel rule that can be clamped at either end of a large board for doing long cuts, and this makes it so easy to guide the saw along.

Position the saw guide on the cutting line and lock the first clamp in place. Use atape measure to work out the distance and transfer this to the other end of the board to position and lock a second clamp in place.

cutting guide nowallows for blade thickness

dust collection box removes a large amount of sawdust

clamp on opposite end of large board

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THINK PROFESSIONAL

When buying spade bits I normally just grab any packet of Tork Craft spade bits and presume they are the right ones... wrong ! For so many years I have been using the more affordable range of spade bits rather than the professional range. No wonder thespade bits didn’t last long, especially when used at the DIY Divas workshops. The professional range of spade bits are black in colour and are manufactured of a harder steel, which makes them last much longer.

When mounting closet or kitchen doors you need to drill holes for concealed or Euro hinges. Many first-time DIYers automatic think a spade bit will do the job, but look atthe tip on the spade bit and you will soon realise that it will go right through to the front of the board.

What you need is a Forstner Bit or a MAD (multi- angle direction) Bit. These bits have much smaller tips and are used for drilling hinge holes specifically for concealed or Euro hinges.

CLOSET HINGES ? ... USE A MAD BIT

IT’S A THINGY-MA-BOB...!It’s embarrassing to walk into any hardware store and not know the name of the item you want. You can describe what is looks like - and even what is does, but for the life of you you don’t know what it’s called.

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HOLEY MOLEY !

If your project calls for holes to be drilled - use a hole saw. A hole saw kit contains a selection of hole saws in varying diameters and come in handy for a wide range of projects and tasks.

TIPS FOR USING A HOLE SAW

• Always securely clamp a project before using a hole saw.

• Use a hole saw in a corded drill of minimum 500W.

• Start off slowly until the bit bites into the surface of the timber or board.

• Hold the drill firmly with bothhands.

• Don’t use a blunt hole saw, as this will damage your drill.

• Lift the hole saw frequently to clear the sawdust from the groove.

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MOUNTING MIRRORS & GLASS

If you need to mount a mirror onto a door, board or secure to a picture frame you can use mirror brackets. These usually come in a pack of 4 in a silver or copper finish.

These Fischer mirror brackets are adjustable and allow you to remove and replace a mirror without having to remove the brackets. Use these for fastening mirrors to walls.

If you want to fasten mirrors onto walls or tiles without having to drill any holes, then use a specialist mirror adhesive or tape. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations before buying the product to ensure that it’s safe to use on mirrors.

Glass Shelf clips are an attractive and stylish way to mount glass shelves.

Buy glass hinges if you want to mount a glass door on cabinets.

Take a walk down the aisles of your local Builders Warehouse store to

find these and more hardware andaccessories that you can use for

your next DIY project.

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Reuse - R

ecycle - Repurpose

The topic this morning on the ChaiFM DIY show was all about child-proofing a home. Not just for your own children,but also when you have grandchildren visiting, or friends that bring their children around. We discussed covering up electrical sockets with cover plates and I also mentioned that plug adaptors also need to be concealed.

My idea was to use a shoebox - or any fairly stiff cardboard box for that matter - to make a container that would hide away ugly adaptors.

HIDE THOSE UGLYPLUG ADAPTORS

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1. The best cardboard box to use for this project is one that has a locking flap that secures the lid and makes italmost impossible for a child to open. I used a catfood box, but a shoe box would work just as well.

2. A couple of coats of Rust-Oleum 2X spray paint in satin blossom white - or your choice of colour - will help to disguise the box wherever you decide to place it.

3. Cut a short piece of PVC pipe and then draw around this so that you can use a sharp craft knife to cut slots for inserting the PV pipe through the side of the box.

4. You will need to remove and replace plugs so that you can push the wires inside the box. For the 2-pin plug you can push through a slat in the bottom of the box.

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Rather than pouring concrete, porous paving is something to consider when you are putting in new paving.

Porous paving has the same stability and function as non-porous paving, but allows water to seep into the ground, allowing surrounding trees and plants to benefit.

Porous paving can be permeable concrete pavers, pebble or natural stone. Each of these allows water to filter through voidsfilled with sand, gravel or grass.

Sand or gravel is typically used below the paving to increase the infiltration rate ofthe water. A gravel layer below porous or permeable pavers can function as a storage tank or it can drain to a separate tank. French drains can also be used below the paving to remove excess water when infiltration areas are full.

Another option is using gravel and organic materials for paths or driveways. Sections of porous paving can be used in conjunction with non-porous paving to allow infiltrationin particular areas.

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DECKINGglorious gardening

Traditionally most decks have been made out of wood. As with all wood building materials, make sure that the timber is sustainably sourced, or even better, recycled.

There are a number of non-wood decking materials that are made of composite materials including recycled or reclaimed wood products and recycled plastics.

The advantage of these composite materials is that they require less maintenance than wood with no need for regular sealing and in most cases are UV and termite resistant.

composite

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Pools are notorious for losing water from evaporation and through filtration;sometimes up to 11,000 litres per year. They are also energy guzzlers, with an average sized pool’s pumps and filterschewing through up to 2,200 kWh per year.

To minimise this impact on the environment, fit a good pool cover on amedium- or large-sized pool, which can reduce evaporation by up to 90%.

Installing a cartridge filter instead of asand filter, which uses a lot more water,will also help.

And installing a rainwater tank to top up your pool is of obvious benefit.

To save energy, solar pumps are available, as are solar pool heaters.

You could install a natural pool that mimics the biological “filter systems”you’d find in a natural stream and pool.Impurities like decomposing plants and bacteria are filtered out by plants and bya specially designed, multilayered gravel filtration system.

Natural pool designers adopt a two-pool system, where one pool is for swimming and the other is for regenerating the water via the biological filter. You canhave the two pools merged in the one body of water or two separate pools; it depends on what you like and how much space you’ve got to work with.

POOL solutions

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Acmadenia heterophylla easily adapts to growing in the garden where it requires full sun and well-drained soil. It will benefitfrom well prepared soil with compost and a thick layer of mulch. Although natural to limestone, Acmadenia heterophylla will also tolerate acidic soils. These are excellent plants for coastal gardens.

Acridocarpus natalitus is a hive of activity when flowers arevisited by bumble bees; it also provides shelter to Skipper butterflies. It must be plantedin a part of the garden where it will get morning sun.

Once established, Adenandra gummifera will withstand a fair amount of frost, and are capable of surviving long periods of drought especially during the summer.

For more information on plants and planting tips, visit www.plantsafrica.com.

gardenindigenousSouth Africa has an amazing variety of indigenous plants - plants which thrive in our unique climate and those that withstand drought conditions. With so much to offer gardeners, the next time you are looking for something colourful to add to the garden - go indigenous.

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More great projects for you to make and take homeBeginners & Advanced Workshops

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IF YOU ARE TACKLING ANY TYPE OF DECORATING, HOME IMPROVEMENT OR DIY PROJECT - WE WANT TO KNOW! IN FACT, WE WANT TO SHARE YOUR PROJECT AND ENTER YOU INTO THE QUARTERLY DRAW FOR BOSCH, SKILL AND DREMEL TOOL HAMPERS.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS USE YOUR BOSCH, SKIL OR DREMEL TOOLS TO MAKE, REPAIR OR INSTALL AND SEND US A FEW ‘BEFORE’ AND ‘AFTER’ PICS. THEN TELL US HOW YOU TACKLED THE PROJECT.

SEND IMAGES AND DETAILS TO: home-dzine@iburst.co.za