Get those jobs done with a little help from DIY guru Julia Gray. This week: how to insulate your loft.
Top tips for... insulating your loft
:: Insulating your loft could save you around £150 a year on your fuel bills, according to the Energy Saving Trust, so act now before the weather gets really cold. Start by examining the wood in your loft for things like damp and woodworm. If you spot anything that concerns you, call in an expert, unless you're confident you can do the work yourself.
:: Traditional types of loft insulation, such as mineral wool, can irritate the skin and eyes unless encased in silver foil, so you'll need to wear gloves, goggles, a dust mask and overalls when handling them - follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Much better are eco alternatives, such as those made from sheep's wool, recycled newspapers or plastic bottles.
:: Before buying insulation, measure your loft's floor joists and try to get insulation that's the same width to avoid having to do lots of cutting and fitting. Alternatively, buy insulation granules, which can be poured into any space. When joining pieces of insulation, make sure you butt the edges together.
:: The recommended depth for mineral-wool insulation is 270mm, but other insulation materials may require different depths, so check the packaging or with the manufacturer. You don't have to start from scratch if you already have insulation in place - just put the new stuff on top. Leave a gap of around 25mm between the eaves and insulation to let air circulate, and leave some space around things like recessed ceiling lights. Any wiring should be placed on top of the insulation to stop it from getting too hot.
:: The loft hatch can get particularly cold, so cut a piece of insulation to fit, put it in a bin bag to keep it neat and tidy, and fix it to the back of the hatch. If your loft isn't boarded, play safe and lay down some boards before starting to insulate.
DIY news bulletin
:: If you're keen to make your home more environmentally friendly and energy efficient, there are some good buys around.
Until the end of December, DIY Plastics (www.diyplas.co.uk) has 10% off a range of double-glazing and insulation products, including budget double-glazing, anti-condensation crystals and heat mirrors to fix behind radiators to reflect the heat back into the room.
Homebase (www.homebase.co.uk) is offering 'buy one, get one free' on Earthwool zero-carbon loft insulation (£10 for 8 sq m) and is selling Philips Genie energy-saving light bulbs for just 10p. B&Q (www.diy.com) has BOGOF deals on all rolled loft insulation.
Meanwhile, Farrow & Ball (www.farrow-ball.co.uk) is launching a range of water-based Eco Floor Paint, which is quick drying and ideal for floors, on November 1. A 2.5-litre tin will cost £47.
:: Animal prints are big news in the homes world, and Digetex has just launched an Animal Skins collection of funky prints that can be made into roller blinds, murals, canvases and fabrics.
The collection comprises all sorts of animal prints, including tiger, giraffe, zebra, alligator, cow and cheetah, available in a range of traditional and vibrant colours.
Fabrics cost from £20-£45 per metre, canvases start at £53 on a 46cm x 46cm frame, roller blinds start at £115 for a 60cm x 1m blind, and murals and wallcoverings start at £79 for a 1.5m x 1.5m design. See the collection at www.digetex.com.
Ask the expert
Q: My bedroom has dark green walls and I want to paint them white - should I use a one-coat emulsion?
A: Because you're going from a dark colour to a light one, I advise using a special base-coat emulsion before your top coat, which is designed to cover up things like strong colours, hairline cracks and filler in one application. Despite the name, one-coat emulsions often require more than one coat, so don't rely on them.
Seasonal task
Energy Saving Week is October 19-25, so take the opportunity to go round your home and see how you can make it greener with simple DIY measures, such as insulating your loft and pipes, fixing a dripping tap and draught-proofing your windows. National Security Week is also October 19-25 - to mark it, Focus DIY is selling a special security kit of locks, bolts, chains and floodlights. The six-piece kit costs £64.99, a saving of £46 compared to if the items are bought separately.
