Where wood is left at the mercy of the rain or just damp, it will eventually rot and crumble, which makes it useless as part of one of your wooden sheds. Garden sheds that are made of wood are also a target for bugs that like to live in wood or eat it. It is for these two reasons that you must maintain your timber garden shed so that it doesn’t rot or get eaten alive.

Which garden shed are you buying?

When you have purchased dip treated wood in the form of a garden shed, it will only be protected for a short while during transit and as it arrives at your home. You will need to treat the wood of your garden shed either before you put it together from its kit form, or after you have installed it in its final position. Dip treatment is only a temporary measure before you choose which method of protection against damp and bugs that you are going to apply yourself.

You’ll have to spend a little more for pressure treated timber, but it will last you for a few years before you need to start an annual maintenance treatment on your garden shed. Being pressure treated, it means that chemicals have been pumped deep into the heart of the wood which will prevent damp from occurring or bugs eating their way through.

When you look over Walton’s sheds on their website, you will be able to choose between dip treated or pressure treated timber and then make your own decisions about beginning with your maintenance treatment on the wood.

Regular inspections are important

To keep your timber garden shed in good condition, a regular inspection of the unit will help you spot any problems early so you can deal with them before they become a major difficulty or inconvenience.

Using a ladder, a careful inspection of the roof will quickly tell you if it is still completely waterproof or whether the roofing felt shows signs of beginning to wear or perhaps being torn. Inspecting the roof in the same position from the underside will quickly show whether damp has started to penetrate the wood in your garden shed.

Oiling the window and door hinges will help keep them in good condition, which is extremely useful, especially when the weather is at its coldest. If the hinges become unusable, the door may begin to move slightly out of shape from its location which might let in the wind and the rain which may cause a problem for your wooden shed from the inside out, rather than the usual other way around.

Painting or staining your timber garden shed will help protect it over the longer term, but you must make sure that every part of the wood is protected, not forgetting the parts of the wood that you cannot see where the sides of the shed meet your foundation base. Some people recommend that an anti-water tar-based finish is used around the base of your wooden shed to prevent water from finding any possible way into your garden shed.

There are a variety of sizes and styles available at Walton’s and after making a good quality investment to protect your garden tools, it makes sense that the protector then becomes protected itself.

Changing the use of your garden building

Although you may have installed your summerhouse to provide you with a relaxing area away from your home, it can double up as a play area for children or an entertaining space for adults.

The advantage of using a summerhouse as an entertaining space is that it can provide plenty of room for a number of people to enjoy themselves socially, yet is only a short walk into your house to access to your kitchen and other facilities.

Whether you already have a summerhouse or you are thinking about purchasing a new garden building, there are a number of additions that you can make to the summerhouse which will ensure that it can be used for a number of different activities.

When it needs to act as a children’s play area, a few beanbags and a lot of space provide a great environment, but if it’s to solely act as an adult entertainment centre, it might need to take a full-size snooker table and a bar.

Entertaining family and friends

When you organise a barbecue in your garden, you can’t rely on the weather to be great. This is where your summerhouse will prove to be extremely useful because your guests will be able to step inside from time to time or when the rain falls. For occasions such as this you should remove your favourite carpet and allow the great wooden floor to come into its own.

If you plan to hold barbecues out of the summer season, you will need to add heating and lighting to your summerhouse. Upgrading your windows to double glazing will provide some good insulation and some people have known to go to the extreme of providing under floor heating to make sure that the summerhouse can be used all across the winter.

The blinds or curtains that you choose for the windows will reflect the type of party that you expect inside. If your summerhouse is going to be used for multiple purposes, you’re going to have to find blinds or curtains that don’t match a 6-year-old’s bedroom or the nicest teahouse of a village green.

A bank of electricity sockets will help your garden building provide all of the power that is necessary for all occasions. Children will want to plug-in their games machines and even if they using portable models or tablet computers, these will always need charging after a short period of time.

For adults, a supply of electricity either from a solar panel or direct from your home will give you the opportunity of keeping food warm inside your summerhouse or access to hot coffee all the way through a Sunday afternoon party.

It takes a lot of thought to convert your summerhouse into an entertaining space for your children, your family and perhaps, your friends. Whichever decor and design you choose, you’re sure to have fun entertaining everyone.

Does it take a long time to have a log cabin installed?

To add a garden room from a selection of log cabins isn’t the most difficult process. You can look at entire ranges of log cabins for sale on manufacturer’s websites so you can see which styles will best suit you, your needs and your garden.

They offer an extremely positive way of adding space to your property, but the added value to your home will be seen because your home will be more user-friendly and if you decide to sell, the addition of a log cabin will add to your final valuation.

It is difficult to underestimate the joy from finding the extra versatility that your log cabin will provide for you.

What type of extra room do you require?

You could easily find and plan for your new purchase from the log cabins for sale lists. They make exceptionally good outdoor children’s play areas, by providing a tidy area to keep your children’s toys, rather than having them appear in every room in your house. By enticing your children outdoors, you will be encouraging them to take in activities out in the fresh air instead of spending all day behind a computer screen of one kind or another.

When your local gym membership fee is looking to high and the time and trouble that you take to have to visit your gym presents difficulties, you could always install a home gym in your log cabin, which will encourage you to exercise more often, but equally important, you can exercise for longer and whenever you want, rather than having to meet somebody else’s appointment schedule.

A log cabin can provide a perfect peaceful retreat if you need to find somewhere to get away from it all. If you’d like to spend an hour by yourself sipping a glass of wine or your favourite brewed coffee while you read a selection of novels on your e-reader, log cabins can provide you with an air of tranquillity, close to your home, but far enough away to avoid the noise of everyday life.

As almost everybody has become dependent on computer systems these days and storing all of their data in the cloud, selecting from log cabins here will provide you with the unit that can be set away from your home in your beautiful garden where you can spend all the time you need for home or personal use on your favourite computer, without being disturbed.

After you have purchased one of the log cabins for sale, it is short journey from installation to using your new garden room. Whether you’re going to operate a home business from your log cabin or use it as a hobby room, you can expect the other members of your family will wish to make comparable use of your new garden space.

Gravel boards are usually made of either concrete or treated wood. However, if the gravel board itself fails or cracks, it may not be performing its task correctly and you may need to exchange it for a new one and that’s time to contact your gravel board suppliers.

Kick boards

Originally, gravel boards were always made of wood and called kick boards in the early days. They received this name because when the gravel board needed replacing, you simply kicked the board out of the way.

However, if the gravel board has been installed correctly, it is not a simple matter of just taking it out of the way.

A wooden gravel board will be attached to your fence posts to provide an additional element of security. You will need to remove the attachment before the gravel board itself can be taken away.

Concrete gravel boards can be attached in a similar manner to the fence posts, but because of their wholesome weight, the usually sit in place and allow the wooden fence panels to sit on top of them. When you need to remove a concrete gravel board because it has cracked and is no longer strong enough or secure enough to hold the wooden fence panels above it, you will need to remove the fence panel first before you can get at the concrete gravel board.

For the people that choose to leave their concrete gravel boards loose under the wooden fence panels, you can remove them by simply pushing the gravel boards out from under the wooden fence panels because fence panels are attached to your fence posts by panel clips and although they sit directly onto your concrete gravel boards they won’t fall down and out of the way if you remove the gravel board.

The fence panel will probably have to be removed

You will find a task of removing a wooden or concrete gravel board much easier if you do first remove the fence panel from above it as this will give you easy access to the board. Over time the board may not move easily because soil and pressure from surrounding areas will also be holding the gravel board in place so it won’t be easy just to slide it out, or kick out a wooden version if it is firmly in place.

Your task will be so much easier if you are able to purchase the exact same size of model from your gravel board suppliers. If you are unable to purchase the same size model you might need to move away some of the soil that has built up since you first installed your wooden fencing so that the wooden or concrete gravel board sits in the right place so that when you reinstall the wooden fence panel, it can go exactly where it was before.

Galvanised metal clips will help keep the board in exactly the right place and will stop people from taking it out from the other side. If you’re going to be using concrete gravel boards, you can simply predrill holes with a masonry bit and complete the same task as you would with a wooden gravel board.

So, given recent unpredictable news in the housing market, how can you best sell your home quickly in the coming weeks and months? Here are a few things you may want to take on board before you move forward with a sale.

Keep a neutral colour scheme. You should only really customise your décor if you plan to stay in your home, so extreme themes and colour schemes should be avoided. Use neutral colours on walls to help prospective buyers see their own designs in a home when they’re shown around.

Move out unnecessary furniture. Removing furniture can help a house move quicker off the market; after all, it will help a home appear spacious and give clear walkways for tours.

Pay attention to finer details. If you don’t patch up those cracks or clean the grout between tiles, your prospective buyers could see this as a reflection on the state of the house as a whole. Just upgrading smaller items such as light switches or door handles could improve saleability.

Maximise curb appeal. After all, the exterior of the house is the first thing a buyer will see. If there’s a garden, keep grass at a reasonable height; trees and hedges should have branches kept under control. If it’s a terraced house, for example, it’s worth going over any flaky paint or rusty knockers!

Finally, houses need to smell nice. You need to do your best to avoid strong smells, so clean your fridge and be mindful of what you cook ahead of showings (avoid fish and such).

Set up a separation agreement

Many relationships break down due to lack of communication, and this in itself can make the separation process even worse. One way to ensure you both are on the same page and understand exactly what is happening is to setup a separation agreement. With the help of a solicitor, you can list exactly what is going to happen with money, property and even responsibilities for any children. Examples of usual requests include an agreement not to annoy or disturb a former partner, to provide financial maintenance for a partner as long as they are not living with another partner and who the children should live and have contact with. Although tough to do at the time, agreements such as this can alleviate any potential problems in the long run, and are highly recommended.

Find faster ways of selling property

Traditional routes of selling property are tediously long and drawn out. When you are trying to start a new life for yourself away from a former partner, this is the last thing you want. Luckily there are many companies which can sell your house quickly, sometimes for cash within a week. This could shave many torturous months off the process, giving you both the chance to start afresh with your new lives.

The buildings insurance aspect of a policy covers the structure, bricks and mortar and permanent fixtures and fittings of a home against threats such as storm damage, floods and fires – each policy has different levels of protection. The contents aspect of a policy meanwhile, protects the items you keep in your home such as furniture, appliances and curtains.

The importance of decorating and maintaining a period property correctly

One of the reasons some conventional home insurance providers do not offer cover for period homes is because of the expense involved in repairing any damage. Non-specialist workers using inappropriate materials could seriously affect the value of the property with authentic materials, specialist stonework and experienced craftsmen required. Similarly, period properties may also be listed or situated in a conservation area and this further complicates the process.

If you do live in a period home then you may want to recreate the look and feel of the period whilst still enjoying your 21st century comforts:

-              Edwardian homes (from 1901-1914)

The underlying theme of interior design of the Edwardian era was simplicity, light and air. Avoid bright white paint, instead use off-whites or pale creams. Woodwork in soft woods such as pine, should be grained or else painted. Hardwoods such as oak or mahogany should be varnished or polished. Door fittings are typically brass, with plain carpets and curtains.

-              Victorian homes (from 1837-1901)

If you want to be authentic, carpets should be heavily patterned in dark green, red or blue. Bathrooms should be functional rather than decorated with pictures, ornaments or accessories – the most decorative item should be the suite itself. Do not remove dado rails and remember that wallpaper was the single most important element in the decoration of a Victorian room.

-              Georgian homes (from 1714-1820)

There should be a sense of elegance, proportion and symmetry to any decorating scheme with burgundy, pea green and Wedgewood blue some of the most popular colours of the era. Traditionally the door furniture from the Georgian period was cast iron painted black, rather than the brass ‘Georgian-style’ fittings produced today, while floorboards, window sills, doors and skirtings were often painted. Only expensive hardwoods, such as oak and mahogany, were varnished.

-              Tudor homes (from 1485-1603)

Tudor homes should feel warm, comfortable and cosy with heavy fabrics and drapes. Authentic Tudor homes will have extensive wood panelling and all woodwork must be left unpainted. Door fittings, if not original, should be in the original style – usually cast iron painted black.

Why is buildings and contents insurance so important?

Clearly replacing authentic items in a period home if they were stolen or damaged would be an expensive task due to their value and rarity. Meanwhile rebuilding a home of this nature could be financially crippling without support. In fact, if your property is listed then failing to restore it to its original condition could even lead to prosecution.

Look for policies that cover specialist materials and administration costs – if your home has a Thatch roof, ensure that is specifically covered against fire as part of the policy. If your home contains unique (permanent) fixtures and fittings from the period then ensure they are covered under the terms of the buildings policy and that there is no limit on individual items. Meanwhile, antiques and works of art should be covered as part of the contents aspect of the policy but again it is important to check the individual item limits.

Check the sum insured on a buildings insurance policy too. Many specialist insurers allow you to protect the home up to 125 per cent of its rebuild cost in case you run into additional expenses. Watch out for penalties for under insurance too – contents should be covered up to market value with new for old replacements.

What it entails.

Unlike an ordinary loan or mortgage, equity release is a means of having access to the money that is tied up in your property without having to pay back a monthly amount. The home owner can remain in their home for the rest of their life and still have the money for a few of life’s little luxuries. As much or as little can be taken out of the equity as needed and this is either relieved as a cash lump sum, or as a monthly amount. The equity release company recovers the amount borrowed, plus interest, on the death of the homeowner.

The benefits.

Equity release can make a substantial amount of cash available for you to use now. If you are fit and well and have always wanted to travel, you can use some of the money towards the holiday(s) of a lifetime. If you require a little more help as you get older, the money can be used towards maintaining your independence and giving you a decent quality of life. Whilst the amount of money that you can leave to your relatives in your will may be reduced, no loving child would want to see their parents struggle in their later years.

How much could you borrow?

The amount available through an equity release scheme varies, depending on the current value of your home and whether or not there is any outstanding borrowing tied to the property. A very useful equity release calculator from agepartnership.co.uk allows you to input your details in order to find how much it may be possible for you to borrow. This information is a good first step to finding out more about whether this scheme is suitable for you. The site will also give answers to a number of other related questions so that you can make an informed decision as to whether or not to take your query further.

The key to successful picture framing is of course the choice of frame – but how do you choose the right frame and what choices of frame do you have?

The different types of picture frame

The first step is to familiarise yourself with the different types of picture frame available. These include:

•             Black. Available with many different finishes including grainy and glossy with different edges. Black works well with artwork, prints, photography and watercolours.

•             Colours. Choose from a wide variety of shades, but stick to a colour that complements your decor. These can work well with prints, photography and water colours but remember to match the frame colour to the picture.

•             Finished woods. A good all round frame; choose from a range of finishes including mahogany, flat teak colour veneer and veneer lacquered moulding; also available are reverse profiles that slope away from artwork and are available with different gloss and edges. These work well with traditional artwork, mirrors, prints and posters.

•             Gold. Particularly popular for mirrors, certificates and photographs.

•             Silver. A very diverse finish that can work well with everything from artwork to water colours, oils and smaller mirrors.

•             Unfinished woods. Can often be painted, waxed, stained, or left untreated. Unfinished woods such as oak age well and work well with prints and originals.

How to choose the right picture frame

Though there are many varieties of frames, they can loosely be categorised as traditional (such as wooden frames), modern (such as metal or coloured frames) and transitional (minimalistic). Think about the theme of the room in which the picture or item will be hung and choose a frame that will complement the colour scheme and room style. Old-style gold frames are well-suited to a more formal or traditional environment; while in a more eclectic room you may wish to marry the colour of the frames with accessories or furniture.

If you want a versatile frame then wooden frames are a good choice. They work with all types of décor and as such they are easy to move from one room to another.

The key is to find a frame that enhances rather than overwhelms the subject, which should always be the primary focus. Choosing matching frames for groups of pictures can be a good way of uniting them.

Custom framing, mounting and other things to consider

Custom framing services give you access to a far wider choice of frames and mounts – you can have frames made-to-measure and even have old frames refurbished. It is well worth investing in the skills of a specialist picture framer as the overall finish can turn an otherwise ordinary subject into a striking thing of beauty.

If do you opt for a readymade frame, be careful with your measuring techniques  and always give the size of the glass when ordering a frame for a mirror; and remember when measuring oil paintings that canvasses are not fully square and so you should always measure the widest part on each side, allowing around 4mm for canvas work and 2mm for board work.

Insuring artwork

Generally, unless artwork has a high value it will be covered under a standard home contents insurance policy. If individual pieces of artwork do have a high value, for example in excess of £1,500 per piece, then they will need to be identified on the policy as separate risks. Also, if you have numerous items in a collection that individually don’t have a high value but collectively do so (for example £5000-£10,000), then again you should inform your insurer. Always check the insurance limits that apply on a policy before you agree to its terms.

Remember also that a home insurance policy with accidental damage cover will protect against damage caused by accidents and other such mishaps, for example an expensive picture frame being smashed during a home decoration project.

Start from scratch

If it feels like there’s no way of salvaging the garden, don’t despair! If in doubt, tear it all up and start again. It may sound drastic, but it will make you feel more positive about getting it re-designed your way, and allow you to see exactly how much space you have to work with. If there are plants you want to keep, weed or dig around them, or transfer them to a pot while you work out a plan.

Stained fencing

If the garden hasn’t been worked on in a while, there’s every chance that the wooden fences in place need re-staining. This is important for both practical and aesthetic reasons; while re-staining will obviously improve the colour and condition of the wood, it will also protect it from the wind and rain. A good-quality wood stainer acts as a chemical barrier, preventing the fence from falling apart.

Paving

Use an interesting outdoor paving pattern to create a pathway or focal point in your garden. It’s much more durable than wooden decking, and looks great as a patio area for garden furniture or border to a water feature. It’s easy to install and involves practically no management once it’s in place, making it ideal for a low-maintenance garden. Think about the kind of look you want your garden to have – English country, or kitchen? Choose paving that matches a theme, and make small additions around it, for a quick and easy designer look!

Add some decoration

An ornamental garden can look lovely, but a more wallet-friendly version can be created with just a few statement pieces. If it’s big enough, large stone urns and statuettes can create a dramatic centrepiece, while in small gardens the same effect can be achieved with wall hangings and stone faces. Paint the connecting wall of the house to brighten the garden, and add some garden lighting such as lanterns, solar torches, or the more old-fashioned tea candle jars.

Garden furniture

If you’ve brought garden furniture from your old home, then working it into your new garden provides you with a starting point. Otherwise, it’s a great opportunity to think about what you’d like to have – table and chairs is nice, but is there room for a swing seat? A dedicated barbecue area is a nice touch, especially useful over summer, and can be made at home with red brick for an impressive and inexpensive centrepiece!