Notes from the workshop
Straight-talking advice on carpentry, joinery and looking after the timber in your home, from Phil and the PRM bench in Hampshire.
Draughty Doors and Windows: Fixes a Carpenter Can Make
Draughty doors and windows waste heat. Here is what a carpenter can fix, from rehanging doors to sealing frames, before you think about replacement.
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How to Spot Woodworm and When to Worry
How to spot woodworm, tell an old infestation from an active one, and know when damaged timber needs a carpenter's repair.
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Cladding a Garden Room: What to Know Before You Start
Thinking of cladding a garden room? A carpenter's guide to timber choices, battens, membranes, fixings and detailing that lasts in Hampshire weather.
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Fencing That Lasts: Posts, Panels and Gravel Boards
How to build a garden fence that lasts: choosing posts, panels and gravel boards, setting posts properly and keeping timber off wet ground.
Read the post →Pergolas and Garden Structures: Timber Choices Explained
Softwood, oak or hardwood? A carpenter's guide to choosing timber for pergolas and garden structures that last in Hampshire weather.
Read the post →Decking Design Ideas for Small Gardens
Practical decking design ideas for small gardens, from board direction and levels to built-in seating and storage, from a Hampshire carpenter.
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Fixing Squeaky Floorboards Without Lifting the Whole Floor
Why floorboards squeak, how a carpenter finds the cause and the targeted fixes that quieten a floor without lifting the whole room.
Read the post →Hanging Internal Doors in Hedge End New Builds: Common Problems
Why internal doors in Hedge End new builds catch, drift or gap, and what a carpenter checks when rehanging or replacing them properly.
Read the post →Fitted Wardrobes in Chandler's Ford: Built-In vs Freestanding
Built-in or freestanding wardrobes for a Chandler's Ford home? A carpenter's guide to space, cost, walls, floors and which option suits your bedroom.
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Cut Roof Carpentry for Extensions in Southampton and Eastleigh
How cut roof carpentry works on extensions in Southampton and Eastleigh, from roof styles and tie-ins to building control and timings.
Read the post →Decking Installers in Southampton: Timber vs Composite for Coastal Gardens
Timber or composite decking for a Southampton garden? How salt air, wind and damp affect each material, plus fixings and costs to plan for.
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Wood Flooring Fitters in Winchester: Engineered, Solid and Parquet
A Winchester homeowner's guide to engineered, solid and parquet wood flooring: which suits your home, what fitting involves and rough costs.
Read the post →Second Fix Carpentry in Southampton: Doors, Skirting and Architrave
What second fix carpentry covers in Southampton homes: hanging doors, fitting skirting and architrave, typical timings and how to plan the work.
Read the post →Carpenter in Romsey: Working on Older and Listed Homes
What to expect when hiring a carpenter for an older or listed home in Romsey: doors, skirting, repairs, consent and how we approach period joinery.
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Bespoke Alcove Cupboards in Winchester's Period Homes
How bespoke alcove cupboards are designed and fitted in Winchester's Victorian and Georgian homes, from uneven walls to period detailing.
Read the post →Carpenter in Eastleigh: Common Jobs and How to Get a Fair Quote
The carpentry jobs Eastleigh homeowners book most often, rough price guides and how to get a fair, like-for-like quote from a local carpenter.
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Kitchen Fitter in Southampton: What to Expect and What It Costs
What a kitchen fitter in Southampton actually does, how long a fit takes and rough fitting costs, so you can plan your new kitchen with confidence.
Read the post →LVT vs Engineered Wood: A Straight Comparison
LVT or engineered wood? A Hampshire carpenter compares looks, durability, comfort, water resistance, cost and lifespan to help you choose the right floor.
Read the post →How to Care for a Real Wood Floor
Practical advice on caring for a real wood floor: daily cleaning, protecting the finish, handling moisture and knowing when to refinish.
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Herringbone and Chevron Flooring: Is the Extra Cost Worth It?
Herringbone and chevron wood floors cost more to buy and fit. Here is where the extra goes, and when it is worth it in a Hampshire home.
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Common Kitchen Fitting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The kitchen fitting mistakes we see most often in Hampshire homes, from uneven floors to poor worktop joints, and how to avoid them.
Read the post →Worktop Choices: Timber, Laminate, Quartz and Beyond
Timber, laminate, quartz or granite? A Hampshire carpenter compares kitchen worktop materials on cost, upkeep, durability and fitting.
Read the post →How to Prepare Your Home for a Kitchen Fit
A practical guide to preparing your home for a kitchen fit, from clearing the room and booking trades to deliveries, access and living without a kitchen.
Read the post →Shaker vs Slab Kitchen Doors: Which Suits Your Home?
Shaker or slab kitchen doors? A Hampshire carpenter compares looks, cleaning, durability and cost to help you choose the right style for your home.
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