Ask the experts Your home

ASK THE experts

From child-proofing to fencing solutions, our professionals answer your home improvement questions

My little

Qgirl is just about to start crawling, and I’m suddenly aware of hazards everywhere! What can I do to child-proof my home? Jemima Michaels, Stoke-on-Trent

Lucy Askew, from the

Ateam at Hillarys.co.uk, says… It’s amazing to see your child learn to crawl or walk, but it can also be exhausting and scary! There are lots of things you can do to ensure your home is safe for your child’s little adventures.

Think about the big hazards in your home and fix these first. Focus on anything they could burn themselves on, plug sockets and any tall flights of stairs. A stairgate is a must for parents with toddlers who like to climb! Make sure to put away anything sharp or any objects that could be sharp if broken. Beware of pointy edges on furniture, too – corner guards come in very handy for that. The second biggest tip is to ensure that anything toxic to children is out of reach, including plants, cleaning products or anything that should not be ingested. Children like to explore the world with their hands and mouths, so this is essential to a child-proofed home. Lastly, you should secure items of furniture to the walls as children often pull on large items of furniture to help them move around, so it’s important to know that nothing heavy will fall on them. My garage doors are in need of a

Qrefresh. What type of paint should I use and how should I prep the doors before? Anita Stanley, Bedford

Will Thompson, Head of

AMarketing at Valspar, says…… Painting your garage door is a great way to neaten up the outside of your home and experiment with bold colours, like Valspar’s Aqua Mosaic (a mid teal) and English Primrose (a soft ochre). Before starting, make sure you pick a warm, dry day for the task – you don’t want your hard work to go to waste!

To ensure the surface is smooth, use a flat scraper to remove any flaking or bubbling paint. Then, go over the door with 180 grit sandpaper. Next, clean the surface with a sugar soap solution and a sponge, and leave to dry.

For the cleanest finish, cover the handles and hinges with masking tape. With the door open, so that you can easily paint the edges, apply Valspar’s wood and metal primer. Then, paint the rest of the door. Apply the primer from top to bottom in an up and down motion.

Paint the door with Valspar’s exterior wood and metal trim and when you ’re happy with the colour and coverage, remove the tape from the handle and hinges while the paint is still wet. All that’s left to do then is let the paint completely dry!

My kitchen floor is in need of a

Qrefresh. Can vinyl be laid over existing flooring, and what prep is needed? Susan Tang, Bath

Matthew Brook, National Sales

AManager at Moduleo, says… The best option for laying new vinyl over existing flooring is luxury vinyl tiles or planks with integrated underlay. They offer huge benefits for those looking to renovate their kitchen or other rooms around the home. For example, our engineered vinyl flooring collection, Moduleo LayRed, is perfect for uneven floors and can be used straight over existing flooring, including tiles or underfloor heating.

The integrated underlay makes it simple for anyone to lay the floor without too much fuss. Each Moduleo LayRed design comes with an enhanced protective layer, so it’s resistant to scratches and stains.

The engineered vinyl flooring can bridge gaps and slight unevenness in the subfloor. Minimal prep is required as the range uses clickable technology, removing the need for adhesive and instead using a practical tooth-groove connection.

Valspar exterior wood and metal paint in Laid Back Blue, £30 for 1L, diy.com

Moduleo LayRed in Mountain Oak, £44.99 per sq m, Moduleo

I’d like to better utilise

Qthe space under my stairs. What are my options? Moira Carlisle, Leeds

Eleanor Paynter,

ADesigner at Hammonds, says… Using the wasted area underneath your staircase for extra storage or a small office is a quick and smart way to maximise space in your house. Staircases are often the most neglected part of your home, yet they have heaps of potential for creating even more space. It’s time to swap those dusty old shoes for something more magical.

Make working from home more peaceful by creating a functional under-stairs nook that’s conveniently tucked away. You can keep your desk clutter-free with Hammonds’ handy fitted shelves and storage that optimise space.

Alternatively, you could make a cosy reading nook with fitted furniture and soft furnishings. It’ll create a welcoming atmosphere if your staircase is in your hallway and will soon become the talking point of your home.

If you ’re short of storage, you could opt for a sophisticated system of cabinets under your stairs, giving you additional space for everything from your coat and shoes, to towels and linen, which will free up other areas of your home.

Whether you need a clever home office, a fancy boot room cupboard or even a cosy cranny for your dog or cat bed, Hammonds has a solution for every staircase, whatever the size or angle. Our furniture is custom-designed to flow along the angle of your stairs to create the perfect fit for your home.

Harpsden home office in Light Praline, priced from £1,357, Hammonds

How can we

Quse fencing to make our garden feel more private without it limiting light? Sue Cardwell, Lincoln

Leigh Barnes,

ARetail Sales Manager at Jacksons Fencing, says… Solid fencing is naturally the best for privacy, but if you ’re worried about it feeling imposing, we would recommend combining any solid fence panel with a trellis or fence topper. This will allow you to strike the perfect balance between privacy and creating a welcoming space with natural light.

Our Canterbury Combi fence panels are a hybrid of both Venetian and tongue and groove, giving the best ready-made solution to this common concern. Alternatively, you could opt for a hit and miss style fence. With pales on both sides of the fence in an alternating pattern, it creates a semi-solid design that can only be seen through when looking at specific angles, while still letting light and air through.

Opting for timber will also help to create a less imposing boundary as its natural appearance will blend into the surroundings and complement planting. If you ’re painting your fence, opt for lighter colours that allow light to reflect and create a brighter space.

Canterbury Combi slatted fence panels, from £129.85 per panel, Jacksons Fencing

WE NEED YOUR QUESTIONS!

If you have a DIY or maintenance question, write to Ask the Experts, Your Home, Immediate Media, Eagle House, Bristol, BS1 4ST or email asktheexperts@yhmag.co.uk