House Martin Tips and Recommendations

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New Coving Installation Guide.

2010-11-20 20:39:31

Our new coving installation guide is being sent out with all orders. This covers cutting, adhesive, installation and finishing. All in clear pictorial demonstration. Expect soon a online coving video installation guide!

Trade Decorators & Builders

2010-10-05 09:12:55

House Martin is very keen to encourage trade decorators and builders to understand the advantages of Orac Decor mouldings. On the Continent it is normal pratice for decorators, who act more as design advisers, to promote and sell Orac Decor mouldings. The additional service which can be offered to clients, resulting in additional profit, and their ease of use, makes Orac Decor the market leader.

Sample cases of the Orac Decor Axxent range and Best of Orac Decor are available. These Orac Decor Sample Cases can be purchased for £20 which is refundable with the first order over £75. Brochures are available to trade users free of charge and discount is offered on a increasing scale. Call Michael on: 01883 627064.

Dado

2010-04-15 09:08:57

Dado.

The panelling which forms the lower part of an interior wall which is finished differently to the upper part of the wall. Wainscot is usually the term used when this panelling is of wood.

Often the term is used as a shortening of dado rail or chair rail which is a moulding separating the two areas. It runs round the walls of a room at a height which prevents the chairs damaging the wall finish.

 

Architectural Columns

2010-04-08 09:46:51

Doric Column.
Oldest classical Greek order of architectural column, plain design and normally without a base.
Ionic Column.
The second classical Greek order of architectural column decorated with volutes or spiral scrolls. The cornice with dentil decoration.
Corinthian Column.
The last classical Greek order of architectural column decorated with acanthus leaves. The cornice with scrolled modillion brackets.
Tuscan Column.
A Roman order of architectural column that resembles the Doric, but without a fluted shaft.
Composite Column.
A Roman order of architectural column that combines the Corinthian acanthus leaves with the spiral scrolls of the Ionic order.

Most columns have three elements. The capital, the top which is more ornate. The shaft which can be pain or fluted, wide or thin. The plinth, round, square or octagonal.
Most column shaft tapers to produce visual balance.
Segmented shafts are where the shaft is built up of a number of sections.

Coving 'Cove' and Cornice.

2010-04-08 07:17:49

Coving ‘Cove' & Cornice.
Traditionally coving is a concave moulding used to join the walls to a ceiling. More recently design has included alternative shapes with the introduction of art deco styles.
Cornices were originally used externally in classical architecture, but were introduced internally and more often referred to as coving which tended to be plainer.
Depending on the status of the house and room sizes, designs were grander and more ornate in entrance and reception rooms, smaller and less decorative in private and less public rooms.
Before the use of fibrous plaster and more recently plastics, mouldings were made on site usually from sand and lime mixes reinforced with horse hair, with quality mouldings gauged with plaster of Paris. Plasters began to produce single moulded ribs, enriched with designs of hop vines, laurel and guilloche and scrolls. Moulds were cast and pressed to the ceiling where they were wedged until set.
By the eighteenth century cornices began to be categorized into two main groups, plain run and enriched. Plain run cornices had a combination of concave flutes, convex bends and square corners for dramatic effect. Enriched cornices were run mouldings incorporating flat areas into which separately run decoration was applied.
Georgian cornices were invariably based on classical orders.  Ionic dentil, Corinthian decorative modillions, rosettes, pictorial motifs of anthemion, vases, figures and festoons.  Victorian cornices became larger and more decorative and included fruit, flowers and foliage.
Wooden mouldings were made as an alternative to plaster. They tended to be simpler in design and produced by local craftsmen.
There are a huge range of profiles, from Greek and Roman forms to acanthus, dentil, swag-and-drop and egg-and-dart, to modern day designs. With recent developments of steel moulds coving made from plastics produces sharper detail and simplifies installation.

Mitre Joints

2010-02-12 07:52:10

For mitre joints ideally use one of our specially designed mitre boxes.

Orac Axxent users can use the FB13 design.  This budget design enables a professional finish where standard 90 degree corners are required.

Larger Orac Luxxus coving can be cut using the FB300. This solid wooden design will work even with the new C336 and C335 extra large mouldings.

Our FB10 Variomatic is for making variable angles of half degrees and is used for irregular angles, such as panel moulding designs.

Use the FB14 saw which has a stiff blade and fine teeth. Cheap DIY shed saws may flex too much to allow neat corners, so be careful not to spoil fabulous coving and panel moulds with messy mitres joints.

Select the right tool for the job, every coving and panel moulding is listed with a suitable mitre box to help you make the right choice.

Michael.

FX200

2010-02-10 13:10:36

FX200 acts to fuse the join between two lengths. This produces a smoother finish reducing the visibility of joints.

Fitting and joining exactly, with slightly uneven walls and ceiling surfaces, can be a problem. FX200 aids a better finish.

Remember to use a minimal amount of adhesive on each joint, push the profiles together for a neat joint and wipe off the excess as you go.  Surplus FX200 or FX210 Extra Fix will harden into a solid blob, which may prove very difficult to remove.

Michael

New Build - adhesives

2010-02-03 23:13:49

Orac have recently suggested that all New Build applications should be installed with their Orac DecoFix Hydro.  New homes often have a very high moisture content until the home has been lived in and had plenty of warmth inside.

DecoFix Hydro has is not a water based glue, and will prove far better at sticking coving and accessories than the standard water based DecoFix Pro.

If in doubt please call.

STEPHEN

House martin

3rd Feb 2010

 

The Smart Way to Paint a Ceiling Rose

2009-12-05 11:54:36

 

Here we are busily trying to finish our showroom for Chudleigh Late Night Shopping, and one of the finishing touches is installing ceiling roses.

Trying to decorate a large ornate R38 whilst standing on a ladder has taken 90 minutes!  I imagine there must be many others like me who think this is the logical way to work, but it simply takes too long.

I have now just decorated an equally large R40, and done the whole job in 20 minutes. The smart way to the job was to decorate the item on a work bench before installing.  In order to make room for the electrical cable I drilled a hole through the centre, and then slotted a screw through into the workmate vice.

The new method allowed me to rotate the ceiling medallion whilst working at waist height.  I now have a better finish, and an hour more to drink coffee!

Stephen (Handyman) Biggs

5th Dec 2009

 

Creating a Packer

2009-12-02 23:27:36

 

D.I.Y. is a necessary evil for most of us.  It would be nice to get a tradesman in, but all the good guys seem busy, expensive or both!

After spending several weeks gutting and re-furbishing a former Pet Shop into a habitable showroom and office I was delighted to be re-acquainted by the beauty of working with Orac Luxxus profiles.

Installing over 30 metres of panel mouldings (which were able to hide our new BT phone lines) I came across one area where the cable bridged a 90 degree corner.  As there was no slack I had to trim a 6mm "packer" from a piece of P9010 architrave.  If this were wood I might have struggled.

Using the Orac FB14 saw and an ancient Black & decker workmate I was able to trim just the right amount to do a neat job.

Mind you I may be good at "packing out" a panel moulding, but I wish unpacking all the boxes from our office move were a simpler task.  Instead it took 3 men half a day, and we still have plenty of unpacking to do before the new showroom is "straight".

STEPHEN

2/12/09

 

Little things that make a difference

2009-11-14 19:33:18

After over 2 weeks renovation our new Showroom in Chudleigh is nearing completion.  In fact all that is left to do are the finishing touches, skirting, dado, and panel mouldings.

Of course in theory doing these simple jobs is easy, except when you keep finding all your tools are either back at home or in our office 5 miles away.

What did we learn today as we installed 30 metres of SX105 skirting?  Whilst the FB13 mitre box is absolutely fine, using a standard panel saw is no substitute for our FB14.  Sadly the wide gaps between the teeth ripped rather than cut.

After a few poor cuts we had to make a special trip for the right tools to do the job.

By the way anyone in Chudleigh on 8th December 2009 is welcome to pop in at 1 The Square on the town late night shopping night.

Stephen

14th Nov 2009

 

Sprucing Up Your Home This Christmas

2009-11-09 09:09:37

With Christmas fast approaching it is not just the Christmas presents that needs to be considered.  For many with the prospect of friends and family coming to stay - simple cost effective solutions are needed to tidy up the home.

 

Leading architectural mouldings company House Martin (www.hm-online.co.uk) have a range of contemporary to detailed ceiling roses, coving, corbels and even decorative columns and door panels, that can help give your home a fresh look without breaking the bank - or taking up too much precious time.

 

All the products available through House Martin are designed with the non DIY enthusiast in mind and come with clear instructions.  This hassel-free style of DIY has enabled thousands of households across the UK to give their house a simple make over.

 

House Martin has recently introduced a new range of wall niches introducing soft curved features and a focal point to any living area.  Designed by Orac, the niches and niche components are supplied in a white primer finish and can be decorated to suit respective interior styling giving a contemporary and clean style to any home.

 

Designing a Country Style Kitchen

2009-07-27 11:32:11

Many towns across the UK are home to beautiful 1800's properties that are in need of some TLC.  The original features from the open fireplaces through to the porcelain sinks in each bedroom can provide inspiration to new homeowners as they decide how to make their new property their home.

The kitchen is always a great place to start as it is the heart of the home for many families.  For many, budgets can be a huge issue and making the most of what is already in situ can be a critical factor.  For example, if cupboard storage is ample, simply adding a coat of paint to the doors or changing them can be the perfect solution.  Creams, light yellows and fresh duck egg blue colours can all be blended together to give that perfect country feel.

If there is room, it is worth going to your regional antique shops, bric-a-brac stores and auctions to find an old oak wood dresser to really give the kitchen that country feel.  These need not cost a fortune and a bit of time sanding down areas and treating the dresser can help to increase its life span and ensure it is in keeping with the country style you are creating.  If space is at a premium, plate racks are an ideal alternative.

No country style kitchen is complete without a pine (or oak) table - which will become an important part of the kitchen for family gatherings and of course at meal times.  Try and find your local pine store and see what offers they have before visiting local antique and bric-a-brac stores.  Online options include EBay and Free Cycle - although we would not advise these as being your first port of call.

Wrought iron towel rail hooks and simple lighting can all help to create that comfortable country styled kitchen.  Other features such as simple dado rails and simple ceiling roses can all help to give those finishing touches within the kitchen.  Leading architectural moulding companies such as House Martin offer a wide range of suitable dado rails and ceiling roses to fit in with any country styled kitchen.  All products are primed and ready for painting.

One final tip comes from my own recent experience.  We have a well respected local builder in our village that regularly restores old houses.  During a restoration project several weeks ago, he was asked to take out all the Belfast sinks from within his clients' property.  They were beyond repair, however they are now homed within our garden have been converted into containers for our strawberries having cost us a mere £5.

However, if you are looking for old range ovens or Belfast sinks that are normally very expensive, give your local builders a call to see if they have any clients who are trying to get rid of such items.  You will probably be doing all parties a favour as such things can be expensive to dispose of.

Country styled kitchens offer a warm welcome all the year round and a bit of careful planning and research can make all the difference.

 

Commercial Properties to Cosy Homes

2009-07-20 10:16:54

The UK's ongoing recession has brought about a fundamental change in our lifestyles: from the excessive credit card use to how we use our free time - and how much we are prepared to spend on this.

 

However, there has also been an interesting change in the commercial properties market, particularly in Central London where areas such as Marylebone and Mayfair are now selling commercial properties with residential planning permission due to the economic climate.  Times Online recently did an interesting article on this point and suggested that this trend began about five years ago and that large numbers of these properties are being converted in to residential dwellings.  In some instances, surely this can only be a good thing?

 

Such areas are undoubtedly quiet at the weekends as its occupants leave the buildings after work on a Friday to return on a Monday.  With residential properties on the rise, this does lead to opportunities for small shops to open in the area to cater for the changing market and other support services, if these areas see a dramatic change in the property dwellings.

 

Turning an old commercial property into a home can be a daunting yet exciting challenge.  Changing how the space is used - and in some instances changing the space itself by knocking down walls and replacing more commercial related features such as toilet areas and small kitchens that had been designed as an after thought.

 

Office conversions do give its new owners a blank canvas from open plan spaces to small cosy rooms.  Many property owners seek to undertake the project themselves without the need to incur heavy costs on architects and builders.  For some, this may be their first project and the web can be a great place to get information on useful tools and materials that may help during the build.

 

Leading architectural moulding companies such as House Martin can really help during such projects with their polyurethane covings and ceiling roses.  Offering durability and lightweight products, less expensive that their plaster counterparts and damage resistant.

 

House Martin's collection of dado rails and panel mouldings can also be used to great effect during the build.  Offering a variety of designs from contemporary to Victorian styles, companies such as House Martin are well worth considering when researching the budget for the renovation.

 

Converting properties can be satisfying, when the project is well researched and planned then it can also ensure the budget is wisely spent - leaving more for the all essential soft furnishings!

 

 

 

 

 

A Home for all Seasons

2009-06-17 08:12:50

 With the summer months now upon us, we are all able to enjoy the fruits of our labours both indoors and out.  Al fresco living and enjoyable social gatherings around friends and family barbeques are a frequent occurrence.

Our homes are basking in the warmth of the sun, whilst our gardens are a fusion of colour.  Designing a home that can reflect each season can be difficult, however, it can be achieved through good use of colour and design.

 Living areas can be the most difficult to accommodate seasonality - and all that it brings with it and key rooms such as the kitchen and living spaces need careful planning. A separate storage area for wellington boots, coal, dirty coats and dog leads can benefit any rural kitchen, particularly with a busy back door area!  Furthermore a lobby area can also help keep heat inside during those cold and damp winter months.

Open plan living areas such as living rooms and hallways habitually use subtle wall colours with vibrant soft furnishing colours or striking pieces around the place.  Soft furnishings can be changed to embrace each season, for example rich crimson cushions and throws are wonderful during the cold winter months, whilst fresh summer colours from gingham prints to fresh lime prints can be exchanged during the glorious summer months to reflect the explosion of summer colours.  The finish of these spaces is also important and choosing the right coving and ceiling roses will help to give definition to each room all year round. 

Leading architectural moulding company, House Martin (www.hm-online.co.uk) has been advising clients on a wide range of coving products for varying designs over the years.  Having realised the changing trend to contemporary designs with clean finishes, House Martin now has a wide range of contemporary coving products, to give uniformity and maintain the desired clean lines within a modern renovation project.  Whilst there is still demand in more Provencale styled properties for more ornate coving and ceiling roses in keeping with the style of the property and House Martin are also able to assist with suitable architectural mouldings.    

 Large living spaces can be expensive to heat and many people are now turning to eco-friendly heating to help reduce costs.  Systems can include ground sourced heat pumps, solar heating and even wind power (although the latter is still in its infancy). 

 Airy living areas can benefit from good lighting during the evenings and in the grey winter months.  Indirect lighting and uplighters can help to give warmth whilst throwing out subtle lighting and smart side lamps will help create a warm ambience.  House Martin has recently introduced a range of indirect lighting which has already been used in many renovation projects from city loft dwellings to larger properties set in the countryside looking to generate that cosy feeling.

 In a recent project recessed lighting was installed in two corners of a large sitting room area throwing light out from two otherwise dark corners, which shed out on to a nearby sofa, bringing a level of warmth to the room which it had been lacking prior to the installation.

Today's living spaces are changing and the idea of simply adding one main light or heating from radiators has also developed - we are now able to embrace more eco-friendly sources such as underfloor heating from natural sources, lighting and electricity from solar sytems whilst reducing electrical consumption through a different way of lighting - indirect, recessed, uplighters and skirting board lighting.  Our soft furnishings are also becoming more seasonal accessories - with summery prints and rich autumnal colours helping to change the mood each season. 

Lighting – Tips to Inspire and Contemplate

2009-05-11 17:01:50

 Lighting is often the afterthought of any home improvement or DIY project. However, badly chosen lighting could lead to your room feeling disjointed, ruining the mood you are trying to capture.  For instance, a New England styled room designed to be simple with classic white interiors, distressed floorboards and natural materials would be spoilt with the use of harsh strip lighting or unimaginative traditional lighting. Moreover, a hi-tech modern look, with sharp lines and brash colours would fail to impress if lit with soft lighting.

Other rooms require additional lighting to illuminate features such as interesting shelves in the bathroom or in large shelved alcoves where interesting pieces are being displayed from vases to eye catching ornaments.

Indirect lighting placed in coving is a subtle way to introduce artificial light into contemporary designs whilst skirting board lighting can be used in rooms that are designed to be darker for a more edgy feel.  Many properties are now incorporating home cinemas and the skirting board lighting has proved a popular feature for many designers and architects.

Decorative and bold wallpaper can be a main feature in many projects with walls being given greater prominence by design.  Leaf motif wallpapers, large embossed black flowers with delicate cream coloured backdrops have been introduced on many projects to make a bold statement; whilst neighbouring walls have seen the quiet introduction of subtle up lighters to give an added dimension, without detracting from the dressed walls.  Designers are choosing from exiting ranges from wallpaper ranges such as Manuel Canovas and Fornasetti for inspiration.

House Martin, a successful interior company based in Devon and Surrey, specialising in interior and exterior architectural mouldings has recently introduced its own range of indirect lighting, recessed lighting and skirting lighting to enhance its existing range of up lighters.  The introduction of its extended range has led to several sales for home cinema installations utilising the skirting lighting to recreate the anticipation of a cinema experience at home.

Within many home decorating projects, there is the difficult decision as to how to light dark corners without detracting the main features of the room, some designers utilise small occasion tables with simple lamps, whilst others introduce a discreet up lighter to illuminate the wall space.

Lighting is an element of any home design project whether the desired effect is art deco, Provencal or minimalist that needs to planned at the outset with every other element in order to enhance the ambience. 

Shades of White Interiors for 2009

2009-04-27 14:04:52

This season's interior design market is focussed on the simple shades of white being used to refurbish both country properties and cool urban spaces. Whilst some may be perplexed at the impracticality of an all white country interior, many interior design companies are utilising cooler shades of blue to create a Provencal style home for their clients to maintain the minimalist feel.

Whitewashed ceilings and beams are easy to maintain and can create an airiness that would not otherwise exist in smaller rooms that are do not gain much daylight.  Neutral furniture with patterned soft furnishings can give most rooms a focal point whist its visitors can enjoy the serenity created by the décor.

Translucent effects can be created in the bathroom by using recycled glass sinks - in some recent developments, clients have also been known to order hand made glass baths to increase the illusion of space in smaller bathrooms giving an injection of glamour, without being too overpowering.  The effect can also been complimented with Jerusalem gold terracotta marble (or tiles) and interesting shapes or elegant plants for that eye-catching finish.  The use of glass partitions can also be introduced to give the feeling of space and openness in a bathroom; its worth considering this option carefully as properties in hard water areas may need greater maintenance. 

Good use of mirrors and lighting is also a key element to creating the minimalist feel - large mirrors running across a wall in a narrow bathroom for example can really give the room a more spacious look, whilst delicate spot lights in an open planned living room complimented by discreet standard lamps in darkened corners can bring every element of the room alive. 

The dressing of walls and ceilings also plays an important part to any modern day urban space or Provencal self styled property.  Heavily decorated covings and ceiling roses may look out of place in some instances and a more contemporary design needs to be sought out.

Leading architectural moulding companies are in demand, as their expertise helps to provide the crucial finishing touches by ensuring that coving and dado rails maintain the minimal feel throughout each and every room from small bathrooms to circular bay windows, strewn with soft furnishings.  House Martin, a successful interior company based in Devon and Surrey, has provided architectural mouldings to interior designers, architects and private individuals for over eight years.  The recent introduction of the C335 extra large coving has been inspired by Xavier Donck, the acclaimed architect.  The C335 has beautiful wave like lines that is ideal for larger properties.  For smaller properties looking for the cool, elegant feel, the flexi coving C260F has been described as a delightful small cornice and has been widely used in smaller rooms such as studies and cloakrooms.

Whitewashed walls can also be used to great effect in smaller courtyard gardens and with a little imagination a superb summer dining experience can be created using off white and cream tablecloths and canopied loungers dressed with subtle cushions and framed with fragrant climbers and tubs

Installing Ceiling Roses onto an Artex Ceiling

2009-04-07 20:30:22

Some time back we were happy to supply a project in Torquay for Darke Builders.  I remember showing the proprietor one of our largest ceiling roses. He was amazed by two things, one being the incredible light weight, and the other being the crispness of all the detailing.

Having just used a heavy plaster ceiling centre we were just too late, but at least he was able to use our Orac Axxent panel moulds as decoration all around the external window frames.

So why do I mention this now?  Well you too may have a tricky job and need to fit a ceiling rose on an uneven or Artex covered ceiling.  If you'd rather not chip everything off to create a smooth surface why not select a design from our ceiling rose range selector at  www.hm-online.co.uk/ceiling-roses.php then using our cartridge based FDP500 DecoFix Pro adhesive around the rim simply offer it up and make a mechanical fix into a suitable joist.  Initially your ceiling rose will be fixed, but with a number of gaps in the textured ceiling.

Using additional DecoFix Pro simply apply more adhesive all the way around the ceiling rose circumference (you may want to have someone with a steady hand on your step ladder). Next simply smooth off the surplus adhesive with a finger or decorator's sponge.  In a warm room your ceiling rose should be neatly bonded within a day, with the white FDP500 visible around the edge.

Your final task will be to check you are happy with a smooth join between the uneven ceiling and your Orac ceiling rose, and if appropriate use a fine sand paper to rub down any excess adhesive.  Clean waway any surplus dust and use a suitable paint (matt works best) to coat the moulding and visible adhesive.  Everything should look fine!

The same task with a plaster ceiling rose would be beyond most DIY enthusiasts, with the potential for a calamitous breakage if the heavy moulding dropped onto the floor.

Customer Feedback

2009-02-25 18:39:07

Isn't it great to be an "expert"?  Someone who has all the information on the tip of their tongue?  Well actually, no.

More often than not the so called experts merely think they know it all, and so it is quite refreshing for us as suppliers to learn from our customers.

Today we were able to supply a customer with both C217 coving and an R52 ceiling rose. We had earlier forwarded a coving sample and brochure to assist him with his decision.

Looking at choosing a sizeable celing medallion we needed to ensure that the centre "cup" from the light fitting did not encroach on the decorative areas around the centre.  Just as were about to check a physical product our client pointed out the centre diameter of 12.5cm which was written in the latest brochure.

Lesson learnt, and centre point taken!  We challenge YOU our customer to IMPROVE our knowledge and service still more!  Don't forget you can download a brochure from our site, if waiting for Postman Pat proves too tedious. 

Outside Support

2009-02-25 00:11:00

If you are looking to add a porch to the front of your home, and prefer a traditional appearance you may find creating a tile hung canopy an obvious answer.  Typically these items add a three dimensional projection that can really brighten up a home.  They also offer the additional benefit of keeping the rain off whilst you search for a front door key, or hoist up your brolly.

All this is very well, but one thing may spoil your otherwise straight forward project.  Support Brackets. Where can you buy them?  Virtually nowhere!

House Martin keep hundreds on the shelf.  Select our GB02 which projects 400mm and measures 490mm high.  Each 70mm wide gallows bracket will support up to 75kg, and is made from a tough Duroploymer which is in a low-maintenance white, featuring a beautiful woodgrain detail.  Each unit costs just £60.78.

We can also offer larger brackets, the GB03 is our best seller and measures 580mm x 630mm high, whilst the GB04 is still larger at 770mm high x 745mm projection.

If in doubt just call 0845 838 1296, and we will make sure you select the right item.

 

Make it easy for yourself

2009-02-14 01:50:25

Are you busy and always running out of time? Is decorating really not your cup of tea? Well you are not alone.

One thing is for sure getting down on your hands and knees to decorate skirting boards is not something many people relish. So why not make life a bit easier?

The ultimate DIY time savers are the new SX137 and SX138 T series of skirtings.  Looking for a warm white finish, then choose from the SX137TA (10 cm tall) or the SX138TA (14cm tall).

Alternatively you may be already well down the low maintenance route and have either Mahogany or Golden Oak pvcu windows in your home.  These can be matched by the SX137TB for a 10cm high mahogany effect, or the Sx138TB for a higher 14cm profile.  Choose the SX137TI or SX138TI if Golden Oak is your preference.

Installation is quick clean and easy, just use a skeleton gun and our FDP500 adhesive.  One tube will do up to 8 metres of skirting, and you may wish to hide any unsightly telephone or speaker wires in the cable chambers on the back of the profile. For best results use a very small amount of FX210 adhesive on the butt joints and mitres, especially if installing in areas subject to large temperature variations like conservatories.

Choose FDP700 hyrdo adhesive instead of fdp500 if fitting skirtings into a wet enviroment such as a bathroom, or laundry room.

 

Coving above a Bay Window

2009-02-03 17:35:14

Have you ever struggled to fit decorative trims into a curved bay window?  Maybe you have wanted to try and skipped that part of the room altogether.

You needn't struggle, using Orac Flexible Coving and Cornice mouldings you can create a beautiful finish even in these difficult areas.  As a general rule the tighter the radius (curve) the smaller the coving section needs to be.

We can offer a general guideline, for a bay window with 5 separate window frames try an Orac coving profile like the C240 which is similar to the standard coving stocked by most builders merchants.  Looking for something more decorative, why not use the C213 which has 8cm projection and height of 8cm.

Installation should ideally be done in a warm room, and with the adhesive being applied to dry plasterwork.

To obtain the best results use FDP500 adhesive on the top and bottom edges of each 2 metre profile.  You will also need to support the product at 10cm intervals with small panel pins whilst the adhesive cures. Any butt joints or mitres will require a very small amount of fx200 Extra Fix adhesive.  Please ensure that excess FX200 is wiped off from the moulding when it is installed.  Failure to do so may result in a very uneven finish!

The day after you have installed the flexi coving remove the supporting panel pins, and use a small amount of the fdp500 to fill in the holes.  Leave this at least six hours before painting.

Each piece of coving already has a base coat of paint applied, so you will only need to add one coat of interior paint to produce an excellent result.

If the room is close to a bathroom it may be best to substitute the fdp500 adhesive for fdp700 hydro. If in doubt call us on 0845 838 1296, and we will be happy to assist.

 

RESTORATION - An Unusual Solution

2009-01-16 23:49:06

In the last 7 years we have provided decorative materials for literally thousands of homes.  One of the products which has been a Godsend to owners of older properties has been the Orac panel moulding range.

Whilst the Victorians could embellish window surrounds to create a 3 dimensional relief try finding a durable alternative at your local DIY shed.  You'll even struggle at a traditional Builders Merchant.

But browse through the HM Online dado rail collection, and you have the answer!  Whilst the polyurethane mouldings were originally developed for interior use they are equally suitable outside the home.  The P.8020, P.8030, P.8040 offer a variety of sizes to create a picture frame around your windows.

Remember to install the products with FDP700 which will work even in extreme climates, and glue any butt joints or mitres with FX200 extra fix adhesive.

 

Coving – Preparing Your Walls and Ceilings

2009-01-09 11:34:47

Coving is a great way of finishing off a room but can be time consuming and problematic when using traditional coving products.  At House Martin, our coving products benefit from being lightweight and durable as they are made from Polyurethane and Duropolymer®.  These are sold with the primer coat already applied.  However, patience may still be required in ensuring the pattered cornice product range is evenly matched when fitting to corners!

As with any coving products, we would recommend that all surfaces are suitably prepared before installing the coving; repair or remove any uneven wallpaper joints that may have become lose through old age and re-skim any loose plaster, allowing this to dry fully before fixing the new coving.  Our adhesive range can also be applied as a filling in the majority of instances.

Coving installation can require a good deal of concentration and using a stable platform will help to give you an even better result.  However, here at House Martin we pride ourselves on our easy to fit products that can be used by most DIY enthusiasts.  When installing any lightweight coving product from all leading coving suppliers, it is essential to use a good coving adhesive.  With each product sold, we will always recommend a suitable adhesive during your selection process.   As we mentioned, earlier, our adhesive products can also be used as a filler for most minor problematic areas.  With most coving installations, approximately 3 mm (up to) can be accommodated by any adhesive.  However, if you do have any concerns as to whether this is suitable for your walls, please do call us and a member of our technical team will be delighted to answer any queries you may have.

A good way of making sure your coving is even is by measuring each section out using a piece of string between each corner mark, this can be marked out using a pencil to outline the edges of each corner.  The key to this is getting the line level as it is really important to get this parallel with the ceiling and the wall.  Once you are happy with your coving layout in the room, draw a line using a straight edge replacing the string before applying your coving product.

Typically, our coving range can be installed in a day and finished the next.

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• C220 Coving
  Our Price £27.79
• KD1 Doric Column
  Our Price £482.18
• P7060 Dado Rail
  Our Price £22.52
• R40 Ceiling Rose
  Our Price £66.91
• L506 Uplighter
  Our Price £68.24
• P8020 Dado Rail
  Our Price £16.63
• TF02 Dentil
  Our Price £11.65
• Pipe Boxing
  Our Price £48.49
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