Carpentry

17 articles

Boxing In Pipes and Services: Fire-Stopping at Floor Penetrations, Access Panel Positioning, Acoustic Infill and Fixings

30-minute fire stopping at floor penetrations (intumescent collars on plastic waste), 450mm access panel over isolation valves, 25mm acoustic mineral wool infill, 63mm screws to noggins
Building a Stud Wall: Timber Sizes, Noggins, Fixings & Soundproofing

Stud wall construction: 75x50mm CLS at 400/600mm centres, double stud openings, noggins at 1.2m, acoustic insulation
Built-In Wardrobes & Storage: Frame Construction, Sliding Doors & Maximising Space

Built-in wardrobes and storage: 18mm MDF carcass, 900mm max shelf span, sliding door installation, scribing to irregular walls
Decking Construction: Joist Spacing, Bearers, Fixings & Building Regs

Decking construction: 150x47mm joists at 400mm, 25mm deck boards, 3mm gaps, joist hangers, Building Regs over 300mm height
Door Frame Installation: Lining Sets, Packing & Plumb/Level Checks

Door frame installation: split lining vs solid frame, packing to plumb, head fixing first, housing joints for stops
Engineered Timber Products: LVL, Glulam and I-Joists — Specification, Spans and Building Control

Engineered timber: LVL (BS EN 14374), glulam (BS EN 14080), I-joists/TJI (Eurocode 5/BS EN 1995); I-joist flange must never be notched or drilled; span tables from manufacturer, Building Control submission required
First Fix vs Second Fix: What's Included in Each Stage?

First fix vs second fix explained: what's included for each trade, correct sequencing, pricing guidance
Fitting Skirting & Architrave: Mitre Cuts, Scribe Joints & Fixing Methods

Skirting and architrave: mitre vs scribe joints, expansion gaps, MDF vs hardwood, fixing to masonry with plugs/adhesive
Flooring Installation: Engineered Wood, Laminate, LVT & Solid — Subfloor Requirements

Engineered wood, laminate, LVT, and solid hardwood flooring: subfloor moisture limits (75% RH), acclimatisation, expansion gaps
Garden Rooms and Outbuildings: Permitted Development, Building Regs and Electrical Supply

Garden rooms: GPDO 2015 Class E (15m² no regs, 30m² PD limit), Part P electrical supply (SWA cable), insulation to Part L if habitable, fire separation >1m from boundary
How Are Timber Frame Stud Walls Constructed? Structural and Non-Structural Partitions

47×100mm C16/C24 at 400/600mm centres, BS 8103-2 notching and drilling rules, lintel sizing, vapour control layer, acoustic performance in stud partitions
How Do You Fix Fitted Wardrobes and Furniture Securely? Fixings, Wall Types, and Anchoring

Wall type identification for fixings, SDS+ vs Toggler vs stud fixings by substrate, carcase assembly, scribing to uneven walls, anti-tip securing, load capacity table
Loft Boarding Without Compressing Insulation: Raised Leg Systems and Loading

Loft boarding: 270mm Part L1B insulation target, raised leg systems (LoftZone/Loftleg 170mm/225mm), 25 kg/m² maximum storage load, BS 8103-3 joist capacity, 600mm × 600mm minimum hatch
Maximum Joist and Beam Spans: Timber Sizing Tables for UK Construction

Maximum joist and beam spans: floor, ceiling, and rafter span tables for C16 and C24 timber per Approved Document A
Roof Trusses: Types, Loading Notation, Bracing Requirements and Modification Rules

Roof trusses: Fink/attic/hip truss types, WS2 standard loading, BS 8103-3 diagonal/longitudinal bracing requirements, NHBC Chapter 7.2 modification prohibition without structural engineer written approval
Staircase Regulations: Rise, Going, Headroom & Balustrade Requirements

Staircase regulations: 220mm max rise, 220mm min going, 2m headroom, 100mm baluster spacing, Approved Document K
Window Board and Cill Installation: Expansion Gaps, Scribing to Wall, Solid vs Veneered MDF and External Cill Profiles

3mm per 600mm expansion gap for MDF, silicone bead to sill, scribe ≤10mm with coping saw, veneered MDF max 30mm overhang unsupported, external aluminium cill slope 1:40