Practical projects and tips for the backyard DIY fanatic
Starting a Tool Kit Scott Cam, the builder from Backyard Blitz, put together a basic tool kit for the home handyman. When buying tools, always go for the best quality you can afford. Once you have assembled your basic tool kit, you can supplement when necessary by...
Timber Tips Scott Cam, the builder from Backyard Blitz, warned that hardwood changes colour after about 12 months in the rain, wind and sunlight. This can be a problem if you pay thousands of dollars for timber and build a new deck or fence that changes colour and...
Transforming a House and Garden Don looked at a classic example of a house and garden in urgent need of a makeover. The light, orange-brown colour of the house bricks did not work well with the garden, and the garden had no outdoor living area. Instead, there...
Using a Hammer and Nails Scott Cam, the builder from Backyard Blitz, looked at different types of nails and their uses, and also demonstrated how to use a hammer correctly. Buy a good hammer Choose a good quality, tradesman’s hammer, with a flat rather than...
Using Handsaws Scott Cam, the builder from Backyard Blitz, demonstrated how to cut timber using a handsaw. Scott’s cutting remarks 1. Using a square, mark your cutting line on the timber. Scott marked the top and front face – you can also mark the back if...
Low Maintenance Timber Scott Cam, the builder from Backyard Blitz, stressed the importance of choosing treated pine for jobs in the backyard. There are different ratings of treated pine, ranging from Hazard Level Code 1 (H1) which indicates the lowest level of...
Nicholas Martino and his father, Mario, have been importing ceramics, glassware, ironware, antiques and furniture from North Africa and the Middle East for the last 20 years. Don visited their showroom in Mortdale, and talked to Nic about using Moroccan artefacts in...
Outdoor Living Space Many new houses are built without any thought being given to outdoor living areas and rooms. Some garden designs include pergolas and gazebos, but these structures are not really very functional. Vine-covered pergolas provide shade, but if it...
Ready-made Ponds Landscaper, John Forrest, had trouble finding water features that were easy to install, so he decided to build his own. He teamed up with his brother, Peter, and together they developed and patented a special, lightweight material to use in the...
Rique Romero’s House Rique Romero and her husband, Peter Bell, purchased an old, Federation-style home four years ago. The building was termite-ridden, and had to be demolished to the foundations with only a couple of walls retained. The plans for the renovation...