Finishing Materials
Plasters, fillers, sealants, adhesives, primers, and paint for the final stages of your kitchen extension — the materials that turn a shell into a room.
Bonding Plaster: When You Need It, How to Apply It, and What Goes Wrong
The complete UK guide to bonding plaster (Thistle BondingCoat): coverage rates, application thickness, surface prep, skim timing, and current prices from £14-22 per 25kg bag.
Decorator's Caulk: What to Buy, How to Apply It, and Why Paint Cracks Over It
The complete UK guide to decorator's caulk: where to use it, which brands to avoid, proper application technique, and how to stop paint cracking. From £1-5 per tube.
Emulsion Paint: Finishes, Brands, and How to Get a Good Result on New Plaster
The complete UK guide to emulsion paint: matt vs silk vs eggshell, trade vs retail, mist coat technique for new plaster, coverage rates, and what to buy for walls and ceilings.
Tile Grout: Types, Colours, Coverage, and How to Get Clean Joints
Complete UK guide to tile grout: cementitious vs epoxy vs hybrid, coverage calculations, colour choice, how to apply it properly, and prices from ~£9-22 per 5kg bag.
Masonry Paint: What to Buy, How to Apply It, and When to Paint
The UK homeowner's guide to exterior masonry paint: smooth vs textured, brand comparison, coverage rates, surface prep, and how to avoid peeling within 5 years.
Multi-Finish Plaster: The UK Homeowner's Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about Thistle Multi-Finish plaster: coverage, mixing, trowelling technique, and how many bags you need. From ~£9-12 per 25kg bag.
Primer and Sealer: The UK Guide to Getting Paint to Actually Stick
How to prime new plaster, bare wood, MDF, and previously painted surfaces. Mist coat ratios, product recommendations, and costs from ~£18-52 per 2.5L.
PVA Adhesive: When to Use It, How to Apply It, and When to Use Something Else
The definitive UK guide to PVA adhesive for plastering and flooring. Dilution ratios, application technique, brand comparison, and the three mistakes that ruin walls.
Self-Levelling Compound: How to Get a Flat Floor Without Paying a Screeder
Complete UK guide to self-levelling compound: which product to buy, how to apply it, coverage per bag, primer choices, and common mistakes that ruin floors.
Silicone Sealant: Types, Technique, and What to Buy
The complete UK guide to silicone sealant: acetoxy vs neutral cure, anti-mould grades, how to apply a clean bead, removal, and current prices from £5-11 per tube.
Tile Adhesive: Types, Selection, and How to Avoid Costly Mistakes
The complete UK guide to tile adhesive: flexible vs standard, rapid vs slow-set, powder vs ready-mixed, S1 vs S2 classification, coverage rates, and current prices from ~£11-25 per 20kg bag.