GUIDE · Energy Efficiency
The Home Upgrades That Actually Cut Energy Bills
Insulation beats gadgets. Draughtproofing beats almost everything on cost per unit saved.
How to Paint a Room Properly
Preparation is 80% of the job. Nobody wants to hear it.
By James Fielding, DIY & Improvement Editor · Published August 4, 2026 · 2 min read
Photograph: Solo Shutter / StockSnap
A professional finish comes from filling, sanding and cutting in — not from expensive paint. Here is the order of operations that works.
Prepare
Fill, sand to 180 grit, vacuum, then wipe with a damp cloth. Dust is the most common cause of a gritty finish.
Cut in and roll wet
Cut in one wall at a time and roll into the wet edge immediately. Cutting the whole room first guarantees visible framing.
Two coats, always
One coat over a colour change will look patchy in raking light no matter what the tin claims.
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