MEASURE TWICE. MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME.
Home by Doing
HomeMaterials & Fixings Guide
The signature reference

Materials & Fixings Guide

Understand the surface, the attachment and the finish before choosing a product.

Door samples, fixings, tape and an open materials guide.
AI-generated editorial illustration · not a product test or prescribed setup

01
Walls

Painted drywall

Record the board surface, existing coating and visible damage before choosing a repair or paint system.

  • Identify surface
  • Check cause of damage
  • Choose compatible system
  • Evaluate a small sample
What to check & keep in mind
  • Firm versus loose coating
  • Staining or recurring damage
  • Manufacturer preparation instructions

Repainting does not establish that the cause of a stain is resolved.

Continue into the subject ↗
02
Walls

Plaster

Distinguish the substrate from the paint on top. Record the condition before deciding whether the job is cosmetic.

  • Identify plaster
  • Observe cracking or looseness
  • Define repair scope
  • Choose documented materials
What to check & keep in mind
  • Stable versus moving defect
  • Product compatibility
  • Reason to seek specialist assessment

Do not assume every crack is a filler-and-paint task.

Continue into the subject ↗
03
Cabinets

Timber cabinet door

Keep the material, existing finish and hardware dimensions in one project note.

  • Identify door material
  • Record finish & hardware
  • Test preparation system
  • Repeat only after checking
What to check & keep in mind
  • Solid wood versus veneer
  • Sample response
  • Hinge and handle measurements

Aggressive preparation can damage a thin veneer.

Continue into the subject ↗
04
Cabinets

Laminate-faced panel

The decorative face and the core are different materials. Product instructions should address the surface you will actually coat.

  • Identify facing
  • Inspect edges & damage
  • Check coating compatibility
  • Test adhesion as instructed
What to check & keep in mind
  • Actual facing material
  • Edge swelling or damage
  • Approved preparation method

A timber preparation method is not automatically suitable for a laminate face.

Continue into the subject ↗
05
Mounting

A fixing in masonry

Use a fixing manufacturer’s documentation for the identified masonry and the intended application.

  • Identify masonry
  • Define load & use
  • Match documented system
  • Follow installation specification
What to check & keep in mind
  • Solid or hollow material
  • Edge distance and embedment requirements
  • Suitable tools and hidden services

The same fixing diameter does not imply the same capacity in every wall.

Continue into the subject ↗
06
Mounting

A fixing in a board wall

Know whether the load will attach to framing or a board-specific system, and confirm the wall construction.

  • Identify wall build-up
  • Locate suitable support
  • Check fixing specification
  • Verify installation limits
What to check & keep in mind
  • Board type and thickness
  • Load direction and application
  • Manufacturer limits

This guide does not calculate structural capacity or tell you where it is safe to drill.

Continue into the subject ↗