Australian House & Garden

Question: I’m thinking about window coverings for our new home, ideally to keep in the warmth. Which covering – curtains or blinds – does this best?

Answer: Window coverings are essential for heat retention. Without them, your investment in heating will literally go out the window. “When it comes to keeping out the cold and keeping in the heat, cellular blinds and curtains are the best performers,” says Tony Cassar, Managing Director of Victory Curtains and Blinds. “Cellular blinds are comprised of two layers of fabric with an insulating pocket of air in between. They are fitted to the windows with minimal gaps, stopping cold air entering and hot air escaping. Curtains also work well, especially if there’s a pelmet box and the curtains return to the wall.” Pull down any exterior awnings on winter nights to stop cold air creeping inside. Victory Curtains and Blinds 131 399

Answered by Rose-Marie Hillier

Question: We are renovating our bathroom and I’m not sure whether we should have both a bath and a shower. Is having a bathtub important when it comes to selling a home?

Answer: First you need to discuss with your builder whether a bath and shower will fit into your given space, then visit bathroom showrooms to discuss your options and the products available. “It’s great to include a big bath – freestanding baths are currently fashionable – especially if you have a large family and the available space,” says Tim Dawson, a bathroom specialist at Tradelink. “But if you don’t need it, put your money into something else, like a double shower with, say, a Kohler water tile, which is installed in the ceiling. While a bath does have resale appeal, a bathroom without a bath can still be just as enticing to buyers if the room is well presented with appropriate products to suit your home.” Tradelink; 1800 228 476.

Photography by Maree Homer/ACP Digital Library

Question: Our satin-finished timber floorboards have been damaged by rolling office chairs. Is there any way to repair the damage without having the entire floor re-sanded?

Answer: Timber-floor maintenance normally involves either sanding or a ‘re-coat’. “A re-coat is when the existing coated film is cleaned and lightly sanded, and a new coat of finish applied over the top,” explains Kendall Waller, National Technical Manager of Premium Floors. “This will remove light scratches and restore a uniform gloss level. But it won’t remove stains, fading, heavy marks or indentation. To remove indentation, a full re-sand is needed.” It’s not advisable to sand isolated patches, Waller warns, as the re-surfaced section will come up a different colour and gloss level to the rest of the floor. Patch repairs work somewhat better on oil-based finishes, but you still need to be prepared for tell-tale changes in colour and gloss level. Premium Floors; (02) 9982 3777.

Answered by Rose-Marie Hillier
Photograph by Maree Homer

Question: We’ve decided to lay down carpet in our renovated living spaces but don’t know what kind of carpet to choose. We have a toddler and I’m expecting twins, so we need something reasonably hard-wearing.

Answer: Young children can make quite a mess. However, there are carpets available with superior stain protection, specially designed to cope with this sort of challenge. “With Redbook Carpets’ Total Technology, each entire fibre is coated from top to bottom with a stain-protection solution,” says Archie Kennedy, Product Development Manager of Feltex Carpets. “This means that spills bead on top of the carpet, delaying absorption, so you needn’t worry about sticky fingers and drink disasters.” Along with advanced stain protection, the carpets have a softer backing, so not only will they resist most common spills, they’re also soft for little ones to play on. Redbook Carpets; 1300 130 239 or www.feltex.com.

Question: What’s the difference between aluminium and timber windows and doors, in terms of maintenance and cost? Rather than choosing western red cedar, is it possible to buy cheaper timber that I can paint?

Answer: The best windows to choose will depend on your climatic zone. What prevailing weather conditions dictate in Melbourne will not be the same in Sydney or Brisbane, for example, so there will be varying criteria as regards aluminium and timber frames. Seek advice from local suppliers. “Timber is always going to be more expensive – it has a better energy rating – but it’s also expensive because timber is getting harder to source,” says David Richardson, National Marketing Manager of Trend Windows & Doors. “People like aluminium because it’s low-maintenance. If you want timber windows that you can paint yourself, choose meranti; it’s a cheaper option than western red cedar.” Meranti is an attractive timber in its own right and can also be stained if it’s installed in a protected position, although it does require rigorous upkeep to ensure it remains in good condition. Trend Windows & Doors; 137 274.

Photography by Nick Watt/ACP Digital Library