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<rss version="2.0"><channel><title>DIY « Express &amp; Star</title><description>DIY hints and advice from the Express &amp; Star.</description><link>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/</link><language>en</language><lastBuildDate>Wed, 22 May 2013 14:34:41 +0100</lastBuildDate><ttl>15</ttl><item><title><![CDATA[Lofty ambitions]]></title><link>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/05/21/lofty-ambitions/</link><description><![CDATA[If your home's loft is more valuable to you as living space than storage, converting the loft is the obvious thing to do.]]></description><guid>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/05/21/lofty-ambitions/</guid><pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 11:20:08 +0100</pubDate><category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category></item><item><title><![CDATA[Cosy up to carpet]]></title><link>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/05/14/cosy-up-to-carpet/</link><description><![CDATA[A home wouldn't be homely without carpet. Carpet makes it cosy and comfy underfoot, and it's less draughty and more heat retentive and sound absorbing than many other floor coverings.]]></description><guid>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/05/14/cosy-up-to-carpet/</guid><pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 14:50:09 +0100</pubDate><category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category></item><item><title><![CDATA[Money and materials matter]]></title><link>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/05/07/money-and-materials-matter/</link><description><![CDATA[Financing a self-build isn't necessarily easy, especially in this economic climate, but it's certainly possible. Selling your home, or releasing the equity in it, is one option (and ideal for buying the building plot), but many self-builders need a loan for the project, and a self-build mortgage is a popular choice.]]></description><guid>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/05/07/money-and-materials-matter/</guid><pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2013 12:20:13 +0100</pubDate><category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category></item><item><title><![CDATA[Be a have-a-go hero]]></title><link>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/04/30/be-a-have-a-go-hero/</link><description><![CDATA[If you've watched one episode of Grand Designs too many and have been bitten by the self-build bug, be prepared for a bumpy ride.]]></description><guid>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/04/30/be-a-have-a-go-hero/</guid><pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:40:08 +0100</pubDate><category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category></item><item><title><![CDATA[Boost your bedrooms]]></title><link>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/04/23/boost-your-bedrooms/</link><description><![CDATA[One of the best ways to make your home more suited to your needs, especially if you have a growing family or want to work from home, is to add a bedroom.]]></description><guid>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/04/23/boost-your-bedrooms/</guid><pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:40:15 +0100</pubDate><category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category></item><item><title><![CDATA[Play by the rules]]></title><link>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/04/16/play-by-the-rules/</link><description><![CDATA[The weather's finally warmed up, which should signal the start of the DIY season.]]></description><guid>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/04/16/play-by-the-rules/</guid><pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:20:02 +0100</pubDate><category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category></item><item><title><![CDATA[Good wood]]></title><link>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/04/09/good-wood/</link><description><![CDATA[Many period properties (as well as some modern ones) were built with wooden windows, but in more recent decades, replacing them with UPVC ones has been popular.]]></description><guid>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/04/09/good-wood/</guid><pubDate>Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:40:08 +0100</pubDate><category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category></item><item><title><![CDATA[Stand up for your rights]]></title><link>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/04/02/stand-up-for-your-rights/</link><description><![CDATA[If you've outgrown where you live, adding space is often more cost-effective than moving home, especially in more expensive parts of the country.]]></description><guid>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/04/02/stand-up-for-your-rights/</guid><pubDate>Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:50:08 +0100</pubDate><category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category></item><item><title><![CDATA[Going, going, gone]]></title><link>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/03/26/going-going-gone/</link><description><![CDATA[Buying a house or flat in this country can take a very long time, even if it's chain free, and if you want to speed things up, buying at auction could be the answer.]]></description><guid>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/03/26/going-going-gone/</guid><pubDate>Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:30:09 +0000</pubDate><category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category></item><item><title><![CDATA[Make your home stand out]]></title><link>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/03/19/make-your-home-stand-out/</link><description><![CDATA[As well as major home improvements likely to add value and make your home more sellable, there's a lot you can do to make it more appealing to buyers without spending too much.]]></description><guid>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/03/19/make-your-home-stand-out/</guid><pubDate>Tue, 19 Mar 2013 10:30:13 +0000</pubDate><category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category></item><item><title><![CDATA[Make your money go further]]></title><link>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/03/12/make-your-money-go-further/</link><description><![CDATA[You do home improvements to make your home more suited to your lifestyle and taste, but unless it's your forever home, you may also be interested in what would make it more sellable and valuable when you come to sell.]]></description><guid>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/03/12/make-your-money-go-further/</guid><pubDate>Tue, 12 Mar 2013 12:50:08 +0000</pubDate><category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category></item><item><title><![CDATA[Make the space work harder]]></title><link>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/03/05/make-the-space-work-harder/</link><description><![CDATA[If you're anything like me, you can never have too much storage at home, but it's something that a lot of houses and flats lack and unless you like cluttered living, it's not something you can do without.]]></description><guid>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/03/05/make-the-space-work-harder/</guid><pubDate>Tue, 05 Mar 2013 10:10:11 +0000</pubDate><category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category></item><item><title><![CDATA[All change on the home front]]></title><link>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/02/26/all-change-on-the-home-front/</link><description><![CDATA[If you have a house or flat with a bad layout, or you're thinking about buying one, changing the layout can be expensive and won't necessarily be easy, but it could transform your home life.]]></description><guid>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/02/26/all-change-on-the-home-front/</guid><pubDate>Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:30:12 +0000</pubDate><category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category></item><item><title><![CDATA[Every little helps]]></title><link>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/02/19/every-little-helps/</link><description><![CDATA[Last week I explained how the Government's new Green Deal scheme works. It provides a loan for you to invest in improvements that make your home more energy efficient, such as double glazing, loft insulation and cavity wall insulation.]]></description><guid>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/02/19/every-little-helps/</guid><pubDate>Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:40:08 +0000</pubDate><category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category></item><item><title><![CDATA[Deal or no deal?]]></title><link>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/02/12/deal-or-no-deal/</link><description><![CDATA[There's been a lot of coverage in the media recently about the Government's Green Deal, a new scheme designed to help us make our homes (and businesses) more energy efficient.]]></description><guid>http://www.expressandstar.com/lifestyle/diy/2013/02/12/deal-or-no-deal/</guid><pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:40:30 +0000</pubDate><category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category></item></channel></rss>
