WARM FEET WARM HEART

There is something to be said for being warm. It certainly makes us happier to be warm and cosy in winter. New Zealand has it's fair share of poorly insulated homes. In fact, insulation only became mandatory in 1978 so, if your house was built before this, chances are you're living in a cold, draughty house.

Installing insulation under-floor will help keep the heat in and is an important step in insulating your house.

The August issue of HOW to takes you through the options when installing insulation underfoot, as well as a step-by-step guide on how to properly install it yourself.

SPRING CLEAN SPECIAL

OK, so it may feel like we're in the grip of winter, but spring is just around the corner (I promise!) so now is the time to get a few of those spring cleaning jobs done.

All outdoor areas suffer in winter. Patios look dull, moss and mould can flourish and looks, not to mention safety, can suffer.

What can you do to spruce up your outdoors? The August issue of HOW to takes you through the basics of waterblasting, chemical products and others that can help you spruce up your outdoors this spring.

RUST BUSTER

Rust is not only unsightly, it can make whatever it's attacking unsafe for use. Whether it be your tools, garden furniture or fences, rust may be slow-moving, but it can also be incredible damaging.

Luckily there are products out there that can make getting rid of that rust easier.

The August issue of HOW to takes you step-by-step how to bust that rust this season. From preparation through to priming and top-coats, HOW to will tell you what product to use to get your products back to pristine condition.

WINDOW MAKEOVER - BLINDS PART I

Building or renovating, or simply sprucing up for sale, blinds are a quick and easy way to make over a room. Installed correctly, they can transform a room from tired and dreary to modern in an instance. 

There are 3 main types of blinds - aluminium venetian blinds, wooden blinds and roller blinds.

The August issue of HOW to takes you through each basic blind, how they may be sold and which one is right for your room. HOW to also features a guide on installation to make sure your blinds to the job they are designed for.

SPRAY IT ON

The use of sprayers to paint both interior and exterior is increasing. The professionals can make it look so quick and easy. But beware, it takes time and practise to get that professional paint finish with a sprayer.

Not only is your technique important, but the type of paint you use in a sprayer also matters.

The August issue of HOW To takes you through painting with sprayers. From preparing your surface to diagrams on how to correctly use the sprayer right through to clean up HOW to has it covered.

X-RAY WALLS

Sometimes it may feel like you need x-ray vision when trying to find studs in your walls. You won't want to rip down your gib just for a small job such as hanging a picture or putting up shelves. But what to do? The old knocking technique isn't failsafe and can often result in many many holes while you search for that elusive stud.

Luckily there are many products in the market that can make finding that stud easier. But, as with most things, there are a myriad of options to choose from and which one is right for you?

The August issue of HOW to takes you through how stud finders work so that you can pick the one that's right for you.

AUGUST CHECKLIST

Yes, it may seem like we're in the grip of winter but spring is just around the corner (officially just a month away!) and there are many things we can be doing in the garden to get ready.

The August checklist takes you through what you can do to ensure your vege garden, flower gardens and lawns are ready for that spring onslaught.

AWESOME AVOCADOES

We've all heard it before. Avocadoes are packed full of the good oils and fats your family needs. But what we might not have heard is that Avocadoes are surprisingly easy to grow.

The August issue of HOW To takes you through the different varieties of avocadoes out there. It also shows you just how easy they can be to grow, where to plant them and how to harvest when ready.