Think about all the steps you take to ensure your health and safety when working as a joiner – things like wearing a hard hat, using a respirator on dusty jobs, or being extra careful when working at height. Now think about what you do to safeguard your mental health at work. How do you […]

Over the last few decades, the use of timber for garden landscaping has grown and grown. Trends have moved away from the very formal style of older gardens, towards a much more organic look where elements like paving are softened by wooden decking, handrails and pergolas. Softwood timber is popular for gardens because it’s cost-effective […]

Over the last few decades, the use of timber for garden landscaping has grown and grown. Trends have moved away from the very formal style of older gardens, towards a much more organic look where elements like paving are softened by wooden decking, handrails and pergolas. Softwood timber is popular for gardens because it’s cost-effective […]

Converting a loft is one of the best ways to add value to a property, delivering extra space that can make it more attractive to buyers, or better adapted to the existing residents. With a shortage of properties across the UK – especially in London and other major cities –  joiners are seeing a rise […]

Much as every joiner would probably wish they could work exclusively with timber all day, every day, when it comes to construction and other structural joinery jobs, there are inevitably times when you’ll need a wood-to-metal fastener. Fixing timber to steel and other metals is an essential part of tasks like roofing, loft conversions, landscaping […]

As a carpenter, you’d probably say your most important body part is your hands – after all, they’re tools you use to get the job done every day.   When your hands are your bread and butter, it makes sense to look after them – avoiding cuts and impact injuries, and maybe even attending physio appointments […]

Britain’s economic crisis is deepening, with spiralling costs squeezing people’s pockets and threatening to put the lights out – literally – for thousands of businesses. In the construction industry, costs have already reached unparalleled heights on both materials and energy, straining project budgets and forcing contractors to compete for an ever-shrinking slice of the pie. […]

To the uninitiated, one screw is no different from another.  But as a professional joiner, you know that all screws are not created equal; good ones can make your life (and your work) a lot easier, while bad ones can cost you time, money – and even your reputation. At Carpenter’s Mate, our ambition is […]

‘Tis the season for outdoor projects – decks, fences, raised beds, sheds and more. Redesigning and repairing, ready for a much longed-for summer! If you’re in the throes of project planning, you’ll be busy selecting the best materials for the job. And that includes fixings, where the options can seem endless. It’s an important decision […]

If you’re keen to tackle a DIY carpentry project, you’d better be prepared for some hard – and rewarding – work! Carpentry can be as taxing on the brain as it is on the body – all that planning, calculating and measuring before you even get near a piece of timber. But when you get […]

Considering tackling a bit of decking? Whether you’re in the market for something relatively simple, or have visions of a grand entertaining space, preparation is absolutely everything! Before you dive into the ‘doing’ though, you’ll need to make sure you’ve covered the basics. That means working out whether there are any permits you need to […]

No matter what material you’re working with, you need to use the right screw for the job. That means knowing which point design, as well as thread and head type, works for different materials and applications. While we have a VERY handy shortcut for all your woodworking needs (more on that below), here’s a quick […]