Decorators and DIY’ers in need of exterior paints that allow decorators to continue their work outdoors, even in dipping winter temperatures, should look no further than Zinsser AllWeather Exterior Masonry Paint and Zinsser AllCoatExterior (Solvent-Based). Zinsser AllWeatherExterior Masonry Paint makes working outdoors in winter conditions easy, as this ultimate-performance exterior masonry paint forms a low-maintenance, water shedding, tough finish that is showerproof in 20 minutes and can be applied in temperatures as low as -5oC. Once applied, it offers supreme protection to bare or previously painted exterior concrete, render, stone and masonry. AllWeather contains a biocide that protects the dried coating against fungal degradation* giving a long-lasting stain and moisture resistant finish, designed to resist cracking, peeling and blistering.  In many instances AllWeather Exterior Masonry Paint is self-priming and will bond to existing paints without sanding, so for many refurbishing jobs there is no need to purchase a separate primer. After removing existing mould and mildew, two coats of AllWeather Exterior Masonry Paint will ensure that any exterior looks bright and beautiful for years. Available in white, black and a selection of bases that can be tinted to any colour. For other substrates, including outdoor wood, metal, masonry, plastic, concrete and cladding, Zinsser AllCoat Exterior (Solvent-Based) silicon alkyd formula forms a low maintenance, water-shedding coating that is touch dry in 3 hours, even drying in low temperatures down to 5°C. Zinsser AllCoat ® Exterior (Solvent-Based) gives excellent resistance against cracking, blistering and flaking for up to 15 years before first maintenance. The tough finish is resistant to rain and severe weather and offers excellent colour retention, in addition the paint contains a biocide to protect the dried coating against fungal degradation. After removing any existing mould and mildew, the first coat primes and seals the surface, providing a base. The second coat is the topcoat, which completes the sealing process and provides additional moisture resistance and protection.  Zinsser AllCoat Exterior(Solvent-Based), available in Satin and Gloss, will ensure that any exterior looks bright and beautiful for up to 15 years. Available from Brewers and all good paint merchants.

Two thirds of Brits (66%) say they will be repurposing their child’s bedroom as soon as they leave for university, according to a new study from AA Financial Services – nearly a third admit they can finally realise their dreams of turning the empty space into a guest bedroom (29%). Savings and disposable cash are two biggest ways they will be financing the improvements (48% and 42%). With the next round of 18-year-olds bracing themselves for A-level results day this week, the findings suggest their parents may already have their minds on other matters. The nationally representative survey asked 2,091 British adults to imagine if they had a child who was planning to leave home later this summer to start university, what plans, if any, they had to convert the space into something new. More than a third (34%) said they would do absolutely nothing and would leave the room untouched for when their kids came home from university, keeping it as a shrine for their child. The other 66% of respondents have other plans they intend to put into action. A time for friends  Brits in the South West were the most likely (40%) to dream of turning the space into a guest room, suggesting that parents in the region will be seizing the opportunity to invite old friends over as soon as their children fly the nest. In contrast, only 25% of Brits in the West Midlands said they would transform the room this way – they were more likely to let their kids keep their room for when they come home to visit from university.  Desk job Turning the room into a study space was a top consideration for many (17%) – especially those in East Midlands who were thinking about how they would make the most out of the free space (25%). Apparel lovers As the prospect of university looms, respondents in Wales were twice as likely than the national average (12% vs. 6%) to repurpose the space to fit a walk in wardrobe. Fitness first At a time when there is a priority on health and fitness, with the average Brit spending more than £65,000 in their lifetime to stay in good basic shape[1], it seems people in the South East are leading the way, with around one in ten admitting they would convert the room into a gym and workout from home (9%).  Families of 5 Remodelling these empty rooms for gyms, studies and walk in wardrobes all seem like appealing ideas to utilise this new space. However, the AA Financial Services research shows that families with three children or more are the most likely to rent out the room in order to pocket some extra cash to go towards the household (11%).  Ways of re-purposing the empty room National Average Region with the largest percentage Turn it into a walk-in wardrobe 6% Wales 12% Turn it into a gym 5% South East 9% Turn it into a study 17% East Midlands 25% Turn it into a hobbies/ games room 13% East Midlands 22% Use it as a junk/ store room 10% South West 13% Scotland 13% Rent it out to make some extra money 5% London 7% Wales 7% Offer the room to my parent(s) to stay in (i.e. so they can move in) 1% London 4% Turn it into a pet room 2% South West 5% Turn it in a guest bedroom (e.g. for friends or family staying over) 29% South West 40% Loose the room altogether (e.g. knock through the walls and combine it with another room) 2% London 3% West Midlands 3% Have it as a separate bedroom for me 5% Wales 8% None of these 11% South East 15% Don’t know 8% London 12% Not applicable – I would not do anything to the room 34% North West 37% How they are financing their home improvements Using my savings 48% Using cash or disposable income 42% Putting it on my credit card 11% Taking out a personal loan 5% Borrowing money from friends or family 3% Warren D’Souza, head of insight at AA Personal Finance comments: “Many families will soon be waving goodbye to their kids as they go off to university later this summer. Whilst this is a difficult transition for many, our findings suggest that many people have alternative, and potentially exciting, ideas on how they will repurpose the empty rooms left behind. For many parents, the sad departure of their child is a signal for the start of a new DIY undertaking or similar project to focus on.  “We have personal loans and products that make this transitional period slightly easier and gives homeowners one less thing to worry about during this busy time. See what we can offer you.”