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Guides
Buying guides
Straightforward answers to the questions that come up when choosing and ordering building materials.
Sharp sand vs building sand: which do you need?
The difference between sharp sand, building sand and plastering sand, and which one to use for mortar, screeds, concrete, paving and render.
Read the guide →Concrete and mortar mix ratios explained
Typical mix ratios for concrete, mortar, screed and render, what the numbers mean, and when to choose ready-mixed instead.
Read the guide →Which plasterboard do I need?
Standard, moisture-resistant, fire-rated, acoustic and insulated plasterboard compared, with thickness and fixing tips for walls and ceilings.
Read the guide →How to choose a lintel
Steel and concrete lintels compared, and the details to check before you order one: wall type, cavity width, opening width, bearing and load.
Read the guide →How to lay a sub-base for a patio or driveway
How deep to dig, which sub-base to use, and how to compact it for patios, paths and driveways that stay level.
Read the guide →Aircrete vs dense concrete blocks
The differences between aircrete, medium dense and dense concrete blocks, and which to choose for inner leaves, partitions, foundations and load-bearing walls.
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