This autumn, expert builder and DIY guru Tommy Walsh was joined by his sidekick, maverick builder and compulsive scavenger Liam Collins for a new Discovery Real Time series from production company Flame TV: “Tommy’s Fix Your House For Free?”. With more and more people finding that money is tight, Tommy decided to tackle his biggest project yet - helping families enhance their homes for very little cash.

Using only building materials that have been provided for free, or which other people have thrown out, all that is paid for is the labour. Conservatories, loft extensions and attic conversions are just a few of the jobs they tackle, but it was for an extension and garage conversion to a new kitchen and bathroom for a family home in Purley, Surrey, that the team turned to SmartPly. “This is a great premise for a series, with a strong sustainability message,” says Geoff Rhodes, marketing and business development director of Coillte Panel Products. “The project called for a flat roof, and the right product for the job was needed; in this case, 18mm SmartPly OSB3. Right now, rather than move house, many people are making the most of the homes they live in. Tommy and his team not only help a few families, but give the rest of us some great ideas.”

Throughout the series Tommy keeps a watchful eye on the projects to make sure that quality isn’t compromised just because the materials are free.

19 November 2009