Tips to choose the renovation material

The right materials make a difference. But how to choose the right material for your floor and wall?

We have to consider the durability and long term benefic.

Let’s explore the strengths and weaknesses of some common use materials.

1. Ceramic tiles are brittle clay material baked with glaze to achieve a glossy or semi glossy appearance in colour. Itt can be used as floor tile and wall tile.

Strengths
- Come in wide range of colours and sizes
- Glossy surface makes it easy for cleaning and maintenance.
- Most ideal for Bathrooms and Kitchen walls, as they are relatively inexpensive.

Weaknesses
- When chipped the top glazed surface may reveal the whitish clay underneath.
- Gap between tiles will trap dirt easily if not cleaned regularly.
- Easy to chip off of the glossy surface upon impact.

2. Homogeneous tiles are brittle clay material with pigmented colouring throughout the whole tile.

Strengths
- Come in variety colours and sizes.
- When chips, it will not be noticeable as the colour on the surface is same as inside.
- Easy to maintain.
- More hard wearing compare to ceramic tile.
- Gap between two tiles are much more minimum compare to ceramic tile.

Weaknesses
- not suitable for kitchen wall tile as it will be more costly.
- scratch mark appear easily.

3. Marble is formed from natural limestone. It is an elegant natural stone rich with beauty. The surface of the stone can be polished.

Strengths
- Natural grain adds to a touch of class.
- Come in wide range of colours and sizes.
- Can be polished when surface cloud.

Weaknesses
- High in maintenance.
- Water and stain will seep in if the top protective coat peel off.
- high in cost.

4. Granite is formed from liguid magma. Granites are usually medium to coarsely crystalline. It is hard and tough.

Strengths
- Glossy surface adds to a touch of class.
- Can be used for counter tops.
- Less maintenance compare to marble.
- Can be polished when surface cloud.

Weaknesses
- High in cost
- Water and stain will seep in if the top protective coat peel off.

5. Slate tiles is a homogeneous and fine grained rock that split into many layers.

Strengths
- Natural looking.
- Come in wide range of colours and sizes.
- Natural slip-resistance makes it great for wet area.

Weaknesses
- Algae may grew on the wet surface when sunlight is abounding
- May cause hurt as it's surface is generally rough in textured.
- Restricts the changing of design as it will not match easily with comtemporary look.

6. Laminated flooring is a type of flooring that exists of different layers of material that all have different qualities.
There are a decorative surface (made of a resin-based melamine
that is hard wearing), a wood-based core (which is the main component of a laminate floor),
and a backing that is bonded to the underside of the core, which gives it its rigidity.

Strengths
- High in scratch resistance.
- Cheaper in cost compare to real wood flooring.
- Wide range in colours of grain.
- Easy to install.
- Easy to remove as there is no glue involved.
- Easy to maintain.
- Ideal for bedroom and raised flooring.
- No hacking is needed as it may be laid over existing tiles.

Weaknesses
- Too much monotony in the grain and pattern
- Discolouring may occur if exposed to extreme sunlight.
- Can only clean the floor with "dry mop"

7. Solid wood floor is milled from a single piece of hardwood, real wood.

Strengths
- Beauty of naturel wood grain and colour.
- Can be sanded and refinished over several generations of use.
- More hard wearing compare to laminated floor.

Weaknesses
- Gap will show up due to it's nature expansion and movement.
- Higher in cost compare to laminated floor.