The first step in decoration is to choose the right materials. The quality of the materials is directly related to the health of the residents, the durability of the residence and the overall budget.
Many novice decorators have troubles because of their lack of knowledge about building materials and blindly following the trend of expensive materials.
Today, we will talk about the core material selection for home decoration from the basic main materials, auxiliary materials, environmental protection points, and reference pictures at once. Novices can just follow the reference.
1. Wall materials: appearance and environmental protection are given priority
1. Latex paint
The first choice of the mainstream public, it is cost-effective, rich in color choices, and easy to renovate.
Look for the 10-ring certification and French A+ environmental protection grade. It has low formaldehyde emission and is suitable for daily homes. It has the disadvantages of being afraid of bumps and average water resistance. It is not recommended to be used alone in humid kitchens and bathrooms.
2. Diatom mud
It mainly absorbs moisture, regulates moisture, and absorbs odors. It has a strong texture and is suitable for living rooms and bedrooms that value texture. However, the cost is high and the care is troublesome. When purchasing, beware of inferior and adulterated products.
3. Wall coverings
The overall seamless paving, beautiful appearance, good sound insulation effect, waterproof and wear-resistant, high adaptability to light luxury and simple style, focus on checking the environmental protection grade of the glue, low-quality glue can easily cause long-term formaldehyde hazards.
2. Floor materials: wear-resistant, non-slip and practical
1. Ceramic tiles
They are divided into full-body tiles, glazed tiles and marble tiles. They are waterproof, non-slip, stain-resistant and easy to scrub. They are the first choice for kitchens, bathrooms and balconies. Large-sized floor tiles are preferred for large spaces in guest rooms and restaurants. There are fewer gaps and are easier to take care of. The higher the wear-resistant grade, the more suitable for high-frequency walking areas.
2. Solid wood flooring
The natural wood grain is warm and feels good on the feet. It is environmentally friendly and has comfortable thermal insulation. It is suitable for bedrooms. It has the disadvantages of being afraid of moisture and easy to deform, so it needs regular maintenance. Moisture-proof treatment is required in humid areas in the south.
3. Solid wood composite flooring
Combining the texture of solid wood and the stability of reinforced flooring, it is cost-effective and has stronger moisture-proof and deformation resistance. It is very suitable for guest bedrooms. Laminated flooring is wear-resistant and durable, and the price is affordable. It is the first choice for renting and simple-minded families.
3. Boards (core of cabinets): the most important environmental protection grade
The core boards of wardrobes, cabinets, and shoe cabinets, environmental standards give priority to E0 and ENF levels (currently the highest domestic environmental protection grades). The formaldehyde content is extremely low, making it safer to stay at home.
1. Particle board
High cost performance, good flatness, suitable for customized cabinets, generally moisture-proof, priority is given to regular ENF grade products from big brands.
2. Multi-layer solid wood board
Glued multi-layer solid wood pressing, moisture-proof, strong load-bearing, suitable for kitchen cabinets and cabinets in humid areas.
3. European pine board (OSB)
It has stable structure, small deformation, and environmental protection standards. It is often used for high-end customization and base layer.
4. Hydropower core auxiliary materials: Don’t save money on hidden projects
Hydropower is a hidden project, and subsequent maintenance and transformation are extremely difficult. The quality of pipes and wires must be strictly controlled: the wires use national standard copper core flame-retardant wires.
Priority is given to PPR hot-melt hot water pipes for water pipes, with high-quality valves and pipe fittings. Regular flexible and rigid waterproof coatings are used for waterproofing. The kitchen and bathroom closed water test must meet the standards. Cutting corners on auxiliary materials will easily lead to safety hazards such as water leakage and electric leakage in the later stage. Do not compress this budget.
5. Kitchen and bathroom main materials: waterproof and durable as the first principle
Priority is given to toilets and bathroom cabinets with fine glaze and water-saving certification for sanitary ware. Hardware hinges and faucets are made of 304 stainless steel and brass, which are corrosion-resistant and not easy to rust. The mainstream quartz stone for cabinet countertops has high hardness, is scratch-resistant and anti-seepage. It can be easily used to chop bones and wipe oil stains daily, avoiding the problems of low-quality artificial stone that is easy to bleed and crack.
6. Summary of key points for avoiding pitfalls in home decoration material selection
1. Environmental protection is a priority
Healthy stay comes first. Check the formal test reports for boards, glue, and coatings, and do not believe the verbal “zero formaldehyde” propaganda.
2. Select materials as needed
Moisture-proof in humid areas, wear-resistant in areas with large traffic, comfortable and environmentally friendly in bedrooms, do not blindly follow the trend of high-priced materials from Internet celebrities, and are best suited to your own house type, budget, and living habits.
3. Strictly control the source
The main materials depend on the brand qualifications, and the quality of the hidden auxiliary materials is also strictly controlled. Many decoration overruns and later reworks are hidden dangers caused by the haphazard use of materials in the early stage.
There is no absolute best choice of materials for decoration, only the most suitable. Spend money on hidden projects and environmentally friendly core materials. The appearance of soft furnishings can be gradually upgraded later, and the greatest significance of decoration is to make your stay safe and comfortable.
