Not long ago, I published an article titled "Home Appliances with a 100% Regret Rate" (click to read), which caused a fierce comment debate among fans. Today, I would like to discuss with you the same headache of decoration building materials: like the previously mentioned household appliances, the regret rate of decoration building materials is also nearly 100%. Why 100%? Because in most cases, we have to choose between the two, and no matter which one you choose, you will regret it – if you choose A, you will regret not choosing B, and the same will be true if you choose B. What's even more tricky is that we can't escape these multiple-choice questions. My purpose in writing this article is to hope that you will no longer worry about this. By understanding the pros and cons of these building materials and making an informed choice based on your needs, you may be able to reduce the chances of regret.
#01. Wall Decoration Material: Latex Paint VS Wallpaper/Murrel
People who choose latex paint regret it: the surface of the wallpaper wall cloth is more textured, and you can directly use a rag to wipe it when cleaning. The surface print of the wallpaper wallcovering is difficult to match with the highest grade latex paint, and its texture is more refined. For the wall cracks caused by the settlement of the new house, the wallpaper wall cloth can be effectively covered, and the latex paint will be directly exposed. People who choose wallpaper wallcovering regret that the construction cost of wallpaper wallcovering is higher, and it is more cumbersome to repair after damage. In addition, the corners of the wallpaper wallcovering are easy to warp and are prone to moisture and mildew. In terms of environmental protection, even with the best glutinous rice glue, the wallpaper wall covering is slightly inferior in terms of air permeability. Suggestion: If the home decoration style is more clear, it is more recommended to choose latex paint, if the decoration style is relatively mixed, you can try to use wallpaper wall cloth to attract attention.
#02. Floor Paving Material: Tile VS Wood Floor
Those who choose ceramic tiles regret that the wooden floor feels better to the touch, is not cold or hard, and even if it falls, the degree of injury is relatively small. In addition, the surface of the wooden floor is not easy to slide, and even if dust or water stains stick to it, it is not easy to cause falls. Wood floors conduct heat faster, and users with underfloor heating don't have to wait for more than ten hours to feel the warmth. Those who choose wooden flooring regret that the tiles last longer, especially after being exposed to water, and the surface of the tiles does not darken. In terms of wear resistance, ceramic tiles are also better, and they are not easy to fade and peel off after long-term use. In addition, the tiles have a stronger heat storage capacity, and the room remains warm after several days of heating. Suggestion: Wooden flooring is more comfortable in the bedroom, and tiles are more durable in the living room. If you have a lot of guests in your home, you can consider using tiles throughout the house, and conversely, if you don't have guests for a long time, you can choose wooden flooring. In addition, users who heat themselves are more suitable for wooden floors, while users for collective heating are more suitable for ceramic tiles.
#03. Background Wall Decoration Material: Large Slab VS Rock Slab
Those who choose large slabs regret that the rock slabs are more resistant to wear and penetration, and if you accidentally spill a drink on the wall, it will not penetrate and affect the appearance of the background wall. In terms of feel, the rock slab is more rugged, while the large slab is ordinary to the touch, and it is easy to produce light spots when the surface is smooth. The longest side is no more than 2m, which means that a wall needs to be put together like tiles, which is slightly less than the overall sense of the large slab. People who choose rock slabs regret that the price is high, and the construction cost is more expensive. The color of the rock slabs is relatively simple, generally gray-white, while the large slabs have a rich choice of patterns like tiles. Suggestion: It is more recommended to choose large boards for background walls, which are low in price and large in size. The backdrop itself does not require constant contact, so the high performance of the slab cannot be fully utilized. Rock slabs are more suitable for replacing tile flooring (wear-resistant) or for walls in bathrooms and kitchens (waterproof and impermeable).
#04.Custom Furniture Panels: MDF VS Particle Board
Those who choose MDF regret that MDF is not pure wood, and its interior is filled with other materials such as straw in addition to wood. In addition, the surface of the MDF cannot be processed, making it difficult to create effects such as dark flowers and carvings. It is rumored that particle board uses less glue and is more environmentally friendly. People who choose particle board regret that particle board is inferior to MDF in terms of wear resistance, support and moisture resistance, so furniture made of particle board is more prone to deformation. In addition, in terms of environmental protection, the amount of glue in the particle board is large, and the risk of excessive formaldehyde is also higher. Suggestion: Generally, a mixture of the two is used, with particle board for the door for more aesthetic and MDF for the cabinet body, which is more robust. Although particle board is more expensive, if it is used in the cabinet, it will affect the service life and equate to spending more money in exchange for less durable materials, so it is not recommended to "upgrade".
The advice provided here is not a hard and fast rule, and the final choice should be based on the actual needs of the individual. It is hoped that by understanding the advantages and disadvantages of these building materials, you can make more informed decisions in the decoration and reduce the possibility of regret in the later stage.