Selecting the best materials for a home renovation can be more challenging than you might expect. We’ve all had a confusing moment standing in a DIY store, looking at far more options than we expected.
Well, by speaking to experts like those at Macblair and planning in advance, you can find the best materials more easily.
Cost
The total cost of your project is something you’ve likely got a hard number for. Always consider how materials will factor into that. Also consider if you may have to replace a certain material – it will then cost twice as much as you had expected.
Durability
Different materials are durable in different ways. For instance, rigid plastic has impeccable water resistance but very poor thermal resistance. Consider the strains that different elements of your project will be under and what materials handle those strains best.
Aesthetics
Everyone has their own tastes in terms of design, and you’re no different! Although we all like to save a little money, it may be wise to spend a little extra to get materials that you actually enjoy looking at every day.
Location
This is rarely considered in the modern world of overnight shipping, but not all materials are easily available to every location. For instance, specific ceramic tiles may need specialist equipment and skills to produce and so may only be found in one location. Consider what materials are available locally to you.
Availability
You never want to be forced into ending a project because you can’t track down any more of your materials. This has stopped far too many people dead in their tracks! Consider what the most plentiful and easily accessible materials are for your project and how those materials may become more or less available with time.
Think of it this way: no one can build an igloo in the middle of summer.
Sustainability
While we don’t like to think about what might happen after our projects have outlived their usefulness, it’s something a responsible builder should consider. Therefore, consider moving away from plastic-based or otherwise unsustainable materials, as they will likely become harder and harder to source, use, and dispose of as time goes on.
Maintenance
Finding a material that can easily be repaired and maintained is vitally important for most projects. While you may enjoy the process of meticulously cleaning and repairing something, the end user might not. Consider the ease of maintenance, even for something small like dusting: no one enjoys dusting, and your project will likely one day need to be dusted.
Performance
Always evaluate how well your chosen material will work in the purpose you have selected it for. From the obvious, like selecting clear materials for windows, to the more esoteric, like selecting thermally insulating materials for walls and partitions. Always ensure your materials will perform admirably in their final role.
Selecting the best building materials might seem daunting, but a little planning and spending a little time considering how the material will interact with the world can go a long way.
