How to Choose the Right Materials for Your Home Renovation​

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. How to Choose Renovation Materials
   • a. Define Your Vision
   • b. Assess Your Lifestyle
   • c. Set Your Budget
   • d. Evaluate Durability
   • e. Consider Maintenance
3. Balancing Style and Substance
   • Function First
   • Aesthetic Appeal
   • Timeless vs. Trendy
4. Beyond the Surface
   • Health Impact
   • Acoustic Quality
   • Psychological Feel
5. Renovation With Lasting Results

High-quality materials like hardwood, ceramic tile, and low-e windows offer both longevity and style. In the meantime, vinyl or laminate can be practical without being expensive. Choosing the right materials ensures your renovation lasts for years and looks great. Proper selection also helps improve energy efficiency and overall comfort in your home.

You need the right materials for your home renovation with Big Easy Contractors!  Take the first step towards your dream home-call us today!

Key Takeaways

• Make sure you have renovation goals and a style decided before selecting your materials.
• Consider the lifestyle of your family, and pick materials based on that.
• Set a budget that is economical and realistic.
• Keep in mind the durability and maintenance of materials.
• Think about use first. If it goes in a particular space or faces certain climate or environmental conditions, invest in water-resistant, heat-resistant, or specialty materials.
• Try to balance timeless designs with trendy accents.

How to Choose Renovation Materials

Here is how to properly pick your renovation materials. Balancing design, functionality, cost, and durability is what matters at the end of the day.

1. Define Your Vision

Start by envisioning the appearance you want in your space and the impression that you want it to have. Your material choices should align with this imagined style. Check out design magazines or Houzz, or go to a showroom for ideas.

Make sure the materials fit with your home’s architecture. A streamlined designed contemporary home would work well with modern materials like glass or concrete, as opposed to a colonial-style home that would best match with vintage brick or wood siding.

2. Assess Your Lifestyle

You will want to think about your lifestyle to be an important part of this decision. If you have young children or pets in the house, we suggest considering durability and stain resistance, and select something like engineered wood or ceramic tile in higher traffic spaces.

For empty nesters, perhaps some upscale choices that are also low maintenance, such as quartz countertops or luxury vinyl planks.

3. Set Your Budget

Establish a solid budget that covers materials, labor, and an allowance for surprises. Do price research to see what you’re up against. Laminate countertops are a lot less than granite, but they aren’t as durable.

4. Evaluate Durability

Choose hardwood, luxury vinyl, or ceramic tiles for flooring. Select granite or quartz for countertop material because they won’t scratch or stain. Do not choose soft woods or inexpensive composites. Durable options are typically beautiful as well as functional, so they’re a great long-term solution.

5. Consider Maintenance

Maintenance often dictates lifetime performance. Areas such as bathrooms and kitchens can make great use of easy-to-maintain surfaces like quartz and ceramic. Some materials and finishes require a level of maintenance that is above normal.

Balancing Style and Substance

If you’re remodeling a house, you want to find the balance between style and substance. Your materials should be as much about substance as style. We always approach each choice with an eye on durability, maintenance, and aging of materials.

• Function First

When choosing finishes for heavily trafficked areas, functionality is of most importance. In bathrooms and kitchens, opt for water-resistant finishes like quartz countertops and ceramic tile. Both are stain-resistant and waterproof.

In living rooms and hallways, opt for laminate and engineered hardwood floors. Both are resistant to scratches and can withstand foot traffic from children and pets.

• Aesthetic Appeal

Various colors, finishes, and textures make a room look more aesthetically pleasing. In the kitchen, for instance, stainless steel appliances will usually coordinate with brushed nickel finishes. Non-traditional materials, like reclaimed wood and natural stone, add personality to rooms, especially when applied only to singular features, such as a feature wall or countertop.

• Timeless vs. Trendy

Classic alternatives, like hardwood flooring or neutral tile, are both functional and appealing to a home buyer. Trendy alternatives, like accent wallpaper or colored tiled backsplashes, are fun and stylish, but the commitment to a trendy style happens in a much smaller zone because trends in remodeling can change by season.

Beyond the Surface

Selecting the right materials is about much more than just style. Materials affect the health, comfort, and functionality of your home. They are the foundation of any renovation.

Health Impact

Air quality may be negatively affected by poor material choices. Avoid materials that off-gas toxins, including formaldehyde present in certain pressed woods. Choose sustainable finishes and low or zero-VOC paints that are actually beneficial for indoor air purification.

Acoustic Quality

Today’s soundproofing provides another layer of comfort that is hard to replicate, especially within a busy family home or bustling city. Things like acoustic panels or insulation that is thicker help to carry sound through the space or into the room from the outside.

Carpets and larger area rugs also contribute to reducing echoes in the open-plan spaces that make up a home layout. Double-glazed windows are also effective in eliminating outside noise when closing off rooms.

Psychological Feel

The contents of a space can impact the emotional effect. Warm wood and natural stone, for instance, create a welcoming and snug atmosphere, whereas reflective surfaces like glass and polished tiles bring brightness to small spaces while making them appear larger.

Renovation With Lasting Results

You should select your materials intentionally, as they relate to the appearance, functionality, and durability of your space. Take your time comparing options and consulting professionals. A good selection reveals its value over time.

If you are ready to get started, talk to Big Easy Contractors. We can direct you to the right materials. Let us help you bring your vision to life. Call us today and take the first step toward your dream home!