Product Reviews

Wooden Flooring or Lamination

 

One of the most sought after materials in any building is wooden flooring. It is a timeless material that has been used since the dawn of mankind to make homes more comfortable and to give them a sense of elegance. In todays article we will discuss the pros and cons of wooden flooring as compared to laminated wooden floors. The first point is price of the each respective item, Generally hard wooden floors are expensive as compared to laminated wooden floors this is due to the fact hard wooden floors are made of harvested trees and as the quality varies depending on types of tree e.g oak,pine,ash,moagine. Laminated floors are comparatively cheaper as they are made of composite wood pressed together at relatively high temperatures. 

The next point of debate is the durability of both items. Hardwood is prone to scratches and may get damaged due to excessive moisture it will also show tear in heavily trafficked area but wooden floor can add to the elegance and value of your house. Laminated wood is more durable as it is made from pressed wood and is resistant to wear and tear and also doesn't get damaged to due to moisture. Drawback is that it may not be visually as pleasing as hardwood on the eyes. The next point of debate is maintenance, hardwood floors can be repaired easily by refinishing as compared to laminated wood which is relatively harder to replace and if you have bought them in panels then you need to replace entire panel.

Bricks or Blocks

Bricks are the primary construction material for building but in recent years more companies and homeowners have opted for blocks. Bricks have high thermal mass which leads to them absorbing more heat in the summers as compared to block which absorb heat during the day and release it at night and keep the home warmer in winter and cooler in summers. Bricks are more Eco-friendly as they can be recycled and used for landfills as compared to block which are not recyclable and leave behind residue. Bricks are more durable as compared to blocks, the buildings made from red bricks are known to be more stronger and durable. Blocks needs proper maintenance and care in order to last long. Bricks also burn less easily and are given the highest fire resistance rating and in comparison blocks can burn more easily especially hollow blocks. Bricks also do not require any maintenance cost and are relatively cheap in the long run as compared to blocks which require constant maintenance. 

One big advantage of blocks is that they are relatively cheaper and are lighter in weight as compared to blocks. Block are made from waste they are made from fly ash as compared to blocks whereas bricks use top soil which is like robbing a precious source of nature. Blocks are more sound proof as compared to red bricks, block walls have higher density as compared to red bricks. Ultimately its your choice and what you favor.

 

Paint or Wallpaper?

Paint is the main element in construction as it plays a very important role in the grooming of building. Paint is the easiest way to update the view and environment of the space. If we talk about indoor, we can either use wallpaper or paint. Combination of both can be used, depends upon the likability of person utilizing the space. Wallpaper have a detailed designs and some just have a simple texture in it. Location of space really matter for the selection of wallpaper or paint. Wallpapers can be even used in the bathrooms to create a design wall if you don,t have good options in tiles or paint. Cost of paint is less as compared to wallpapers. In paint if you go for the artistic work, it might cost you more then wallpapers because it includes more hard work.

Wallpapers require more maintenance because it is less durable and it can not bear hard weather conditions. Wallpapers can not be cleaned or repaired but painted walls can be washed gently and can be renewed with another coat of the same paint. Both paint and wallpaper can not survive in case of seepage. Technology in paints is increasing which gives even scratch less paints, weather resistance which are also cost effective rather than using  stone or tiles on the outer side or elevation of the building.

Marble tiles or cement tiles for driveway?

The topic for today is should you use marble or cement tiles for your driveway. Marble is everywhere nowadays if you look inside your homes, buildings, hotels it will always be an ever present feature. One of the reasons for excessive use of marble in Pakistan is due to its large reserves in Balochistan and it is estimated that Pakistan has the world's sixth biggest marble reserves. In recent years people have started using cement tiles to replace marble tiles for their driveways. There are several factors that have contributed to this decision. In looks department marble is still the king and reigns supreme with its smooth glossy finish and an infinite amount of designs available you can you choose the one that suits you best. Cement tiles are lacking in this department as only a handful of designs are available and they have a dull look which makes it not as appealing as marble. The next factor is load bearing capacity of both materials. Marble is delicate and has a certain load bearing capacity which is comparatively low as compared to its counterpart, Marble tiles break easily under stress whereas cement tiles are tough and durable. The next factor is price, marble is a expensive material and comes in various pricing categories but even the lowest price marble is still miles expensive than cement tiles and this is one of the main reasons people have opted for cement tiles because they are relatively inexpensive. Marble requires significant maintenance costs and after using it for five to ten  years its smooth glow goes aways and you have to refurbish them to bring their smooth glow back whereas cement tiles require almost no maintenance costs. 

Another factor is availability of both items and in this regard marble is much more easily available than cement tiles, almost every city or rural area has a marble shop. Another factor is installation of both materials, marble is hard to install and requires significant time and a delicate touch whereas cement tiles can easily be installed and require less time. Marble has an advantage over cement tiles in respect to cleaning as they are easier to wash as compared to cement tiles. Since marble is smooth water easily goes over it as compared to cement.