When it comes to deciding on a surface material for a project, the options can seem overwhelming. With so monay choices available, it can be challenging to know exactly which material is the best for a given application. In this brief article we will cover some basic tips that can help if you are trying to determine what material(s) will work best in your project. As we look at the information, you will find that the tips are not complicated and they make the decision easier to reach.
Why So Many Choices for Stone?
Upon realizing that there are so many options for hard surfaces, one might wonder what the reason for all of these choices is. The simple answer is that each material has something uniques to offer. Considering that there are many factors that are important to consumers, this makes sense. For example, one consumer might be budget conscious. Another might put a priority on ease of maintenance. Finally, others might want a surface that is 100% unique and different from anything else on the planet. Those are not all of the aspects that get taken into account when selecting materials for flooring, countertops, and wall panels, but you get the idea. With the diversity in consumer requirements in mind, let's get into our topic.
Not All Material is the Same
This might sound like an obvious thing, but it really is important to remember. Some material is natural and other material is man made. Some surfaces will have a distinctive look that marks the type of material it is and others will have a predictable and predetermined appearance so there are no surprises.
Tip 1: Do Your Research
The only way to know to know if a particular material is right for your taste, your environment, and your project is to research it. Each material has benefits and drawbacks. Researching how materials compare with one another reveals a plethora details that you may not have previously thought about. Here on our website we have a number of articles that compare materials. Some of these include:
Researching various materials can reveal a number of things that just might affect the decision you make about your surfaces. But research alone will not reveal everything. It might help to talk with someone; hence, tip number two.
Tip 2: Talk With a Professional
Some things just cannot be covered in a brief little comparison article. Therefore, it is often a good choice to seek out professional advice. Why is talking with a professional sometimes better than research? Because there are too many specific situations that require specific action. When you talk with a professional, whether it is a restoration professional, a fabricator, or a knowledgeable sales representative, you can present specific situations to them and get feedback for that specific problem.
Having a good relationship with multiple knowledgeable professionals will afford you the opportunity to gain valuable information about many different aspects of stone surfaces.
Tip 3: Get Input from Others
As we have been discussing, it is good to get as much input as you can from others. That includes other consumers that have been in your situation. If you are thinking of using a specific material and would like to know what the pros and cons are of it, you can probably find a discussion on a forum style website that will prove to be helpful. For instance, someone contemplating a porcelain countertop would no doubt get some helpful insight from this discussion about porcelain countertops on
Houzz.com.
Another way to get input from others is to discuss your thoughts wth some of your friends. Often times they will have either gained experience or know someone that has had the opportunity to work with either a professional, a material, or both of which you are thinking of using.
So in review, we have covered three tips for you to keep in mind as you choose a material for your hard surfaces. 1) Do research. 2) Talk with one or more professionals. 3) Get input from other consumers. Keeping these tips in mind will help you to not only mkae informed decisions, but it wil also build your confidence in the decisions you make.
