Tag tiles buying guide

Nowadays, young people decorating their homes generally have good financial conditions and often seek advice on selecting main materials. However, choosing main materials isn’t difficult; it primarily depends on your needs and budget.

For tiles: If your budget allows, opt for plain matte tiles with matching grout for a seamless appearance. If budget is limited, choose glossy tiles as they are affordable and easy to clean. Avoid matte tiles due to difficulty in cleaning. Standard size is 800×800; if funds are sufficient, 1500×750 is preferable with fewer seams for a more spacious look. Do not use 1200×600 tiles for floors as they tend to look unattractive; they are better suited for kitchen and bathroom walls.

For latex paint: Domestic latex paint quality and environmental standards already meet home decoration needs in China, so there’s no necessity to select imported options. Imported paints are often produced domestically using local materials and may have inferior environmental performance. Marketing terms like children’s bamboo charcoal, odor-free mildew-proof, Blue Angel certification, and A+ certification are primarily tactics targeting inexperienced consumers; additional features usually mean higher costs. When choosing latex paint, focus on two key aspects: environmental certification (prioritize the Ten Rings certification) and quality grade (prefer excellent grade, followed by first grade).

For purchase channels, it’s advisable to buy from online official flagship stores.

For doors: If you prioritize aesthetics, choose painted doors; for practicality, laminate doors are a good option. Regardless, solid wood composite doors are reliable. Pure solid wood doors offer better environmental benefits but are expensive and prone to cracking or deformation, making solid wood composite more stable. For door cores, prefer wood block filling or bridge hole structure; avoid honeycomb paper filling even if offered for free. For hinges, select flat-open types over mother-child types due to superior load-bearing capacity.

For flooring: Ordinary households are not recommended to use pure solid wood flooring as it’s costly, difficult to maintain, and prone to issues. For villas or large flats, pure solid wood is ideal. For regular homes, multi-layer solid wood is recommended; with underfloor heating, choose 7 or 9 layers for better stability, though the surface may be thinner and less wear-resistant. Without underfloor heating, three-layer solid wood is preferable for its environmental friendliness and thicker surface. If using laminate flooring, prioritize environmental protection and select reputable brands.

For lighting: You can easily purchase online, with shipments from Zhongshan, Guangdong ensuring quality and lower prices. Sellers typically offer delivery, installation, and after-sales service. For sizing, a simple method is to add the room’s length and width and divide by 12 to find the ideal size. For living rooms, choose a color temperature of 4000-4500K; for dining areas, 3000-3500K for soft light; and for bedrooms, 3000K to promote sleep. For brightness, multiply the room area by 3-5 watts (e.g., a 10 sqm bedroom should have around 30 watts).

These five main materials are essential in every home decoration project, so it’s crucial to research thoroughly to avoid pitfalls.