Choosing materials for a renovation is a bit like choosing a partner: looks matter (a lot), but lasting over time, being reliable, and not causing you sleepless nights is what really makes the difference. This article guides you — with practical advice, common mistakes to avoid, and a good dose of irony — to evaluate materials for floors, coverings, windows, surfaces, and finishes without being fooled just by Pinterest or a glossy photo that disappears at the first spilled coffee.
Let's get started.
1. The golden rule: functionality → durability → aesthetics
Order your priorities like this:
Functionality: does the material do what you need? (resistant to water, foot traffic, stains?)
Durability and maintenance: how long does it last and how much does it cost to maintain?
Aesthetics: yes, it must be beautiful — but beauty must coexist with the other two.
If you reverse the order (beautiful → we'll see later), in the long run you'll pay in stress, touch-ups, and frequent replacements.
2. Understand the context of use: there is no universal material
Before falling in love with a material, ask yourself:
- Where will it be used? (indoor/outdoor, floor/wall)
- What level of traffic must it withstand? (home, office, commercial space)
- Are there any critical issues (humidity, oven heat, presence of pets, children)?
- What maintenance are you willing to do? (very little, moderate, obsessive)
Example: choosing a light parquet in a house with a dog that bathes in the garden and small children = romantic but potentially tragic choice if you don't choose the right type and don't plan for protective finishes.
3. Initial cost vs total cost of ownership (LCC — life-cycle cost)
The list price is just the beginning. Also consider:
- installation (special laying, screeds, glues, qualified labor);
- maintenance (oils, waxes, specific products);
- repairs and expected lifespan;
- disposal or final replacement.
Let's do a practical example (illustrative numbers, digit-by-digit calculations):
Comparison: cheap laminate parquet vs prefinished oak parquet on the same surfaces for 15 years.
Hypothetical data
Laminate: material and installation cost = €20/m². Estimated lifespan = 7 years. Annual maintenance (regular cleaning) = €10/year.
Prefinished oak: material and installation cost = €60/m². Estimated lifespan = 25 years. Specialist annual maintenance (oils, touch-ups) = €30/year.
For simplicity, let's consider 50 m² of flooring.
Laminate: initial cost
Total initial cost = 20 €/m² × 50 m².
Calculation: 20 × 50 = 1,000 €.
Laminate: maintenance over 15 years
2. Total maintenance = 10 €/year × 15 years.
Calculation: 10 × 15 = 150 €.
Laminate: replacements in 15 years
3. Lifespan 7 years → in 15 years you need two complete replacements (first at time 0, then at 7 years, then at 14 years; let's consider 2 replacements beyond the first). For simplicity, we count 3 total installations.
4. Total installation cost = 1,000 € × 3 = 3,000 €.
Calculation: 1000 × 3 = 3,000.
Laminate: total cost over 15 years
5. Total = installations 3,000 € + maintenance 150 € = 3,150 €.
Calculation: 3000 + 150 = 3,150 €.
Prefinished oak: initial cost
6. Total initial cost = 60 €/m² × 50 m².
Calculation: 60 × 50 = 3,000 €.
Prefinished oak: maintenance over 15 years
7. Total maintenance = 30 €/year × 15 years.
Calculation: 30 × 15 = 450 €.
Prefinished oak: replacements in 15 years
8. Lifespan 25 years → in 15 years no replacement needed. Only consider the initial installation. Total installation cost = 3,000 €.
Prefinished oak: total cost over 15 years
9. Total = installation 3,000 € + maintenance 450 € = 3,450 €.
Calculation: 3000 + 450 = 3,450 €.
Numerical conclusion: in 15 years laminate costs 3,150 € (but requires work every 7 years), oak 3,450 € (higher initial cost, but fewer interventions). Difference = 3,450 − 3,150 = 300 € more for oak, but with less hassle.
Calculation: 3450 − 3150 = 300.
Moral: sometimes spending more at the beginning gives you peace of mind and value over time.
4. Practical criteria for choosing materials by environment
Kitchen (countertops, floors, backsplashes)
Countertops: composite quartz → resistant to stains and scratches; stone-effect porcelain stoneware → very resistant and less expensive; marble → beautiful, sensitive to stains/acids.
Backsplash: tempered glass or full-height porcelain for easy cleaning.
Floor: porcelain stoneware or large tiles; parquet only if well protected and with a resistant finish.
Bathroom
Vertical coverings: large-format porcelain, microcement; avoid untreated parquet.
Floors: non-slip tiles, porcelain; flush shower trays in resin or porcelain.
Furniture: water-repellent materials or HPL laminates for bases.
Exteriors and facades
Weather-resistant materials: outdoor porcelain, natural stone, ventilated cladding. Avoid materials that degrade quickly in the sun or frost without treatment.
Windows and frames
Thermal break aluminum → excellent for performance and maintenance;
PVC → good price and thermal performance;
Wood → superior aesthetics, requires maintenance;
Always check Uw (thermal transmittance of the window) and glass (low emissivity) as well as the type of opening and seals.
Walls and insulation
Insulation: EPS, XPS, rock wool, natural fibers — choose based on humidity, acoustic relief, and fire resistance.
Paints and interior finishes
Choose paints with low VOC to improve comfort and indoor health. For damp areas use specific anti-mold or breathable paints if the building is very airtight.
5. Sustainability: what to look at beyond price
If you care about environmental impact:
look for certified supply chains (FSC for wood, EPD for environmental declarations, product certifications);
prefer materials with low energy impact in production and recyclable;
consider the CO₂ footprint and the possibility of recycling at end of life.
A recyclable floor or a natural insulator can be worth more in terms of company reputation and home health.
6. Resistance to stains, scratches, water and heat: properties to test
Stain resistance: test with oil, wine, vinegar — quartz countertops perform much better than marble.
Scratch resistance: pay attention to hardness classes and intended use (commercial space vs home).
Water repellency: essential for bathroom and kitchen; non-water-repellent material = more frequent maintenance cycles.
Heat resistance: the cooktop can generate heat; check the thermal resistance of the countertop.
7. Installation and laying: installation quality matters as much as the material
An excellent material poorly installed becomes mediocre. Check:
- substrate preparation (screed, flatness);
- compatible glues and products (don't use generic glues on special materials);
- well-designed joints and grouts (thin grout ≠ poor installation);
- sealing and waterproofing (showers, balconies, terraces).
Always ask for references from the installation company and guarantees on the work.
8. Common mistakes to avoid (and how not to make them)
- Choosing only for looks: the "instagrammable" material can be a practical disaster.
- Not considering the climate context: some materials absorb moisture and deform.
- Cutting corners on substrates or glues: initial savings, restoration costs after a few years.
- Ignoring regulations: some projects require certified materials for fire resistance, foot traffic, etc.
- Not planning for maintenance: find out what it takes to keep it looking good and include it in the budget.
9. How to evaluate suppliers and samples
- Request real samples (not just photos) and see how they react to scratches, water, heat.
- Ask for technical data sheets, certifications, and guarantees.
- Check references and previous work.
- Be wary of prices that are too low without technical specifications: there's often a reason.
10. Quick checklist to take to the store or designer
- Usage environment (indoor/outdoor; bathroom/kitchen/living room).
- Required resistance (foot traffic, wear, humidity).
- Acceptable maintenance (low/medium/high).
- Initial budget and total cost of ownership limit.
- Required certifications (FSC, EPD, CE, fire class).
- Requested sample and field test (stain, scratch, heat).
- Compatibility with installation and substrate.
- Guarantees (material and installation).
11. Small practical guide for three typical cases
Living room floor with dog and children
Recommended option: large-format porcelain stoneware or prefinished oak with hard finish.
Avoid: cheap laminate.
Kitchen countertop for home chef (wanting a professional kitchen)
Recommended option: composite quartz or stainless steel for the island; marble only if you are ready for maintenance and protection.
Avoid: cheap laminate countertops if you cook a lot.
Modern minimal bathroom
Recommended option: stone-effect porcelain on the floor, large vertical tiles, HPL furniture (high water resistance).
Avoid: untreated wood near the shower.
12. Choose with your head, not just your eyes
The right material is the one that combines function, durability, maintainability, and beauty in proportions suited to your use and your budget. There is no perfect choice for everyone, but there is the right choice for you — and you can find it by asking, trying samples, doing the math, and choosing reliable installers.
