Choosing the right materials for your home renovation can be overwhelming.
In this article, we’ll break down popular materials, compare options and share practical tips to help you make confident decisions.
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Materials Guide
Your budget, design preference and lifestyle will affect your material selection.
Flooring
Flooring is crucial in a renovation because it sets the foundation for the overall look and functionality of your space.
4-room Resale HDB with Vinyl flooring by Darwin Interior
Floor Materials for Home Renovation in Singapore
Common Home Renovation Flooring Materials
Materials
What Is It?
Pros
Cons
Suitable For
Price Range
Tiles
Mixture of clay and other raw materials
baked under extreme high heat
✅ Durable
✅ Easy to maintain
❎ Surface may be cold to the feet
❎ Difficult to install
All indoor and
outdoor floorings
💰💰
Vinyl
A synthetic flooring material made up
of plastic (Polyvinyl chloride, PVC)
✅ Fast & easy to install
✅ Insulation properties
❎ Can show imperfections depending on the sub-floor
❎ Easily scratched by sharp objects
Bedrooms, Living rooms
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Micro cement
Cement-based coating
✅ Durable
✅ Timeless aesthetics
❎ Surface finishing may be damaged over time
Indoor floorings
💰💰
Parquet Flooring
Wood flooring
✅ Durable
✅ Easy to maintain
❎ Spills need to be cleaned up immediately
❎ Sunlight may discolour the wood
Bedrooms, Living rooms
💰💰💰
Kitchen
Kitchen is one of the most-used spaces in any home, so selecting durable and functional materials is crucial.
Countertops
4-room HDB with Sintered Stone Kitchen Countertop by Luova Project Services
Kitchen Countertop Materials for Home Renovation in Singapore
Common Home Renovation Kitchen Countertop Materials
Materials
What Is It?
Pros
Cons
Price Range
Quartz Sintered Stone
Engineered stone top composed
of minerals or stone
✅ Durable and easy to maintain
✅ Scratch, stain, heat resistant
❎ May be difficult to install or replace
💰💰💰
KompacTop
Layers of kraft paper mixed with resin
and compressed under high heat
✅ Scratch, stain, impact resistant
✅ Easy to maintain
❎ May warp over time
💰💰
Granite Marble
Natural stone slabs
✅ Beautiful designs to choose from
✅ Scratch, heat resistant
❎ Regular maintenance needed
❎ Highly porous
💰💰💰💰
Cabinets
Stainless Steel Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen Cabinet Materials for Home Renovation in Singapore
Common Home Renovation Kitchen Cabinet Materials
Materials
What Is It?
Pros
Cons
Price Range
Solid plywood
Cross-grain wood compressed
under heat and pressure
✅ Durable
✅ Cross-layered structure makes it less likely to fall apart
❎ Exposure to water over time will cause damage
💰
Stainless Steel
Metal alloy
✅ Durable and easy to maintain
✅ Stain, heat, corrosion, rust resistant
❎ Can be noisy when utensils are dropped on them
❎ Prone to scratches, dents, and fingerprints
💰💰💰
Concrete
Cement
✅ Durable and able to withstand heavy pounding
✅ Heat, corrosion, rust resistant
❎ Difficult to install or replace
💰💰
Backsplashes
HDB Maisonette with Tiles Backsplash by Craftmakers
Kitchen Backsplash Materials for Home Renovation in Singapore
Common Home Renovation Kitchen Backsplash Materials
Materials
Pros
Cons
Price Range
Tiles
✅ Durable and easy to maintain
✅ Lots of design
❎ Grout line will get dirty over time
💰💰
Quartz Sintered Stone
✅ Durable and easy to maintain
✅ Scratch, stain, heat resistant
❎ Difficult to install or replace
💰💰💰
Tempered Glass
✅ Durable and easy to maintain
✅ Scratch, stain, heat resistant
❎ Difficult to install or replace
❎ May crack over time due to
expansion and contraction behind stove area
💰
Tips to Consider When Choosing Materials for Your Home Renovation
Weighing Quality vs Cost
Quality materials may come with a higher upfront cost, but are more durable and long lasting.
Tip: Focus on investing in quality material for high-usage areas e.g. kitchen, bathroom, living room.
Effort for Maintenance
Think about how much time and effort you’re willing to dedicate for on-going maintenance.
Tip: Choose low-maintenance options to save time and reduce hassle in the long run.
Overseas Imported Fittings
Although fittings are typically not considered part of your home renovation materials, we find it important to highlight them given the substantial costs involved.
Imported materials like faucets or light fixtures may not meet Singapore’s regulations. Always look for the PUB-approved logo for water fittings and the Singapore Safety Mark for electrical appliances.
Beware! Cheap overseas fittings may lead to leaks, damages, or even fire hazards, requiring costly repairs.
Recommendations from Renovators
Renovators may recommend materials that suit your budget, lifestyle and design. They often have access to supplier discounts, which help save costs.
Tip: Always consult your renovator before purchasing materials to avoid compatibility issues.
Still unsure about which materials are best suited for your home renovation?
No worries! We’ll find you suitable renovators who can guide you! 👇🏻
