20,121 Building Materials

How do I choose the right building materials?

Whether you’re pouring over bricks, window types, timber, doors or worktops, there are so many options to choose from, so it’s easy to get overwhelmed. The trick is to focus on one component at a time and rule out anything above your price range, the products that don’t suit your style and anything that will not be practical in your home (it’s a good idea to talk to a professional builder for this). You should then be left with only the products you like and can afford. If you’re starting completely from scratch then it makes total sense to work from the outside in – pick the bricks, cladding, windows, roof tiles and doors first, then go inside and pick flooring, internal doors, worktops, kitchen cabinets wall panels, stair parts and all the major components of the inside of your home. You can then move on to smaller materials, such as splashback tiles, decorative mouldings and cupboard handles to make the finishing touches to your home.

Samples are your saviour when it comes to picking out the right building supplies. Taking samples to your home so you can see how that brick, floorboard, worktop or cabinet will work with the rest of your interiors will save you time and stress.

If you’re not installing the building materials yourself, it is always worth talking to a builder or other home professional about the suitability of your chosen products before using them. You’ll also need to know about long-term care and preservation of the materials so you can keep them in good condition for as long as possible.