Man-Made Vs. Natural Materials for your Home Remodel
Love the look of natural materials?
Don’t love the cost and maintenance?
Looking for a balance between natural beauty and convenience?
Man-made materials that mimic the look of natural elements can expand your decorating options while saving you money. On the other hand, man-made products can require a lot of energy to produce, inflating the carbon cost.
Let's bring your
dream space to life.
How do you decide which materials to choose for your home remodeling project?
- Natural stones like marble, limestone, and granite need to be sealed regularly. They scratch easily because they’re a softer stone.
- Stone tiles can be two or three times more expensive than ceramic tiles, and can cost twice as much to install, in some cases. Additionally, ceramic tiles hold up well against moisture after they’re properly grouted and sealed.
- Solid surface materials can give the same look of a slab without all the grout headaches. Scratches can be easily buffed out because the color goes all the way through the material, and the price is comparable to many natural stones.
- Instead of real hardwood, consider vinyl and laminate! These products can closely imitate the look of wood. They also cost less and are much easier to maintain.
While you’re giving extra thought to the type of materials used in your remodel, also consider recycled materials, particularly for flooring.
Recycled flooring can be as beautiful, durable, and comfortable as their more traditional counterparts, and they’re better for the environment because they’re made from clean, renewable sources.
Some options include:
- Natural-fiber carpeting
- Bamboo
- Cork parquet or planks
- Reclaimed and salvaged wood
- Terrazzo tiles or planks
Your Custom Design + Build Experts!
The hardest space to re-envision is usually the one you live in -- even for professional designers! Sometimes clients begin the design conversation by telling us, “I know there’s nothing you can do about this layout…” We prefer to begin with the assumption that there’s not much we can’t do.
Our local know-how ensures a smooth process. Although Ann Arbor is our home, we’ve been working with building officials in jurisdictions from Jackson to Livonia since 1989. You can be confident that your project will be designed right the first time and will meet local requirements.
Contact us today for home remodeling in Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities! We can help you breathe new life into your space.