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Tiles vs Flexible Stone Veneers – What you need to consider

Tiles vs Flexible Stone Veneers – What you need to consider Tiles are among the most popular products which are used in the construction industry across the world. In fact, it’s become quite impossible to think of buildings a home without tiles. From flooring to walls, from kitchen to bathroom, tiles have been used extensively in the building process. There are many a reason why tiles are popular for home construction, but it’s important to understand whether there are better alternatives out there, especially that overcome whatever disadvantages that are present in tiles. Why tiles are popular? There are many reasons why tiles are so popular for home construction. Let’s take a deeper look at these reasons, shall we? • Variety in colour, texture, design & sizes Tiles are available in a great range of designs, textures, colours, styles & sizes to cater to every possible taste & need. As an example, tiles are available in different styles such as geometric, classical, rustic & contemporary tiles. • Easy to clean & maintain Tile floors & walls are generally easier to clean & maintain, traditionally with a damp mop or sponge & a mild detergent. Tiled floors can be vacuum-cleaned with almost any vacuum without the bristles from the brushes getting caught in the grout lines. • Water resistance Tiled floors are water-proof. Without grout, water can easily be drained from your floor & away from the structural integrity of your home. In order to prevent water from passing through, ceramic tiles have an outer shield over the materials. They are also excellent to use in damp locations such as a kitchen or bathroom, since they are resistant to high humidity. • Scratch resistant Ceramic, porcelain & ceramic tiles have an extremely hard surface, which is resistant to day-to-day scratches & scuffs. Ceramic tiles can become even more resistant to staining if you use a high-quality floor sealer. • Relative affordability Ceramic, porcelain & ceramic tile flooring are less expensive than other types of cladding, including wood & stone. It can also add to the resale value of your home. • Fire resistance Ceramic, porcelain & ceramic tiles are fire resistant, able to withstand extreme temperatures. When compared with other types of cladding, tiles become cooler a lot faster after being exposed to heat. What to be wary of when deciding to go ahead with tiles? While tiles have all these advantages, there are a few things you need to consider when deciding to use tiles in your home, especially since there are other alternatives out there. So, what do you need to be aware of? • Difficulty in installation Let’s be honest – there’s a reason why tilers have a job & it’s because installing tiles requires a certain set of skills & experience.Since ceramic tiles need to be cut precisely in order for them to fit together properly as well as to avoid cracks or other problems when the tiles age, they are considered difficult to install.Ceramic tiles are also heavy & difficult to manoeuvre, especially if they are large format tiles. Installation requires a range of equipment, mortars & grouts. While it can also be installed by a novice, it can be a tedious & time-consuming job, & any installation error can lead to a high repair cost in the near future. • High labour cost Cost of labour can rage from $ 4 USD & $ 32 USD per square foot, while some pros charge by the hour. You can expect between $ 30 USD to $ 120 USD per hour, depending on the size & the complexity of the tiling project. The overall cost of the tile installation will depend on the square footage & the type of tile used, but generally, if you need a good job done, you’ll have to spend generously for labour. • Short life span No matter how professional the installation is & how durable the tiles are, at the end of the day, ceramic, porcelain & ceramic tiles are prone to crack over time with day-to-day wear & tear. The cracking is easy to notice since the tile becomes dull in colour & loses their shine as a result of this damage. Even though ceramic tiles are less expensive than other types of cladding including wood & stone, they may need to be replaced after only a few years. • Ceramic tiles are very heavy Ceramic tiles are rather heavy, & some can only support the weight of a few pounds before they break. In fact, if you have your children or pets, & you’re insistent on using tiles, you should probably consider vinyl or linoleum which are extremely light-weight. The weight of ceramic tiles also makes it rather unsuitable for upper-story installations. • Difficulty to repair Ceramic, porcelain & ceramic tiles are relatively fragile, & can chip easily. If a tile is chipped or broken, the entire tile should be replaced instead of trying to repair it. An attempt at repairing a damaged tile is not only labour-intensive, but it’s also less effective than replacing it. Flexible stone veneers as an alternative to tiles Since we’ve understood both the pros & cons of tiles, let’s look at an alternative, namely flexible stone veneers. But what are flexible stone veneers, & why use flexible stone veneers instead of tiles?Flexible stone veneers are extracted from 100% natural metamorphic rock, resulting in a thin stone sheet that is both water & heat resistant. These veneers are also flexible enough to be installed on flat, curved surfaces. Being light-weight at only around 1 kilo per standard sheet, they are also easy enough to install on your own, hence classified as a DIY product. Installation doesn’t require specialist equipment, only requiring tools, glue & sealants which are commonly available. Since the stone sheet can tolerate extreme weather conditions, both hot & cold, it’s ideal to install not only indoors, but outdoors as well. The natural stone surface is extremely durable, & will not chip or fade with time. In fact, with the proper sealants & after care, the natural stone surface can last a life time, & is extremely resistant to staining & day-to-day wear & tear. Why use flexible stone veneers instead of tiles? Let’s see what makes flexible stone veneers the choice to go ahead with as opposed to tiles, shall we? • Availability in large format sheets The standard flexible stone veneer sheet size is 1,220 mm x 610 mm, while the larger sheet format is 2,440 mm x 1,220 mm. There are no tiles that are this large for the simple reason that it’s going to be too heavy to use in practicality. If a tile was this large, it will also be too costly. • High level of durability While ceramic or porcelain tiles are prone to crack or chip, the natural stone surfaces on flexible stone veneers are naturally resistant to cracking or chipping, & can last a lifetime with the proper sealants & after care. • Ease of installation When compared with the tedious task of installing a tile, installation of flexible stone veneers is so simple that a novice could do it. The equipment & other products which are required are readily available as well. • Less cost of labour Since installation is relatively simple when compared with installation of tiles, if you do it on your own, it’s free, & if not, a tiler won’t charge as much for installation as tiles since it’s relatively easier with fewer requirement of tools & other products. • Unique product & versatility of application Let’s be honest – while tiles have been around for ages & are extremely popular as a building material, it’s no conversation starter. On the contrary, the unique stone surface of flexible stone veneers is bound to appeal to the majority of people, & will definitely be a glamorous addition to your home. Unlike tiles, which have a specific use, flexible stone veneers are extremely versatile in terms of application, going on top of any kind of substrate including glass, cement, wood, tiles, brick & render. Flexible stone veneers also present unlimited applications including splashbacks, fireplaces, bedrooms, bathrooms, feature walls & even furniture.So, now you know the pluses & the minuses of using tiles in your residential or commercial project, & why you should probably consider flexible stone veneers as an excellent & better substitute to tiles.After all, you do deserve the best!

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100% natural flexible stone panels – An introduction

100% natural flexible stone panels – An introduction When doing any kind of renovation, whether it’s commercial or residential, trying to figureout what’s the best material to go over your wall or floor to add to the experience is always achallenging choice with a variety of options. In the past, the more traditional options such asusing tiles, carpets & wallpapers were unchallenged. However, in the recent, there’s a number of alternatives to be used that can be installed over awall or floor not only for the aesthetic appearance, but also for a number of useful attributes itadds to the surface beneath. From stackstone to claddings, there are a number of optionsavailable, out of which flexible stone veneers are often underrated but easily edge out thesubstitute competition in terms of versatility, price & ease of installation. Which brings us tothe question – what are flexible stone veneers, & why should you use this to cover your wallsor floors instead of the more traditional tiles, carpets or wallpapers? Sketch Australia’s 100% natural flexible stone veneers are extracted from metaphoric stone,resulting in a stone surface of 100% natural stone. This stone sheet is attached to a backfillmaterial, which could be either fabric, fibreglass or translucent, by an adhesive, to form aflexible stone sheet. The final product is a lightweight & flexible 100% natural stone sheet,with a thickness of 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm & weighing only 1 kilo per sheet. Extracted frommetaphoric stone, the surface of the stone sheet carries the same properties of natural stone –durability as well as water & heat resistance. The combination of the backfill material as wellas the impressive thin profile not only ensures flexibility, but the light-weight nature of thestone panel also ensures more manoeuvrability during installation & better layout optionsthrough allowing easy cutting & trimming to fit any design. When we talk about tiles, flexibility is not a word which comes to mind, but it is for a carpet.But then again, a carpet can only be used to cover a floor, not a wall, & certainly can’t beused on ceilings! Tiles do add a sense of durability, compared with a carpet, but thatdurability is certainly no match for natural stone. So flexible stone veneers combine theflexibility of a carpet as well as the light-weight nature, while also being more durable thantiles – could there be a more enticing option in terms of versatility for your interior or exteriorrenovation project? You may have a doubt regarding the ease of installation as well as theapplications for flexible stone veneers – so let’s have a look at that next! Installation of flexible stone panels – Popular substrate choices Sketch Australia’s 100% natural flexible stone panels can be installed on top of virtually anysubstrate as long as it has a flat surface, yes, even on top of curved surfaces! Installable ontop of any ceiling, wall or floor for both exterior & interior, popularly, it is installed on top ofcement, wood, glass, steel, brick & rendered surfaces. Applications for flexible stone panels – Popular applications Sketch Australia’s 100% natural flexible stone panels can be used in almost any kind ofapplication, but some of the most commonly preferred applications are in kitchensplashbacks, bathrooms & bedrooms, fireplaces, facades, furniture & doors, as well as carinteriors. Application options are only limited by your creativity! Installation – DIY with minimum household tools & resources Sketch Australia’s 100% natural flexible stone panels can easily be installed withoutspecialist help or expensive equipment. Cutting the flexible stone panel only requires anangle grinder, & applying it on top of the surface would require a good PU adhesive whichcan easily be purchased from bunnings. Once installed, a good penetrative sealer should beapplied on top of the stone surface to protect it & for easy clean up. We have a clearinstallation guideline as well as a separate manual on aftercare as well, both which includethe tools needed for installation as well as the PU adhesives & sealers we recommend. Why go for flexible stone panels – A comparative benefit analysis As far as cladding options go, there are numerous claddings which can be considered, & thisis where it’s important to understand why you should select flexible stone panels as opposedto other cladding options. A few major reasons you may want to choose Sketch Australia’sflexible stone panels as opposed to other cladding options are highlighted below; 1. Visual appeal Flexible stone panels have a warm & natural hue to it that no man-made cladding or surfacecan equal, with a strong appeal whether it’s installed on residential or commercial spaces.The natural surface is so alluring that curiosity alone would be a reason for anyone seeing itto touch & feel the surface. 2. Durability As long as the installation is done correctly & with the recommended after-care, the naturalstone panels can withstand the test of time, being able to go through changing weatherconditions & day-to-day wear & tear. Depending on the strength of the surface it’s installedon, the stone sheets are also prodigious as weight-bearing cladding. 3. Versatility One of the best features about using flexible stone as a cladding is the near-limitlessapplication. Installable on any kind of flat surface, from walls to ceilings to floors, for interior& exterior architectural/renovation projects makes flexible stone count among the topversatile claddings. The flexibility & light-weight flexible stone can also be applied oncurved surfaces adding to its versatility. 4. Affordability Flexible stone panels are extremely affordable than using the actual stone slab, & consideringthe installation is DIY with a minimum requirement of household tools & resources, there’sno doubt on the affordability. Also, the aftercare of the flexible stone panel is also relativelyless expensive. Not to mention, if you go for a faux stone/manufactured stone alternative,once the colours fade or discolour, you’ll have to replace the whole structure from beginning,doubling the cost initially incurred. 5. Lightweight When compared to other stone cladding alternative such as tiles or slabs, flexible stone panelsare extremely lightweight, a single sheet weighing only around 1 kilo. Transportation &installation also becomes easier. Also, some surfaces may not be able to accommodate theweight of slabs or tiles, so being lightweight also adds to the application versatility. 6. Water & heat resistant Extracted from 100% natural stone, flexible stone panels are water & heat resistant due toinherent properties of natural stone. This adds to the versatility in application, where the sameproduct can be used outdoors, as well as for interior structures with moisture (such as kitchensplashbacks & bathrooms) & heat (such as fireplaces or behind stoves/BBQ’s). 7. Ease of installation Installation is not only affordable, but additionally, it can be done on your own, especially ifyou’re a DIY enthusiast. Even if you’re not a DIY enthusiast, hey – any local tiler would takeup a job of installing flexible stone panels at a bargain price since the installation isstraightforward without any special tool requirement. 8. Low maintenance Once the initial penetrative sealant is applied after installation, you can use a variety ofcleaning products which you can get from Bunnings, & for the most basic dust & other day today dirt, you can easily wash it off with water. Using a sealant at least every 5 years wouldprolong the durability & will ensure easy cleaning.

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What are feature walls?

What are feature walls? There is a significant investment involved in building or renovating your dream home, & based on your importance, you will choose to spend more in a certain area, either interior or exterior. Some would choose to invest more in the architecture, as in how the house will look from the outside, while others will choose to focus more on the interior design of the house. Whether you choose to focus more on the exterior architecture or the interior design of your dream home, you can be sure that you come across the term “feature walls” or “statement walls”. Today, let’s focus on what a feature wall is, & whether having a feature wall is something that would be of interest to you when you’re building or renovating your dream home. A feature wall, also known as a statement wall, is used usually when the rest of the room or the area chosen to be renovated is more of a neutral colour tone or theme. You can choose to decorate a single wall using several different options, from wallpaper to natural stone, or other textured material, which creates a “feature”. The best advantage in creating a feature wall is that you can create a theme for your home without having to decorate the whole room or area, & you can do this as a separate renovation. You could also consider a feature wall when you’re buying new furniture, to complement the look of your dream home. Your feature wall will be personalized for your choice, whether you decide to decorate it with wallpaper, natural stone or other textured material, & it’ll help you to stand apart by giving the room/area a distinct personality. The best part about a feature wall is that you needn’t have it only as an interior design – you can even have it as part of the exterior, especially as a façade. A feature façade will certainly give the theme of your home & separate it among the other houses on the street. Where would a feature wall go? When trying to figure out where best a feature wall would go, it’s important to consider the below: 1. Location – The feature wall should be the first thing that the eye rests on when anyone enters the room, so selecting a random wall for the feature wall would be a mistake. When someone enters the room, what’s the first thing that they would notice, except the feature wall? That’s where you need to have your feature wall set up. E.g.: if it’s a media room, then the point of focus would be the TV, so the wall that the TV is set up on would be the best choice as a feature wall. 2. Seamless appearance – Make sure that the wall chosen as the feature wall doesn’t have a doorway or window, which would give a broken-up appearance. Also, a feature wall shouldn’t be kept near a wall with another theme going on, since the feature wall should be the main focal point which doesn’t confuse the viewer. 3. Space for the feature wall – The feature wall should be in a room or area that is not too crowded, or where the room is too small. If a feature wall is done in an area that is small or with too much going on, it can give a feeling of being too cluttered to the viewer. As an interior design purpose, a feature wall can be better suited for a hallway where you’re welcoming guests. What options are available for a feature wall? There are many options to do a feature wall, starting from wallpaper to the more versatile options including wood cladding, brick cladding, stone cladding, & flexible stone veneers. Let’s have a look at each of these claddings & wallpaper. 1. Wallpaper on a feature wall:Well, wallpaper can be environmentally friendly, with a number of different colours & patterns to select from. Replacing the wallpaper can be relatively easier too. However, wallpaper is also difficult to clean, & may not be able to endure long term exposure, resulting in colour fading with time. Also, wallpaper is one of the more common options among claddings on a feature wall, where a feature wall is supposed to stand out & be unique. 2. Stone cladding on a feature wall:Stone cladding is another option to have on your feature wall, with a great resilience to extreme elements & weather. Stone is also fire resistant, durable & easy to maintain. However, stone claddings come at a rather large cost, & installation too can be expensive. If damaged, it is difficult to repair, while bacteria or fungal growth on stone is a very likely possibility. 3. Wood cladding on a feature wall:Wood cladding has a good aesthetic appeal & high insulation property. It also is extremely impact resistant with low thermal conductivity. However, one of the main issues with using wood cladding is that there is poor dimensional stability, since it can expand & contract as the seasons change from one to another. Also, using wood leaves a negative impact on the environment. If not treated properly, wood is also more prone to rot & decay. 4. Brick cladding on a feature wall:Bricks are another popularly used wall cladding, same as wallpaper. Bricks are thermally efficient, easily recycled & reused, while also being moderately durable. However, there is an environmental impact of using brick, since bricks are baked in kilns, which need a considerable level of energy. Not to mention cement used to bind the bricks contribute approximately 5% to the global carbon dioxide emission. Apart from the negative environmental impact, installation cannot be done on your own, is expensive, & if damaged, cost of repairing can also be high. So, looking at each of these options, there are issues that negate the advantages heavily, so what then is the best option? Why not look elsewhere? Say, why not consider flexible stone veneers? Why are flexible stone veneers the jack of all trades to use in a feature wall? Flexible stone veneers are sustainably extracted with minimum carbon footprint from 100% natural metaphoric stone. The stone surface is both water & heat-resistant, while offering great durability & flexibility being 1 kilo & between 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm thick. Versatility is a keyword when discussing flexible stone veneers, since it can be used for both interior & exterior architectural projects, & it can go on top of any substrate, from tiles to glass, wood, cement, render or brick! Once a good sealant has been applied, it can technically last a lifetime with regular aftercare. Installation is also extremely simple, & you can do it on your own if you have a few simple tools at home like an angle grinder & glue nails. Flexible stone veneers bring the advantages of stone cladding such as great durability & water resistance, without the environment impact, high price tag & difficulty in installation. Flexible stone veneers also bring the aesthetic appeal & impact resistance of wood cladding without the environment impact & the possibility of rot & decay. The only advantage that wallpaper has over flexible stone veneers is the lesser price tag, but it comes at the cost of sacrificing durability, endurance & aesthetic appeal. Brick cladding, while a very good choice, again brings the negative impact to the environment to the table, while you cannot do a brick cladding on your own, so there’s more expenses involved. Overall, flexible stone veneers bring most of the combined advantages of many cladding options, with minimum negative impact, so it’s the perfect choice for a feature wall! Conclusion While there are many options available to do a feature wall, flexible stone veneers offer most of the advantages of the alternatives without the negatives of using those alternatives. Flexible stone veneers have been used famously all across Europe for a considerable time, & is now revolutionizing the Australian construction industry as well. Why not consider flexible stone veneers to upgrade your dream home’s feature wall! After all, you do deserve the best!

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