Material & Product Reviews

:hammer_and_wrench: Choosing the Right Tools for Your Renovation: What I’ve Learned the Hard Way

Renovations are exciting—until the wrong tools or materials turn your dream project into a headache. The truth is, quality matters, and I’ve learned this through my own share of trial and error.

Years ago, I grabbed the cheapest paintbrushes I could find for a living room refresh. I thought, “A brush is a brush.” By the end of the day, I had bristles stuck to the wall, uneven strokes, and a finish that looked like I’d attacked it with a broom.

Since then, I’ve tested everything from paint to flooring to adhesives, and I’m here to share what’s worth the splurge—and what you can save on.


:artist_palette: Paint Showdown: Dulux EasyCare vs. Local Hardware Store Brand

Winner: Dulux EasyCare :trophy:

  • Dulux EasyCare – Two coats gave perfect coverage, the finish was smooth, and scuff marks wiped right off without removing paint. Ideal for hallways and high-traffic areas.

  • Local Store Brand – Took three coats for the same coverage, felt chalky after drying, and lacked durability.

:light_bulb: Tip: In busy areas, paying extra for a high-quality, washable paint will save you both time and touch-ups.


:wood: Flooring Face-Off: Laminate vs. Engineered Wood

Winner: Engineered Wood :trophy:

  • Laminate Flooring – Affordable and attractive, but the hollow sound underfoot gives it away. Great for guest rooms or low-use spaces.

  • Engineered Wood – Feels warm and solid, ages beautifully, and can handle daily wear without losing charm.

:light_bulb: Tip: If you’ll be walking on it every day, invest in flooring that feels as good as it looks.


:brick: Tile Adhesive Test: Mapei vs. Generic Store Brand

Winner: Mapei :trophy:

  • Mapei Adhesive – Excellent grip even on vertical surfaces; once set, tiles stay put.

  • Generic Store Brand – Weak bond, tiles shifted within a week, and I had to redo the entire backsplash.

:light_bulb: Tip: Adhesives are the silent heroes of any tiling project—don’t cut corners here.


:key: Final Takeaway: My Simple Renovation Rule

Brand names and flashy packaging mean nothing if the product doesn’t perform. My golden rule:

:white_check_mark: Saves me time
:white_check_mark: Prevents headaches
:white_check_mark: Holds up for years

If it checks all three boxes, it’s worth the money. If not? Learn from my mistakes—so you don’t have to make them yourself.


:camera_with_flash: Suggested Images for Blog Post:

  1. Side-by-side paint finish comparison.

  2. Laminate vs. engineered wood close-ups.

  3. Tiling process with Mapei adhesive.

1 Like

Of course

Using the right tool at the right time usually make the whole renovation process neater and faster

I’m a fan of dulux also

I use Marpel though, Great

This is great.

I’m a fan of Engineered wood. It’s sooo lovely

Thanks bloke, you just saved me