S.T. Design & Contract

3. Marble -

1. Ceramic tiles -

Brittle clay material baked with glaze to achieve a glossy or
semi glossy appearance in colour.

Wide variety in colours and sizes, easy to maintain. >> Ideal for Living and Dining Halls and Bedrooms

Floor tiles : Strengths -

Weaknesses -

When chipped the top glazed surface may reveal the whitish clay underneath.
>> Though there's a wide variety to chose from but
the design are usually monotonous and
unnatural looking

Wall tiles : Strengths -

Widely available in different textures and colours. >> Most ideal for Bathrooms and Kitchen walls, as
they are relatively inexpensive.
>> Glossy surfaces makes it easy for cleaning and
maintenance.

Weaknesses -

Relatively high in scratch resistance.
>> Compared to real wood flooring, it is cheaper in cost.
>> Wide variety in brands and colour of grains.
>> Easy to install and requires no 'drying' time unlike tiles.
>> Easy to remove as there is no glue involved.
>> Easy to maintain.
>> Ideal for country design homes.
>> Ideal for bedrooms or raised platform/flooring.
>> Creates a 'warm' feeling.
>> No hacking is needed as laminated flooring may be laid over existing tiles. Only the skirting needs to be hacked.

Weaknesses -

Sensation underfoot is synthetic.
>> May only mop with 'dry mop'. Water residue may leave watermark.

>> Too much monotony in the grain and patterns of the laminated flooring

>> Discoloration may occur in flooring if exposed under extreme sunlight.

Joinery between tiles may get dirty easily if not cleaned regulary. >> Susceptible to chipping off of the glossy surface upon impact.

2. Homogeneous tiles -

Brittle clay material with pigmented colouring throughout the whole tile

Floor tiles : Strengths -

Wide variety in colour and sizes, easy to maintain. >> When chipped, it will not reveal significant whitish clay as it is pigmented with the same colour throughout the tile.

>> Ideal for Kitchen and bathroom flooring.

Weaknesses -

Usually come in running tones. >> Scratch marks appear easily.

Wall tiles : Strengths -

More hard wearing in comparison to ceramic tiles.
>> Joinery between 2 tiles are much more minimum as compared to ceramic tiles.

Weaknesses -

Not appropriate for kitchen wall tiles as it will be too costly..

Strengths -

Natural limestone, which is partly crystallized and irregular in colour. Rich glossy appearance with natural grains adding a touch of class to any interior.

Floor / Wall tiles : Strengths -

Natural grains adds to a touch of class. >> Cold to the touch and ideal for the hot climate in Singapore

>> Wide variety in sizes and colours.
>> May be polished when surface clouds.

Weaknesses -

Generally porous by nature. Water will seep in if top protective coat is strip off. >> High in cost
>> High in maintenance. Not advisable if pets are around.

4. Granite -

Hard, coarse grained igneous rock composed chiefly of quartz, mica, orthoclase which is used for building material.

Floor / Wall tiles : Strengths -

Relatively tough industrial flooring.
>> Relatively classy looking due to glossy surface.
>> May also be used for countertops.
>> Lower in maintenance compared to marble.
>> May be polished when surface clouds.

Weaknesses -

High in Cost
>> Generally porous by nature. Water will seep in if top protective coat is strip off.
>> High in maintenance

5. Slate tiles -

Synthetic wood flooring with laminated wood like
appearance on the tops. Joined by either 'tongue and
groove' system or the uniclic system. The new designs
are recyclable, as it will not be adhere to the ground
using glue.

A fine grained rock that splits into many layers.

Floor / Wall tiles : Strengths -

Natural looking floor treatments.
>> Offers a lot of varieties in different size and colours.
>> Rustic in appearance.
>> Versatile and may be used in wet and dry areas.
>> Will season and 'aged' in time.

Weaknesses -

Not ideal for families with kids around the house as it's surface
is generally rough textured. May cause hurt.
>> Colours are usually dark and earthy tones. Restricts the flexibility
in changing themes or design, as it will not match easily with a
contemporary look.
>> In wet areas, if sunlight is abounding, algae may grow on the
slabs.

6. Laminated flooring -

Using plain cement to create flooring. It may stand-alone
by itself or colour could be added by adding colour
powder to the cement. Cement screeding is also necessary if laminated flooring is to be used if no other existent flooring is present.

Strengths -

Ideal for budget constraint projects.
>> Industrial looking when used when used with chrome, will create a 'high tech' look.

Weaknesses -

Gets dirty easily.
>> Discolouration may appear if coloured powder is not mixed well with the cement.

>> Cracks may form due to the expansion and contraction from Singapore's hot climate.

>> Rather unfinished look.

7. Cement Screeding -

1. Construct Walls -

The construction of walls for partitions or segregation reasons.

>> Gypsum board - a type of light plasterboard used for making ceilings or walls.
>> Hollow blocks - blocks laid in brick fashion using cement to join and plaster to finish off.
>> Plywood (bare) - using plywood to create walls and finished with plaster.

2. Level Up Flooring -

Usually used to level up flooring in kitchen to living, or balcony to living. The idea is to make the floor level the same height so that there is no more drop. This is most of the time reserved for making the space look bigger by creating an extension of space from living to balcony.

3. Create Door Opening -

When a door opening is needed, the designer will determine if the wall may be hacked. If so, a door opening may be created, simply by hacking a non-loadbearing wall upon approval from HDB.

4. Seal Up Door Opening -

This means to covered up a former door opening by using either hollow blocks or other material and finish off with plaster.

5. Concrete Support -

Usually for kitchen or bathrooms. The concrete support is to house the sink or stove. It will be finished off with tiles or just plain cement screeding.

6. Cement Base -

For Refrigerator, washing machine and kitchen or bathroom cabinets. This is also known as plinth. The plinth acts as a skirting from the flooring so that the cabinet will not be in contact with the flooring in the case of wet flooring.

7. Shower Kerb -

Placed in the bathroom on the floor. It acts as a base for the shower screen. Otherwise it may also be used to deviate water from the shower area to the rest of the bathroom.

8. Water Proofing -

When floor tiles are to be laid over Balcony, kitchen or bathrooms. A membrane know as waterproofing will need to be applied on the surface before tiles are laid. This is necessary as water may seep into the flooring and cause leakage to the apartment downstairs if it is not applied.

1. Kitchen Cabinet Doors -

Top hung and base cabinet.

>> Wide variety in colours.
>> Easy to maintain.
>> Economic

Strengths -

Weaknesses -

>> flimsy to hold as it is lightweight.
>> Peeling of laminate may occur if workmanship is bad.

a ) Postformed Door -

Pressed edge door with round profile with laminated surface finish with PVC or Polykem interior.

b ) Veneer Door -

Surface of door using bark of selected trees and the 'skin' is know as veneer. Popular veneers are maple, cherry, ash, oak, beech and birch.

Strengths -

>> Cosy and warm in appearance
>> Natural looking with natural grains.
>> Wide variety in wood grains.

Weaknesses -

>> Higher in cost.
>> Porous by nature and may require more maintenance.
>> Limited in colour, as veneers are usually wood colours..

c ) Solid Door -

Door itself is using sold wood from the tree, no other material is added.

Strengths -

>> Firm and sturdy.
>> Low in maintenance
>> Fixtures like hinges and knobs do not come off easily as it is anchored to a solid body.

Weaknesses -

>> Highest in cost.
>> Warping may occur, as it is solid.

2. Kitchen Work top -

On top of the bottom kitchen cabinet, where normally the hob and sink are placed on.

a ) Postformed Top -

Pressed edge surface tops with profiles and laminated surface finish on top.

Strengths -

>> Economic
>> Wide variety in colour, brands and profiles.

Weaknesses -

>> joinery lines trap dirt and bacterial.
>> Not heat, stain, scratches resistant.
>> High in maintenance.
>> Backsplash is a separate trimming and is only adhere to the top by silicon. Water seepage may still occur.

b ) Solid Surface Top -

Compressed acrylic top with a homogeneous membrane that look like cultured marble.

Strengths -

>> Heat, water, scratch and stain resistant.
>> Wide variety in colours.
>> Hard wearing.
>> Low in maintenance.
>> Seamless joineries.
>> Seamless backsplash, eradicating water seepage.

Weaknesses -

>> Higher in cost.
>> May chip off it met with impact.

c ) Granite Top -

Hard, coarse grained igneous rock composed chiefly of quartz, mica, orthoclase which is used for building material.

Strengths -

>> Hard wearing.
>> Seamless joineries
>> Seamless backsplash, eradicating water seepage.

Weaknesses -

>> Highest in cost.
>>Generally porous by nature. Water and oil will seep in if top protective coat is strip off.