Which Materials Are Better?
In discussing natural stone materials and man-made materials, it is only natural to wonder which is better. The answer to that though is not s simple as it may seem. Why? Because preferences vary from one person to the next. That’s why there are so many materials from which to choose. Let’s look at some things that affect which kinds of materials individuals chose and why they make those choices.
The Amount of Traffic Affects Choice
Not all applications will be used in an environment consisting of the same amount of traffic. For example, the floor of a formal dining room may see less traffic than the main kitchen. The amount of traffic a floor receives will most likely play a role in what material the end user chooses. For high-traffic areas, it might be better to have a material that is harder and scratch resistant.
How the Surface Is Used, Location, and Environmental Factors Are Important
When deciding on a material to use, it is good to think about how the surface will be used. For example, a kitchen countertop will most likely be used for preparing meals. Additionally, kitchens are usually the central location for the activity. Thus, choosing a material that is durable and one that will withstand wear and tear is important to selecting a satisfactory surface.
Another example would be deciding on a material to use for a pool deck surface. The durability may be important, but perhaps a more important factor would be how slippery the surface may become if there is a lot of water on the surface.
Those are just a couple of examples that highlight how the choice of material is affected by other factors like usage, location, and environment. But this serves to illustrate the fact that there is no one material, or material type for that matter, that could be considered better than the others for every given scenario.
In conclusion, there are several choices of materials from which to choose. Having such a large number of materials that can be chosen in multiple classifications then is important to think about. The fact that there are many kinds of material with descriptions and names can add ambiguity to the understanding of natural and man-made materials. Hopefully, we have not only simplified for you the understanding of the differences but also clarified why there is no one specific solution that fits every situation.
