Water-based wood paint is a type of paint that uses water as a diluent, and it can be divided into the following three categories:
The first category is water-based wood paint with acrylic as the main component. Its main features are good adhesion and it will not deepen the color of the wood, but it has poor wear resistance and chemical resistance. Due to its low cost and low technical content, it has become the main product in the current market. The second category is water-based wood paint with acrylic and polyurethane composites as the main components. In addition to inheriting the characteristics of acrylic paint, it also has strong wear resistance and chemical resistance. The third category is 100% polyurethane water-based paint. Its wear resistance is even several times that of oil-based paint, making it a high-end product among water-based paints. This technology is only mastered by a few professional companies.
Knowing the classification of water-based wood paint, consumers can choose according to their needs. For example, if you need to paint doors and windows or furniture where wear resistance is not highly required, you can choose either the first or second category of water-based paint; if you are painting wooden floors, it's best to use the third category of water-based paint.
Although the types are clear, it's not easy to distinguish between the water-based wood paints available on the market. Because manufacturers do not have a unified naming and composition labeling for water-based paints, it easily confuses consumers. For example, water-based paint with acrylic as the main component can be labeled as either acrylic or acrylate. Some even label water-based paint with acrylic and polyurethane composites as water-based polyester paint. Consumers can best judge through visual inspection and smell: acrylic is a milky white liquid like milk, with a slightly sour smell. Polyurethane, on the other hand, is a semi-transparent liquid like egg whites, with a faint oily aroma. Of course, the most reliable method is to buy products from professional water-based wood paint manufacturers.
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Several very important matters to note:
You must know the new tricks when buying building materials
"Once you've been in the business long enough, you can figure out some tricks." Mr. Li, who has been working in the decoration and building materials industry for nearly ten years, said this. However, the "tricks" he referred to are not business strategies, but deceptive ones. Over the years, some building material operators have invented some new ways to defraud customers. Here we reveal them to consumers, hoping that you can be more cautious when buying building materials, avoid being deceived, and move into your new home happily.
When buying wood: Beware of tampering with calculators and tape measures
The main trick wood merchants use to deceive consumers is in the measurement and calculation of the amount of wood purchased. Using a "shrinking" tape measure to overcharge by a few tenths of a cubic meter is their common trick. Now many wood sellers even have a more advanced "weapon" - a remote-controlled calculator. A remote-controlled calculator looks no different from an ordinary one, but it comes with a small remote control. The remote control is very small, with four buttons (A, B, C, D), each allowing the calculated result to be increased by a different amount. After handing the calculator to the consumer, while they are doing the calculations, the shopkeeper secretly operates the hidden mini-remote control in their pocket. For example, pressing button A increases the price by 10 yuan, pressing button B increases it by 20 yuan, deceiving the consumer without them realizing it and causing them to pay hundreds of yuan more unknowingly.
Countermeasure: Bring your own calculator and measuring tools.
Buying tiles: Beware of being switched
What you see is first-class goods, but what you receive is second-class goods. If you don't notice, they get away with it. Or, the box says first-class goods, but inside it's already replaced with second-class goods. Some material suppliers have close cooperation with some interior design companies or construction teams, and the workers help deceive you.
Many consumers, lacking experience, prefer to let the workers take them to buy materials, leading them to dealers with whom they have a cooperative relationship. The workers act both as decoys and shields.
Countermeasure: To prevent being switched, you must check each box individually and watch the loading onto the truck. Additionally, here is a simple method to inspect tile quality: First, check if the surface is flat, if the glaze is full, if there are any sand holes or foreign objects, if the corners are neat, and measure the diagonals; then place a few tiles together to check if the seams are tight, with an allowable error of ±0.3cm to ±0.5cm; check if the back (the bare side) is clean, with no burn marks or adhesive residue; check if the color difference is large. These inspections should be done box by box.
Even though the types are clear, distinguishing water-based wood paints on the market isn't an easy task. Since manufacturers do not have uniform names and composition labels for water-based paints, it can easily confuse consumers. For instance, water-based paints primarily composed of acrylic can be labeled as either acrylic or acrylate. Worse still, some label water-based paints primarily composed of acrylic and polyurethane composites as water-based polyester paints. Consumers should best use visual inspection and smell as auxiliary judgment methods: Acrylic is a milky white liquid like milk, with a slight acidic odor. Polyurethane, on the other hand, is a semi-transparent liquid like egg whites, with a faint oily fragrance. Of course, the most reliable method is to purchase products produced by specialized water-based wood paint manufacturers.
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There are several very important things to note:
New tricks you must know when buying building materials
"One gets the hang of things after doing them for a while," said Mr. Li, who has been involved in the decoration and building materials industry for nearly ten years. However, the "hang" he refers to isn't about business strategies, but deceitful tactics. Over the years, some building material operators have devised new ways to defraud customers. Here, these are revealed to consumers, hoping that you can be more vigilant when purchasing building materials, avoid being cheated, and move into your new home happily.
Buying wood: Beware of tampering with calculators and tape measures
The main tactic used by wood merchants to deceive consumers involves manipulating measurements and calculations when purchasing wood. Using a "shrinking" tape measure to overcharge by a few tenths of a cubic meter is their common trick. Nowadays, many wood sellers have an even more advanced "tool" — a remote-controlled calculator. A remote-controlled calculator looks no different from a regular one, but it comes with a small remote control. The remote control is tiny, with four buttons labeled A, B, C, and D, each capable of increasing the calculated result by a different amount. After handing the calculator to the customer, during the calculation process, the store owner secretly operates the hidden mini remote control in their pocket. Pressing button A adds 10 yuan, pressing button B adds 20 yuan, deceiving the customer without them realizing it and causing them to pay hundreds of yuan more unknowingly.
Countermeasure: Bring your own calculator and measuring tools.
Buying tiles: Beware of being switched
What you see is first-class goods, but what you receive is second-class goods. If you don't notice, they manage to pass it off. Or, the box says first-class goods, but inside it's already replaced with second-class goods. Some material suppliers have close cooperation with some interior design companies or construction teams, and the workers help deceive you.
Many consumers, lacking experience, prefer to let the workers take them to buy materials, leading them to dealers with whom they have a cooperative relationship. The workers act both as decoys and shields.
Countermeasure: To prevent being switched, you must check each box individually and watch the loading onto the truck. Additionally, here is a simple method to inspect tile quality: First, check if the surface is flat, if the glaze is full, if there are any sand holes or foreign objects, if the corners are neat, and measure the diagonals; then place a few tiles together to check if the seams are tight, with an allowable error of ±0.3cm to ±0.5cm; check if the back (the bare side) is clean, with no burn marks or adhesive residue; check if the color difference is large. These inspections should be done box by box.
Buying wooden floors: Beware of being shortchanged
Wooden floors are generally installed by floor dealers, which gives them an opportunity during installation. Initially, the number of boxes may be correct, but the number of panels inside might not be. Usually, one or two panels are taken from each box for inspection. Due to the large number of boxes, customers won't check each one and generally won't notice. If discovered, the seller explains that the missing part was probably used as a sample, offering to replace it with another box or make up the shortage.
Countermeasure: It's crucial to understand how to calculate the quantity of wooden floorboards needed. How many were bought, how many were laid, and how many are left should be clear to you. Verification and accounting should be done with the workers present after installation.
Being able to calculate yourself prevents the floor dealer from overcharging, setting the stage for stealing floorboards. If there's a shortage midway, don't rush to buy more. Instead, check if it's due to stolen boards.
Buying paint: Beware of insufficient quantities
Paint packaging comes in 5-liter cans and 10-liter cans, but the actual amount inside may not match the labeled amount.
Countermeasure: There's no convenient and feasible way to guard against this issue. Only appeals for relevant departments to conduct key spot checks on the measurement problems in the paint industry can suppress such illegal behavior. Consumers should preferably choose well-known brands and reputable manufacturers' products.
Buying plywood: Beware of substituted goods
In home decoration, cherry wood, teak, and American teak are commonly used. Both American teak and Thai teak are plywood, made by slicing logs along the growth rings into large thin sheets, drying them, and then cross-layering and gluing them together. Upon careful comparison, their colors and textures differ. American teak has a reddish hue, while Thai teak is deep brown; American teak has a rather stiff texture, whereas Thai teak has prominent irregular ink lines. Honest dealers will inform consumers that the texture of American teak is artificially created, while Thai teak is a natural species. In terms of price, Thai teak is more expensive than American teak. Some dealers equate the two or show Thai teak as a sample but substitute American teak in actual delivery.
Countermeasure: Before purchasing, request the dealer to provide proof of the plywood's species. You may also invite experienced personnel to assist in selection. After purchase, require the dealer to issue a formal invoice indicating the category. If counterfeit goods are discovered, you can file a complaint based on this documentation.
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Homeowners Should Not Rush to Complete Renovations and Beware of Traps
As the New Year approaches, many homeowners who have just received the keys to their new homes are eager to complete renovations before the Spring Festival, hoping to entertain relatives and friends in their new homes during the holiday. Facing another peak season for home renovation, experts warn: Do not rush to finish because of time constraints, and beware of traps set by some renovation companies.
Beware One: Discounts and Gifts Create Bubble Traps
After receiving the keys to his new home, Mr. Zhou was swayed by a company offering discounted renovations, with a total quote of 30,000 yuan and a gift of a full set of sanitary fixtures. In a hurry, Mr. Zhou signed a vague contract with the company and prepaid 50% of the project cost. Unexpectedly, last month, as the project neared completion, Mr. Zhou found that the fixtures given by the renovation company were outdated models with poor quality, feeling duped. However, at this point, if he terminated the contract with the company, Mr. Zhou would suffer even greater losses. Reluctantly, he had to pay extra money. When the project was completed yesterday, the final tally showed that Mr. Zhou ended up spending 40,000 yuan more than originally planned.
To avoid falling into this trap, experts advise consumers not to be easily swayed by promises of gifts and discounts. Carefully study the contract terms, and the brand and model of the gifts should be agreed upon beforehand. Choose reputable renovation companies whenever possible.
Beware Two: "Old Mother Hen Turns Into a Duck" Creates Substitution Traps
According to insiders in the architectural decoration industry, this kind of trap usually occurs during construction because most people lack professional ability to distinguish types of wood. This provides an opportunity for some unscrupulous merchants: As a result, thousands of yuan worth of Canadian pine or American pine per cubic meter in the budget turns into hundreds of yuan worth of white pine per cubic meter; hundred-yuan poplar core fine wood boards turn into inferior hollow-core fine wood boards costing dozens of yuan each. Since this procedure is completed quite quickly, and after decoration, the outermost layer is sealed with good materials, amateurs cannot detect anything.
Experts suggest ensuring the quality of renovation by hiring professional supervisors to oversee the work, especially for concealed projects like laying pipelines, which should be personally inspected before sealing.
Building Materials Price Increase Does Not Affect Renovation Quotations
Recently, I observed from some decoration companies that after the recent loosening of the price freeze on building materials, the response from major decoration companies has been relatively calm, and it has not yet affected the renovation quotations.
It is understood that this time, the prices of basic renovation building materials including cement, plywood, paint, hardware, etc., have risen across the board, with cement experiencing the largest increase, reaching 100%. According to Jiang Qi, General Manager of Ao Sheng Cabinets, the primary impact on cabinets is from some plywood. Currently, the market price increase for plywood is 10%, and other building materials such as paint, wires, hardware, moldings, etc., have also seen some increases. However, since we produce branded products, in order to maintain corporate credibility, we will not adjust product prices due to this increase in raw material costs. It is estimated that the price increase will have little effect on wall tiles, floor tiles, doors, wardrobes, etc., and the market remains stable for now.
Mr. Lin Zhenrong, General Manager of Wanxin Decoration, told reporters that the volume of renovations this year is expected to be lower than anticipated, mainly due to changes in consumer psychology rather than building material prices. However, this rise in building material prices will lead to increased company costs, and plywood and paint-type building materials require strict ventilation environments and extremely stringent storage conditions. Therefore, most companies have not stockpiled goods. With the increase in retail prices of building materials, profits will be further squeezed, reducing profit margins by 5%-8%.
In today's increasingly slim-margin renovation industry, most decoration companies are cautious about price changes to stabilize the market. Price adjustments are a sensitive topic, not something to be adjusted lightly, requiring careful research before making decisions. Most renovation companies stated that if building material prices remain at the current level, renovation companies will temporarily not raise prices, but if prices continue to rise, companies will inevitably have to raise prices. Some companies are watching competitors' reactions, and if competitors raise prices, they will immediately follow suit.
From my observations at major building material markets like Huiduoli and Nangfang, citizens are reacting calmly to the price hikes, without much disturbance. It is understood that after the price increases, each household undergoing renovation will spend an average of 300 yuan more, but most consumers can accept this cost. (Fujian Industrial and Commercial Times Chen Meiwen)
Do Not Separate Buying and Installing Wooden Floors
Nowadays, as more and more households opt for wooden floors, quality accidents related to wooden floors are frequently occurring, such as warping, mold, delamination, cracking, excessive gaps, and creaking underfoot. Typically, when consumers encounter these issues, their first reaction is that the wooden floor quality is substandard, prompting them to seek compensation from the wooden floor dealer. However, it often turns out that improper installation by workers is the more likely cause.
A salesperson who has been dealing with wooden floors for many years said that theoretically, if the wooden floor quality is good, it is properly laid, and maintained and used appropriately, its lifespan could be at least ten years, and possibly several decades. Within the warranty period, there shouldn't be any complaints or disputes. But in reality, almost all wooden floor operators encounter complaints, and customers often come to the sales department to argue, sometimes even taking legal action. Operators have to expend significant manpower and resources to deal with customer complaints. However, after appraisals, it is often found that the issues have nothing to do with the sales process but stem from inadequate skills of the construction team.
According to surveys by the Wooden Floor Industry Association, the reasons for wooden floor complaints and disputes are as follows: More than 40% are due to subpar installation workmanship; 30% are caused by using inferior auxiliary materials, such as damp wooden beams with high moisture content, or using decayed, low-quality plywood, glue, and paint; 10% are due to improper on-site maintenance; and 20% are attributed to inherent wooden floor quality issues.
Industry experts analyze that this phenomenon is closely related to the current situation where salespeople "focus on marketing, neglect installation." Salespeople typically profit from the price differential of wooden floors and rarely aim to gain benefits from the installation process. However, abroad, wooden floor sellers or agents not only sell floors but also assist customers with installation, as they are most familiar with their own products. This differs from our current practice where customers purchase wooden floors and have them installed by construction teams. Especially now, large-format wooden floors have become popular, being longer and wider than traditional ones, with some reaching over a meter in length. These larger wooden floors look grand and beautiful, but improper installation can lead to significant deformation. Consequently, non-professional construction teams often install them improperly, leading to problems. The construction teams then blame the wooden floor quality, while dealers attribute the issues to rough handling by the construction teams, resulting in mutual finger-pointing, leaving consumers caught in the middle and truly suffering as victims.
Professor Yang Meixin of the Flooring Committee of the China Timber Circulation Association said that currently, the qualifications of wooden floor installation workers vary greatly. Therefore, the industry association and some wooden floor manufacturers are establishing professional wooden floor installation companies. They will handle preliminary acceptance before purchase, followed by installation, and resolve any issues that arise. By having professionals link the purchase and installation of wooden floors, responsibility is centralized, preventing mutual blame when problems occur. (Yuan Jing, Fujian Industrial and Commercial Times)
Avoid Being Duped When Buying Package Deals for Integrated Kitchens
Recently, many mid-to-high-end integrated kitchens have advertised "package" concepts, such as "Move in an entire kitchen for 8888 yuan" or "Buy a complete kitchen set for small apartments for 20,000 yuan." Although originally priced exorbitantly, these kitchen packages have gained popularity among consumers. However,