Merchants Archives | HomeRenoGuru

Why Choose A Star Aluminium Furniture?

Upper and lower kitchen cabinets and island counter by A Star Furnishing – Tai Hwan Terrace

Throughout Singapore, more and more homeowners and business owners are choosing aluminium furniture from A Star Furnishing over the usual laminated wood options. Here is why.

Durability and Longevity

A Star Furnishing uses premium high-grade aluminium, which offers several real advantages over laminated wood. Most importantly, items made with aluminium tend to last much longer than their laminate counterparts.

The relatively long lifespan of A Star aluminium furniture is due to a few factors. Unlike laminated wood, which is prone to warping from expansion and contraction when temperatures fluctuate, A Star aluminium items remain stable and maintain their structural integrity. This delivers a consistently hassle-free user experience, devoid of the all-too familiar and frustrating problems of jammed drawers, misaligned doors, and unsightly lifting laminates.

Unlike laminated wood and solid wood, aluminium is moisture-resistant. When exposed to rain, condensation, or leaking pipes, it will not rot, become mouldy or infested with termites. This is especially desirable for cabinets that accommodate drainage pipes for taps and dishwashers.

Moisture-resistant aluminium cabinets ease cleaning and maintenance in this outdoor wet kitchen by A Star Furnishing – Jalan Labu Ayer

Another factor that contributes to the durability of A Star aluminium furniture is its fire-resistance. A Star aluminium can withstand high temperatures without catching alight or deforming. Even in the unlikely event that it catches on fire, the fire-resistant powder-coating remains intact after several seconds of burning. This delivers a window of opportunity for fires to be contained and extinguished, potentially saving properties from extensive damage and even lives.

Aesthetic Appeal and Creative Possibilities

A sampler of the range of available aluminium finishes that A Star Furnishing offers

If you thought aluminium furniture was confined to the uniform silvery-white colour of the natural metal, think again. A Star Furnishing uses an innovative range of finishes and application techniques to offer homeowners a palette of colours and patterns that will amaze you.

Wood-lookalike aluminium kitchen cabinets add warmth to this luxury interior at Carisbrooke Grove

For homeowners who favour the traditional, warm appearance of wood, A Star offers a range of lookalike wood finishes that are virtually indistinguishable from real wood.

Aluminium cabinets provide an attractive contrast with various nature-inspired patterns and hues

Ease of Maintenance and Hygiene

Unlike laminated wood that can scratch, stain or lift, depending to a degree on the quality of the material and the installation, A Star Aluminium Furniture is stain-resistant and scratch-resistant. It can be wiped clean with a wet cloth and mild cleaning products. There is no need to spend money and clutter up your storage areas with specialised metal cleaners or tools.

The interiors of aluminium cabinets can be easily wiped clean

Stellar Service

A Star Furniture provides every customer with an obligation-free appointment with a professional designer, a detailed quotation, and complimentary customised 2D/3D computer drawings.

To cope with increasing demand and serve its broad customer base, A Star operates 24 hours a day, providing after-sales and solutions services via a live WhatsApp chat function on its website.

Superior Workmanship

A Star’s furniture is fabricated and installed by experienced tradespeople who commenced their careers working with traditional laminated wood. They bring their wealth of experience in old-school carpentry to working with aluminium.

A Star Furnishing applies old-school carpentry techniques to aluminium

Advanced technology and precision engineering tools ensure perfect fits and joins. Eco-friendly screws are used, with no toxic chemical-laden adhesives, and all materials are certified formaldehyde-free.

A Star’s confidence in the calibre of its workmanship and materials is backed by a 10-year quality assurance guarantee and the promise of lifetime maintenance.*

Sustainability and Certification

Thankfully, the world is waking up to the urgent need for society to embrace sustainability. Responsible homeowners are now questioning the environmental impact of wood, which may or may not have been produced using sustainable forestry methods. Even mined stone can disfigure the landscape and displace biodiversity. Compared to the alternatives, aluminium is an easy choice.

A Star Furnishing is certified ‘green’

A Star Furnishing is proud to have been certified ‘green’ by the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC).

Fun fact: Aluminium is one of the greenest metals on the planet, since it can be recycled repeatedly. Recycling this material saves 95 percent of the energy required to produce primary aluminium, or aluminium from raw materials. That is good for the planet and the pocket!

Aluminium Wins

For all these reasons and more, aluminium is clearly a better choice than laminated wood, for many if not all applications. If you would like an obligation-free consultation with an A Star Furnishing designer, or more information on the compelling advantages of aluminium for furniture in residential and commercial settings, contact A Star Furnishing at 6200 8588 today or visit astarfurnishing.sg to chat on WhatsApp or send an email enquiry.

*Terms and conditions apply.

Why You Should Do An Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Assessment Before Moving In

Moving house is a big project and the checklist always only seems to get longer. While homeowners diligently inspect their new homes for critical visible defects such as wall cracks or pipes leakage, one thing that is invisible but essential is often overlooked – indoor air quality (IAQ).

“The quality of the air you’re breathing at home is just as important, if not more so, than the quality of your carpentry, flooring, painting or furniture,” says Zachery Tan, Certified IAQ Manager (CIAQM) and Business Director at Newway, an established local company that specialises in Air-Conditioning and Mechanical Ventilation (ACMV) and IAQ services for residential and commercial spaces.

Here are 5 common sources affecting the air quality in your new home:

Furniture and Cabinetry

New furnishing and finishes can release harmful chemicals (volatile organic compounds) into the air for years through a process called off-gassing. Excessive concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can have adverse health effects – long-term exposure to VOC vapours can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches and loss of coordination; nausea; and damage to the liver, kidneys, or central nervous system. For example, formaldehyde is a colourless, flammable, strong-smelling chemical that is used in resins (i.e., glues) found in manufactured wood products such as desks, beds, cabinets, and more.

Paint

Many paints contain VOCs; the fumes from a fresh coat of paint may cause symptoms including lung irritation, headache, dizziness, and vision problems. Some people may experience more symptoms than others depending on their level of exposure and any prior health conditions.

Flooring

Vinyl is a popular flooring option in Singapore homes due to it being budget-friendly, durable and low-maintenance. However, most vinyl flooring, made from reprocessed plastic, contained toxic phthalates, lead, cadmium, brominated flame retardants, and other toxic chemicals – these chemicals can contribute to indoor air pollution by drifting out of the flooring and into the air and dust inside homes. In addition, certain laminate flooring is found to contain high levels of formaldehyde.

4. Moulds

Moulds produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Mould can cause detrimental health effects, especially for children or people with pre-existing health conditions. Asthma is the most common health issue associated with long-term indoor mould exposure.

5. Air Conditioners

If the air in your home is polluted with VOCs and allergens, your air conditioner is likely worsening the situation. Also, if the air conditioner is poorly maintained, for example if it is leaking any excess fluid or has more condensation than usual, it may be harming your indoor air quality as well.

Hence, to safeguard your family’s health and ensuring an optimum living space, it is essential to have professionals like Newway to perform an indoor air quality assessment before moving in.

Newway is a Singapore company with three decades of expertise in both residential and commercial air conditioning systems. The company is BCA and NEA registered, and has won several industry accolades and its portfolio includes big brands across different sectors, such as Audi, Changi Airport Group, Gleneagles, Honeywell, Keppel Land, Marina Bay Sands, SPH and more.

With strong capabilities in air conditioning servicing, Newway has recently expanded its services to provide a one-stop solution that includes indoor air quality testing and management, all in accordance to the guidelines of WSHC and Singapore Standards. Costing from S$80 onwards, homeowners have the choice to perform a general IAQ assessment or a detailed one where markers are sent to laboratory for testing. Some of the parameters being tested include formaldehyde, total volatile organic compounds, respirable suspended particles, total viable bacterial count and more.

To get a quote for an IAQ assessment for your home, contact +65-6481-0111 or sales@newway.sg. Learn more about Newway services on https://newway.sg.

Exclusive promotion for you:

Enjoy 10% discount on IAQ assessment – click here to learn more
Enjoy 10% discount on General Aircon Servicing (click here to find out about the Basic Probiotic HydroClean)
Enjoy huge discounts and free gifts for the latest Daikin iSmile Eco Series (R32) air conditioners – click here to learn more

EcoFlow presents DELTA Max for all your power needs

EcoFlow, the company behind the world’s first eco-friendly portable energy storage line of products that equips you with clean, quiet, and renewable power, presents the EcoFlow DELTA Max just in time for the outdoor season. DELTA Max is designed to meet the growing interest in mobile as well as remote adventures and is a reliable and safe power source for anyone on the move.

The EcoFlow DELTA Max has a capacity of 2016Wh, which can support a family’s emergency use needs (four lights, a fan, a router, a laptop, a fridge, and charging of smartphones) for half a day. When connected with two DELTA Max Smart Extra Batteries, the capacity can go up to 6048Wh, which enables a family to comfortably survive a two-day blackout. The EcoFlow DELTA Max at its peak capacity can also support a Recreational Vehicle’s (RV) energy use (an average RV uses 20kWh electricity per day) for more than seven hours.

Even with an upgraded capacity compared to the EcoFlow DELTA (from 1260Wh to 2016Wh), the EcoFlow DELTA Max requires the same amount of time to be fully recharged – less than two hours. The EcoFlow DELTA Max can be charged at 1800W through standard AC outlets.

The battery also supports dual charging — charging with an AC outlet and two 400W Solar Panels simultaneously, which levels up the charging input to a 2600W. This input enables the EcoFlow DELTA Max and a Smart Extra Battery to be fully recharged from 0% to 100% in 2.3 hours, which is two times faster compared to similar products on the market.

With a 2400W AC output, the EcoFlow DELTA Max can power 99% appliances, including electric kettles, air conditioners, steam irons, and electric clothes dryers. With EcoFlow’s patented X-Boost technology, the EcoFlow DELTA Max can even power some 3400W devices, leading all competitors with the same capacity level.

Additional upgrades for the EcoFlow DELTA Max include more efficient solar charging, enhanced ability to control and monitor the device via the EcoFlow App, and the battery exterior is designed for more reliability and durability.

DELTA Max connects with up to 2x 400W EcoFlow solar panels to deliver 800W Max solar charging speeds. The EcoFlow solar panels can convert sunlight into clean, renewable energy using 400W portable solar panels, perfect for camping, recreational vehicles, and home use.

The solar panels are portable and lightweight. With an input of 400W, these are one of the most powerful foldable solar panels on the market. Weighing only 12.5 kg, the lightweight design and built-in shoulder strap make it ideal for outdoor adventurers. The protective case conveniently turns into a stand that adjusts from 40-90° allowing the solar panels to capture the most rays.

By using the universally recognized MC4 connector, the solar panels are compatible with all EcoFlow DELTA Series portable power stations and many other third-party generators too.

Join EcoFlow’s Double 11 sales now. Get yourself a power station at: https://www.lazada.sg/shop/ef-ecoflow

EcoFlow is also looking for dealers across Singapore. For more information, please contact sales.rest@ecoflow.com

About EcoFlow

EcoFlow is a portable power and renewable energy solutions company. Since its founding in 2017, EcoFlow has provided peace-of-mind to customers in over 100 markets through its DELTA and RIVER portable power stations and eco-friendly accessories. EcoFlow’s mission is to reinvent the way the world accesses energy by creating quiet, lighter, and longer-lasting renewable batteries.

Latest Trends in Digital Locks

Not all digital locks are made equal. Before making your purchase, it is best to first understand the different types of locking mechanisms so that you can install a digital lock that is suitable for your home and security needs.

In this article, we will briefly share about the three types of locking mechanisms — Mortise, Deadbolt and Rim — and highlight the latest trends in digital locks.

Mortise Locks

Mortise lock requires a pocket—the mortise—to be cut into the edge of the door where the lock is to be fitted; it has a latch as well as a bolt to secure the door into the door frame. Due to the several notches and levers that make up the mechanism, it provides dependable security and is commonly seen in Singapore’s HDB BTOs, condominiums and landed properties. There are two types of mortise locks: push-pull and lever handle.

Lever handle digital lock – attached Push-pull digital lock is highly favoured
with traditional lever handle for its sleek design

Deadbolt Locks

Deadbolt lock comes in a solid cylindrical piece made of either steel, bronze or brass. It offers a good level of security because deadbolt lock needs to be engaged when the door is shut; it has a unique locking device built into the bolt, that can’t be forced back into the door, thus preventing unwanted entry.

It is usually paired with a latch or knob as Digital deadbolt lock
the lock itself does not have a handle

Rim Locks

Rim lock is surface-mounted to the inside of a door and uses a latch that slides into the keeper on the door rim or frame to secure the door. Rim locks are easy to fit and generally cheaper than mortise and deadbolt locks for homeowners who are looking for convenience and value for money. However, for a higher level of security, rim locks are better used in addition to mortise and deadbolt locks

Facial Recognition Lock

Kaadas x Lamborghini (The Legend) Face Recognition Digital Lock (SGD 1489 sale price) is the first in the world to incorporate the design of Lamborghini onto a digital lock. Equipped with Facial Recognition technology, it uses a three-dimensional (3D) structured light that covers the entire face through tens of thousands of recognition points with millimeter-level accuracy. It captures 3D dynamic information of the face by extracting facial features and bone structure to build a 3D face model – now, you won’t even need to touch the lock itself to unlock it.

Video Lock

Philips EasyKey DDL702 VL Digital Door Lock (SGD 1249 sale price) with its remote video monitoring enables smart video door lock and two-way audio talk.

Smart Locks

igloohome Push-Pull Mortise Digital Lock (SGD 769) features unique algoPIN™ technology – unlike conventional smart or digital locks, there’s no need to be near the lock to set up PIN codes for your guests. As igloohome’s products work offline, the locks are more reliable against WiFi hacking and instability. No need to worry about needing an internet connection for the lock to work.

Solity GP-2000BK Digital Door Lock (SGD 799 sale price) is suitable for most door types in Singapore and is meant to replace your current handle lever or handle bar. Equipped with smart app, you can unlock it with your smartphone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (iOS, Android) – there’s a total of 6 different authentication methods to unlock!

Philips EasyKey 9300 Digital Door Lock (SGD 1180 sale price) allows you to double your security with dual verification unlock. Enjoy greater security assured by IoT, as you can check unlocking records and distribute a one-time PIN code at any time via the gateway. The smart door viewer will also record photos or videos, and when it is connected with the door lock you can upload them to the App under the abnormal alert.

Solity GD-60BK Digital Gate Lock (SGD 699) can be used alongside Solity GM-6000BK Digital Door Lock (SGD 799 sale price) to realize dual unlocking – upon unlocking the gate (remotely, even), the wooden door which is synchronized, will unlock as well.

If you are looking at digital locks with greater affordability, you can also check out Hafele GL5600 (Gate Lock) (SGD 589) and Hafele EL7800 Digital Lock (SGD 599 sale price).

For expert advice on finding a suitable digital lock for your home, visit An Digital Lock, or call them at +65-6966-6788. An Digital Lock carries a wide range of locks from brands such as Solity, Kaadas, Philips, Hafele, Igloohome, Schlage, Loghome, EVVA, Kaiser+, Gateman, Samsung, Asus and Dormakaba. Showrooms are available at Boon Lay, Paya Lebar and Sembawang.

8 Golden Rules to a Goodnight’s Sleep by The Mattress Boutique

Quality sleep is as important for good health as diet and exercise. Follow these eight golden rules for a successful slumber.

Set a consistent 7-hour sleep schedule – go to bed and get up at the same time every day

Have you head of ‘circadian rhythm’? Circadian rhythms are 24-hour cycles that are part of the body’s internal clock, running in the background to carry out essential bodily functions and processes. One of the most important and well-recognized circadian rhythms is the sleep-wake cycle. Keeping a consistent sleep schedule helps the circadian rhythm to create a stable cycle of restorative rest, and a better quality one. An irregular sleep schedule may result in sleep disorders such as insomnia, hypersomnia, sleep apnea, and parasomnia.

Create regular bedtime rituals

Bedtime routines help the brain sees those consistent set of activities as precursor to sleep. Ideally, the activities are calming and relaxing such as reading a book, journaling, prayer, listening to music. Our bodies thrive on consistency; developing a bedtime routine can soothe anxiety – start tonight and you will be falling asleep faster and sleeping better in no time.

Get regular exercise

Healthy physical activity levels contribute to sleep drive and high-quality sleep. Studies indicate that sleep may receive some of its most significant benefits from exercise that is consistent and routine over time, especially for people who have trouble sleeping. To develop a routine of regular exercise, consistency is key – pick a time of day that works for you and exercise at the same time every day. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day, five days a week; if you can’t get in 30 minutes at once, try two 15-minute sessions. However, be careful not to exercise too close to bedtime as it can lead to over-stimulation and delay transition to sleep for some people.

Keep a healthy diet

What you eat can affect how well you sleep. When the body absorbs proper nutrients, it provides the brain with the chemical environment it needs to produce the neurotransmitters it needs to maintain adequate sleep. Research has shown that a diet low in fiber and high in saturated fat and sugar is associated with lighter, less restorative sleep and more awakenings throughout the night.

Avoid nicotine, alcohol and caffeine

Nicotine is notoriously known for adverse health effects, but many is unaware of how significantly it can impact sleep. Nicotine in any form can increase the amount of time it takes to go from being fully awake to sleeping and extended durations of night-awakening.

You may have heard of people using alcohol as a sleep aid, but studies have shown that alcohol negatively affects overall sleep quality. As the body metabolizes the alcohol throughout the night, it exerts several biochemical effects that tend to lead to poorer sleep.

While caffeine affects everyone’s bodies differently, it is a stimulant that blocks production of the chemicals in the brain that tell our bodies to sleep. Furthermore, caffeine also reduces the amount of deep sleep that we can enjoy.

Keep naps short

A brief nap can be refreshing and restorative but longer naps late in the day can disrupt our ability to fall asleep at night. Aim to nap for only 10 to 20 minute and avoid napping after 3 p.m. to reduce interference with night-time sleep quality.

Use bedroom for sleep only

Keeping bedroom as a sacred place for sleep only helps to condition our brain to know that being in the bedroom means it’s time to fall asleep. To strengthen the mental association between bedroom and sleep, avoid using electronic devices and watching TV on bed – the emission of blue light from these glowing devices suppresses the body’s release of sleep-promoting hormone melatonin.

Use the right mattress

Having a suitable mattress that is catered to our sleep postures can significantly increase our quality of sleep. According to The Mattress Boutique, here are the recommendations for the different sleeping positions:

Side sleeping: Memory Foam Mattress and Natural Latex Mattress are good for side sleepers due to their softness; a slightly softer mattress as this ensures the spine stays aligned and reduces stress on the shoulders and hips.

Featuring: King Koil Monique

Back sleeping: Pocket Spring Mattress and Bonnell Spring Mattress are good for back sleepers as it’s an orthopaedic mattress that supports our back; choose a medium-firm mattress as it provides spinal support. Using a mattress that is too soft will affect hips and spinal alignment, while using a mattress that is too firm creates pressure around the hips or shoulders.

Featuring: Dunlopillo Spinal Comfort Premier

Stomach sleeping: Natural Latex and individual Pocket Spring Mattress are suitable for stomach sleepers, as it keeps our spine in a neutral alignment and prevents back pain.

Featuring: Maxcoil Supreme Care Signature

If you are looking for professional advice on mattress selection to help facilitate a good night’s sleep, look up The Mattress Boutique and get access to a wide selection of mattresses from renowned brands such King Koil, Dunlopillo, Slumberland, Maxcoil, Sleepy Night, Sofz Sleep, Slumber Pedic and Nusleep.

5 Reasons Why Sterra S™ Tankless Purifier Is An Essential For Every Modern Home

One of the most useful smart home gadgets you can invest for your home today is a water purifier – and we will tell you why the Sterra S™ Tankless Purifier can play an essential role in the daily life of every modern homeowner.

1. Convenience

We are living in the age of convenience; devices that promise convenience, to simplify and help make life easier quickly finds its way to a modern home. Therefore, it is so easy to love a Sterra S™ Tankless Purifier – you can have your desired cup of cold, room temperature, warm, or hot water in 4, 25, 40, 87°C instantly. Imagine these scenarios:

There’s no need to reach out for ice cubes to enjoy a glass of chilled water in the hot afternoon;
There’s no need to wait for the water to boil to make your perfect cup of coffee in the morning;
There’s no need to wait for boiled water to cool to make formula milk for a fussy baby

The Sterra S™ Tankless Purifier not only saves you time, it satisfies your thirst for that perfect temperature water at just a simple press of the button.

2. Aesthetics

Modern homeowners who are particular with aesthetics will be drawn to the clean lines and curves of the Sterra S™ Tankless Purifier. With it being tankless (meaning no bulky water storage) and its compact size, 18.2 cm (width) x 50.9 cm (depth) x 40.3 cm (height), this is a minimalistic water purifier that does not take up much space on your kitchen counter, perfect for Singapore’s small condos and HDB flats.

Available in two timeless colours – Chromium Grey and Platinum White.

3. 4 Stage Filtration System

Equipped with Pre Carbon Block Filter, the Sterra S™ Tankless Purifier filters out suspended solid such as dust, rust and sand, as well as absorbs and removes various organic compounds such as residual chlorine and disinfectant. Furthermore, it’s UF and Post Carbon Block Filter helps filter out harmful contaminants and pathogenic bacteria; the remaining gas and carbon are absorbed once more to remove odors and provide a fresher water taste.

By the way, the Sterra S™ Tankless Purifier is also outfitted with UV-C LED at nozzle to sterilise and keep the water it dispenses clean and healthy all the time.

4. Over 2,400 Verified 5-Star Reviews

Head over to Sterra’s website and read the reviews from actual customers.

Here are some of their recent reviews:

	25 July 2022 “I must say this one is one of the best purchase for our new house!” -Sharifah S.

	14 July 2022 “Loving my new Sterra machine! It’s been a month+ and it is very convenient for our while family, it saves up most space so that you don’t have to get all sorts of appliances/bottles to store different temperature of water. It’s so convenient that you will drink more water now.” -Teo B.

	11 July 2022 “The BEST decision ever to invest in a water dispenser! 1. No need to boil water 2. No need put water flask in fridge 3. No need to fill up water at room temperature to drink. All done made simple by pressing a few buttons. Able to enjoy a cup of coffee or cold water in seconds. Plus points are the dispenser has UV light technology to sanitise the spout and the design looking sleek overall. Many thumbs up. Less appliances, less hassle.” -Su-Lin A.

	7 July 2022 “Glad that we’ve changed our water dispenser to Sterra’s tankless water purifier! Able to get cold, room, warm and hot water ON DEMAND, plus it looks so sleek and easy to maintain. & the BEST thing is? U can press the preset volume eg. for my bottle: 550ml, it will auto dispense the water for you while u can walk away and attend to someone else first and grab the bottle when it’s done. How amazing is that?” -Tey Y.

5. Value-for-Money

If affordability is your concern, you will be happy to know that the Sterra S™ Tankless Water Purifier is one of the most competitively priced water purifiers in the market. Currently retailing at only $1,699 SGD, payment can be made by four monthly instalments. You will also enjoy:

Free delivery and installation
1 Year Warranty
3 Years Warranty for Touch Screen and Water Leaks
Receive $350 worth of filters (2 years filter set) for free
Redeem a complimentary lifetime warranty extension for touch panel and water leakage when you post and share a photo review of Sterra water purifier on social media!

PROMOTION: Quote “SterraHRG” to enjoy special discount when you WhatsApp/Call 93378713 to enquire. Terms and conditions apply. Special discount is valid for the month of September 2022.

Bed, Loo, Lights: Getting the Basics Right

Photo courtesy of Luxury Mattress GalleryA comfortable bed, a flushing toilet and decent lighting – these are three must-haves when it comes to fitting out a new or renovated home. Popular local retailers Luxury Mattress Gallery and Light De Bath share pro tips on how to choose carefully and invest wisely in these home essentials.

Shop for a Bed with Your Eyes Open

According to Luxury Mattress Gallery, one of the two most common mistakes customers make when buying a bed is falling for huge ‘fake’ discounts, whereas in fact the only thing that is huge is the merchant’s markup in the first place.

The other common mistake is being sucked in by jargon. “Consumers see the same digital ads and articles so often that they are misled into believing the contents,” said Elvin Chong, Director of TLS-Asia and Luxury Mattress Gallery. “OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) mattress brands will often use the same key marketing words used by major international brands.”

Instead of focusing on discounts and buzz words, Elvin advises that you should look closely at the brand of the mattress before you buy it. Brands with an established heritage, a strong presence in Asia and an authorised local distributor are your safest investments. A physical office is always reassuring in the event that something goes wrong and you need to make a warranty claim.

Luxury Mattress Gallery

Luxury Mattress Gallery ticks all the boxes. Part of TLS ASIA, an approved hotel furniture vendor headquartered in Singapore with offices in Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand, they are an established brand with distributor offices in Lower Delta and Ubi. Rather than sell through department stores and splurge on extravagant marketing campaigns, they import directly from leading manufacturers and avoid expensive overheads to keep prices low.

This is a merchant on a mission – to educate customers. The sales professionals at Luxury Mattress Gallery love nothing more than sharing their technical knowledge and first-hand insights with their customers. They actually want you to think very carefully about your purchase decision, not succumb to an impulse buy triggered by a massive discount or a free gift (you probably don’t really want anyway).

Highly Recommended Mattresses

When asked for specific recommendations, Elvin shared these three favourites.

The Sleepmatics Warden, priced from $2180, is made by a respected Australian brand that was founded by a personal trainer almost a decade ago. Good news travels fast, and the brand now has distribution in 10 countries and counting. The mattress itself is upholstered in luxurious cashmere fabric and contains heat-treated pocketed springs, which have a relatively long lifespan and resist sagging.

Elvin also recommends the Van Vorst CoreRhythm 352, priced from $2,180. This mattress hails from one of the oldest brands in America with 133 years of history and a stellar reputation worldwide. It features natural latex and heat-treated pocketed springs.

A more affordable option from the same brand, the Van Vorst CoreRhythm 351 is priced from $1,880.

What to Look for When Looking for a Loo
While a WC may seem like the most basic of items, there are many traps for the unwary homeowner. According to Joshua Boi, Founder of leading sanitaryware and lighting retailer Light De Bath, the most common mistake customers make is not checking the compatibility of the pipes.

“The size of the WC pipe must match the size of the waste pipe in your home. Singapore’s waste pipes are usually 6 inches or 10 inches in diameter, whereas WC pipes have many variations. We always advise homeowners to engage a plumber to check their waste pipe diameter before making a purchase,” said Joshua.

Another important consideration is the size of the bathroom. While wall-hung cisterns look elegant and minimalist, a lot of space is eaten up because the flushing system is concealed behind a false wall. What looks great in a showflat or a magazine may not work in an HDB flat.

Light De Bath

Light De Bath is distinguished from its countless competitors in those neighbourhoods that shall remain nameless by one major point of difference – it provides professional installation of the products it sells. It has an in-house team of qualified and experienced electricians and plumbers.

When you buy a toilet from Light De Bath, or any of its wide range of sanitaryware and lighting products for that matter, you can engage its entire team to help you from product selection to installation.

Highly Recommended Toilets

Joshua cited three examples of great-value toilets with differing price tags and benefits.

The Vera A.032T is an easy-to-clean one-piece toilet bowl and cistern, priced at $688.

If you’re not flush with cash, Joshua recommends the budget-friendly Velin VL139 – a two-piece toilet priced at just $268.

And if space permits, the Crizto WH-223 is an elegant wall-hung toilet priced at $398.

Switched-on Shopping for Lights
Joshua shared that many customers do not know the difference between downlights and ceiling lights. Basic as it may sound, an important point to remember is that downlights require a false ceiling and cannot be installed in concrete ceilings.

Another source of confusion is wiring. According to Joshua, 3-tone or RGB (red, green and blue) lights use single wiring, while LED RGB lights require a different kind of wiring altogether. Sounds complicated? Actually, it is. That’s why you should always seek the guidance of a professional.

Highly Recommended Lights

In the highly competitive and tightly regulated lighting market, prices vary enormously. Light De Bath markets its own house-brand lighting products at extremely attractive prices. Great prices aside, you also have the assurance that the products you buy are fully compliant with local building and safety regulations. The same cannot be said of purchases made online from obscure vendors in faraway places – what you see on a webpage can be a far cry from what you eventually get.

Joshua recommends Light De Bath’s house-brand toilet light SQ-12W at just $36.

Light De Bath’s house-brand kitchen light WS-6080 is a steal at $128.

The More You Know the Better
Whether you’re shopping for a mattress, a toilet or lights, it’s clear that the one thing you can never have enough of is knowledge.

The same thing can be said of shopping for an interior designer. HomeRenoGuru.sg, Singapore’s No. 1 renovation portal, is a great place to start.

Benefits of FirmaFlor; Eco-Friendly Flooring by Floorrich

FirmaFlor by Floorrich:
The Firm Favourite in Eco-friendly Flooring

Flooring by Floorrich, featuring FirmaTimber
Photo courtesy of Floorrich

Singapore-based flooring specialist Floorrich is paving the way for the industry with a family of five certified environmentally friendly flooring products under its exclusive FirmaFlor brand. Here’s why Singaporeans are confidently choosing FirmaFlor for their homes and workplaces.

The Certainty of Certification

Tread lightly. Lower your carbon footprint. Green is the new black. The talk flows fast and furiously, and the narrative can be confusing.

With the announcement of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, and the global surge in awareness of the urgency to address climate change, Singaporeans generally want to make more sustainable purchase decisions. But, too often, good intentions fail to translate into action because of a lack of clear-cut information.

A recent study jointly conducted by WWF and Accenture revealed that a third of consumers (30%) said that competing claims have confused them, while a fifth of Singapore consumers (23%) polled claimed that they do not trust businesses’ sustainability claims at all. In other words, we want more clear-cut information about the products we buy.

Floorrich, a home-grown flooring specialist with more than a decade of experience, has developed a comprehensive range of environmentally friendly flooring products under its exclusive FirmaFlor brand. To help guide customers in their purchase decisions, its products come with credible green certification.

All five FirmaFlor flooring products – namely FirmaVinyl, FirmaSPC, FirmaTimber, FirmaEngineered and FirmaDeck, are certified environmentally friendly by FloorScore®, a US-based organisation that sets and enforces the most globally recognised indoor air quality (IAQ) certification standard for hard surface flooring materials, adhesives, and underlayments.

In addition, all FirmaFlor products bear the highly respected Singapore Green Label. A certification scheme administered by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC), the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS) aims to help the public identify environmentally preferred products that meet clear eco-standards.

A Solid Investment in Household Health and Safety

A simple truth that often gets lost in the conversation on climate action is the fact that green choices are almost always healthy choices. That’s certainly true of FirmaFlor products.

As they contain near-zero Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), especially formaldehyde, FirmaFlor products are a sound choice for safety-conscious home and building owners.

“The majority of the flooring products in the market are not environmentally friendly and contain harmful toxic substances, which are especially dangerous when burnt. Over the years, there have been many deaths from the inhalation of toxic gases during house fires,” said Andrew Goh, Managing Director, Floorrich Global Pte Ltd.

In fact, most fire-related deaths result from the inhalation of toxic fire gases rather than from direct contact with flame or exposure to heat.

According to Andrew, with education and effective initiatives such as the SGLS, homeowners are making more informed and better choices. In particular, he sees an encouraging trend among younger homeowners with young children and babies.

“Many young families do not want to risk their children’s health by purchasing cheap uncertified flooring, especially in view of the fact that toddlers and babies spend so much time crawling and playing on the floor,” said Andrew.

Value and Variety

Together, FirmaFlor’s range of five products cover the flooring requirements of every room in the house, including the patio, as well as offices and showrooms. In addition, they come in a wide variety of colours and textures that allow homeowners and interior designers to personalise their projects from the ground up.

Flooring by Floorrich, featuring FirmaVinyl
Photo courtesy of Floorrich

The top-selling FirmaFlor product, FirmaVinyl, is an attractively priced, long-lasting option that starts from just $3.60 per sq ft. Thanks to modern flooring technology, it bears no resemblance to the shiny plastic-looking vinyl of our grandparents’ generation. Extremely durable, easy to replace without hacking in the event of damage, and highly water-resistant, it makes a great choice for kitchens and laundries as well as living rooms and bedrooms.

Flooring by Floorrich, featuring FirmaSPC
Photo courtesy of Floorrich

Popular FirmaSPC is a premium flooring material that is 100% water-resistant, slip-resistant and able to withstand heavy foot traffic. Comprising a number of layers for optimal resilience, it comes in a range of stunning finishes that are virtually indistinguishable from real wood and natural stones such as marble and granite. But unlike wood and stone, it is a breeze to maintain with little more than a wipe of a mop.

Flooring by Floorrich, featuring FirmaTimber
Photo courtesy of Floorrich

Despite the advent of engineered wood, there are some traditionalists who still embrace the beauty and warmth of natural, solid wooden flooring. For those customers, there is FirmaTimber. As its name suggests, FirmaTimber is made from world-sourced wood that has been harvested from sustainably managed forests. The range includes Patagonian Walnut, Indonesian Teak, Indian Rosewood, American White Oak, Burmese Teak, American Maple, Brazilian Cherry, American Walnut and more. Floorrich’s highly skilled applicators are able to wire-brush and whitewash the surface to adjust the tonality of the original timber and highlight the exquisite patterns of the natural wood grain.

For customers who love the beauty of wood but want to keep an eye on the bottom line, FirmaEngineered offers a similar finish to FirmaTimber at a lower price point.

Flooring by Floorrich, featuring FirmaEngineered
Photo courtesy of Floorrich

For homeowners and building owners with the luxury of al fresco living and entertaining spaces, FirmaDeck is a great choice for patio decking and balconies. Made from composite wood, it is durable, weatherproof, termite-resistant and low-maintenance.

The Right Choice in More Ways than One

Andrew is proud of his exclusive range of environmentally friendly flooring options – and proud of Singaporeans for responding to the cry for climate action embodied in the Singapore Green Plan 2030. He is also proud of the level of service his company extends to its customers.

“At Floorrich, our consultants are very experienced and are able to customise the flooring to each customer’s needs. We also offer a confidence-inspiring warranty and, I believe, almost perfect after-sales service,” said Andrew. “Our people are almost as important as our products, and I take great pride in both.”

Future-proof Your Flooring

Clearly, Floorrich is a company that walks the green talk. Besides being certified green by local and international authorities, its products come highly recommended by HomeRenoGuru. Singapore’s No. 1 home renovation portal.

Throughout April, HomeRenoGuru customers can save up to 20% on all FirmaFlor flooring products and enjoy a $5 transport rebate. To take advantage of this exclusive offer, visit https://www.floorrich.com/contact-us/ or WhatsApp Floorrich Global at +65 8444 0099.

If you’re contemplating a home renovation, simply looking to upgrade your flooring, or aspiring to a healthier and greener lifestyle, remember Floorrich – a company with their feet on the ground and their eyes on the horizon of new developments in flooring technology and sustainable living.

Source:
https://www.wwf.sg/study-reveals-a-clear-unmet-consumer-demand-for-sustainable-products-in-singapore-accenture-and-wwf/

Visual Harmony: A Single Material Across Multiple Surfaces

When it comes to surface materials and finishes in interior spaces, less is almost always more. The widespread use of a single material such as Gardenia Slabs Sintered Surface creates a flow of colour and texture that visually connects your open spaces and gives you the luxury of concentrating on the details.

Simplicity and Continuity

If you’ve lived in a home for more than a decade, you’ve probably made a succession of ad hoc repairs, replacements and improvements in a piecemeal fashion. No doubt every choice seemed like a good idea at the time, but the nett result is probably ‘eclectic’ at best and a mixed bag of clashing styles at worst.

A pending home renovation is the perfect opportunity to wipe the slate clean and create a clean canvas and an elegant backdrop for living well.

If you number among the majority who have opted for an open plan concept, stand in the middle of your living area and look around you. Take note of what’s visible in every direction. These are your sight lines. Ideally, there should be a thread of continuity connecting the purpose-defined areas of your kitchen, dining area and living area, and the entrance hall and passageway that lead in and out of them. While flooring and a common paint colour go a long way to establishing continuity, Gardenia Slabs Sintered Surface adds a new dimension, quite literally, for they can extend beyond flat surfaces and wrap around your built-in fixtures.

The application of Gardenia Slabs Sintered Surface in a single colour, or in a pair of contrasting colours, imparts an elegant architect-designed feel to a home. They are virtually indistinguishable from marble and other types of natural stone, yet are far more affordable and durable. Available in over 80 colours and a myriad of matte and polished finishes, they offer endless scope for creative freedom.

It’s not surprising that a growing number of local and international architects are embracing this all-natural engineered material from Italy, which imparts a grandeur that far exceeds its price tag.

In the Living Area

Television has assumed new importance as technology has turned our TV sets into multi-media screens for gaming, videoconferencing and watching TV. Not surprisingly, the TV feature wall has become an almost standard feature in modern homes.

Rather than a timber veneer or laminate, why not consider the enduring beauty of Gardenia Slabs Sintered Surface for your TV feature wall? Two slabs with identical patterns of veins can be joined to create a stunning bookmatched effect, and multiple slabs can be joined to create continuous patterns.

The constant lament of homeowners is that they never have enough storage space. Ideally, the problem should be addressed at the planning stage of your renovation.

In the living room, a built-in console or cabinet clad in Gardenia Slabs Sintered Surface is an ideal way to integrate much-needed concealed storage with your contemporary decor. Unlike free-standing cabinets that tend to segment a space, it can also visually enlarge the length of a room.

Gardenia Slabs’ large format panels are available in a wide range of thicknesses, from a mere 6.5mm to a sturdy 20mm, making them suitable for everything from lightweight consoles that merely conceal wiring, to cabinets that carry heavy loads.

In the Kitchen

Gardenia Slabs Sintered Surface is a great choice for modern kitchens not only because of their stunning looks, but also for their durability and ease of maintenance.

Unlike marble, granite, quartz and other undeniably beautiful yet relatively fragile natural stones, Gardenia Slabs Sintered Surface is stain-resistant, impact-resistant, scratch-resistant and heatproof. They relegate chips, scratches and heat rings from hastily placed hot cookware to a thing of the past. In addition, because they come in large format panels, all except massive commercial-scale fixtures can be clad with single panels, avoiding unsightly seams that collect grime and bacteria.

An almost standard feature in compact flats and condominium apartments, the semi-attached breakfast bar is transformed into a showpiece with Gardenia Slabs Sintered Surface. Nobody ever needs to cry over spilled milk or even red wine – come evening when the breakfast bar morphs into a sophisticated cocktail bar. Since the surface is non-porous and stain-resistant, it is restored to pristine perfection with just a wipe of a cloth and an everyday multi-purpose spray.

Countertops with matching backsplashes, standalone island benches with built-in hobs and ovens – you can confidently clad them all in Gardenia Slabs Sintered Surface for a put-together, designer kitchen.

In the Bathroom

The smallest room in the house has become so much more than a place for cleaning and grooming. It is now a personal sanctuary for self-care, pampering and mindful reflection. The visual appeal and tactile pleasure of Gardenia Slabs Sintered Surface add a luxury feel to vanities, feature walls, shower partitions, built-in tubs and more.

Thanks to the absence of seams and grout lines, Gardenia Slabs Sintered Surface is a breeze to clean. You can confidently disinfect them, too, without fearing chemical erosion or discolouration.

In Person

Pictures and words alone barely do justice to the natural magnificence of Gardenia Slabs Sintered Surface. Why not visit the inspiring showroom of the Bellus group, the exclusive distributor of Gardenia Slabs Sintered Surface in Singapore, and see them in person? Alternatively, download the catalogue or call 6555 3528 and enquire about an obligation-free quote for your home renovation or commercial project.

The Rising Cost of Home Renovations

The costs of building materials and manpower have gone through the roof, blowing out the price of home renovations beyond all expectations. We spoke to three of our top local IDs and an industry insider from Nippon Paint about the reasons behind the rising costs, and what they mean for homeowners.

Material Supply Shortages Are Pushing Prices Up… and Up

In August last year, an article in The Straits Times reported that renovation costs had risen by 10 to 20%, compared to pre-COVID prices¹. The IDs we spoke to, from i-Chapter Pte Ltd, Fineline Design Pte Ltd and Weiken.com, agreed that this figure has remained more or less stable over the past 20 months, despite the ongoing and in some cases escalated challenges that the ID industry is facing.

Davis Ng, Senior Manager, Design & Contracts, Nippon Paint Singapore, is in an ideal position to monitor the cost of building materials since the Nippon Paint Service Centre at Sungei Kadut falls under his care. (The Nippon Paint Service Centre sells building materials, including paints, directly to the building trade.) He confirms that costs have gone up considerably since pre-COVID days.

“Building materials have risen by about 30% on average. This applies across a range of materials, including pre-packed cement products like 2-in-1 Floor Screed, 2-in-1 Wall Render, 3-in-1 Waterproofing Screed, Cement Strengthener, BRC Wire Mesh, bricks, hollow blocks and so on,” said Davis.

These price hikes are the result of a basic supply shortage. “As most building materials come from Malaysia, supplies have been seriously affected by the Malaysia Movement Control Order (MCO). Under the current measures, many factories are not allowed to operate, or are operating with a limited capacity of employees,” explained Davis.

Davis added that even those factories that can operate are facing production challenges as many of the raw materials they require to manufacture their products come from different states of Malaysia. Since cross-state deliveries are near-impossible under ongoing MCO guidelines, the shortage is only worsening.

Compounding the problem is the fact that suppliers faced a shortage of pallets for packing and protecting the building materials en-route to their destinations. Scheduled deliveries to Singapore have been few and far between and show no signs of becoming more frequent in the near future.

On a brighter note, supportive wholesalers like Nippon Paint are helping their customers stay in business by absorbing as much of the price increases as possible.

Manpower Shortages Are Increasing Costs and Prolonging Projects

Aside from a shortage of building materials, there is a dire shortage of labour. This has created a perfect storm for the building and construction industry.

Due to cramped living quarters, foreign workers have been disproportionately affected by the virus, especially in the early stages of the outbreak. In December last year, BBC News reported the rate of infection among foreign workers to be three times higher than the general population of Singapore².

To this day, a single case can send an entire dorm into lockdown, causing work on building sites to grind to a sudden halt. In fact, as recently as mid-April this year, around 1,200 migrant workers were quarantined after a few men were found to have been re-infected after recovering from the virus^#.

Understandably, many workers have returned to their homelands in India and Bangladesh, and many more are expected to do so when their employment passes expire. Furthermore, since Singapore’s ban on visitors from India was implemented in April this year⁴, they could not come back even if they wanted to. At least now, with the recent launch of a pilot programme in July that aims to bring back small numbers of foreign workers on a small scale and in a calibrated manner, there is some hope on the horizon. However, this programme is costly for employers, who pay about S$2,000 to S$3,000 more per worker on top of quarantine costs⁵, and the number of workers involved barely makes a dent in bridging the shortfall.

COVID-19 has also put the brakes on thousands of workers who used to commute daily from Malaysia. These include many skilled tilers employed by local IDs for kitchen and bathroom renovations. Now, even those who are willing to base themselves in Singapore would need to have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure and be quarantined for 14 days upon arrival, and their companies would have to foot the bill for their quarantine and subsequent accommodation costs. It’s simply not viable.

Compounding this problem further is the rigorous enforcement of safe management measures that slows work down.

Due to all these factors, renovation timelines are now much longer than before. Whereas in the past project managers would schedule multiple contractors to work on non-conflicting parts of the renovation concurrently, now there can be whole stretches of days on end where there is no activity on-site.

“The shortage of manpower has delayed the completion of renovation works by one to three months. An average renovation project could be completed within 10 weeks pre-COVID; now it will take at least 16 weeks,” shared Davis.

Profit Margins Are Being Squeezed to Ease the Pain of Rising Costs

5-room HDB flat, renovated by i-Chapter Pte Ltd. Photo courtesy of HomeRenoGuru Annual 2021

Going by the responses of those IDs we spoke to, it seems that industry leaders are doing their utmost to share the pain with homeowners.

Ivan Yeo, Managing Director, i-Chapter Pte Ltd, said, “We work very closely with our workers and suppliers and try to lock in timing and pricing at contract-signing stage. This keeps our costs manageable. Of course, when costs rise by more than 30%, we are forced to negotiate with our customers and seek their understanding.”

Raymond Kuek, General Manager, Fineline Design Pte Ltd, tells a similar story. “We have honoured quotations signed before the full impact of COVID-19,” he shared. “However, if any adjustments or variations are done during the course of renovation, we have to negotiate costs with our customers.”

3-room HDB flat, renovated by Fineline Design Pte Ltd. Photo courtesy of HomeRenoGuru Annual 2021

While customers are generally understanding, according to Raymond, there are some that struggle to accept the ‘new normal’.

“We are encountering more unrealistic expectations from clients. Because they are paying more than pre-COVID prices, they have become more demanding. Yet the timeline is not within our control,” shared Raymond.

4-room HDB flat, renovated by Weiken.com. Photo courtesy of HomeRenoGuru Annual 2021

It seems that while homeowners are hurting, IDs may be hurting more. And the consensus is that there is no relief in sight. While Malaysia stays paralysed in lockdown and borders with South Asian countries remain closed, costs of both materials and manpower are likely to rise progressively.

Life – and Renovations – Must Go On

Since nobody knows what tomorrow holds, and home plays a central role in the new normal, it’s probably not a good idea to postpone renovation plans indefinitely. There is a queue, and those who join first will be served first.

When it comes to choosing an ID, the standard advice applies, pandemic or not. Do your homework by looking at companies’ past projects and customer reviews, check their credentials and licences, and make sure you have a good rapport with your ID. However, now it is more important than ever to pay close attention to pricing.

“Don’t rush into selecting your ID. It is still very important to get the right ID – one that has good chemistry with the customer and understands what the customer wants. In this current ‘COVID market’, it’s more important than ever to look for transparency in pricing,” advised Ivan of i-Chapter Pte Ltd.

Raymond of Fineline Pte Ltd also sounded a cautionary note on pricing. “Start the planning process as early as possible and meet with your ID so that you can carefully budget your finances according to the latest quotation given by ID. Do have a savings plan as well, in case the unforeseen happens,” he advised.

The advice from Weiken.com was similar. “Manage your own finances and honestly evaluate your ability to spend on a renovation. Ideally, save up so that you have a renovation budget that is higher than what you think you will realistically need. Then when the quote comes in it may fall within your upgraded budget, and you won’t find it too expensive,” said Wan Yee, Marketing Support, Weiken.com.

How the HRG Guarantee is Protecting Homeowners Against the Unpredictable

Every industry bar a few lucky exceptions is facing unforeseen challenges. The ID industry is no exception, and responsible practitioners themselves encourage customers to be careful. For added peace-of-mind, HomeRenoGuru offers local homeowners the HRG Guarantee, free with every signed quotation from an eligible ID. This first-in-industry initiative comes with free legal advice if you need it and protects your renovation deposit of up to 50% of your contract amount in the event that the ID company winds up.

At a time when there are so many unknowns, it’s good to know that you can trust ‘the Guru’.

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¹https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/home-owners-doing-renovations-face-delays-and-increase-in-costs

²https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55314862

³https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/singapore-probing-covid-19-re-infections-after-cases-workers-dormitory-2021-04-22/

⁴https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/spores-ban-on-visitors-from-india-not-aimed-at-any-nationality-ong-ye-kung

⁵https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/migrant-workers-india-singapore-pilot-construction-covid-19-1986436

Every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this article at the time of release. However, due to the fluid nature of the COVID-19 situation, it may change without notice.