Leon & Jenna Reno Experience

[xie_michelle 1]

Hi

Do you mind sharing with me your ID contact please? I am a bit late in starting my research

My email is xie.michelle@gmail.com.

Thanks in advance!

[Pugi 1]

Hihi

Mind sharing your reno quote and breakdown?

I am looking around currently.

vivipugi@gmail.com

Thanks!

[leonjennawong 53]

Hi Leon, your vinyl flooring looks fantastic! Just wondering, did you do up the whole house with it, including the bedrooms?

Sherby thanks so muchie! Hehehe.. yes I did up my entire 5 room house (including bedrooms); excluding my 2 bathrooms, the household shelter, the kitchen & my service yard!

[sherby 2]

Hi Leon, your vinyl flooring looks fantastic! Just wondering, did you do up the whole house with it, including the bedrooms?

[leonjennawong 53]

From the little knowledge that I gained from my ceiling fan purchase research 3 yrs ago and from recent visit to Tampoi, fans sold in Malaysia usually comes with U-hook. 3 years ago, someone in this forum posted wobbling issue for his JB purchased fan I wanted to buy which was why I chose to buy from SG even though it cost double! The fan I bought locally came with a ball bracket instead (think of it like car phone holder ball joint, quite rigid but yet with free play when pushed) so it wouldn't wobble and will even stay in position if i were to purposely tilt it sideways (it would eventually slowly recenter itself). Fans sold in Malaysia also usually come with longer down rods that may contribute to the wobble but some shops do offer a shorter one or will advise to diy it shorter to fit our pathetic HDB ceiling height. Back then, I only needed one for the room, else I would have considered across the causeway too....like now for my new flat where I need 5 fans. But according to Mr Ang from Tampoi, U-hook when installed correctly should not wobble. So it could be due to improper installation or imbalance blades (some fans blades need to stick on balancing weight).

I'm also thinking of mounting ceiling fans on false ceiling cos I like a full false ceiling concept. What's the height of the lowest point of your fan to the floor? I'm told local Aeronamics comes with 7" down rod. Total depth of the fan is 15" including the down rod. If its the same as yours, isn't it too low for comfort mounting on false ceiling? 4"? Typical ceiling height except top floor is 102" (2.6m) - 15" fan - 4" false ceiling = 2.1m about the height of a door that can be easily reached just by raising my hand. Might need to shorten the rod but may sacrifice some wind feel the closer the fan gets to ceiling.

I hope it work out for you. I could use some valuable first hand experience.

Hello Peter73! Speaking to you again so soon! I think you have really done your homework! So I suppose my role here is just to CONFIRM the following with you based on whatever little experience I have so far...

• I did have to get 2x U-hooks for the 56" Elmark Aeronamics ceiling fan & for the 60" KDK ceiling fan (for parents)
• Yep, Tampoi Lighting Centre did offer a shorter-DIY-rod for the Elmark Aeronamics that I took up (5" rod-length compared the default 7" length) at the expense of a measly few more ringgit (sorry can't remember right now)
• From my own first-hand experience, my Elmark Aeronamics (with the longer 7" rod) DOES NOT WOBBLE AT ALL, even when set at the highest speed. One of the more senior-looking sales staff at Tampoi Lighting Centre advised us to:
  • remind our ID/ contractor to fix the fan blades 1-by-1 onto the motor stem ONLY AFTER the motor stem has been mounted onto the ceiling.
  • He said this will enable the blades to sit properly & the motor stem is allowed to balance itself out.
  • From his experience, many Singaporean home owners pop by across the causeway thinking that the fan balancing is awry because their contractors piece the entire ceiling fan together on the floor, before bringing the entire assembled ceiling fan up for installation onto the ceiling

Lastly, you are right, our pathetic HDB ceiling height is so low that I have to be mindful of the ceiling fan... Which is why the 2" shorter rod is even more so significant...

Lovely floor!

Eden oak seems more white like the discontinued Evorich Aspen Oak White than their current Eggshell that is too beige for my liking.

Also seems like Alsafloor LVT plank size and thickness is the same as Evorich Allure Herf.

Have you done a comparison btw them to advise what's the quality difference or any differences that matter and thus the reason for your choice?

Thanks for your kind compliments on our new vinyl flooring! We love it too! :wub:

Well, the biggest and most significant factor in choosing #Alsafloor from #Bilrich is definitely the VALUE FOR MONEY... And I don't say cost itself, and don't quote the price psf itself because, like you were already alluding to; I do not see any significantly outstanding aspects in either #Bilrich's #Alsafloor or #Evorich's HERF in terms of product quality and characteristic... To me they were essentially the same product, albeit with some relatively insignificant differences (e.g. panel thickness is 5" for #Alsafloor & 7" for HERF if I'm not mistaken)... Generally the aspects that I considered were:

• Warranty duration
• Sound insulation properties
• Water/ Fire/ Pressure/ Strain/ Wear resistance
• Toxic emissions grading
• Colour variety
• Cost PSF (for newcomers, it means "per square foot")

Again, in my comparison they were essentially the same product... One particular aspect stood out more than the others, and that was the cost PSF... Hehe.. (I am not able to recall the HERF rate.. But it was about $6.50 to $7 psf at one time, right?)

Also, in case you missed them, I have included hyperlinks to my previous rantings regarding my vinyl flooring purchase... Post#42, Post#43, Post#282 & of course, the recent Post#314... Really hope I helped! CHEERS!

[yurikoyeo 1]

Lovely floor!

Eden oak seems more white like the discontinued Evorich Aspen Oak White than their current Eggshell that is too beige for my liking.

Also seems like Alsafloor LVT plank size and thickness is the same as Evorich Allure Herf.

Have you done a comparison btw them to advise what's the quality difference or any differences that matter and thus the reason for your choice?

hi there, im also planning to get flooring from bilrich for my house too.. i also went to look for the super friendly May... and i understand that Bilrich has been in the industry for 20 years, but relatively unknown to most because they dont advertise as much as the bigger players here... but i personally feel that their prices are reasonable for vinyl flooring (even though i didnt get it at 4.50 psf), but what im assured of is the quality (made in france). Bigger players do not state where their laminate/HERF is from.. at least i know Bilrich sells the brand called ALSA flooring, and i can go direct to the website for more assurance about what we are paying for.

[Peter73 0]

Lovely floor!

Eden oak seems more white like the discontinued Evorich Aspen Oak White than their current Eggshell that is too beige for my liking.

Also seems like Alsafloor LVT plank size and thickness is the same as Evorich Allure Herf.

Have you done a comparison btw them to advise what's the quality difference or any differences that matter and thus the reason for your choice?

[Peter73 0]

From the little knowledge that I gained from my ceiling fan purchase research 3 yrs ago and from recent visit to Tampoi, fans sold in Malaysia usually comes with U-hook. 3 years ago, someone in this forum posted wobbling issue for his JB purchased fan I wanted to buy which was why I chose to buy from SG even though it cost double! The fan I bought locally came with a ball bracket instead (think of it like car phone holder ball joint, quite rigid but yet with free play when pushed) so it wouldn't wobble and will even stay in position if i were to purposely tilt it sideways (it would eventually slowly recenter itself). Fans sold in Malaysia also usually come with longer down rods that may contribute to the wobble but some shops do offer a shorter one or will advise to diy it shorter to fit our pathetic HDB ceiling height. Back then, I only needed one for the room, else I would have considered across the causeway too....like now for my new flat where I need 5 fans. But according to Mr Ang from Tampoi, U-hook when installed correctly should not wobble. So it could be due to improper installation or imbalance blades (some fans blades need to stick on balancing weight).

I'm also thinking of mounting ceiling fans on false ceiling cos I like a full false ceiling concept. What's the height of the lowest point of your fan to the floor? I'm told local Aeronamics comes with 7" down rod. Total depth of the fan is 15" including the down rod. If its the same as yours, isn't it too low for comfort mounting on false ceiling? 4"? Typical ceiling height except top floor is 102" (2.6m) - 15" fan - 4" false ceiling = 2.1m about the height of a door that can be easily reached just by raising my hand. Might need to shorten the rod but may sacrifice some wind feel the closer the fan gets to ceiling.

I hope it work out for you. I could use some valuable first hand experience.

[leonjennawong 53]

FUN FACT OF THE DAY:

DID YOU KNOW THAT LEONJENNAWONG’S VINYL #ALSAFLOORING HAS BEEN COMPLETED??

YESSSSSSS!! YEAHHHHH!! *hops on bed & jump jump jump.. OUCH. Hit my head on ceiling* Rub rub rub.

HAIYO! I TELL YOU HOR. THIS #EDGAR HOR. Forget to take photos and send me lei!(and that previous sentence my friends, was probably my most Singlish-laden sentence in this blog so far) I was so anxious after #MayTing from #Bilrich emailed me to tell me that the vinyl #Alsafloor was completed!! So excited that I couldn’t get anything done in the office that day!!

Laa laa laaaaa.... Too. Super. Happy. To. Do. Any. Thing. Else. Right. Now!! WOOHOO. Ok don’t talk so much, here’s a sneak preview first! Here you go!

BOOMZ.

(credit: Miss Ris Low)

LIVING/ DINING AREA #ALSAFLOOR OVERLAY - In case you were wondering, the Elmark Aeronamics ceiling fan was removed for a while because it needed a bit of re-balancing.. Hehe…

CLOSE-UP OF #ALSAFLOOR V03 EDEN OAK

The #Bilrich workers' workmanship is so FANTASTICALLY AWESOME & SO UNBELIEVABLY GOOD!! :D When I stepped into my house I just kept going “OMG. OMG. OMG.”… And I jumped for joy just a little bit more for good measure too. Wahahaha.. Please, pardon my immense excitement. HEE.

To show you just how good the workmanship is, I resort once again to the old saying of “a picture tells a thousand words”… Enjoy!

JOINING-LINE BETWEEN #ALSAFLOOR & WALL-SKIRTING (this excellent finish was not just for this section, but for the ENTIRE house)

SEAMLESS FINISH OF #ALSAFLOOR (FROM CORRIDOR PASSAGEWAY TO BEDROOM) & EXCELLENT JOINING-LINE FINISH AT DOOR-FRAME - THE MOST IMPRESSIVE PART OF THE WORKMANSHIP: Just look at the 'nooks & crevices' at the base of the door frame that the #Bilrich worker navigated so successfully... Also very nice flat & seamless finish from the corridor passageway flooring, leading into the bedrooms

#ALSAFLOOR TERMINATING JOINT AT MASTER BATHROOM (called T-mould; made of aluminium & used to link the elevated vinyl floor surface to the other tiled floor surfaces) - And also, TAKE THAT to contractors out there who say overlaying the ramp at the bathroom door can't be done.. lalala..

Extremely clean & tidy finish for the ENTIRE house. SEAMLESS, BEAUTIFUL FINISH, AT LITERALLY EVERY SINGLE CORNER & SIDE.

What can I say... What you see above in the photos is what you get. I scrutinized all the joining-line relentlessly for the entire house, and every-where-is-superbly-finished. Very very satisfied with #Bilrich’s work. Really right up there and I think there is no other standard higher than their level of quality.

• The quality of the overlay was great with no uneven-ness
• No 'hollow' sensation when I walked on it
• Close scrutiny of the vinyl floor surfaces also do not show any scratches or defects
• The entire process was also finished in double-quick time, within the 2-3 days estimate provided by #MayTing
• The bottom of the HDB doors were cut very cleanly to accommodate the raised flooring

CFO & I are very happy & satisfied customers!!

Special mention must also go to our favourite superhero side-kick #Edgar from #PoshHome who was there to supervise the entire overlaying process for CFO & I… Don't know what we would do without his help too... #MayTing from #Bilrich even found it in her to commend him, and tell me that #Edgar was very responsible in handling the work… I am genuinely happy for this young man… A bright future awaits him!

#MAYTING FROM #BILRICH

I think it's only fitting that I write a small section, dedicated to #MayTing from #Bilrich who consistently went out of her way to provide GEMS (Go Extra Mile Service) service to CFO & I! She was most patient through out the entire process & is such an efficient lady. When we finally decided on V03 Eden Oak, she even gave us some advice to make sure we knew that V03 Eden Oak, being the lightest colour in this #Alsafloor range, will offer a nice & bright feel that will contrast well with any darker colours, but will also show dirt more clearly.. On top of all that, our impression is that her service is genuine with no hidden agenda/ costs involved. Doubt that we will have much more interactions with her now that the flooring is done… Which is a pity.. If any of you guys drop down to #Bilrich, do help us to say hi to her!

Lastly, just a recap that #Bilrich is no longer offering the $4.50psf price anymore.. Though there have been some promotions on their facebook page recently if I recall correctly...

LOVIN' OUR VINYL FLOORING RIGHT NOW!! HEHE.

Edited August 7, 2014 by leonjennawong

[leonjennawong 53]

Hi Leon,

Very interesting kitchen sink purchase....this is the first time i came across anyone choosing a sink other than the usual stainless or granite..

I heard that the taobao stainless sinks tends to rust slightly...and black granite sinks may be hard to wash due to it's rough surface.

Now quartz sink really provided an alternative for me in buying an affordable sink from taobao...Will really like to hear a more detailed review from you after have start using it... for a start, may i know if the surface rough or smooth?

Hello PTopaz! Always a joy to have you here.. Hehehe... Thanks so so much for your kind comment.. Sure will give you more detailed review after I start using it!! You may take reference from the stone sinks found at Hoe Kee (near Paya Lebar MRT station).. The sink I got some TaoBao is not as smooth & as white-coloured as the one that CFO & I saw at Hoe Kee unfortunately. The TaoBao sink has more of a cultured-stone kind of feel to it...

Enjoyed your blog.

Is this the Trinity fan?

How much did it cost in Tampoi? The last I was there, it was not available but I tested it in Phylux locally and felt the wind was weak. Perhaps because it is a dc fan that needs time to gather speed and I run out of patience to prematurely concluded thus so after trying too many fans. What about the wind coverage? Narrow or wide?

Thanks for sharing!

Sorry missed you had already stated the price.

Any idea if there's any difference btw local and jb set? i.e. down rod length, mount bracket/hook type, remote, warranty?

Looks so similar to Amasco's Trinity. Now I'm not sure which is the one I tested in Phylux as this Aeronamics in Elmark has stronger wind feel. Could be the same just that i did not test it enough.

Hi hi Peter73!! I'm glad you are enjoying my blog so far! HEHEHE Sorry I'm not terribly certain if there is in fact any difference between the local set & JB set at all... I didn't go and find out much about the local set because the JB set already looked so 'complete' and I felt so assured about the purchase.. (again, here's hoping I don't shoot myself in the foot here) But what I know is that warranty is only valid in Malaysia, so in the event of any problems (touch wood! touch plenty of wood!! HAHAHA. ), you'll have to liaise with the Malaysia-based agent wor... Even though Elmark is a Singaporean company. *shrug* Yeah I know, weird right... Everything else (rod-length, mounting U-hook, remote etc.) should be the same.

This Elmark Aeronamics definitely has a narrow & strong-wind sensation... This is relative to the wide & gentler wind generated by the 60" KDK fan that I bought for my parents... Anyway, regarding the weak wind speed that you experienced.. I'm certain it's not because the Elmark Aeronamic uses a DC motor... If I may, I actually suspect that when you were testing out the Elmark Aeronamics, the retailer had the fan on the 'reverse-rotation' mode... Now, in this mode; in contrast to pulling in air from the top & blowing it downwards like a conventional ceiling fan, the fan actually sucks air up from underneath (where you were probably standing) and pushes it up against the ceiling and outwards.... Which should be the reason why you didn't feel the directly-in-your-face-type of breeze that I am experiencing.... This is a setting that can be corrected just by pressing a button on the remote... Heh heh... Hope I helped Peter73!!

Edited August 7, 2014 by leonjennawong

[Peter73 0]

Sorry missed you had already stated the price.

Any idea if there's any difference btw local and jb set? i.e. down rod length, mount bracket/hook type, remote, warranty?

Looks so similar to Amasco's Trinity. Now I'm not sure which is the one I tested in Phylux as this Aeronamics in Elmark has stronger wind feel. Could be the same just that i did not test it enough.

Edited August 6, 2014 by Peter73

[Peter73 0]

Enjoyed your blog.

Is this the Trinity fan?

How much did it cost in Tampoi? The last I was there, it was not available but I tested it in Phylux locally and felt the wind was weak. Perhaps because it is a dc fan that needs time to gather speed and I run out of patience to prematurely concluded thus so after trying too many fans. What about the wind coverage? Narrow or wide?

Thanks for sharing!

CLOSE UP OF MY BELOVED ELMARK CEILING FAN - Wind power is strong!! And CFO just figured out that the fan setting can be set to turn either counter-clockwise OR clockwise!! Amazing!

[sherby 2]

Hi Leon, just wanted to say it's been interesting reading your tblog! You sure have a flair for writing!

[James N Joean 8]

Continued from previous post…

TAOBAO #5) WHITISH GREY XYLOPHONE QUARTZ KITCHEN SINK

Link: http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?spm=a1z0d.6639537.1997196601.34.gbe9Ix&id=37275943735&pfrom=transfer

Considerations/ Discoveries/ Rants/ Advice:

Ok I know the header says “QUARTZ” but do curb your enthusiasm… I know I had to. Haha… The actual product finish differed a bit from what you see in the photo.. The colour is not as white as what is depicted on the website, and the material feels more like some kind of cultured quartz.. Anyway still a reliable product for heavy duty use!! Moving on!

TAOBAO #6) MASTER BATHROOM WASH BASIN TAP

Link: http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=37641649655

Considerations/ Discoveries/ Rants/ Advice:

Regarding the picture, what you see is what you get. Very solid purchase.

TAOBAO #7) MASTER BATHROOM PHILIPS 5W DOWNLIGHT (TO BE INSTALLED ABOVE WASH BASINS)

Link: http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?id=35767565803&spm=2014.12193480.0.0

Considerations/ Discoveries/ Rants/ Advice:

This 5W LED light is just to provide some ambient spot lighting for both bathroom wash basin areas… The rotate-able function will allow us to direct the ambient light beam nicely onto the sink... Hehe... Wattage-rating advised by our beloved designer #CalvinTan..

TAOBAO #8) LED CEILING LIGHTS FOR BATHROOMS & SERVICE YARD & BOMB SHELTER

Link: http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?id=35767565803&spm=2014.12193480.0.0

Considerations/ Discoveries/ Rants/ Advice:

Normal looking ceiling lights for both bathrooms, service yard & the bomb shelter.. Insides are lined with numerous LED beads!! Bought the 24W version (45cm by 45cm) for my bathrooms, and the 15W version (40cm by 40cm) for the service yard & the bomb shelter...

TAOBAO #9) WHITE BLOCK CLOCK FOR MASTER BEDROOM

Link: http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?id=35767565803&spm=2014.12193480.0.0

Considerations/ Discoveries/ Rants/ Advice:

Pretty little bedside white block clock for our master bedroom!! Actually quite excited about how this #CalvinTan-approved block clock will fit into my Master Bedroom look.. Woohoo..

To Be Continued…

Hi Leon,

Very interesting kitchen sink purchase....this is the first time i came across anyone choosing a sink other than the usual stainless or granite..

I heard that the taobao stainless sinks tends to rust slightly...and black granite sinks may be hard to wash due to it's rough surface.

Now quartz sink really provided an alternative for me in buying an affordable sink from taobao...Will really like to hear a more detailed review from you after have start using it... for a start, may i know if the surface rough or smooth?

[bianzi 52]

I decide to check out grafunkt today... For this