The Home Depot is the largest home improvement store in the United States. With over 2000 stores across America, the retailer is often the first choice for many Americans. The Home Depot carries between 30,000 and 40,000 products, but there are 17 that should be avoided.
Inexpensive Plumbing Fixtures
Home Depot-branded plumbing parts often contain poorer-quality materials and more plastic parts. Fixtures may be susceptible to rust and corrosion. A cheaper price may look more attractive, but Home Depot-branded fixtures could last a fraction of the time than something of better quality. Brands like Moen offer a lifetime warranty on parts and thus may be more cost-effective.
Store-Brand Paints
Paints are one thing you should never skimp out on. Lower-quality paint could chip faster and peel off when exposed to high temperatures, such as near a radiator. Cheaper paints may also require more use of the product. Research from Consumer Reports has discovered that lower-quality paint can often require three or four coats to achieve a satisfactory finish.
Discounted Flooring Materials
Flooring is one of the most important parts of your home. It’s something you use and see every day. You walk all over your floor, so it is important to take durability into account, especially in high-traffic areas of your home.
Generic Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor furniture must be able to withstand the elements at all times. Home Depot offers a range of outdoor furniture, and it may be wise to invest in higher-priced options. Over time, the price of having to replace cheaper outdoor furniture can be frustrating and expensive.
Non-Energy-Efficient Appliances
The United States Environmental Protection Agency claims that energy-efficient appliances can lower your utility bills. Cheaper appliances often lack the energy-efficient features found in more expensive products. Spending more on energy-efficient products also allows you to take better care of the planet and combat the impact of climate change.
Inexpensive Lighting Fixtures
Cheaper lighting fixtures may produce lower levels of light. A study published by the National Institutes of Health has stated that insufficient lighting could contribute to depression. Poor lighting may also reduce your productivity and general mood. Good-quality lighting can increase your wellbeing and be beneficial to your overall health.
Cheap Window Treatments
Window treatments refer to any type of product that covers part or the entirety of a window. Types of window treatments include blinds to ensure privacy or block out light. As blinds are often in contact with the sun, it is important to have features such as UV protection. While these may be present in cheaper window treatments, they will also wear out faster.
Power Tools
Power tools are used to make work easier and less taxing. Tools from less established brands may not be as efficient and may lack performance. Home Depot also carries cheaper models of tools from established brands. Always make sure to check the model number, as you may be purchasing an inferior product.
Low-Quality Wood
Wood at The Home Depot is infamous for its poor quality control. You can often not only save on price but also find better-quality products from a local lumber yard. Lumber yards specialize in wood and wood products, so they can offer a wider variety and better quality. In addition, lumber yards are environmentally friendly and often recycle their own sawdust.
Discounted Garden Tools
Cheap garden tools are often more difficult to use than more expensive models. Efficiency and precision may also be harder to achieve, especially on a DIY job. Lower-priced tools are more likely to be less durable. The quality-of-life improvements from better garden tools could help improve posture and, thus, general physical health.
Economy-Grade Home Security Systems
According to Safewise, “76% of Americans use some kind of security measure to protect their home.”. Security systems are becoming more and more common. The main purpose is to protect your home. More advanced systems include 24/7 support, ensuring your safety will not be compromised. Other benefits may also include a reduction in insurance premiums.
Generic Faucets and Showerheads
Investing in brand-name faucets and showerheads may prove cost-effective in the long term, as those with better-quality materials last longer. Budget showerheads may also be less water-efficient, thus increasing your water bills. Repair costs from replacing a deteriorating faucet could prove to be expensive.
Cheap Insulation Materials
Investing in better insulation materials can help reduce energy costs for your home. While cheaper materials may be tempting, they will not provide the same temperature regulation as higher-priced products. Cheap insulation could also negatively impact the value of your home. The Financial Times has claimed that mortgage advisers have “warned clients to be vary” of the insulation that is used.
Lesser-Known HVAC Brands
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning are important elements of your home. HVAC systems from lesser-known brands may lack the performance and reliability of well-established brands, leading to more frequent maintenance checks, which can be extremely costly. Cheaper HVAC systems often have shorter warranties too.
Non-Branded Cleaning Supplies
Having cleaning supplies on hand is always useful. Using poor-quality cleaning products could, however, do more harm than good. You would not want to damage your valuable hardware, but subpar cleaning materials sometimes contain harsh chemicals. Harsh chemicals may damage the surface of your products and even pose health risks.
Cheap Electrical Wiring and Cables
Electrical wiring should be completed with a lot of safety precautions. While it may be tempting to go for the cheapest option, you cannot put a price on safety. Inexpensive wiring may contain lower-quality conductors. Building codes on electrical wiring are not universal, and you should only purchase wiring if you are confident that it is the exact type for the job.
Low-Cost Soil
You wouldn’t want the effort you have put into gardening to be ruined by poor-quality soil. Not all soil is the same, and it is important to find soil that has the necessary nutrients to ensure healthy plant growth. Cheaper soil may also contain contaminants and pests. Furthermore, the US Forest Service even states that healthy soil could save you money.
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