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Help & advice
Reno versus Rayon: Which is right for your renovation?
If you're planning a renovation and looking at tools like Rayon, you'll quickly realise that not all planning tools are built for the same thing.
So where does Reno fit, and how does it compare?
Rayon is a technical drawing tool. Reno is built for end to end home renovation planning - simple, as easy to use as possible and without missing the details that become expensive later.
Quick comparison
Feature |  | |
|---|---|---|
Primary use | End-to-end renovation planning | Technical drawing and layout |
Ease of use | Designed for non-technical users | More technical, design-focused |
Floor plans + elevations | One auto-generates the other | Created separately |
Renovation tips | Built-in prompts and tips | - |
Focus | Planning a real renovation | Producing drawings |
Best for | Homeowners, renovators, early-stage planning | Architectural design, technical drawings |
Learning curve | The lowest! | Medium to high |
Output | Practical plans to make and share decisions | Presentation drawings |
The core difference? Rayon helps you create technical drawings. Reno helps you plan a renovation.
Everything in one place vs working in layers
One of the most common things we hear from users is:
"Rayon is great, but everything feels separate."
With Rayon, each view has to be manually drawn. Changes to one have to be reflected in the others manually to keep them in sync.
- Floor plan
- Wall elevations
- Details and views
Each is created and managed separately, so can leave lots of room for error!
With Reno, everything sits within a single plan, elimintating a third of the time spent planning.
- Floor plans and wall elevations are connected
- Move a light switch in one view, it updates everywhere
- No recreating work between views
This matters because in a real renovation, everything is connected.
Where something sits on a plan is exactly where it will be built. Keeping that consistent across views avoids confusion and mistakes.
Planning a renovation vs creating a drawing
Rayon is great for detailed architectural and technical drawings. It feels closer to tools like Figma or Illustrator, with layers, panels and design controls.
Reno is built specifically for renovation planning.
It helps you:
- Lay out rooms to real-world dimensions without having to work anything out
- Plan fixtures, fittings and structure
- Think through decisions you might otherwise miss
- Communicate clearly with trades and suppliers
- Get and compare quotes
It's not just a drawing. It's your plan, your brief, your reference point for quotes and decisions.
Designed for designers vs designed for renovators
Rayon is naturally a better fit if you are:
- An architect
- Creating fabrication drawings
- Comfortable working with complex technical drawings
Reno is designed for:
- Homeowners, interior designers and trades
- Anyone trying to plan a space without specialist training
Think simpler controls, guided workflows, and no need to learn CAD or graphic design tools.
Avoiding mistakes (this is the big one)
Most renovation issues don't come from bad drawings.
They come from:
- Missing decisions
- Poor planning
- Not understanding constraints early enough
Reno is built around reducing those risks by:
- Prompting key decisions
- Helping you create effective plans easily
- Keeping everything connected to communicate clearly: plan, brief, quotes and shopping list
Which should you choose?
Choose Rayon if:
- You want a clean, technical drawing tool
- You are comfortable working in separate views
- You already understand the decisions you need to make (and have a way to communicate them)
Choose Reno if:
- You are planning a renovation project
- You want something simple and structured
- You want everything connected in one place
- You want to avoid missing things that become expensive later
Want to plan a renovation properly? Reno is built for that!
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Reno and Rayon?
The main difference is that Reno is a renovation planning tool, while Rayon is a technical drawing tool. Reno helps you plan layouts, make decisions and avoid mistakes, whereas Rayon focuses on creating detailed drawings.
Is Reno or Rayon better for home renovations?
Reno is generally better for home renovations because it is designed to help homeowners plan and manage a project end to end, not just create drawings. Rayon is better suited to technical design work.
Can I use Rayon to plan a full renovation?
You can use Rayon to create drawings, but it does not guide you through the full renovation planning process, such as layout decisions, electrical planning or avoiding common mistakes.
Is Reno easy to use for beginners?
Yes, Reno is designed for non-technical users and has a low learning curve, with guided workflows and prompts to help you plan your space without needing design or CAD experience.
Do I need technical drawing skills to use Rayon?
Rayon is more suited to users who are comfortable with technical drawing tools or design software, so some level of familiarity can be helpful.
Does Reno include both floor plans and wall elevations?
Yes, Reno combines floor plans and wall elevations in a single workflow, so changes made in one view automatically update across the plan.
Are floor plans and elevations separate in Rayon?
Yes, in Rayon, floor plans and elevations are typically created and managed as separate drawings, which can require duplicating work across views.
Which tool is better for communicating with builders?
Reno is better for communicating with builders because it creates clear, connected plans that reflect real-world layouts, helping reduce misunderstandings during a renovation.
What is the best alternative to Rayon for homeowners?
Reno is a strong alternative to Rayon for homeowners because it focuses on practical renovation planning rather than technical drawing, making it easier to use and more relevant for real projects.
Should I choose a renovation planning tool or a drawing tool?
You should choose a renovation planning tool like Reno if you need help making decisions and managing a project. A drawing tool like Rayon is better if you already know what you want and need to produce technical drawings.
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