...your world!
Archive for the 'Home' Category
By Jessica Langlois
Filed under: Winter blues, Remodelling, Inspiration, Home, Project, Health, Uncategorized
February can be a long and sometimes depressing month for some people. It can be quite a grim month where as in March, we finally get a glimpse of milder weather and temperature. Thank God February has only 29 days this year!
Using one’s creativity has long been proven to be a method that is helpful in chasing away the blues. And speaking of creativity, why not start that remodelling project you’ve been thinking of for so long? Or why not start looking at colors you may want to change in your home?
This exercise can be very beneficial and healthy. It is even said to be healing. Here is what Cricket Demarais states in an article written about “Letting Color heal you“:
Lack of Color Causes Depression
You may also get a glimpse on the different meanings and symbolisms of colours. Here is relatively good web site that talks about it: http://www.squidoo.com/colorexpert.
Finally, another handy way to sweep away the winter blues is to surf the net in search of ideas and inspiration for remodelling projects, ideas and tips. Here are just a few I found:
www.hgtv.com/hgtv/remodeling
www.getdecorating.com/
www.homefixpro.com/home_remodeling_and_renovating_article.php?artID=19
www.superkitchens.com
Read the rest of this entry (No Comments »)By Mathieu Leroux Residential Marketing consultant
You’re about to build the home of your dreams? Take advantage and give it a touch of blue to improve your comfort and quality of life.
Known for its comfort and effectiveness, natural gas is present in more than 200 residential projects in Quebec. The advantages are numerous:
Wall to wall comfort
Not only is it energy, it is the peak of comfort and peace of mind you dream of. The blue flame enlivens your home and adds a plus in each room: more heat, more pleasure, less work.
A reliable resource
Natural gas is delivered to you by continuous subterranean lines; you’ll never have to worry about the whims of Mother Nature for your deliveries. And, in case of power failure, many appliances can still function. Practical and reassuring, isn’t it?
Gaz Métro has different offers available to facilitate integration of the blue in your home. Here is a glance of financial aid granted:
• $1750 for the purchase and installation of a hot air high-efficiency heating unit (Energy Star rated) and a water heater;
• $100 per outlet for each natural gas appliance, such as a range, dryer, fireplace, barbecue, pool warmer
• $30 for a programmable thermostat.
A friendly word of advice
The integration of natural gas into your new home should be done as soon as your choice of architectural plans is made. From the beginning of your project, you should have a representative for new construction from Gaz Métro involved. The consultant can guide you through the steps as your project advances.
Good to know
In order to integrate natural gas into your home, it is of utmost importance to choose a central heating system. As you draw up your home plans, plan openings for heating and the location of the mechanical room in the basement.
Here is a glance of steps to follow for a blue home:
1. Access to gas lines: The first step consists in ensuring that natural gas lines pass at less than 30 meters of your future home. Contact Gaz Métro customer service at 1 800 567-1313 for more information.
2. Implicate Gaz Métro : Your representative for new construction at Gaz Métro can refer you to a heating professional who is a Certified Gaz Métro Partner. These professionals are independent contractors, members of the Corporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec, and are subject to most rigorous quality controls.
3. Connecting your home: Construction is coming along well, your heating system is installed and connection of gas lines to your appliances is complete (water heater, range, dryer, fireplace, barbecue, pool heater) Expect about 6 weeks for Gaz Métro to proceed with connection of your home to the main gas lines. Once this is completed, gas will be brought into your home by your Gaz Métro Authorized Partner jointly with a Gaz Métro technician.
All that is left to do is take advantage of the soft comfort provided by natural gas. For more information, visit www.gazmetro.com
By Timbermart
Filed under: Home, Dream, Budget, Material, Building, Foundation, Construction
When will my new house be ready?
Building a new home should be one of the most exciting times of your life. It can also be one of the most nerve-wracking. New home construction can easily involve over 50 subcontractors and suppliers, 200 people and more than 10,000 pieces of material. Although complex, the home building process is a carefully designed and managed process to ensure that you get the house of your dreams on time and on budget.
There are a number of factors that can influence a construction timeline such as weather, number of workers, special requests and the complexity of the design, but most new home constructions follow similar stages and time frames.
Here’s a basic timeframe to help you understand what typically happens and when.
STAGE 1: Site preparation
- Obtain municipal and provincial permits
- Begin site work and excavation
- Pour foundation or slab
- Frame floors
- Rough-in electrical and plumbing under floors
- Install first subfloor
Timeframe: 1-3 months
STAGE 2: Framing
- Frame interior and exterior walls including door and window openings, roof and ceilings
- Rough-in remaining electrical and plumbing lines throughout the structure
- Apply exterior wall and roof sheathing
- Install reaming subfloors
Timeframe: 2-3 months
STAGE 3: Exterior Finish and Inspection
- Inspect mechanical rough-in and exposed structural work
- Apply roof flashing and shingles
- Windows and exterior doors are installed
- Apply exterior trim
- Apply exterior wall finish material
Timeframe: 2 months
STAGE 4: Interior Finish
- Cabinets and countertops are installed
- Install ceramic tile in baths and other flooring throughout
- Complete plumbing and electrical work
- Complete sheetrock, paint and wallpaper
Timeframe: 2 months
STAGE 5: Finishing touches
- Install hardware and appliances
- Complete any landscaping
- Touch-up for final inspections by homeowner, contractor and building inspector
- Final payment to contractor
- Move in
Timeframe: 2 months
By Timbermart
Filed under: Family, Flex Housing, Healthy Housing, Energy efficient, Home, Building, Environmental, Design, Construction
What if the home you are planning to build could be your family home for the rest of your life? What if, with a little planning, your new home could adapt to meet the needs of your family and change as your family does?
That’s the idea behind FlexHousing. A FlexHouse is a home designed before construction begins to be user friendly to its occupants at all stages of their lives and to make future renovations easier and cheaper for the homeowner to complete. FlexHousing can eliminate the need to move from house to house as the requirements of your family change over time.
WHY FLEXHOUSING
The first home for many couples is often referred to as a “starter” home, which is typically small and easy to maintain. Then, as children come along the first home is too small and that requires the costly and disruptive choice of moving. When the children are grown and on their own this second home becomes too large for only two people to take care of.
As the population ages, half of all homes in Canada will house people 55 yeas old or older by 2017. Also, with a declining population, fewer new homes will be built each year. So homes that are flexible will be in big demand. This flexibility not only is beneficial to the home, but if families don’t have the need to move, they stay in the neighbourhood longer, creating a stronger sense of community.
PRINCIPLES OF FLEXHOUSING
A FlexHouse isn’t a type of home style like a bungalow or two storey, it is the way it is designed prior to construction and is based on four principles.
• Adaptability
• Accessibility
• Affordability
• Healthy Housing
Adaptability: The home is designed to be renovated to suit changing needs.
A large bedroom can be made into two smaller rooms and used as either another bedroom or home office.
A space such as the basement can be renovated to become a separate apartment by roughing in plumbing for a kitchen and bathroom that will bring in extra income later on or be used by an aging relative.
Bathroom walls can be given extra strength during construction to allow for the installing of grab bars and other special items to assist less mobile residents.
Install counters and cabinets in the kitchen or bathroom that can be adjusted vertically on brackets or that can have sections that are lower so that people in a wheelchair can reach with them.
Building such features into a new home during initial construction saves time, money and inconvenience when changes are needed or desired down the road.
By Timbermart
Filed under: Building Permit, Builder, Material, Planning, Home, Budget, Association, Contractor, Building, Reference, Prices, House, Project, Plans
Deciding on which contractor will build your home is a critical step in making your dream a reality. There are many things to consider when making your choice.
ROLE OF THE CONTRATOR
The contractor’s role is to control the construction process and manage all aspects of the job from start to finish. They will work from your floor plans, obtain the necessary permits for construction in your local area, and arrange for materials to be delivered to your site from your local lumber yard when needed. The contractor will also manage other necessary trades people (excavation, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, drywall installers, etc.) that will work on your home so that they arrive when needed and complete their jobs efficiently and quickly. All this will be done in a time frame that you agree on and at a quoted cost.
Contractors should be members of the provincial or local home builders’ association which requires them to conform to a code of ethics as well as attend courses on the latest techniques, building code requirements and technologies to remain in good standing. They should also be licensed to work in your area and you should be able to see these licences upon request.
Contractors should also carry insurance in case of an accident during construction or in the event of a dispute. You should be familiar with the rules required by your local government, your home owner’s insurance policy and your bank to ensure that you understand the liabilities involved with building a home and how to protect yourself.
LOCATING A CONTRACTOR
It takes more than just looking in the phone book to find a contractor. A good place to start is often with friends, family or neighbours. Ask them if the contractor they used lived up to expectations and delivered what was agreed to. Ask if they had any problems with the contractor and, if so, how they were resolved. Most importantly, ask if they would hire the same contractor again. You want to know they have a good reputation and a history of satisfied customers.
Your local home show can be a perfect place to look for local contractors who do the type of work that you are planning. You will be able to talk with several contractors and see photographs of their projects while learning about construction materials and getting advice from professionals.
You can also approach the Canadian Home Builder’s Association (visit www.chba.ca). They will be able to put you in contact with contractors from your local area that are members in good standing.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
Before you begin hiring, take the time to do research. Go online to familiarize yourself with the materials and local requirements for your job. You can’t expect to learn as much as the professionals, but by educating yourself you will more likely be able to identify a contractor that may not be fully competent (or even dishonest). Educating yourself now will also save you time and increase your confidence later when it comes to making decisions like picking fixtures and making choices on items such as flooring materials that will have to be done when construction is under way.
By Timbermart
Filed under: Ventillation, Natural gas, Energy efficient, Home, Construction
With the rising cost of heating your home, building a home that is as energy efficient as possible is becoming ever more important. By using less energy in the day to day operation of your home, you not only save money, you benefit the environment as well.
Wherever you live, your home will be affected by its surroundings. Are your summers hot and dry or humid? During winter is the weather mild or are there long periods of biting cold? Your home protects you from these external elements and creates an environment on the inside at the same time. Your home is really a combination of systems that must work together to be efficient.
R-2000
The R-2000 Home has been the Canadian standard for energy efficiency in construction for twenty years. The standards, for an R-2000 Home have been revised over time as new technologies and materials have become available in the industry. The standards that have to be met to be considered an R-2000 Home are high, based on the amount of energy the house consumes and the efficiency of things like heating systems, insulation, air flow, ventilation, materials chosen and the amount of water used by the home.
HEATING SYSTEM
When considering what kind of heating system to purchase for your new home, don’t look at just the cost of the unit itself. You should also consider the cost of installation and operation over the life of the unit. A more efficient system may cost a bit more initially but will save you money everyday as you heat your home. There are also a wide range of fuel choices available including electric, oil and natural gas. Though not yet in the main stream, solar power is becoming more and more cost effective and is being used to support traditional systems more and more. Along with fuel choice there is also the decision about the delivery of heat in your home. Choices include forced air, electric or hot water baseboard or radiant heat.
Heat pumps are becoming more popular as well and offer the added benefit of providing air conditioning during the warmer months as well as heating during the winter.
INSULATION
Since you are trying to save money heating our home, you want to keep that heat in. The R-2000 Home requires increased insulation in walls and attics and spaces where heat can escape. That same increased insulation will help keep your home cool in the summer.
AIR TIGHT
Controlling the air that can escape or enter the structure is essential to reducing heat loss. An R-2000 Home is wrapped in a specialized plastic fabric on the outside (just beneath the siding) and protected again on the inside be a plastic vapour barrier. Both plastic barriers are taped and sealed at the joints to maximize their air retention. Since heat moves from warm to cold, small areas where air and heat can migrate such as around electrical outlets are sealed with expanding foam.
A major area where air and heat can be lost is around the doors and windows. The air seals on these products have been greatly improved. Long gone should be the days where you stand in front of a window and feel a draft. Most quality windows now have double panes filled with gas to increase the R-value and they are coated with an ultra violet film to protect your furniture. Quality levels have increased to also reduce condensation and thus lessen the areas where mould or mildew can grow – a major health concern.
Weather stripping and construction on the doors you choose should be of the highest quality and many steel entry door systems have an increased amount of insulation in their core construction.
VENTILATION
With the focus on air flow management and increased insulation in new high-efficiency homes, a need for a system to change the air within the home becomes necessary. If the air inside the home were too tightly sealed, a build up of moisture from cooking and taking showers would quickly cause mold to multiply and damage the structure of the home. Chemicals present in common items like furniture, carpeting and household cleaners would pollute the interior air.
Mechanical ventilators are designed to run continuously and exchange a low amount of fresh air from outside with interior air. Having paid to heat the air in your home, you don’t want to lose that warm air to the cold air from outside and so a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) is made with a series of filters and intake and exhaust fans to adjust the temperature of the air coming into the home.
THE MATERIALS YOU USE
There are several concerns to be aware of relating to the materials you choose to build you home with.
Are the materials made from recycled materials or by-products of the creation of other materials? Some strand boards and parallam beams can be manufactured from chips created as by-products of other process – reducing the need to cut down trees for these products.
Be conscious of the waste produced during construction. Not only does maximizing the materials you are using reduce the requirement to cut trees to create more (and the quantity you have to purchase) but also reduce the waste produced which in most cases you have to pay to have removed from the job site. Can the waste material you are producing be recycled? While some may end up in the local landfill, much can be recycle if you are careful about keeping it separate. If metal is kept separate from wood from the start, it is little trouble to recycle it properly than if everything is thrown in a dumpster together.
In places where wood is used in your home consider using types that come from faster growing trees. Spruce and maple can replenish themselves much more rapidly and will mature and will mature and be ready for the manufacturing process for more quickly than species like oak.
Some materials that you use to construct your home such as carpeting use chemicals in their manufacture. Over time, these will emit small amounts of vapour into your home. While your HRV system will assist in removing these vapours, try to choose alternatives that contain fewer of these chemicals. Other products to be conscious of are some types of paint and solvent based surface finishes, some sheet materials, adhesives, preformed shelving and cabinetry.
Choose products that use energy efficiently. Deciding on compact fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent can save you money over the life of the product. And don’t forget simple things like turning off the lights, radio or television when you leave the room. If there are electrical appliances that are not in use for long period but still plugged in – unplug them. Many appliances draw a small amount electricity even when turned off. Over time this small amount adds up.
WATER
Conserve water in your home is just as important as conserving energy. When deciding on faucets, shower heads and toilets, look for those that use less water.
APPLIANCES
The appliances in our home all run on power that we have to pay for, so if you’re going to buy new appliances for you new home, make them as energy efficient as possible. Not only will this save you money, but it will also help protect the environment. The electrical power that comes into your home is generated be a variety of means from burning fossil fuels, hydroelectricity or even nuclear and all these methods have an impact. Whether it’s global warming, loss of animal or plant habitat or dealing with the waste products produced in generating power, when we waste electricity we waste more than money.
When buying new appliances, look for the Energy Star Symbol. Products with this symbol meet standards for energy efficiency that can help you save money and electricity over the years you use the appliance.
Refrigerators: Refrigerators use the most energy of any appliance in the home since it is running all the time, and by opening the door, you let out some of the cold from inside. When designing your kitchen work triangle, keep the refrigerator as for away as is manageable from heat sources, light, the stove or direct sunlight. Buy only the features that you will use. It may be attractive to buy a model that offers an ice dispenser in the door, but this type uses more power so if you never use this feature it is wasteful.
Dishwashers: Your dishwasher uses the most power to heat the water during washing and the amount of water used can’t be altered, so to be most efficient, wash only full loads. If you can, air dry the dishes after the wash cycle is complete rather than the dry mode. This reduces the amount of energy required to dry the dishes.
Laundry Washers: Energy Star washers use less energy than older models. They also need less water and more water is removed from the clean clothes during spin cycle which reduces the time they need to dry. Like the dishwasher, you should try to wash full loads and cold water is best. New style front-loading tumble washers use less water than the more traditional top-loading models. Always remember that after the wash cycle is complete, the waste water goes out into the environment. Choose the detergent that you use carefully. There are several types that have less impact on the environment.
FINAL WORD
So now that you are in your new home with new energy efficient appliances, it’s the perfect time to make a few simple changes to your lifestyle. Participate in recycling programs in you community, include a recycling center in your kitchen to separate food waste from your garbage. Have a place in the house to sort and store cans, bottles, paper and plastic for short periods until pick-up or taking them to a recycling centre. If you are a gardener, the benefits of a composter can greatly improve the health and vitality of your plants and make your landscaping flourish.
By Timbermart
Filed under: Home, Dream, Style, Lot, Foundation, Garage, Building, Real-estate, House, Plans
When you’re thinking about building a new home it’s pretty easy to get caught up in thinking only about the sticks and bricks of the structure. Many people overlook the fact that the lot you choose to build on can be just as important a factor in determining your future happiness as the home itself. Before you get too involved in the details of you house plan, it can pay to invest some time I finding the perfect lot. There are a number of key questions that you can ask yourself to help determine what lot is right for you.
DO YOU ALREADY HAVE A HOMEPLAN?
If you already have your dream home planned, and you know the style and size, then it makes sense to look for a lot that will complement and maximize you design. If you don’t have a house plan yet, then you may want to search for the perfect lot and then design a home to fit.
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE?
Knowing in advance where you want to live will help you stay focused and avoid throwing lots that don’t meet your need into the mix. If you are new to an area, find a knowledgeable real estate agent to help in your search. You must also consider proximity to shopping, schools, churches, playgrounds, and work. All of these factors influence property and resale value. Finally you should carefully research the value of other homes in the area. As a rule of thumb, you will want the value of your home and the lot to be approximately the same as others in the area. Having too high or too low a value for the neighbourhood can make it more difficult to sell your home in the future. You should also take the time to check for area zoning restrictions or restrictive covenants that might limit your freedom to build the house you want.
IS THE LOT LARGE ENOUGH?
More than likely there will be some setbacks that will leave only a portion of the lot for the actual house. How much back and front yard space do you want? Will there be a driveway? Will you be building a garage? These are all things that you must consider. Even if the garage might be a future addition, it’s smart to think about it now. You will also want to check for any easements on the lot. An easement is an area on the lot that is restricted from building. Most easements are for utility line access.
WHAT IS THE TOPOGRAPHY LIKE?
A flat lot is much less expensive to prepare and build on, but a sloping lot can be much more scenic. You should also be wary of lots in low spots that may be prone to flooding. No matter what lot you are considering, take the time to visit it after a heavy rainfall to evaluate the drainage. Take the time to look for the sun direction as well. Many homeowners will orient their house to maximize natural light exposure. Don’t stop at what’s above ground either. The type of soil or rock under the ground can affect how easily you will be able to dig a foundation and how well it will support you home. Bedrock is very expensive to dig through, while clay soils expand and contract which could cause cracks and leaky basements.
WHAT WILL YOU WANT IN THE FUTURE?
We will go through changes in our lives, and having a lot that gives you the flexibility to accommodate these changes is a big plus. Whether it’s an addition to the family that requires an addition to the house, or maybe a new garage or swimming pool, you don’t want to find yourself somewhere down the road without sufficient space.
FINAL THOUGHT
It’s very difficult to find a lot that meets all of your criteria. In many cases there are trade-offs to be made, so list your criteria in order of important. If you find yourself overwhelmed, you can seek the services of a landscape architect, surveyor or professional contractor to help you make the right decision.
By Philippe Mercure
Filed under: Home, Municipality, Style, bi-generation, Owner, Design, Budget, House, Designer, Project, Professionals, Construction
A Definition
The bi-generation house is the type of construction sometimes considered to facilitate access to property for young adults ready to assume responsibility, or oftentimes by parents or grand-parents who are in need of assistance (loss of autonomy or other reasons).Whatever the situation, this type of construction allows each to preserve their way of living and conserve a certain intimacy, all the while enjoying the advantages of co-ownership and the close proximity of family members.
The particularity of bi-generation homes is the combination of the practical aspect of two homes to appear as one single-family or conventional home. This permits integration of this type of construction in sectors where conventional multi-family units are not permitted.
The main challenge in this type of design is to bring together two independent interior layouts to look like one single conventional home where both layouts need to be private and functional, while respecting the needs of all the occupants. As we will see later, municipal regulations are also an important element with which people must deal, but the first thing to do is determine the needs which brought us to consider this type of construction.
Style and Design
The design of a single family home is a procedure which requires a lot of attention and comprehension on the part of the home owners as well as the designer who will accompany them in their project. This step is even more important and the challenge greater when combining the needs of two families, including one or more family members with restrained mobility or loss of autonomy.
When considering such a construction, it is of prime importance to take the time to evaluate your requirements and to consider these from the family viewpoint as well as those of parents or grand-parents. We must also take into account the years to come and possible future needs. Aging home owners or those in need of assistance should evaluate what their situation may be in years to come and foresee now what type of layout will best suit their lifestyle for both today and future. It is at this step that we must consider all the elements which will make this home a comfortable, peaceful and pleasing haven for its occupants.
The choice of a trusted professional is also a key element to success in this type of design. You should ensure that all the needs of the future occupants are taken into consideration and that satisfactory solutions are put forth for each. A good designer must equally be able to offer judicious advice to a future home owner while remaining within a pre-established budget.
Another of the many advantages is that even though it is a bi-generation home with the look of a conventional single-family home, it can be harmonized with a sought-after style. Amateurs of Victorian-, manor- or contemporary-style homes, it is certainly possible to adapt this type of home to one’s preferences, to get away from the multi-family unit options which the future home owners may possibly have already considered.
Pooling together both families’ resources greatly facilitates the purchases and maintenance of such a home and the bi-generation home offers without a doubt tranquil proximity, security and well being, including the joys of family life.
By Timbermart
Filed under: Style, Inspiration, Investment, Reputation, Warranty, Dream, Home, House, Contractor, Insulation, Builder, Building
You’ve thought about it and now you’re doing it, you’re building your own home. It is an exciting decision to make. Being able to choose, plan and live in a dream for many, but now you are making that vision come true.
Are you stepping down this path for the first time? Like anything, the process can be tricky and there are many important details to consider as you get started.
Style of your new home
Have you decided on a style of home yet? If you need inspiration, go to open houses or remember what you like about the design of you friends’ and neighbours’ homes. Make notes. If there is an interesting detail or feature, write it down so that it doesn’t get forgotten during the excitement of building.
Where you will build is very important too. If you already own the land you plan to build on, your opinions may be more open than if you are building in an established subdivision. Many subdivision developers have restrictions called “covenants” which may force you to build a house of a certain size or style. They may limit where you can choose to build your home, even what colour it is when finished. These covenants are in place to assure that all the homes in the area are worth about the same and this will protect the value of your investment in later years. Remember that this is an investment and even if this is your dream home, there may come a day that you will have to sell it. Protecting help ensure its value in later years.
What to consider
There are a lot of other things to consider about the location of your new home. Distance to shopping, schools and work have to be thought about.
Finding the right contractor is your next step. A new home is likely your biggest investment. Make sure you don’t rush into it. It’s always a good idea to get at least three bids and remember the old adage, “If it is too good to be true, it probably is”.
To ensure that both you and your builder are satisfied with the work, make sure the details are spelled out in a written contract. The time you spend at this stage will avoid any confusion later on.
With the internet and groups like your provincial Homebuilders Associations, reams of information is available to help your home. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation also offers useful information including valuable question and answer sheets. Their website address is http://www.cmhc.ca.
Finding a good contractor
To find a good contractor, ask around. Ask family, friends and associates about who has a reputation for doing good work. Ask your contractor to supply the names of satisfied clients. If he can’t, look to another contractor.
Not offering a warranty on their services, poor workmanship and extra costs are all pitfalls on the path to feeling good about building you new home. Remember not every contractor plays by the rules. It is best, of course, to avoid these people.
The contractor will also be handling the scheduling of other trades such as electricians, insulation and drywall installers and any other specialists that may be required to complete the construction of your home.
Beyond choosing a good contractor, you will also need lawyer and a banker to handle legal matters and financing. Finally, remember that many home builders are more concerned about structural integrity and the attractiveness of your home from the outside. Remember that the interior should also be designed for practical concerns like – will all that furniture you already have fit? So if it’s not already clear, researching and planning before the first nail goes in is the key to making your new home a great castle to be enjoyed for years to come.
