Energy Efficiency Series: Energy Star Qualified Homes

In our energy efficiency series of articles featured each Thursday, we provide strategies or information on how to make your new home energy efficient and comfortable.

How to Improve Home Cooling with Trees

While green homes often sport all manner of technical solutions to keep them optimized and efficient, the landscaping can have a significant effect on the building and its energy use. Site…

Building a Deck: 4 Decking Essentials

When considering building a deck, there are many variables that need to be evaluated. Some considerations that need to be decided on include where the deck will be placed, and its use and the size…

Accessible housing by design – ramps

People who inhabit and visit the houses we live in come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from infants to seniors, with various ever-changing abilities and skills. As we grow up, grow old and welcome…

Spring planting: Wonderful wisteria

Classic Vines Add Fragrance, Color and Romance to Garden Designs Every spring, I see wisteria blooming on fences and pergolas, and every spring it surprises me all over again. Its twining vines have…

Product Innovation: Kerdi-Board – What you don’t see could inspire you!

I love to hear about building material innovations. With that being said, I also tend to wait until the pros have had a chance to work with and evaluate the pros and cons of new materials. In 2010, a…

Getting your home ready to list

In a buyer’s market, the onus is on sellers to do everything possible to woo potential buyers and get a leg-up on the competition. Here we provide 10 stylish tips for increasing your curb appeal and…

Looking to build or renovate? Get it in writing!

Why a written contract makes sense...  You want to work with a reputable contractor – one that treats you fairly and honestly, puts their promises in writing,and backs up their work.You should not…

Backup Power For Your Home

The following list of topics pertaining to backup power for your home is covered in the About Your House — General Series from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).  

Gas Fireplace Maintenance

Home maintenance is a must for preserving the value of one of your greatest assests and to assure the comfort and safety of your family. These days, many homes feature gas fireplaces for aesthetics…

When to replace windows

“Replacing windows is one of the best investments a homeowner can make today. New energy-efficient, eye-appealing, easy to operate and maintain windows add value to the home, especially at resale…

Stay Right Where You Are – (Aging in Place)

By Tessa Holloway, North Shore News October 24, 2010 Peter Simpson had never thought too much about where the plugs in his house were located until he had a hernia operation. "Just a simple thing…