When it comes to foundation construction in Canada, there are essentially 3 methods to consider: Block, Poured or ICF. Each is made with concrete, they all must be constructed on top of a concrete footing, and proper waterproofing, insulation and drainage is a must. This all sounds great, but what’s the difference? Concrete Block ...
As part of the design process, we’ve also begun working with an energy consultant who will help us define the HVAC system for the new house. The first step in defining the system is determining what the heating and cooling requirements will be. To determine this, a data model is created that takes into account the house ...
I just got back from a meeting with the architects, and I’ve got a few updates to share. First, we’ve decided on the windows - it’s looking like we’ll be going with Marvin Integrity windows throughout. They have pultruded fiberglass frames, plus dual sealed insulating glass with an Argon gas fill, and a Low E II coating ...
I dug a little deeper, and it looks like we do indeed qualify for the energy rebates I mentioned a few days ago. Because the property has a preexisting address, utility connections, etc., any work done to the house (regardless of the scale) is considered a “renovation”. So ring the bell, it looks like our project just got a little cheaper. Next step is to schedule an audit and get the ball rolling.
The Canadian and Ontario governments are now offering up to $10,000 in rebates when you improve the energy efficiency of your home. If you were considering an energy-efficient upgrade, this is definitely something you should look into. The program is actually pretty simple — your house first undergoes an energy audit to determine what its “EnerGuide” ...
SIPs, or Structural Insulated Panels, is another eco-friendly alternative we’re considering for this project. As you can see above, the concept is pretty simple — a layer of insulating foam is sandwiched between 2 pieces of structural board, which creates fully insulated and structual panel that is used in place of traditional “stick” framing. According to the ...
What exactly spurs someone to take on a project like this? After 5 years in a small pre-war bungalow, my wife and I decided we wanted more room to start a family. So for us, this project was born out of a need for more space. However, at some point along the way, our priorities changed. ...
My first instinct was to investigate a prefab solution when we began this project. I find the concept of prefabricated eco-modern homes very attractive, but living in Toronto definitely limited our options… apparently there aren’t many nearby factories. Who knew? I was particularly fond of Michelle Kaufmann’s Sidebreeze, but the shipping costs definitely made it cost ...
