A Vancouver Construction, Contracting & Interior Design Blog

Welcome to the Klondike Blog. Our goal is to capture our experiences and knowledge about the current state of design and construction as it stands today. As new ideas are developed and industry standards evolve, we are seeing the introduction of new materials, products and attitudes towards how we should be design, build, renovate and decorate our spaces. We hope you enjoy our blog!

Going Green with Interior Retail Design

Posted on October 18th, 2010

A market transformation is happening in attempt to make retail spaces more ‘Green’. Retailers have been implementing green building designs that have become increasingly conscious of the use of ‘Daylighting’, or the practice of using natural light to illuminate spaces that relies on indirect sunlight to reduce the need for electric lighting while also connecting people to the outdoors. No one expects you to shop in the dark but retail owners are looking to use electricity to supplement natural lighting to cut energy costs, lower their carbon footprints and align their brand aesthetic with a more environmentally friendly store environment.

Electricity accounts for almost 80 percent of the energy costs in buildings and since lights generate heat, most commercial buildings require additional cooling, even in winter, to offset this heat gain, potentially adding another 20 percent to the electricity use attributable to lighting.

Designers have approached this trend by using skylights, transparent solar shading and incorporating more exterior glazing to achieve optimum day light use.

View our Portfolio of Retail Interior Design Work

The Gay and Lesbian Business Association – GLBA

Posted on September 15th, 2010

The Gay and Lesbian Business Association, is an association of professional and ethical businesses that support the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered community with the products and services their businesses provide.

For Klondike, being a part of the Gay and Lesbian Business Association of British Columbia, means supporting and recognizing, Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual and Transgendered businesses and further promoting the GLBT supported business community wherever possible.

As members of the GBLA we abide by the following code of ethics:

A member will conduct business with honesty, integrity and fairness with respect to customers, clients and employees alike.
A member will be accessible and accountable to customers or clients, and make every reasonable effort to act for the customers’ or clients’ best interest and benefit.
A member will not discriminate based on race, colour, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, gender or sexual orientation.
A member will be responsible at all times for truthful and non-deceptive advertising and promotion regarding their business and its products or services.
A member will conduct business with strict adherence to the laws of their respective city/province of business, and to business or professional codes existent for the particular business or profession, and in accordance with generally accepted business practices.
A member will support the ideals and goals of this organization, as well as support the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered community in general, in a constructive and positive manner.

Klondike is proud to be an inclusive member of the GLBA. We embrace the diversity of our employees, clients and the Vancouver community at large. For more information contact us to learn more about Klondike Contracting’s involvement in Gay/Lesbian/ Bisexual/ Transgendered supported community events.

Energy Star Appliances: What Does the Label Mean?

Posted on August 22nd, 2010

The Energy Star logo is placed on consumer products that are considered to be energy efficient by international standards. The Energy Star program was established by the Clinton Administration in 1992 for US consumers and has now become an international sign of energy efficiency. Products that carry the Energy Star Label use 20-30% less energy than required by federal standards.

Do all Energy Star Appliances carry a standard percentage of energy savings?

No, different types of appliances use significantly different amounts of energy to begin with and perform varying types of functions. An easy example is a fridge, whose energy use depends on how low or high you set the cooling temperature. Whereas a less obvious example is a washing machine, whose energy consumption can be greatly increased by using hot water instead of cold. To further demonstrate my point, to be given the Energy Star Logo refrigerators must be at 30% more energy efficient than federal standards whereas washing machines only have to reduce their energy use by 10%. This means that overall the washing machine is a more efficient appliance, as it only uses energy when it is turned on, and therefore, requires less of a reduction in energy consumption because of it!

When you buy an Energy Star Appliance, are you always guaranteed to be getting the most energy efficient product?

Unfortunately no, while the Energy Star Logo will always mean the appliance is more efficient than energy guidelines, it doesn’t always mean you are getting the most efficient product. Energy Star doesn’t always realize that energy savings can be had in more ways than reducing size and capacity, such as having a slightly larger product that more people can share.

Is the Logo worth it?

Like all energy saving appliances, they save you money-so yes, it is worth it. But….do your homework get a product that suits your needs and lifestyle. An appliance that is most suitable for a family of 4 is necessarily the most suitable energy efficient appliance for a bachelor.

Empire State Building, NYC

Posted on May 31st, 2010

The Empire State Building is one of New York’s most cherished and widely recognized landmarks. So, on a recent trip to the ‘Big Apple’, visiting the magnificent Art Deco building was on my list of priorities.

During the hour and a half wait to get to the top observation deck, I had time to read up on what was once the world’s tallest building. What I found most astonishing was how quickly the 102 storey skyscraper was fabricated:

The Empire State Building was designed by William F. Lamb in just 2 weeks. He designed it from the top down.

The excavation of the site began on January 22, 1930, and the construction of the building started on March 17^th.

The project employed over 3400 labourers, and hundreds of iron workers.

On May 1, 1931 the building was officially opened, with only 410 days of construction to completion.

The Empire State Building stood as the world’s tallest building for over 40 years and has recently undergone renovations to become more sustainable & energy efficient.

And, despite the long line to the top, the views were well worth the wait!

Basement Upgrade

Posted on March 12th, 2010

Many of our clients renovate to upgrade their homes as a result of wear and tear over the years. Others choose to transform unused spaces into additional living area, like basement suites or secondary suites. Whether you are considering a home theatre system or an adaptable living space (for growing families), renovating your unfinished/out-dated basement can create extra space and improve comfort for your growing family.

Before you hire a contractor, have a plan! Think about how you want to use your basement and what needs should be met. While you’re at it, think about how you can increase your usable space and reduce renovation costs at the same time. Consider opportunities to increase the energy efficiency of your home. Things like proper insulation, caulking and air-sealing can make your home more comfortable and reduce the need for energy consumption throughout the year.

Lighting is often difficult to achieve in basements but an experienced renovator will be able to offer practical solutions. You can enlarge existing windows or add new one, but be sure to check code requirements before you get too excited.

Many basements pose structural challenges like supporting posts in the middle of an open area or floors that are too low for proper connection of bathroom fixtures to municipal sewer line. Depending on the site, it may be necessary to open the concrete floor for plumbing, etc. Your contractor should be able to identify these problems and provided solutions.

Moisture and air quality are common issues in basements and should be addressed before going ahead with the renovation work. A separate exhaust fan or heat recovery ventilator may be necessary for proper ventilation & improved indoor air quality.

If you are planning an entertainment room in your basement, then consider sound-proofing or sound-dampening solutions to minimize noise transfer to other areas of the house.

Other things to consider are storage space (make sure you have enough room for it). While you are at it, consider updating your laundry room at the same time (it’s more cost effective to do it all at one, than to have your contractor return later down the road). Consider a two-piece bathroom for the added convenience. If you are planning to do more renovations down the road, consider roughing in wiring/plumbing now while your walls are open so you don’t have to deal with the added cost of upgrading later down the road.

Here is our latest basement renovation:

Before

After

Environmentally-Friendly Carpet

Posted on January 11th, 2010

Allergies are on the rise and exposure to synthetic materials are often considered to be the cause. Wool fibres are too long and too course to be inhaled and, being a natural fibre, won’t give off harmful emissions. Wool has a breathable fibre structure that does not promote the growth of bacteria or dust mites.

Wool is a naturally soil & stain resistant fibre. Wool fibres have developed these properties over centuries to keep sheep clean in their harsh rugged environments. On the floor, wool carpets repel stains and soiling, keeping them on top of the pile for ease of cleaning.

Wool is sustainable, biodegradable and a rapidly renewable resource that has the least environmental impact of all the carpet fibres. Wool is the only carpet fibre made without petroleum; a finite and non-biodegradable resource.

Nothing compares to the pleasure of soft wool carpet under your foot. Today’s focus on the home environment means your customers are spending more time relaxing and entertaining in their homes. The continuing move towards an informal lifestyle means that feet are often bare and carpeted floor is for sitting and lying on to watch the big screen TV or read the paper. Furthermore, the natural crimp of wool allows it to spring back quickly after compression and retain its original shape. The crucial performance characteristic ensures woolen carpets look good for longer, even in high traffic areas. Museums are filled with fine examples of wool rugs dating back to hundreds of years. The natural crimp of wool also creates millions of tiny pockets that trap air and act as the ideal insulator. The trapped air helps maintain a constant temperature in both hot and cold weather in a way that no synthetic fiber has ever done. This phenomenal trait allows sheep to live in environments ranging from freezing mountainous areas to arid desert plains. Those same millions of air pockets make wool a great insulator; look around next time your are in a concert hall and you will often see it used on floors, walls and seats to create the best acoustics. In the home, wool carpet minimizes sound transmissions between floors and rooms.

Bamboo flooring has been a huge trend in recent years due to it’s rapidly renewable characteristic. Although we love bamboo, we thought we should suggest an alternative for those who prefer something a bit softer under their feet. Nature’s Carpet is a fine carpet made entirely from wool, a rapidly renewable resource. Nature’s Carpet offers you a great comfort in an attractive range of 100% natural, ultra-low toxicity floor coverings.