Like anything else, the possibilities are endless with exterior sidings.  Since it is the finishing touch and determines the overall look of your home, we thought you may benefit from a bit of knowledge of the different products available.

Vinyl Siding

• made of polyvinyl chloride, strong & flexible
• comes in four or five inches height and similar to wood clapboard
• can resemble cedar shingles and shakes (although this is not very common)
• requires minimal maintenance
• Colours are not limited and can be customised as needed
• no painting necessary
• easy to install and thus you can save money on labour
• budget-friendly
• strong winds can sometimes cause it to twist & break
• can shrink and expand in changing weather conditions and care must be taken during installation to prevent gaps and twisting

Cedar Shingles

• cedar cut into small rectangles which are then nailed or stapled in a symmetrical horizontal pattern
• cedar shakes (below), unlike cedar shingle, come in many different styles and has a rugged & natural appearance

• can be stained for a natural wood look or painted
• naturally resistant to moisture & decay as well as swelling & warping
• can withstand wind speeds over 150 miles per hour
• can be pretreated to be fire retardent
• easy to install & handle
• insects can find their way into cedar wood

Wood Siding

• milled boards cut into a variety of styles
• most popular breeds are cedar and redwood, as they resist mould & rot
• horizontal wood siding styles include clapboard, beveled, and tongue & groove
• vertical wood siding styles include board and batten and plywood
• also comes in sections up to four feet wide, although they look like individual boards
• provides a classic look that will not go out of style
• can last up to 30 years
• can burn and be susceptible to cracking and splitting
• protective stain/paint must be applied every four years

Fiber cement board

• a composite material composed of silica, cement, sand, an water cured by pressurized steam
• manufactured in layers forming a sheet of desired thickness and wood grain is imprinted onto surface to imitate  various forms of wood siding
• water and termite resistant as well as fireproof
• more durable than wood siding
• most are guaranteed to last at least 50 years
• excellent weathering characteristics and strongly recommended for warm climates
• low maintenance
• installation requires special blades to cut and extra care must be taken to contain dust

Faux/Simulated Stone Siding

• panels made to imitate the look of natural stone walls
• attached to existing wall with mortar or grout, often interlocking into one another
• they do not support any load and are purely cosmetic
• very durable and long lasting, some guaranteed to last as long as the structure it is built upon
• can add value to your home
• low maintenance

Brick Siding & Brick Veneer

• composed of blocks made of fired clay
• laid in a variety of patterns and bonded with mortar
• does not support any load
• brick veneer imitates brick siding – manufactured into large vertical facing or smaller tile-like thin bricks
• brick is one of the most durable forms of siding on the market today
• can last for centuries and does not typically require maintenance or repairs for at least 20-25 years
• available in may lasting colours
• brick veneer is less durable than brick siding, however it is much easier to install on an already existing house
• good insulators and can dramatically improve the efficiency of your home
• very costly and labour intensive

Stucco Siding

• manufactured using natural materials including lime, silica sand and white cement
• the process of creating stucco siding involves applying multiple base coats of the sand and lime mixture, which are wet between each coat and the final coat is mixed to many colour of your choice
• installation costs more than vinyl or fiber cement as it is a multi-step process, however it can be completed in as little as a day or two while other siding types may take multiple weeks to be installed
• average warranty life of fifteen years, although some stucco exteriors have been known to last fifty years or more with proper maintenance

Stainless steel is chic, contemporary, and noted for its association with professional kitchens.  It is stain resistant, and the only surface that can be safely bleached.  Newer applications include brushed or textured finishes that help camouflage scratches.  Welded stainless-steel sinks create an integrated look, while backsplashes with corrugated patterns created dimension.  Stainless steel, when attached to a wood substrate, becomes more sound resistant.  Regular rolled edges, bullnose, or Marine edges (no drip) are standard.

One of our most recent completed projects called for a stainless steel countertop and integrated sink.  It served both form and function as the main countertop in the kitchen.  Our clients had a very specific goal for their new kitchen; the husband makes his own beer from scratch (not from beer kits) and needed a kitchen where he could do this and store all of this extensive equipment.  Beer making must be absolutely sanitary and the stainless steel countertop plays a very important function as well as being aesthetic pleasing.  Our very talented designer, Susan Allison, described the project as English pub meets Yaletown loft.  Here’s the dramatic before & after photo:

Before

After

In Vancouver we often experience rain and this is not always the ideal weather for any exterior work.  One of our clients recently asked me, as the construction of her garage was in progress, how the building paper will be affected when you leave it exposed to rain for numerous days.  We couldn’t shingle because rain makes Hardi-shingles soft and they break.  So in the meantime, what will happen to the building paper after long periods of exposure to less than ideal weather?

Building paper is made from Kraft paper (produced from wood pulp and very strong & coarse) which has been saturated with waterproofing asphalt, the same product used in asphalt pavement to bind aggregate together.  It is very resistant to wet environments.  The purpose of building paper is initially to prevent wind from penetrating into a wall and secondly to act as a backup moisture barrier behind cladding.  In wet regions, the second function is very important since moisture in a wall is definitely not desirable.

For any climate, two layers are recommended.  The outer layer of paper can become damp from wet cladding so having two layers means that the inner layer keeps the wood wall separated from direct contact with this dampness.  The outer layer can take the abuse of numerous wet and dry cycles in the wall while the inner layer remains unaffected over time.  Regardless, it is best to cover any moisture barrier as soon as practical since you expect it to perform for many decades.

If you are looking for something different and attractive to clad your walls, FORESTwall by Morinwood is the perfect solution!  We love this product for the following reasons:

• seamlessly clads walls and ceilings in natural wood
• creates the illusion of a stylized 3D stack of lumber
• random patterns give you a very unique and interesting work of art
• made from locally harvested wood from certified forests
• uses off cuts and shorts that would have been waste
• made with no VOC’s or urea formaldehyde
• tested for acoustic absorption and diffusion properties
• can be customized to meet specific acoustic requirements
• easy to install and components can easily be removed & replaced for maintenance

This product has been chosen for world-class facilities such as the Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project (VCCEP), including the 2010 Olympic Broadcast Centre.

We’ve all been to a friend’s home who recently had a renovation done and drooled over their beautiful backsplash which completes the entire space to perfection.  Here are a few expert tips to help you achieve a note-worthy backsplash that will leave your friends jealous!

1. Determine your budget because like everything else there’s a high and a low end.  Regardless of your budget though, creativity will take you a long way.
2. Determine the theme that you are going for.  If you are already doing a renovation then the theme most-likely has already been determined so this should be easy.  Whether it’s country, traditional, or contemporary it’s always a good idea to maintain a consistent theme.  However, as backsplashes usually cover a small area, you can definitely do something a bit different to add interest.
3. Continue your counter material up to the wall as backsplash to be consistent.  For those who have difficulty when there are too many choices, this is always a good option.
4. Define specific work areas by varying the type of material or colours used.  For instance, try stainless steel behind your cook-top and tile the rest.  Introducing different materials will make the space more interesting and allow you to highlight those big budget items, like your Wolf range!  Be careful not to overdo it though because it could end up looking like a mess.
5. Give you backsplash the same attention your cabinetry or countertop would get.  It’s at eye level, so most likely will be the first thing you see when you enter the room.
6. Do your research!  There’s a plethora of materials to choose from including, laminates, glass, ceramics, metal, and solid surface, so make sure whatever you choose is right for your needs.
7. If you are on a budget but still want something special, choose one area to install the very expensive recycled glass tiles (for instance), and use something more budget friendly for the remainder of the space.
8. Neutrals are pretty standard these days but for interest consider adding a colourful band or border for a punch of colour.
9. If you are a collector of tiles and have an interesting collection gathered through your travels, by all means use some of them to make your backsplash a bit more unique.
10. Seek professional help if you need it and when it comes to tiling quality can vary with each tiler so make sure you do your research.

Technology experts from the Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association (GVHBA), in partnership with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), are presenting the winter session of What’s New in Homebuilding, a workshop for people considering having a custom home built for them.

The workshop will highlight the latest innovations in construction technology, design, indoor air quality and green initiatives.  Workshop topics include:

• Principles of durable building envelope construction
• Healthy housing tips for superior indoor air quality
• Ventilation systems
• Energy-efficient and green construction practices
• How energy choices affect costs

To encourage productive interaction between presenters & participants, registration is limited to 25 people so hurry & pre-register by Monday, February 1, 2010.  Cost to attend is $75 per person or $130 per couple (GST not included), and includes lunch, coffee breaks, and a wealth of printed material on new products & services.  Call 778-565-4288 to register or visit GVHBA.org for more information.

The first step to developing more sustainable water use practices is by assessing your current patterns.  Here are a few average water use data provided by the City of Vancouver to help you start making more informed decisions:

In home water use (average summer day)

• average toilet water usage: 76 litres per person per day – that’s 30% of household water
• low-flow toilets only use 6 litres per flush (compared to older toilets that use 20 litres or more
• a standard dishwasher uses 57 litres of water per load; waiting for a full load before running the dishwasher saves water
• clothes washer uses an average of 150 litres of water per load – that’s 23% of household water
• showerheads dispense anywhere between 5.7 to 18.9 litres per minute, which means a 10 minute shower uses an average of 130 litres of water – that’s 20% of household water

Outdoor water use

• average usage for a household is 40% of the total water usage
• a half hour of sprinkling twice a week is sufficient for a healthy lawn

We can all do our part to help save water in our homes and gardens.  From simple things such as shutting off the tap when the water is not being used to installing water efficient appliances, there are many ways to be more sustainable.  The City of Vancouver also offers a water saver kits (pictured below) to residents for only $12 (limit 2 kits/household).

Indoor Kit

Outdoor Kit

TOTO’s commitment to sustainability is one of the reasons why we are featuring some of the its products on our blog today.  If something can be reclaimed, recycled, or reused at a TOTO plant, it is.

At its Morrow, GA plant all grey water generated during operations is stored and reused.  TOTO recycles all pallets, aluminum and paper, and has also successfully implemented a closed-loop process with recycled cardboard.  Its forklifts use soybean-based hydraulic oil, and its imperfect and damaged china is crushed and recycled back into roadbed construction.

However, doing more with less doesn’t just stop at TOTO’s factory floor.  TOTO recently purchased 480,000 kilowatt-hours of Green Energy from Georgia Power, and all employees are encouraged to practice sustainability at home.  Incentives are offered to employees with hybrid cars, and if their town or neighbourhood doesn’t recycle, they can bring their recyclables into work to be added to TOTO’s plant recycling.

We love TOTO not only because it is environmentally-conscious but also because it leaves nothing to chance when it comes to design.  Holistic design principles are practised because performance, quality, functionality are just as important as aesthetics.  TOTO’s toilets, faucets, lavatories and showers perform smoothly without compromising on beauty. Here are a few of our favourites:

Aquia II Dual Flush Toilet

Axiom EcoPower Faucet

Single Lever Lavatory Faucet

Any household wastewater with the exception of wastewater from toilets (aka blackwater) is know as Greywater.  Typically, 50-58% of household wastewater is greywater from kitchen sinks, dishwashers, bathroom sinks, tubs and showers.  If you use a composting toilet, 100% of your household wastewater is greywater.

We highly recommend Greywater recyling for irrigation because of the following benefits:

• Reduce fresh water use – when the weather warms up, almost half of the water consumed by the average household is for outdoor use.  If we capture the indoor greywater for use outdoors, we can cut water usage in half.
• Reduce strain on septic system or treatment plant – Greywater makes up the majority of the household wastewater stream, so diverting it from the septic system extends the life and capacity of the system.  For municipal systems, decreased input means more effective treatment coupled with cost savings.
• Develop otherwise unsuitable real estate – a Greywater recyling system, along with the use of composting toilets, can enable the development of property that is unsuitable for a septic system.
• Groundwater recharge – Greywater recycling for irrigation replenishes groundwater, helping the natural hydrologic cycle to keep functioning.
• Plant growth – Greywater can support plant growth in areas that might otherwise not have enough water.
• Maintain soil fertility – the nutrients in the greywater are broken down by bacteria in the soil and made available to plants.  This helps to maintain soil fertility.
• Enhance water quality – The quality of groundwater can surface waters are much better preserved by the natural purification processes the greywater undergoes in the the top layers of the soil than by any engineered water treatment.

Before you get too excited, there are a few drawbacks to consider:

• If you soil is either too permeable or not permeable enough, you may not be able to recycle your greywater, or you may need a system with some modifications.
• You need enough soil to process the greywater and enough plants to use it.
• If it’s too wet to benefit from irrigating with greywater, there may be a better way to dispose of it.  If it’s too cold, you will only be able to recycle in the warmer months.  In colder climates, the heat in the greywater may be more valuable than the water itself.
• Many jurisdictions do not have clear guidelines regarding greywater processing.  With water shortages looming in the near future for many regions, this may change sooner than later.  Health concerns are often cited as the reason for not allowing greywater recycling, although there has never been a documented case of somebody becoming sick as a result of exposure.
• Where legal requirements dictate a complex system and there is only a small flow of water, greywater recycling is not economically feasible.
• If the Greywater system you are considering is more expensive and requires more maintenance than a properly functioning septic or sewer system.

For more information, please visit Letsgogreen.com

The City of Vancouver has designed and manufactured rain barrels (pictured below) for use by residents for garden irrigation. The City subsidizes the cost by 50% and has sold over 2000 to date and counting.  For more information visit vancouver.ca.

The City of North Vancouver approved laneway housing (coach houses) on Monday, Nov 16. Currently permit applications are not being considered as details are still being fleshed out and by-laws to be updated. However, if you are anxious to get started, please click here to view the guidelines: COACH HOUSE GUIDELINES. Please note that the District of North Vancouver has not approved LWH but will be reviewing it for the next community planning session in 2010.

For those in the City of Vancouver, please visit www.klondikecontracting.com/LanewayHousing for further information on Laneway Housing in the City of Vancouver.

As the owner of a home protected by home warranty insurance, you are expected to do a number of things to ensure that you do not limit or jeopardize your coverage:

• Be familiar with your home warranty insurance policy and maintenance manual (if provided), and keep these documents in a secure place.
• Know when the relevant warranty periods for your home expire.
• Carry out regular maintenance on your home in accordance with the maintenance information from your warranty provider or builder.  If you have not received a maintenance manual, ask for one.
• If a suspected defect arises with an item covered by your home warranty insurance, immediately report the problem in writing to the warranty provider and the builder.  Defects must be reported within the relevant coverage period.
• Take reasonable steps to minimize further damage to your home that may result from a potential defect.  For example, if a broken pipe is leaking into your new home, you may be able to minimize damage by shutting off the water supply until the warranty provider or builder can inspect it.
• Provide warranty insurance policy documents, the maintenance manual and other warranty information (e.g. for appliances, products or systems) to subsequent purchasers of your home.

Types of Protection

Mandatory home warranty insurance applies to all new homes offered for sale or under a construction contract with an owner unless there is an applicable exemption.  This warranty insurance is sometimes called a third-party warranty, the mandatory warranty or 2-5-10 warranty.

Mandatory home warranty insurance is for three different time periods, covering three different aspects of home construction: 2 years on labour and materials (some limits apply), 5 years on the building envelop, including water penetration, and 10 years on the structure.  This is often referred to as “2-5-10″ coverage.  The requirements for a minimum 2-5-10 warranty insurance policy cannot be waived by any separate contract between you and the builder.

Coverage period commences on the date of first occupancy, date of occupancy permit, or date the home was completed and ready for occupancy, which ever comes first.  If you buy an existing or resale home that is covered, the coverage remains with the new home until the expiry of the 2-5-10 coverages.  All of the applicable benefits under home warranty insurance that have not expired are available to subsequent owners.

For more information, please contact the Homeowner Protection Office (HPO).

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.

We’re in our new space but the renovation is still in progress.  In the next couple of weeks we will be dealing with some finishing details from millwork to lighting as well as any deficiencies (and this is unavoidable!).  Today’s tour will give you a very good idea of what the office will look like in 2-3 weeks time.  Stay tuned!

We are closing in on the February 1st deadline and thought you may benefit from a friendly reminder.

For those who don’t already know, a non-refundable tax credit is available to you for work performed or goods acquired in relation to a renovation or alteration to an eligible dwelling, after January 27, 2009 and BEFORE February 1, 2010.  The 15% credit may be claimed on the portion of eligible credits exceeding $1,000 but not more than $10,000, for a maximum credit of $1,350.  Eligible expenses for goods acquired during this period, even if they are installed after January 2010, will still qualify.  If an eligible expense involves work performed by a contractor or a third party, and the work is not completed by the end of the eligible period, only the portion that is completed before February 1, 2010 will qualify even if a payment is made.

A new schedule will be included in your 2009 tax package to allow you to list your eligible expenses and to calculate the amount you can claim.  Also a new line will be added to Schedule 1 to claim the HRTC.

Click HERE for examples of eligible and ineligible expenses.

For more information please visit Canada Revenue Agency’s website.

I am very excited to write our first post in our new showroom/office!  Although we are not entirely done with our renovation, we’ve made a lot of progress since our last video blog.  Our millwork experienced some delays and difficulties but with patient staff who were willing and ready to get their hands dirty, our team was able to move in as planned.  For the next few weeks, we will be working on some finishing details to get it ready for presentation at our grand public opening party in February.  Stayed tuned for your invitation to tour our space.  Here’s a sneak preview of the work in progress:

Slate stone to be installed to front of reception desk with stainless steel KC logo

Sabrina at her very new desk

Estimating powerhouses, Greg & Mikiko, in their new hub

Our Design Build Showroom - Doors for millwork are coming!

We are 5 weeks into the renovation and we are so close we can taste it!  Our new stamped concrete floor, mimicking 36×36 tiles, is in and it looks wonderful (thanks to Stonecraft).  We are waiting for millwork which is a couple of days behind but we are making progress regardless.  Stay tuned for next week’s update when we will be in our new office!

We would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday celebration.  All the best from everyone here at Klondike Contracting!

The City of Vancouver is looking at a pilot project that would have the city pay half the cost of installing solar heating in your home.

Typically a solar hot water system would cost around $7200.  With the new pilot program, 50 homeowners selected for the program will only pay half of the bill.

Peter Simpson of the Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association doubts that homeowners will be receptive to the program.  He adds that most homeowners with that kind of cash would rather spend it on something like new countertops or hardwood flooring.

We hope that you will consider applying for the program not only because it’s a great investment but it’s one that will reduce the consumption of natural resources.

To read the News 1130 article about this, click here. Stay tuned for further updates!

A gas fireplace is a beautiful addition to any home but without proper safety measures & maintenance, they can be a disaster waiting to happen.  Now that the winter chill is officially with us, we thought you may benefit from some of these tips to keep your house warm and safe!

General Safety

• Do not store combustible materials near your fireplace
• Install your fireplace out of the way of foot traffic
• Do not operate if glass doors are cracked
• Installation and repairs should only be done by a registered gas contractor

Child Safety

• Supervise children carefully.  Glass inserts quickly heat up to more than 200°C and can take up to 45 minutes to cool
• Make sure children know they should never touch a natural gas fireplace’s glass panels
• Consider installing physical barriers or safety screens if you have toddlers
• Adjustable safety gates can also be installed to restrict fireplace access to adults
• Even when a fireplace is not in use, toddlers can hurt themselves on its surfaces & corners so consider installing a fire-resistant hearth guard (cushioned strip)

Keeping it clean

• Turn your fireplace completely off, including the pilot light
• Wait for the unit to cool completely before wiping with a damp cloth
• Use a drop sheet to protect your floor while cleaning
• Wear gloves & eye protection when handling the logs, which may cause skin/eyes irritation
• Replace the logs exactly as shown in your owner’s manual after cleaning or moving them
• Clean the glass periodically
• Don’t use abrasive cleaners on the glass (check manual for recommended products)

Signs that may indicate your fireplace is not working properly

• pilot light outages
• “booming” noises on ignition
• delayed ignition (slow to start up)
• excessive soot or corrosion inside the fireplace or on the vent
• a continuous or intermittent odour – either the “rotten egg” or sulphur smell of natural gas or a sharp odour that causes eyes to sting
• symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: nausea, headaches, lethargy or other flu-like symptoms

For additional information & tips, please visit the Terasen Gas website.  We hope the above tips will help you keep your home safe while you enjoy the warmth of the fire.  Seasons Greetings from all of us at Klondike Contracting!

We are a month into the renovation of our new showroom/office.  For the first 3 weeks, things appeared to be progressing slowly.  However, now with drywall almost complete, you will see dramatic changes.  We’re into the finishing stage and in the coming weeks you will see flooring (concrete topping), fixtures (lighting & plumbing), paint, and millwork.  This phase is usually a lot more fun to see but there’s still a lot of work to be done and we only have 3-4 more weeks before we are officially moved-in!  Stay tuned for further updates.

We’re bursting at the seams and are very excited for our upcoming move to Hemlock Station.  The new space is a 2000 square feet showroom/office located at Hemlock & 6th Ave, just right outside Granville Island.  As it is also a showroom, we welcome you to visit our new space in the new year and perhaps get some design inspiration for your next renovation!  We are also going as green as possible with LED lighting throughout, low to zero VOC products, FSC products, etc.

We will update you once a move-in date is established.  Until then, make sure you watch videos of our renovation progress.