1. Don’t underestimate the importance of counter & storage space.  Many homeowners make the mistake of choosing small storage units because they don’t want to crowd the room.  But doing this just means that your space will eventually look even more crowded as you clutter counters with stuff.
2. Don’t think inside the box when it comes to storage.  Be creative and use vertical space by going with some tall storage units.  But make sure you think carefully about the type of storage you need.
3. Don’t forget to make room for two.  If you and your partner consistently share the bathroom, put in two sinks.  But beyond that, make sure you have enough room for two!  A cramp space to get ready for the day can make for a very unpleasant morning!
4. Don’t buy tubs that won’t fit in your current space.  Make sure you can get it into the house first and then ensure there’s enough room for it in the bathroom.  Larger freestanding tubs are very popular but not everyone can have them!
5. Don’t forget to ventilate.  Owners always regret it when they realize it too late.  If you don’t ventilate properly you are inviting mildew & mold, amongst other things.
6. Don’t put the toilet beside the door.  It’s very awkward to open your door & see the toilet first.  Try to place your sink closest to the door.
7. Don’t forget to think about access panels for motor/power system, etc if you are installing whirlpool tubes, etc.  The further away the motor is from the tub, the more peaceful your bathing experience will be.
8. Don’t install multiple jets if you don’t have the pressure to handle all of them.
9. Don’t neglect safety precautions.  Use non-slip material for floors & showers.  Non-slip materials are no longer the ugly eye-sore that they were years ago.  There are very attractive and design friendly options.
10. Don’t be a hero!  If you have never renovated before, avoid doing it all by yourself.  Bathrooms, particularly, are not the best place to start your first DIY renovation project.  If you are on a budget already, and have no previous renovation experience, this may just end up blowing your budget altogether.

It is not as easy as those home improvement shows make it look.  For one thing, renovations take weeks, months sometimes – not a day!  The stress of it will build as the project progresses and new problems arise.  Plan plan plan and maybe you won’t have to “hope for the best” everyday of the renovation.

As production of glass tile increased, a growing quantity of their post-industrial waste was rerouted to produce new products.  Making use of cut-offs and mismatched die lots became an integral part of the production of some of Interstyle’s most popular mosaic tile product lines, while other salvaged glass was crushed and cast in moulds by product designers to create some of the most unique tile products – made entirely from recycled glass.

Further, each stage of the manufacturing and materials handling has been reviewed to ensure that waste is minimized; any reusable materials are recycled and; energy conservation measures are in place.  These include: recycling water from glazing production in a closed loop water system, using heat from kiln exhaust for drying of bisque and coatings, using packing materials that contain a high percentage of recycled materials, and reusing incoming packing materials.

The use of these products may assist in reducing the environmental impact of a construction project and support the project in earning LEED points.

We love Interstyle’s products because it is recycled and beautiful.  Please visit Interstyle.ca for more information & to locate dealers (they do not sell directly to consumers).  We hope you will find inspiration for your new shower surround or kitchen backsplash with these lines of recycled glass:

River Crystals

Aquarius

Agates

Aquarius: coloured glass gems suspended in a clear glass tile.  Aquarius glass tiles offer a unique blend of colour & texture within a glossy finish glass tile.  Available in 20 colours & 3 sizes: 2″x2″; 4″x4″; and 1-1/4″x8″.

Agates: lustrous glass pebbles with hand blended colours that give the cabochons subtle colour variations.  Available in 20 translucent colours and meshed sets of 4″x4″; 6″x6″; 3″x12″; 4″x12″; 6″x12″; and 12″x12″.

River Crystals: random shaped translucent glass pieces that have the appearance of smooth tumbled rocks.  The colours are randomly distributed within each piece to give the visual effect of depth.  Available in 10 colours and meshed sets of 4″x4″; 4″x12″; and 12″x12″.

1. Metal Roofs – They are environmentally friendly, clean & gives your old roof a new/different look, whether as an accent or whole roof.
2. Dark Trim Colours – Gives a punch to the facade of our home.  It allows the house to blend with the landscaping, picture frames opnenings & highlights glazing shapes as proportional architectural features.
3. Front Porches – Adds connectivity to the home & offers a sense of community when used as an outdoors space for gatherings & parties.
4. Indoor/Outdoor Landscaping – Incorporates organic details that reflect the architecture.
5. Brick – Gives real depth to the character of the home.
6. Stucco as an Accent
7. Green Design – Everyone is talking green these days.  Whether your contribution is minor updates or a complete reno, be aware and consider options to green your home.
8. Ceilings – It’s just as important as the floor and the right ceiling can create a sense of volume change and an emotional within any given space that would otherwise be lost.
9. Water Features – An interior water feature can add to the space as a beautiful piece of artwork with a calming sound that can enhance any space.
10. Sound/Music/Media – The sky’s the limit with this one.  Think carefully about what you need/want.  Combining technology with a well thought out wall unit or room layout can only enhance the space.

An appeal may be filed by the property owner or an agent (general contractor) on their behalf for any of the follow purposes:

1. To remove/alter a condition of development application approval or to reverse a decision refusing a development application, where the decision was made by the Director of Planning;
2. To reverse/alter a development application decision by the Development Permit Board, to the extent that the decision dealt with matters of “relaxation” of zoning by-law provisions as opposed to the exercise of broader discretionary authority;
3. To obtain an exemption from any provision of a zoning by-law affecting the siting, size, shape or design of a building.
4. To obtain an approval for:

• re-establishing a non-conforming use which has already been discontinued for 90 days (but not more than 180 days);
• any addition or structural alterations to a building which is non-conforming as to use (eg, one that was permitted when it was established but does not meet a subsequently amended by-law);
• any repairs to or reconstruction of a building which is non-conforming as to use where the building suffers from damage or fire loss (60% or more of its value above its foundation); and
• If unable to obtain a permit authorizing tree cutting or removal, or if unable to comply with the requirements of the Private Property Tree By-law No. 7347.

As with anything else, there is a wide selection of fireplaces available on the market today.  It can be an overwhelming experience if you don’t know what you want or need.  To aid you in this process, we have compiled a list (with the help of our friends at Vancouver Gas Fireplaces) of things to consider before making your purchase.

1. Determine the purpose for your new fireplace.  Do you want heat efficiency or asthetics or both?  You can drastically narrow your options based on this.
2. You can’t really have a fireplace that will heat more than one room so eliminate this requirement from your checklist.  You can’t really save on heating costs in this way & you will created an overheated main room.
3. If you require a heat efficient fireplace, consider a thermostatically-controlled self-modulated fireplace.  Your fireplace will adjust itself and regulate the room to the temperature you have set.
4. Take note of the existing decor & choose the trim option that would be suit what you have already.
5. View the fireplace when it’s on and off & make sure you like the look in both modes.
6. Avoid choosing a heating insert that relies on a fan to push the hot air out into the room.  This will only marginally improve heating.  The best fireplaces are efficient without a fan.
7. When it comes to log set, choose the one that will fit into the fireplace area easily but still leave enough breathing room.  This will ensure the valve will not overheat & is asthetically pleasing.
8. Decide how you want to operate your fireplace: wall switches, remote controls, or thermostats.  Many can also be operated manually
9. Electric fireplaces is an option if gas is not.  They are available in various sizes & styles with many different trim options.  Further, they do not require venting so you can put them anywhere in your home.
10. Find a retailer who will supply and install.  The installation can impact the overall performance of your fireplace so leave it to the experts.

For more information please visit www.ccdc.org.

The availability of wheatboard in North America has increased rapidly and is used more and more in the display & design industry.

It is made of recycled wheat chaff, with an alternative isocyanate (MDI) biner that uses no formaldehyde, creating and emission-free board.  It is above industry standards for the highest grade of particle board.

Some advantages to consider:

• More moisture resistant
• Superior screw & nail retention
• Ideal for paints & laminates
• Superior strength & stiffness
• 10% lighter than other particle board brands
• Formaldehyde & emission free

Plans are required at the time you apply for your permit.  Most cases call for two sets of floor plans to show the layout of the floor where the work will be done.  These plans do not need to be prepared by a professional, but they must be drawn to scale with location & dimensions of all applicable changes.

If your project is a bit more complicated, for example, if it requires structural and/or mechanical changes, then further plans (in this case a professional is recommended) is required.

Don’t make the mistake of drawing your plans in pencil; they will not be accepted.

If you are applying for a Secondary Suite, the city has made this a bit easier for homeowners with an initial special inspection of the building.  Then you will be provided with a report on recommended and mandatory upgrades.  The special inspection will focus only on the suite in question however, any hazards throughout the building that are identified during the inspection, must be corrected whether or not a suite is retained or installed.

Parking
• Houses built before March 23, 2004 – one on-site parking space will be accepted.
• Houses built after March 23, 2004 – require two on-site parking spaces (one for the primary dwelling unit and one for the secondary suite).
• A parking space is 8′ x 18′. In some cases, a site peculiarity may allow a relaxation.
• A durable surface is required for parking spaces.

Ceiling Height
A minimum existing ceiling height of 6′ 6″ is required over 80% of the suite area and all exit routes. If the house is raised or the basement lowered to provide more ceiling height, full ceiling height of 2.3 m (7′ 7″) is required.

Fire Separation
• Existing lath and plaster in good condition, or minimum ½ inch gypsum wallboard is required on walls and/or ceilings between the primary dwelling unit and the secondary suite.
• Self-closing devices are also required on any inter-connecting doors between units.
• For more information on Building By-law requirements to convert an existing one-family dwelling to include a secondary suite, please refer to the Building Bulletin ( PDF, 98KB).

Electrical
• For sprinklered buildings, interconnected smoke alarms, installed with a permanent connection to an electrical circuit, are required outside every bedroom, and at least one smoke alarm on every storey.
• For unsprinklered suites, in addition to the above requirements for smoke alarms, these smoke alarms must be equipped with battery backup and manual silencing devices which will silence the alarm for a period of 10 minutes, after which the alarm will continue to function.
• The proper number of receptacles/appliance circuits will be required in the suite.
• The main electrical service must be sized to accommodate all electrical loads (e.g., usually two electric ranges and two electric dryers will require a minimum 100 amp service).

Plumbing & Gas
• Existing plumbing and gas fixtures must be properly installed with approved traps and vents.
• Furnace and hot water tank vents require proper clearance from combustible materials.
• Gas appliances must be installed in a safe and approved manner.

We do not recommend bypassing the permitting phase in any instance.  You will only create more problems for yourself.  The permitting process ensures that everything in your home is built to code and is safe & sound.  This is important for resale as well because if you cannot show what has been done & whether or not it was done properly, you will only raise further questions with potential buyers.  For more information please visit the City of Vancouver website by clicking here.

For a quick overview of the keys to a successful design build renovation please view our video.

The 16th annual Parade of Renovated Homes – with the most participating homes ever – showcases leading-edge design, advanced construction techniques, and innovative building products.

Projects include a complete transformation of a Mission rancher, restoration of a 1906 Kitsilano craftsman-style bungalow, and extreme facelifts of homes built in the ’20s right up to the ’80s.

GVHBA Renovation Council Chair Daine Halley says B.C. homeowners will spend a record $7 billion sprucing up their homes this year, and this popular one-day event offers exceptional sample renovations.

“Professional renovators, many of them award winners, will be on site to offer expert advice and discuss their craftsmanship. Projects range from $70,000 to more than $700,000, offering people an abundance of ideas they can possibly incorporate into their own renovations,” says Halley.

Admission is by passport, available at each home for $10 per person. Children 17 and under are free. Passports can be purchased at any home, and then used for entry to the remaining 16 homes. Part proceeds will help fund the purchase of tools, building materials and safety gear for a carpentry training program offered by Guildford Park and Frank Hurt secondary schools in Surrey.

The event is limited to six hours, so visit www.gvhba.org to review the selection of homes, then plan your route to ensure you have sufficient time to visit specific homes that capture your interest.

These days, you can easily find many choices in style and layout to suit your personal preferences and budgets. Often, a builder’s standard designs are just a starting point. Many builders will customize a home to suit your individual needs. Do your research before you finalize your decision as any changes later one will affect budget & schedule. Here are some of the design characteristics that you can expect to find in a brand new home:

Efficient Use Of Space – A well-designed space will take full advantage of the available square footage. With the right design, every home, large or small, can be spacious & comfortable.

Open Layouts – A large open space aka. great room – informal space for living, working, eating and relaxing. Partial walls, bulkheads, lighting & floor treatment help to define and add character to individual areas within this space. Depending on the size of the home, the great room may replace or complement formal living & dining rooms.

Flexible Space – To accommodate changing household needs over time. A den can become an extra bedroom or a nursery. Basement rooms can be converted to a home office or a family entertainment area.

Built In Convenience - Look for direct access from the garage to the kitchen on hard surface flooring, mudrooms with large closets and a ground or second floor laundry room. And check for details like extra large pantries, lots of storage space & built in recycling bins.

Kitchens That Have It All – With today’s open layouts, the quality and the finishing details of a new kitchen are done with careful attention to matching or complementing the surrounding spaces. Look for well appointed, organized workspaces; attractive, separate eating areas; and great natural and built in lighting.

Again, do your research.  Visit model homes or the Parade of Homes this June 14, 2009 to narrow your preferences.  For more on this please visit the GVHBA Website.