business profile | TAY-KY DEVELOPMENTS
Tay-Ky Developments
Sees more renos going Green by HEATHER RYAN
IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS more and more people undertaking renovations want a home that is more energy efficient and are choosing environmentallyfriendly products, says renovator Colin Adams. The owner/operator of Tay-Ky Developments has worked in the industry for years, learning every trade from concrete to finishing. Adams started the renovation company in 2009 to offer quality products and craftsmanship – and quickly found it also meant being Green. “One of the biggest things we discovered when we started was that having options for a Green renovation is important. This means having environmentally sustainable products, using materials that have low or no VOCs and conserving our natural resources is definitely the way to go; it’s the future,” Colin comments. “Everybody wants a home that is energy efficient, so we go Green with as many products as possible that make sense, but are still quality products that we can stand behind.” “Building Green for us is responsible. We can’t sustain building with what I call throw away products,” he adds, “so by offering standards that are above builder grade, clients get quality products that will last longer, increase the home’s value and save on energy costs.” Going with Green products costs more up front, he notes, but many homeowners understand the up front cost will provide long term gain as they will save money on energy bills, and they get a healthier indoor environment. Among the standard products Colin incorporates are LED lights. “Our standard pot light is now LED, because they last 25 to 30 times longer and save on energy costs. For example, we spent $550 to change our bulbs to LED and we saved almost $100 a month on electricity.” Another energy-efficient product is spray foam insulation. “We only need to use five-pound spray foam insulation in a basement addition and we would have had to use R30 batting insulation to get its equal, so it makes better sense.” High efficiency furnaces and hot water tanks are preferred, and Tay-Ky couples them with a Nest system that monitors heat exchange, learns temperature comfort levels and ensures optimal efficiency. Since Tay-Ky’s inception, they have offered Mohawk’s smart strand and silk line carpets to clients. These are made from corn husk which is a natural material 8 YPNEXTHOME.CA
providing incredible spill protection and no off-gassing. Other Green standards are: low-flush Toto toilets; Lux triple-pane, low-E, UV filament windows; low or no VOC paints from Benjamin Moore and Cloverdale; Moen fixtures; floor tiles and quartz countertops made with recycled materials; and cabinets made from sustainable wood products. “We explain the pros and cons of the products to our clients and advise them honestly on the best choices,” Colin says. “Many clients choose to go Green because of the energy savings and because of the health benefits for their families.” For more information on Tay-Ky Developments, visit tay-ky.ca.