Contractor Advantage November / December 2016

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2016

HOME, SMART HOME GREAT GARAGES WALLS THAT PERFORM

Columns Inside Money Matters What's Trending On The Jobsite Design Talk

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Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. is a Canadian member-owned, Lumber, Building Materials and Hardware buying group representing over 300 member locations across Canada.

Contractor Advantage Magazine is the exclusive publication of Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. featuring quality Castle vendor brands available at Castle Building Centres locations.

Visit castle.ca to find a Castle location in your area.

Editorial Director Castle Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. Jennifer Mercieca Publisher - JAD Media Group Inc. Dan Alexander Managing Editor Teresa Christine Art Director Aram Stamboulian Contributors Teresa Christine Lawrence Cummer Melissa Campeau Lisa Gordon

Advertising Inquiries Jennifer Mercieca Director of Communications Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. 905-564-3307 jmercieca@castle.ca

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2016 Volume 21 Issue 6

Material Contact Susan Brook Vendor Marketing Coordinator Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. 905-564-3307 sbrook@castle.ca Published and designed exclusively for Castle Building Centres Group Ltd.

by JAD Media Group Inc. About Contractor Advantage

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Contributors

Lawrence Cummer

Melissa Campeau

Lisa Gordon

Lawrence Cummer is a freelance writer with 20 years of experience writing for trade periodicals, business and communications agencies. He is a former senior writer and editor of the technology trade publications Network World Canada and Communications & Networking Journal, respectively. As well, he has been a senior contributor to a wide variety of publications.

Melissa Campeau is a Toronto-based journalist who regularly contributes to such publications as Yardstick, the OUR HOMES series of magazines, Mortgage Journal, Financial Post and National Post. She lives in Toronto with her husband, six-year-old son and one-year-old puppy. Daily living in a “quirky” century house with an active first-grader and an accidentally destructive 50-lb dog means you’ll often find tradespeople and contractors on hand, as well.

Lisa Gordon is a freelance writer who has created customized content for association and trade publications for more than 15 years. She is also the full-time editor of a Canadian aviation magazine and lives near Brantford, Ontario.

Amber MacArthur Amber MacArthur started her career during the dot-com boom in the late 1990s as a strategist for Razorfish agency and Director of Marketing for an e-procurement software company. In 2006, Amber started her own agency, with her brother, called Konnekt building her own business brand as President of Konnekt. Over the years she has amassed more than 100,000 followers on Twitter, 450,000 fans on Facebook, 1.6M friends on Google+, and 10,000 followers on Instagram. She is recognized internationally as an innovation and technology leader.

Wayne Schoeneberg Wayne Schoeneberg is a Certified Professional Coach, a dynamic speaker and bestselling author of No Clients? No Job? No Problem! With his distinct perspective on the influence of fear, Wayne’s inspiring message instills in his audience the courage to be confident, and provides them with the tools to become the architects of their own success. For more information on hiring Wayne Schoeneberg, or to purchase his book, please visit www.LiveBeyondFear.com

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CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

Dr. Randall Bell Dr. Randall Bell is a socio-economist, speaker and author of Rich Habits Rich Life. He has consulted on such cases as the World Trade Center, Flight 93 Crash Site and OJ Simpson. His work has generated billions of dollars to build lives and communities by documenting the poor habits that lead to disaster—and the rich habits that lead to transformation and growth. For more information on Dr. Randall Bell, please visit www.DrBell.com.

Kate Zabriskie Kate Zabriskie is the president of Business Training Works, Inc., a Maryland-based talent development firm. She and her team help businesses establish customer service strategies and train their people to live up to what’s promised. For more information, visit www.businesstrainingworks.com.

Contributors

What’s Inside?

7 News and Notes

Harness the Power of “Thanks” and Step-Up Your Gratitude Game

11 What’s Trending

Today’s Automation Technology is Making Homes Smarter

21 On the Jobsite

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Great Garages Many garages seem good for little more than storage, but a good contractor armed with the right solution can help turn them into so much more.

The Four Cornerstones of a Great Business

31 Supplier Spotlight

Regal Ideas and Building Products of Canada

34 Money Matters

The 6 Pillars of Professional Power

44 Product Platform

Premium Products from Castle Vendor Partners

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Walls that Perform Today’s gypsum wallboard panels are engineered to be lighter, greener and tougher than ever before.

48 Leaders in the Limelight

Individuality & Passion that Drives Success

51 Tech Talk

5 Great Gifts for the Techie Contractor

53 Design Talk

Dress Your Home for the Holidays; Tis the Season for Design Tips & Trends

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Home, Smart Home From learning thermostats to garage doors that send messages: Smart tech in the home is everywhere.

On the Cover Photo courtesy of Steel-Craft

Contents

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Congratulations!

2016/2017 Castle Scholarship Winners Castle’s 4th Annual Scholarship Program was open to Castle members, employees, staff and their families. The $1,500 scholarships recognized students’ academic excellence, and passion to lead and inspire positive change in their communities.

Here are this year’s recipients:

Riley Black

Black Lumber Co. Ltd. Morrisburg, ON Riley will enter Engineering at Western University to become a structural or civil engineer in construction, an industry he grew up in with his family Castle business.

Riley is an A+ student, a gifted athlete, and an outstanding leader and role model. He played hockey, soccer (captain), golf, volleyball, and badminton. Community involvement has also played a key role in Riley’s life. He was selected to be the Morrisburg and District Lions’ Club Student Lion, and was chosen from his school to travel to an orphanage in the Dominion Republic, which he said was life changing.

Sara Elizabeth Evans C.F. Evans Lumber Co. Ltd. Picton, ON Sara was accepted into the Chemical and Physical Sciences program at McMaster University. Her goal is immunology or innovating technologies where she can improve the quality of life for people. Sara has been an active member and leader of 4-H Quilting for Others Club. Sara also volunteered in fundraising, Marysburgh Mummers Drama Camp, participated in the Arts Council, and hosted a Poetry Slam. Throughout high school, Sara worked part-time while maintaining a high academic standing, winning the Governor’s General Academic Medal.

Aleya Anderson

Warman Home Centre Warman, SK Aleya is entering Arts & Science at the University of Saskatchewan hoping to become a doctor, perhaps with Doctors without Borders.

Aleya excelled academically and athletically participating in volleyball, badminton, track and dance.

Leadership skills led to teaching music and dance to younger students. As a member of the Student Representative Committee at her high school, she was Student Rep to Warman City Council on the Recreation and Culture Committee.

Aleya was described by her teachers as self-motivated, responsible, mature and confident.

News & Notes

Harness the Power of “Thanks” and Step-Up Your Gratitude Game Written by Kate Zabriskie President, Business Training Works Inc.

If you’re grateful but don’t take the time to tell anyone, does it count? Maybe, but it’s a bit like clapping with one hand.

You know you’re doing it, but does anyone else? Probably not. When shown appropriately, gratitude has tremendous power. At a minimum, it will keep you from appearing like an ungrateful and uncouth toad. On the other end of the spectrum, well-expressed thanks can open doors, solidify relationships, and change careers. The key to giving and getting with gratitude is knowing who to thank, when to thank them, and how to do it.

Who to Thank Thank up; thank down; thank out; and thank around.

Thank up.

When bosses take the time to support you, provide you with an opportunity, or include you in something to which you’re not usually privy—thank them. Chances are, the

News & Notes

next time they are deciding to whom they will extend an invitation, your name will appear higher on the list than it might have had you failed to recognize an earlier kindness.

Thank down.

Maybe your team stayed late to finish a project. Perchance someone put forth extra effort to create a presentation. Perhaps an employee who has had a hard time meeting expectations finally does so. If you want those types of activities to continue to occur on any kind of regular basis, you need to recognize them.

Thank out.

Customers, colleagues, and suppliers will support you if they feel you acknowledge their efforts. If you want to grow and build your network and workplace support system, those are the people you must cultivate. Doesn’t it make sense to nurture the relationships you have with them?

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Thank around.

Get personal.

Do you take the time to thank your office’s cleaning staff?

Have you done anything to appreciate the cafeteria’s cashier? How about the security guard? A lot of people forget those individuals, and they shouldn’t. After all, chances are nobody would miss the CEO if he or she were absent for few days. Try that with the janitorial staff—not a pretty thought.

Share with others how what they’ve done meant something to you, and your thanks will both seem and be more sincere. With a little thought, you can connect feelings to the most mundane topics. For example, “John, I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed and appreciated your presentation this afternoon. I’ve struggled with using PowerPoint animations and never been able to get them to look professional. I learned a lot from watching what you did. You have real talent.”

When to Thank

Great creative.

The world would be a kinder and gentler place if people displayed more grace. Can you imagine how your workplace would function if everyone expressed sincere gratitude at least once an hour? Motivated, appreciated, and valued are some possibilities that come to mind. When you think about it, once an hour may be a bit much at first, but it is not a bad goal to work toward. And as with most activities, the more you do it, the easier it will become. But be warned: you must choose well. Recognizing people inappropriately is worse than not recognizing them at all.

For example, ask any kid how much a certificate, award, or trophy received for some trivial activity meant to him.

If you don’t already know, the answer is a whole lot of “zero.” Kids are not stupid, and neither are the big people they turn into.

Gratitude should feel real and be relevant. If either one of those elements is missing, your “thank you” will most likely seem hollow.

Ironically, the phrase “thank you” hinders most people’s ability to express gratitude effectively. Avoid using the phrase at the start of your sentences, and you’ll find you are more imaginative. For instance, “Thank you for allowing me to attend today’s meeting. I appreciate the opportunity to be included in the decision-making process.” That’s okay, but consider the following: “I learned a lot about the decision-making process at this meeting. I never understood how the committee system worked until today. It was real eye opener. I appreciate you allowing me to attend.” Choice number two is stronger and it doesn’t use the words “thank you.”

The words “thank you” are an adequate choice for acknowledging common courtesies shown to you. However, when people go beyond the basics, your recognition should as well. By following a few simple guidelines, you can quickly and easily step up your gratitude game.

Get specific.

Focus on a detail, and your “thank you” will mean more.

For instance, “The lemon muffins you made and brought into the office today were some of the best I’ve ever had.

The glaze was amazing. You were so thoughtful to share them with us.” That’s a whole lot better than “Thanks for the muffins.”

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2016

Email is appropriate when a verbal “thank you” seems a bit inadequate or is not possible. Although you don’t want to fill people’s inboxes with unnecessary messages, recognize that for most folks, it is a pleasure to receive an occasional note of appreciation among the usual dreck. Start typing.

Get out your stationery.

How to Thank

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Get to your keyboard.

CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

If you really want to show your thanks, think “old school.”

These days, hand-written notes are few and far between, so when you take the time to craft one, it won’t go unnoticed.

Write at least three sentences using your best penmanship, focus on a detail, and tell your recipients how what they’ve done for you has made a difference.

So there you have it: the who, what, and how of a good “thank you.” And at this point, if you are still reading, I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to consider these ideas. As you might imagine, it’s great to feel as if what you have to say might be useful to someone. You’ve made my day. Thank you!

News & Notes

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What’s Trending

Today’s Automation Technology is Making Homes Smarter Written by Teresa Christine Managing Editor, Castle Publications

We’ve all left the house and suddenly remembered that we’ve forgotten something important. Whether it’s the coffee maker is still on, or the garage door was never closed your mind starts to wander to all the other possible things that are amiss and you even start to doubt that you locked the front door.

Usually, you feel helpless, and you’re stuck worrying about it until you get home again. The good news though is that Smart homes are starting to break that cycle. Imagine simply taking out your smart phone and with a press of

What’s Trending

a button you can shut that garage door or make sure the lights are off. Before you leave the office, you can use your phone again to turn on the heat or even play your favorite music so that your house is ready for you when you get home.

Making homes “smart” is a growing trend that has evolved from button-press security systems to controlling, monitoring and observing your home from anywhere.

Here we take a look at some trends in smart home automation technology:

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Décor-Friendly Gadgets

Automated Door Locks

Nowadays, smart home automation can actually blend in better with your décor compared to traditional devices.

In today’s market, homeowners have many choices when it comes to thermostats with aesthetically pleasing designs or smart door locks that look sleek and modern.

If you’re carrying heavy grocery bags or a crying child, unlocking your door can be quite the task. Smart locks truly take the guesswork out of using a key by automating your front door to unlock or even open as you approach.

Zone-Based or Programmable Thermostats

Whether you want to watch your kids get home safely from school or keep an eye on your premises, the ease free simplicity of being able to set up your security system or alarm while you’re away with the touch of a button is priceless.

Gone are the days that you have to heat an empty house or a room with no one in it? You can turn the heat on or down from anywhere with your smart phone or tablet with a programmable thermostat. One of the best-selling features of zone-based thermostats are they use motion sensors and heat only occupied rooms.

Wireless Power Controls Home automation allows you to control a myriad of devices with the touch of your finger. You can literally automate your entire house; everything from a music sound system, HVAC, lighting, security, pool and spa features and have them installed so that they all could be controlled with your iPad, touch panel or remote control.

Advanced Security Systems

There are countless devices for home automation that take the concept of a smart home to a whole new level.

As the trend of innovative home technology is becoming more and more widespread, our homes are becoming smarter and smarter by the minute!

Photo courtesy of Honeywell

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Feature Story: Great Garages

Many garages seem good for little more than storage, but a good contractor armed with the right solution can help turn them into so much more.

Written by Lawrence Cummer

Photo courtesy of Organized Living

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The garage, designed to help shelter the car from the harshness of the environment, has become for a great many householders a 20’ by 20’ storage locker.

This trend has been on the move for decades, and not just in Canada.

In the U.K., a study conducted by the RAC Foundation in 2006 found that while 53% of households had access to a garage, only 24% used them for parking. It’s worse in the U.S., where 82% of homes have at least a two-car garage but a mere 15% have cars parked in them.

One in four homeowners in America can’t fit a car in their garage due to clutter and it would appear that Canadians are similarly challenged, says Theresa Finnigin, the Director of Marketing at storage and organization product manufacturer Organized Living. It may seem inevitable. “We naturally fill up whatever space we have,” she says.

To add to it, many existing garages are, in fact, too small for modern cars, says Mike Ferrell, Vice-President of LBM sales and building products at hardware distributor Orgill Inc.

Although, garages have often been overlooked by consumers in the past, that has been changing in recent years.

Beyond the Car Of course, many homeowners want to use their garage as something other than, or more than, a carport. Ferrell says that top consumer trends for garages are currently organization and storage, followed by use as a workshop or studio.

“The last few years we have seen more emphasis put on the garage space found in most homes,” Farrell says.

Photo courtesy of Organized Living

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Feature Story: Great Garages

Photo courtesy of Organized Living

“People are wanting to expand their homes’ livability, no matter if it’s additional living space or recreational use.”

To spruce up, as well as protect garage floors, Farrell says epoxy floor paint, stains and sealers can provide the concrete in a variety of colours and finishes. Rubber snap-together floor tiles have become popular with homeowners, he says since pricing has come down to affordable levels.

The number one use of any available space these days? Ferrell suggests the “man cave” or workshop area. “Many people still convert garages for extra floor space. Family rooms and game rooms are but a few of the uses,” he adds.

Finnigin concurs. Whether used for parking, equipment, tools, sports or other hobbies, she says “more and more, the garage is becoming like an additional room, complete with a fin-

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ished floor and smooth transition into the home.”

Of course, all this is impossible for many homeowners without more room with which to work.

Making Space For new garage builds, size matters.

Standard size garages really don’t provide enough space for parking and usable storage or workspace without moving the cars out of the way, Farrell notes. “When building a garage suggest that the customer go bigger.”

Of course, while many homeowners may jump at the possibility of an addition in order to increase their existing garage space, “a lot of the time that’s just not feasible,” Finnigin says.

“Whether due to building restrictions or budget limitations, for many homeowners it is important to do more with less, to make use of what footprint they

CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

have.” That, she says, comes down to organizing what’s there.

Ferrell agrees with the importance of organization. “Garage storage solutions are endless,” he says. “Track hanging systems, overhead storage units, wall and floor cabinets, workbenches, and a complete array of hooks and hangers make organizing the garage easy.”

Organized Living’s freedomRail Garage, a flexible and adjustable walland floor-mount storage system, helps homeowners do just that. The modular system offers cabinetry, shelving, work surfaces and a range of accessories, all on hooks of adjustable heights. Made with a “virtually indestructible” epoxy powder coating and up to 30% more steel than many garage solutions, the system can hold up to 500 lbs. for every 40”, according to the company.

Finnigin says that because the system is based on vertical uprights

Feature Story: Great Garages

hanging from top rail, install is simple for a contractor, who can then quickly move on to other jobs. The only pieces that are drilled into the wall are the horizontal rail at the top. “Also, because it’s wall mounted it gets things off the floor.”

Building Trust Finding the perfect storage solutions for customers is another opportunity for a contractor to earn the coveted position of trusted advisor.

In addition, she adds that although it may be a smaller job, garage organization installs are a quick turnaround, and an excellent source of work down the road. “

“Research shows that homeowner and home buyers trust their contractor or builder explicitly,” Finnigin says.

Despite the ease of installing some systems, few homeowners have the time or interest to do it themselves, she adds, “because it’s so full of stuff that it’s just too intimidating.”

Contractors should listen to the homeowners’ overall space needs, conduct diligent research and align themselves with products that represent the quality they want to be known for.

Online planners can be a great boon in that task. For example, Outdoor Living’s freedomRail system has an online design tool to spec out the perfect sys-

tem. “It’s very collaborative, then email it to the homeowner who can add to it, or share it on social media. It builds further trust between the homeowner and contractor,” Finnigin says.

Properly executed and installed, a contractor can become a lead in the eyes of their code-trapped or budget-strapped customer.

“Say someone has a two-car garage and wants a three-car garage but can’t build it, or maybe they want an addition to the home they can’t afford,” Finnigin says. “Better garage storage can to give them that ability to maximize their space. I guarantee there’s never been a homeowner who hasn’t wanted that.”

Photo courtesy of Organized Living

Feature Story: Great Garages

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NEW STANDARD IN NATIONAL BUILDING CODE By the end of 2016, under the National Building Code of Canada, the installation of windows, doors, and skylights shall conform to CSA Standard A440.4-07.

According to this new standard, which was issued by the Canadian Standards Association, rigid and flexible flashings are required to be made of materials such as reinforced bitumen and/or rigid metal containing aluminum , copper, galvanized metal or other non-ferrous metal. This standard applies to renovations and new residential constructions.

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DOORS AND WINDOWS

On the Jobsite

The Four Cornerstones of a Great Business Written by Dr. Randall Bell, Ph.D.

Throughout the world, majestic structures stand as legacies to history’s greatest empires and civilizations. The castles of medieval Europe, the aqueducts of the Roman Empire, the temples of Ancient Greece, the Great Wall of China, the pyramids of Ancient Egypt—these structures still awe and inspire wonder centuries after they were constructed.

Though they are found all over the world and include cathedrals, bridges, opera houses, pyramids, and towers, they all have one element in common.

All of the world’s greatest structures rest on a solid foundation. And the integrity of every foundation depends on its four cornerstones.

The Four Cornerstones Cornerstones were chiseled one hammer swing at a time.

Nobody really knows the origins of the term “fair and

On the Jobsite

square,” but it most likely comes from the construction of cornerstones. “Fair” refers to rock—that it is free of cracks.

“Square” means that the stone is perfectly cut and that the corners are at right angles. It is hard work to make a cornerstone, which then sits underground largely unnoticed. But laying a solid foundation ensures that what is built will last.

It is hard work, but it is worth it.

Great businesses, like buildings, must have a solid foundation. And the foundation of a great business is only as strong as its four cornerstones. Often businesses are thought of as single entities that must do one thing well to succeed. Just as a building with one cornerstone would collapse, a business cannot succeed with only one cornerstone, no matter how strong. There must be four elements in a business’ foundation. The four cornerstones of a business can be summed up as Me We Do Be.

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The Me Cornerstone

The Be Cornerstone

When you are building the Me cornerstone, you are building knowledge and wisdom. You focus on your thoughts, feelings, and attitudes. Building the Me cornerstone of a business means that you don’t just conduct business dayto-day and react to whatever comes up, but that you listen, learn, and carefully choose your direction. You should spend time in deep thought to develop intellectually, spiritually, and philosophically. It’s important to take time to turn off all the noise, knowing that great insights already reside inside of you if only you take the time to listen.

For a business, this could mean taking some quiet time at the start of every day to reflect on the mission of the company and to plan for the day. Common signs of a weak Me cornerstone in a business include an arrogant, know-itall attitude, a confused company mission, and a widespread sense of spiritual poverty. The signs that a business has a strong Me cornerstone are that everybody at the company is continually learning, people know why they are doing the work they are doing, and they see their work as service to a greater cause.

The Be cornerstone is where you build the future of your business. This is where you develop and set goals, manage your time, and document your achievements. Ultimately, with this cornerstone, you contribute to building something bigger than yourself and your day-to-day work. This is where you break out of your comfort zone, set goals, and create something timeless. A weak Be cornerstone shows up as aimless wandering, poor execution, and shortsighted, selfish decisions. Signs of a strong Be cornerstone include clearly stated goals, executing goals, and a strong sense of history.

The We Cornerstone When you are building relationships, you are within the We cornerstone. Here you connect with the right people and build your circle of success. Within this cornerstone we develop culturally, sociologically, and influentially. You build social capital and avoid toxic people. You recognize that the most important force on the earth is kindness.

In a business, this means showing appreciation to staff, vendors, and customers who make the business run. A weak We cornerstone shows up as poor morale, a breakdown in communication, and widespread conformity. In a business with a strong We cornerstone, there is an energetic and elevated spirit, a creative and expressive team, and everybody knows and embraces their unique style.

The Do Cornerstone You are building the Do cornerstone when you build productivity. The Do cornerstone includes the physical, financial and environmental aspects of a business. In the context of a business, the Do cornerstone means adding value to the company, customers, and clients and producing quality products and services. It also means staying healthy, keeping to the budget, and maintaining a pleasant office space. A weak Do cornerstone shows up as bad health, debt, and clutter. Signs of a strong Do cornerstone are that you are in shape, adding value, and keeping your spaces clean, tidy, and pleasant.

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CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

Finding Balance Cutting corners has always been disastrous. History books are full of examples of buildings, people, businesses, and governments that ignored one or more of these cornerstones. The initial result is a feeling of something just not being right in the company culture. The end result is often collapse.

Many people tend to get stuck in the Me cornerstone.

They never go beyond their own thoughts and feelings.

Professional organizations often get stuck in the We cornerstone and become social gatherings with that do not build wisdom, produce anything, or contribute to anything greater than their own survival and funding. Many government institutions get stuck in the Be cornerstone and accomplish little besides attempting to preserve their own legacy.

Making It Count Likewise, many businesses tend to get stuck in the Do cornerstone. They mistake busyness for business and focus on productivity at the expense of wisdom, connection, and legacy. This may work in the short term, but in the long run it is a recipe for failure. For success in the long run, all four cornerstones must be solidly in place.

The slow, difficult process of building each of these four cornerstones of Me We Do Be is not always glorious and often they may go unnoticed for years. But in the long run these four cornerstones form the foundation of a great business.

On the Jobsite

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WALLS THAT PERFORM

Today’s gypsum wallboard panels are engineered to be lighter, greener and tougher than ever before.

Written by Lisa Gordon

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Feature Story: Walls that Perform

Photo courtesy of CGC

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Some may say a building is just four walls and a roof—but when it comes to today’s residential, commercial and institutional builds, there’s a lot more to those walls than meets the eye.

Modern gypsum wallboard often does double duty by dampening sound and even cleaning indoor air—and all this while becoming even lighter and easier to work with than ever before.

“Consumers are concerned about performance attributes for all types of buildings, including residences, multi-family dwellings, high-rise towers, hotels and hospitals,” said Morgan J. Waller, Director of Marketing at CertainTeed Gypsum – Canada, a leading coast-to-coast manufacturer of gypsum board and finishing products.

In the last few years, CertainTeed has placed a heavy emphasis on acoustics in an effort to make buildings even quieter than before.

One of its newest products is SilentFX QuickCut. Launched in Canada earlier this year, this sound-absorbing wallboard delivers a high level of

acoustical performance.

“We take two pieces of drywall, sandwich a proprietary viscoelastic polymer in the middle, and that polymer absorbs sound energy,” explained Waller. “The alternative is to use standard drywall and then use multiple layers, so there is a lot of effort and work to build up the wall to dampen sound. We’ve created a thinner option.”

But thwarting sound waves inside a building is about more than just the right drywall. Robert Marshall, Building Science Manager at CertainTeed, said the company takes a systems approach.

“Sound knows where the holes and gaps are,” he explained. “Even though the boards give a better performance, sound goes around junctions, connections, etc. And not only sound, but also odours.”

CertainTeed’s line of noiseproofing sealants and putties can be used with SilentFX as a complete system to enable tighter construction while controlling odours and fire. And Marshall point-

ed out that SilentFX saves space, compared to the traditional option of layering drywall to achieve comparable acoustical benefits.

Typically, SilentFX would be concentrated in areas where soundproofing matters most, such as media rooms, bedrooms, separate in-law suites, hotels and hospitals. It is available in 1/2-inch thickness for residential applications, as well as a 5/8-inch board for commercial and residential jobs requiring fire-rated assemblies.

Clearing the Air Other products from CertainTeed include its AirRenew line of gypsum wallboard, released a few years ago.

“AirRenew is a normal product that installs and weighs the same,” said Waller. “We have put a proprietary solution inside that actively absorbs formaldehyde and converts it into an inert molecule that stays within the board.”

While AirRenew doesn’t absorb all VOCs, it does neutralize formaldehyde

Photo courtesy of CertainTeed

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Feature Story: Walls that Perform

Photo courtesy of CertainTeed

that is emitted from carpets, furniture and composite wood products.

“Homes are getting tighter and tighter all the time, so indoor air quality is important,” noted Marshall.

“This cleans the air passively without using electricity. We’ve taken this technology and applied it across all our popular boards for each of the building segments. It is a premium product with a premium price, but it’s comparable to buying a good quality moisture board.”

AirRenew is expected to perform for 50-plus years, becoming an inert product that can be recycled at the end of its life span.

CertainTeed’s latest product, Habito, is expected to be a strong performer in the global building materials market.

The high density drywall board is billed as being extremely strong with

Feature Story: Walls that Perform

great impact resistance and acoustic sound-blocking properties.

“It eliminates the need for those little plastic anchors in the wall,” said Waller. “Just put a wood screw into this product and you can hang as much as 30 pounds with one regular screw. We really think this is a game-changing product.”

Habito, which installs like regular drywall, is currently undergoing field testing with contractors and is targeted for a commercial launch in early 2017.

Lightweight Performer At CGC Inc., another leading manufacturer of gypsum wallboard panels, interior finishing materials and suspended acoustical ceilings, the focus is on lightening the load for contractors and homeowners who work

with drywall.

The company produces gypsum drywall for regular applications, as well as many other specialty versions designed to better resist moisture, mould, fire, and impact.

“Since 2010, we have come up with a major innovation, which is being able to significantly reduce the weight of the product, resulting in our Sheetrock UltraLight gypsum panels,” said Christian Dutil, Product Marketing Manager, Panels, with CGC Inc. Dutil said the company’s UltraLight technology was refined over more than a decade of research, following consultations and field trials with professional contractors.

“Gradually, we have converted our regular Sheetrock 1/2-inch board to Sheetrock UltraLight and then the

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5/8-inch UltraLight Firecode 30 and Type X which are now to be installed on many commercial jobs,” he continued. “We are converting our whole product portfolio to lightweight board.

This is what is very different about the CGC portfolio; when you talk about lightweight, we are definitely the leader because we offer so many options.”

Dutil said CGC research also generated the patented technology for the gypsum core and the paper covering, as well as the manufacturing process.

“It was a big investment for our company to change the entire production process,” he commented. “It was not easy to reduce the weight and still pass all performance testing. Drywall must meet regulated specifications that are often linked to weight—fire resistance, etc. It’s not something many manufacturers can do.”

But CGC succeeded, with its UltraLight product weighing in at up to 30 per cent less than regular 1/2-inch

drywall, and up to 22 per cent lighter than regular Type X 5/8-inch drywall.

“It makes a big difference. It’s been a big change in our industry which has gradually become the norm,” said Dutil. “Nobody wants to go back to those heavier products. Now that we have released the 5/8-inch Sheetrock UltraLight Firecode X panel, we’re making a big impact. The 5/8-inch panel is the heaviest product on the market and now it’s 22 per cent lighter.”

CGC’s lighter wallboard panels are easier to install and allow architects to build lighter because the material doesn’t generate the same amount of weight on a structure. For example, CGC’s 5/8-inch Sheetrock UltraLight Firecode X board is being installed in the 53-metre (173-foot) Brock Commons, an all-wood student residence under construction at the University of British Columbia.

The lighter weight is a benefit when it comes to disposal, too. “Contractors

in many provinces pay to recycle their drywall scraps,” noted Dutil. “That fee is based on weight, so now that the weight is 22 per cent reduced they pay less. This is really important when billing a job and makes the contractor more competitive.”

In terms of other trends in the wallboard industry, Dutil said sustainability and green building practices are more and more prevalent.

“We’re always looking at developing new products and systems that perform better, are easier to install and are greener.”

With the amount of innovation going into the development of today’s gypsum panels and wallboard, it’s clear that science plays a big role in shaping the building materials of the future.

Those four walls have come a long way!

Photo courtesy of CGC

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Feature Story: Walls that Perform

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Supplier Spotlight

Supplier Spotlight

Regal Ideas Regal Ideas is a manufacturer of innovative Aluminum Building materials to the Home Improvement Industry. Based in British Columbia Canada, Regal Ideas provides “easy to install” component Aluminum railings and stair component systems in a variety of styles and colors including tempered glass panel options to ensure nothing comes between you and your views. Regal also provides Wood Railing infill and accessory products as well as low voltage LED products to enhance all your Regal Ideas outdoor living products. All components are engineered to exacting standards and are the industry benchmarks for quality and innovation meeting or exceeding accepted Building Codes for Canada. All Regal products are designed to withstand the harshest Canadian climate with a minimum of maintenance and will look as good as the day you installed them for years… www.regalideas.com Also see us at;

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The 6 Pillars of Professional Power – How to P.A.M.P.E.R. Your Way to Success & Push Profits Written by Wayne Schoeneberg LiveBeyondFear.com

Rubbing shoulders with successful people has demonstrated that they all share certain characteristics. There are six traits that all successful people have in common, and they serve as drivers to success. Some of those people came by the traits naturally. Others learned the traits one at a time from various sources. Now they are all right here.

You can P.A.M.P.E.R. your way to success if you incorporate these 6 Pillars of Personal Power into your daily routine.

Purpose It may take a while for you to come to grips with this but you probably do not have some grand purpose in life.

Get away from the idea of a grand purpose and start concentrating on those things that really matter. Call this your daily purpose. What does your heart desire? Who do you really want to be?

Once you start to explore those questions the vision of your daily purpose will come clear. What is most important to you?

Take a look at where you are in your career. What is it that people applaud about your efforts? What part of your job really makes you stand out? Keep an open mind and you will find that your purpose may soon reveal itself to you.

Look at yourself and your life. That is where you will find

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all the purpose you need to achieve fulfillment. Do your best each day to be the best you that you can be. There is hardly a better purpose than that.

Attitude With the right attitude you can turn all your goals into accomplishments. It all comes down to faith. You have to believe. You have to believe that you are destined to live out your dreams. If you have that faith in yourself, you are on the right road.

Wake up each morning with an attitude that tells you there are treasures for you to discover. Rather than dwell on the problems you see, turn your attention to the good things that await you. Do this and you have what is called an “opportunity outlook.” Rather than think about things you have to do, think about things you get to do.

Do you have a job? You don’t have to go to that job. You get to go to that job. There is someone out there who would take that job if you don’t want it. Once you change your thought pattern from “have to” to “get to” you are going to find more opportunities in every aspect of your life.

Modeling/Mentoring Successful people model themselves after other successful people. You should do the same. It is quite simple. Kids do it

Tech Talk

Money Matters

all the time. There isn’t a young basketball player who does not want to be like LeBron James. They watch what he does and try to repeat it.

Find someone who has what you want. Study that person.

Watch how they behave, what they read, how they dress.

You do not have to invent a new way of doing something.

All you have to do is learn what they do and then try to improve on it. Do it better, do it smarter. Their success can be your success.

The next step to success is to share the knowledge. Find someone to mentor. Help another person achieve his or her goals and you will be rewarded over and over again.

Do it with enthusiasm and that person will tell the world how smart and helpful you are. That’s the best advertising you can get. Soon people will be coming to you for advice and counsel.

Passion Everybody has a passion. Your passion makes up a big part of who you are. Your passion is that thing that you would do for free. When you are pursuing your passion, time means nothing. You are in a joyful state.

Take an inventory of your dreams. Identify your passion.

Then honor it. Your passion may never allow you to earn an income. That does not mean you should put it out of your life. Your career does not have to be your passion.

Just make sure you make time for your passion. Go deep into it. You can be assured that by pursuing your passion all other aspects of your life will be enhanced. Success follows happiness.

Ethics Real success requires that you be ethical in all you do. Ethics is a measure of what you think about yourself and others.

Honesty in your relationships with your co-workers, em-

Money Matters

ployer or employees is an absolute requirement for success.

Your reputation as an ethical person will either help you or destroy you. Nobody wants to do business with someone who cannot be trusted. As tempting as it may be to “look the other way,” or do something “just this one time” you have to “just say ‘No’.”

You will never have peace in your life if you let your ethical standards slip. A lie or act of dishonesty will follow you for the rest of your life and you will regret it. Treat your reputation for ethics like it is the keystone to your success.

It is.

Respect Respect begins when you look in the mirror. If you do not respect what you see, start there to make changes.

Start with your appearance and build out from there. It sounds so simple but everyone knows that there are people who ignore this very important facet of success.

Look your best every day. If you work from home, put on clothes that reflect the type of person you want to be (remember modeling, above).

Respect is more than what you show to others. It begins with respecting yourself first.

Respect can only be earned. While you want to show common courtesy to everyone you will notice that you will only respect them after they have earned that privilege. The same goes for you.

Learn to respect yourself, show respect to others and you will earn the respect you deserve.

Now you have the tested formula for success.

Make these attributes part of who you are. Use them, each of them, daily. P.A.M.P.E.R. yourself. You deserve success.

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HOME, SMART HOME

From learning thermostats to garage doors that send messages: Smart tech in the home is everywhere.

Written by Melissa Campeau

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Feature Story: Home, Smart Home

The around-the-block lineups for the just-released iPhone 7 made one thing quite clear: Canadians love their smart phones. In fact, in 2015, 68 per cent of Canadians had a smart phone — up a remarkable 24 per cent over 2014, according to a study by Catalyst and Group M. What’s also changing is how and where Canadians are using those phones. According to the same study, we’re now putting those devices to use at home just as often — sometimes more often — than when we’re on the go.

So it makes sense that smart home products — devices managed through smart phones via Bluetooth technology or Wi-Fi and a localized hub — are hot items for homeowners.

In fact, according to data portal Statista, Canada can expect revenue from smart home products to grow 38.7 per cent between 2016 and 2020.

Heating Up (and Cooling Down) The smart thermostat was something of a trailblazer in this category. Given that the product can help consumers conserve energy and save money, it’s not all that that’s not surprising.

Honeywell’s Lyric Round thermostat, for example, can be controlled remotely, or homeowners can let it manage temperatures automatically.

“It’s the only thermostat that considers temperature, humidity and weather when it’s setting the temperature in your house,” says says Eric Cantin, National Account Manager, Honeywell. He adds, “In the summer and in the winter, 22 degrees feels like a totally different temperature because of humidity levels in your house, the weather outside. With this product, it considers all of that for you.”

The thermostat can be programmed to learn and adapt to homeowners’ habits and preferences. “When you leave the house, as soon as you're outside of a 5km radius — you can set

Photo courtesy of Allegion

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it to any radius you’d like— it turns the air conditioning down in the summer. When you're back within 5km, it turns the air conditioning back up,” says Cantin. “You can add other cell phones, too, so it can be programmed to adjust the temperature when the last person in the house leaves, then readjust when the first person returns.”

For consumers, the smart thermostat’s simplicity and ease of use is a big draw. “Homeowners just have to download an app, available for both Apple and android devices and it walks you through the setup, no tools required,” says Cantin.

Locked In to Growth When it comes to locks and smart technology, “Automation is the biggest growing market out there and I think you’ll be seeing it more and more,” says Jonathan Bremer, national account manager with Allegion.

Allegion carries smart locking products that work with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. “The nice thing about these products is that they’re really user friendly,” says Bremer. “They’re

all plug and play. You don’t have to call someone in who’ll charge you $100 to do it. You can do it all yourself.”

The products offer benefits beyond remotely locking and unlocking doors.

Allegion carries a popular Schlege product, for example, that can keep homeowners in the loop about arrivals and departures. “You can have it send you an email or text when your kids come home from school,” says Bremer.

The product can also be programmed for specific people and specific times. “Say you have a cottage that you rent,” says Bremer. “You can set up access codes remotely, You can also set up time zones; If you have cleaners coming on a Saturday, you can set up a code that will only work between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. that day and you’ll have an audit trail to know what time they arrive and leave.”

You can also set locks to integrate with other smart home technologies, says Bremer. A homeowner can program lights to come on when he or she unlocks the door, or cameras can send images to him or her at a second location when someone enters the house.

For both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth systems, the number of apps for consumers to manage can quickly get out of hand. Luckily, there solutions are finding their way into the marketplace.

For Wi-Fi systems, the Wink platform (an in-home hub) gathers smart device data from around the home so users can operate everything from one central base. “The Wink platform has really jumped our sales,” says Bremer. “Originally, our lock worked with Wink but it only offered certain benefits of our lock. They upgraded the software as it started taking off,” says Bremer. “We worked closely with them and were able to update software that will include the ability to manage more features of our lock, which is something consumers were looking for.”

When it comes to Blue Tooth, Apple recently unveiled its Home Kit application, which incorporates functionality for a long list of smart home products.

“With blue tooth we’ve just entered into that market with Apple,” says Bremer. “The new app ties all the home automation together,” says Bremer.

“With this unit you can say ‘Siri,

Photos courtesy of Honeywell

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Feature Story: Home, Smart Home

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Photo courtesy of Steel-Craft

open door,’ and it will open the door for you. Or you can touch the app and the lock will open.

“This is really the hottest market, right now,” says Bremer. “If you’re not in it, you’re out. It’s a big part of our business.” He adds, “I just did a home hardware fall market and 90 per cent of the people who came to talk to me were asking about this technology.”

consumer interest, especially among a younger customer. “Certainly there’ll be a sweet spot amongst the type of consumer that wants that,” says Reynolds. “Certainly, Millennials are demanding that in the products and we’ll see the technology get more and more dominant.” He adds, “It’s an interesting category and a growing trend.”

Garage Doors, in Demand

Lighting makers, too, are getting in on the smart technology action.

Some products allow users to set daily lighting schedules so homeowners can come home to a well-lit house, or program lights to come on gradually in the morning and dim in the evening, or even sync lights to music for a dance party atmosphere.

However, not every lighting manufacturer is convinced it’s the right thing to do, at least not quite yet. “We don’t currently sell any smart home

Garage doors, too, are increasingly using smart technology. “Lift Master has come out with a product line in the last year called Myq, which allows people to remotely open and close their door, and monitor all that activity, as well,” says Travis Reynolds, National Marketing Manager at Steel-Craft Door Products. “As the door goes up and down it can send push notifications through to your phone.”

It’s a product line with growing

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CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

lighting technology,” says Petros Kostelidis, Conglom Inc. “We’ve explored, developed and shown smart lighting technology to some of our clients. But we’ve always had a certain reticence to jump into the category because we believe that we haven’t reached a point where customer satisfaction will be high enough to justify the investment.”

Kostelidis points to the way lighting is used in the home, to explain.

Whether the lighting is linked to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, users install an app on their phone and manage their lighting form their mobile device.

“The issue that people still have a switch on the wall,” says Kostelidis.

“You’re used to using the switch. It’s the default thought process that you’ll enter a room and switch on the light or leave a room and switch off the light.”

He adds, “The problem with smart lighting, generally, is that it needs to be

Feature Story: Home, Smart Home

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powered constantly. Even if it’s off, it’s still powered, so if you ever by chance turn the switch off, you effectively render that lighting useless.”

He points to a situation where a homeowner leaves a room and out of habit, hits the switch to turn the light off. When they want to turn it back on with a smart phone, either remotely or while sitting in the room, they can’t because the power’s been cut off.

“That’s a big problem, in our minds,” says Kostelidis. “In my opinion — and I’m a relatively young user and I use my phone a lot, so I’m probably one of the ideal use cases for this technology — it’s still easier for me to use a switch.

“We just didn’t feel comfortable with the end user experience. You still have to take your phone out of your pocket to turn off your lights,” says Kostelidis.

“We believe everything should be as functional as possible. And that’s not a very functional habit. It’s not faster than flipping a switch.”

That, says Kostelidis, is why the company hasn’t jumped into the market — yet. “I don’t discount smart lighting or other smart products in the home. We believe we’re getting there, and we believe smart lighting will take over, but there are a few things that have to happen before we get there,” says Kostelidis. “It has to be well integrated and we believe the usage of the product has to be as simple as what we have now, which is a switch.”

idly. Robot vacuum cleaners, faucets, sound systems, window sensors, leak detectors — the list of what’s available, coming or possible is nearly limitless.

For contractors and homeowners, that can spell opportunity. In the hightech houses of today and the very near future, smart technology can mean a home decked out with easy-to-use gadgets designed to improve safety, steamline functionality — or just make life more comfortable for the families who live there.

Integration, Simplicity, Evolution While not every home product is ripe for smart applications just yet, technology is advancing and evolving rap-

Photo courtesy of Allegion

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Feature Story: Home, Smart Home

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Our product standards are higher, we distribute on time without the extra cost, and we do whatever it takes to keep it that way.

COMPOSITE DECKING • ENGINEERED WOOD • FLOORING • INSULATION • LUMBER PANELS • ROOFING • MOULDINGS • SIDING • TAIGA SELECT PRESERVED WOOD

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Take these best in class guarantees and combine them with Taiga’s promise of in-stock, on-time delivery and constant value pricing, and you have the trusted source for all your siding needs.

46 NOVEMBER / DECEMBER Taiga 2016 CONTRACTOR Building ADVANTAGE Products. Whatever it takes.

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For all your siding needs visit: taigabuilding.com Product Platform

The Beauty of Wood without the Worry AuraLastÂŽ Wood Wood windows have a timeless charm that is as inspiring to homeowners today as it was in the days when artisans crafted window frames from hand. Due to certain maintenance concerns with wood windows, such as the threat of water saturation and wood rot, some homeowners are wary of choosing wood products. However there is a way to keep the classic aesthetic of wood, without the worry.

T R A D I T I O N A L T R E AT M E N T

S U R FA C E O N LY

S U R FA C E T O C O R E

JELD-WEN offers an exclusive product called AuraLast Pine that assures a lifetime of worry-free protection against rot and water saturation. The wood undergoes an innovative water-based, vacuumpressure wood treatment process for complete protection. Unlike chemical dip treatment processes used by other manufacturers, this process penetrates the wood from surface to core for guaranteed resistance.

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This wood treatment process also produces 96% less volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere than traditional dip-treatment processes, so it’s more eco-friendly. Backed with an industry-leading warranty, AuraLast is the wood window solution for homeowners concerned about maintenance, the environment, and finding windows that fit the exact architectural vision they have for their home.

Manufacturer of the Year Windows and Doors

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Individuality & Passion that Drives Success Written by Teresa Christine Managing Editor, Castle Publications

As you drive through the Greater Victoria area of British Columbia, what you may notice, in addition to the natural beauty and clean ocean air, is the prominence of home improvement retailers all over town.

Being a successful retailer in this competitive marketplace takes true individuality and a cool, somewhat spontaneous, fearless approach.

When Frank and Vicki Hagel started their journey over 25 years ago, Frank had already been in the business for many years managing a well-known local lumber and building materials store. The opportunity came for Frank to purchase the business in 1986. Even though they knew it was a risk, they took it, put their own unique spin on it,

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and turned the existing small business into a thriving legacy. Cook Street Castle was going to be just that.

Vicki, who was completely new to the industry and fearless in her own right, was determined to learn the ropes and gain as much knowledge about the business as she could. After identifying new and more efficient ways to run the store, while also focusing on providing customers with an unparalleled customer experience, she and Frank watched the store continue to grow.

Through dedication and determination, Frank and Vicki shaped their unique business model into one of the busiest retail hardware and renovation stores in Victoria. Their out-of-the-box thinking and entrepreneurial spirit gave way

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to the only “drive-thru� lumberyard in BC. When they recognized a void and opportunity in the market, they added a niche complementary business, manufacturing cedar fencing, trellis and pine furniture, sold exclusively at their Castle store.

In 2015, Frank and Vicki recognized another incredible opportunity and purchased a very strategically located 2nd retail store location now called Bay Street Castle Building Centre. With careful consideration and belief in the fact that anything is possible, they jumped at the prospect of opening their second Castle location that was positioned to serve the needs of the Victoria and Esquimalt communities as well as the flourishing condo/townhouse mar-

Leaders in the Limelight

Leaders in the Limelight

ket of Greater Victoria. Bay Street Castle continues to grow and prosper as does everything else the Hagel’s put their passion and heart into, including their children Jordan and Devon who grew up working in the family business. Vicki and Frank believe that one of the keys to their success is having “good people” in place. They pride themselves on having some of the best talent in the greater Victoria area who are highly committed, take pride in their work and go above and beyond to ensure that the in-store

Leaders in the Limelight

experience, keeps customers coming back, time and time again.

Grateful for their success and driven by a sense of community, Frank and Vicki Hagel believe strongly in giving back to the community that has helped them build their home improvement business. Their ongoing charitable donations and local support of sport teams, local athletes and seasonal events have earned them a highly respected reputation in the community.

Determined to help drive growth in their region and share their success with fellow Castle locations, both Frank and Vicki have held positions on the Castle Building Centres Group Board of Directors. Vicki Hagel is the former 2014-2015 Castle Chair of the Board while Frank is currently serving his second term as a board member for the 2016-2017 year.

Castle is proud to be part of the Hagel success story!

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Tech Talk

Tech Talk

5 Great Gifts for the Techie Contractor Written by Amber MacArthur Innovation & Technology Leader

Contractors generally know exactly what they want when it comes to their tools, so it can be hard to come up with a good gift that they'll really enjoy without having to ask what precisely you should buy. There is so much cool gear out there these days, and with increasing home automation and other technologies. If you've got a techie contractor in your life then you should definitely check out these five fun gifts that will hopefully let you surprise them with something they'll love.

Heated Jacket If you've got to work in cold weather then you're going to love Milwaukee's M12 Heated Gear. Forget about having to layer up - instead just control the warmth of your jacket with the touch of a button. These use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that last up to 8 hours per charge, and when work gets dirty, you can even safely throw your jacket in the washer and dryer!

Bluetooth Padlock Contractors understandably tend to have a lot of tools and equipment that is best kept under lock and key, but what if there was a better way? MasterLock's Outdoor Bluetooth Smart Padlock lets your phone become the key (and you can also open the lock using a directional code if you don't have your phone around). Best of all, you can send permissions to others to get into your locked job site, storage units, and more through the amazingly convenient Share Access feature.

Touchscreen Work Gloves

screen device. Check out Ironclad's mechanic's touchscreen work gloves, available at Acklands Grainger for one option that'll work for light construction or at home in your shop (and lots more variety out there to choose from).

Portable Coffee Maker Tired of lukewarm thermos coffee day after day? The rugged COFFEEBOXX single cup brewing system uses single serve pods and self-contained filtering so you can easily brew coffee on the go. The spill-proof water tank holds enough for 10 cups of coffee and serves one up in just 75 seconds, so you won't have to wait around either.

Maximus Smart Security Light How would you like to be notified when someone approaches your door, be able to talk to him or her through your smartphone, and even recover HD video footage or sound an alarm in case of emergency? You can do all this and more with the Kuna-powered Smart Security Light from Maximus. Compatible with iOS and Android phones, your smart light just needs existing wiring and to be signed on to a local wifi network to start monitoring your home, office, or other site (setup takes about 15 minutes). It can detect objects within ten feet and the camera even recognizes the difference between a small animal or a person approaching so that you don't get any false alerts.

You can find more info about all of these items online and hopefully the list above can get you off on the right foot to finding the perfect gift for the contractor in your life.

If you're a techie contractor then there's going to be times when you've got gloves on and you want to use your touch-

Tech Talk

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Colour

INSPIRATION Add some colour to your life and be inspired with Castlegard indoor and outdoor paints and stains.

Castlegard products can be found exclusively at your local Castle Building Centres location.

For Castle locations go to castle.ca

Design Talk

Dress Your Home For The Holidays; Tis The Season for Design Tips & Trends Written by Teresa Christine Managing Editor, Castle Publications

As the holidays quickly approach, many of us are looking for ways to spruce up the home for the holidays.

Nowadays, there are countless ways to create a fabulous outdoor display while also bringing the magic of the season inside. Whether you prefer an elegant look or an all-out celebration in lights, here's how to design a scheme that’s right for you.

The Front Door For most homes, the front door is the natural focal point of the home.

Homeowners have plenty of options to choose from.

Design Talk

Wreaths

What better way to set the design tone and help spread the holiday cheer before even stepping foot inside the house. You can add materials from the garden, like wisteria vines, magnolia leaves, pinecones and berry sprigs and even include grapevines and boxwood as an alternative to standard greenery.

Another trend that has carried over from previous years is adding a pop of colour throughout your decor. Perhaps enhance the wreath with wire-reinforced ribbon or for a dressier look, try spray-painting embellishments in gold, copper or silver. If you’re looking for something a little different, some

designers are opting for a wreath of juniper boughs and lichen moss for a stunning grey, blue and green combo.

Garlands

Boost artificial or evergreen garlands of pine or cedar with additional greenery, or add natural embellishments such as pinecones, berries, or artificial fruit. Alternatively, hang a lush bouquet, evergreen bough or wicker basket of dried flowers or greens on the door.

Lighting

Battery-operated lights are a great way to bring warmth to your door and/or porch. Lighted windows or pillars look

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cozy and adding candles on a wide window ledge add a festive look.

Urns or Window Boxes

Greenery-filled urns can last a long time and can easily be altered if you choose to tie in elements from your theme. Fill boxes with evergreen boughs, or as some designers suggest, “plant” the boxes with closely spaced greenery, live ivy or hardy bulbs.

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Landscaping Highlighting shrubs is another fun way to enrich your home’s exterior. Instead of putting lights on your shrubs, small spotlights tucked underneath provide a warm glow; opt for red, amber, copper or green, instead of white, for a festive look. Uplights also look dramatic under trees.

The Backyard

This area is for family, and, nothing's cozier than a glance out the back window at a tree aglow with lights.

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Other prominent features can also be dressed this holiday. You can try hanging a wreath or bows on a front gate or garage door or swaging garlands along a fence, porch banister, or on the three faces of a bay window.

Regardless of how you choose to showcase your festive decorative flair, this presents the perfect opportunity to mark the season and transform your home into a holiday haven.

Design Talk

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Our contemporary profiles are now available in Primed Finger Jointed Poplar. Designed to stun, this collection is ideal to a modern setting with simplicity and elegance. Primed with water-based primers, this collection is the perfect white canvas for your next project!

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MEET THE TEAM BEHIND YOUR TEAM FORD.CA/BUILTFORBUSINESS Vehicles may be shown with optional features. *Based on Vincentric 2015 Canada Fleet awards analysis of the Full-Size ½-ton Pickup segment and the XL Reg Cab SWB 2WD configuration, Full-Size ¾-ton Pickup segment and the Super Duty XL Reg Cab 2WD configuration, Full-Size 1-ton Pickup segment and the Super Duty XL Reg Cab SRW 2WD configuration, Mini Passenger Commercial Van segment and the XL configuration, and the ½-ton Passenger Van segment and the XL Low Roof 130 WB configuration. ©2016 Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. All rights reserved.