Building Excellence – Spring 2022

SPRING 2022 VOL.5 ISSUE 1

BE Your Best 6

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

7

CEO’S LETTER

Larry Clay Kevin Lee

10 BUILDER PROFILE

The Tricar Group, London & Guelph, Ont.

14 BY THE NUMBERS

Top New Home Buyer Preferences to Consider in 2022

By Emily Fielden, CHBA Communications and Social Media Officer

16 SUPPORTING RENOVATION DIVERSE PROPERTIES, CHILLIWACK, B.C. PHOTO BY COTALA CROSS MEDIA

Features 17

THE FUTURE IS NOW

Apps, software, and other tech to help you get the job done

By Blair Eveleigh

24 WINDOW SHOPPING

The latest improvements and innovations in the fenestration business

By Allan Britnell, Building Excellence Editor

30 MAKING THE LEEP TOWARD INCREASED ENERGY EFFICIENCY

By Natasha Rombough, CHBA’s Director of Marketing and Communication

32 ENERGY STAR CERTIFICATION FOR MULTI-FAMILY HIGH-RISES

By Allan Britnell, Building Excellence Editor

34 INTERIOR FINISHING

2022’s Colours of the Year

By Allan Britnell, Building Excellence Editor

Insider Info

34

24

36 LOOKING AHEAD

Housing Demand to Cool by a Few Degrees in 2022

By Robert Hogue, Senior Economist, RBC Economics, Royal Bank of Canada

42 THE GIVING BACK PAGE Community Spirit

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17 SPRING 2022

3

VOLUME 05, N UMBER 01 CEO Kevin Lee

SPRING 2022

DIRECTOR, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Natasha Rombough

DIGITAL SALES MANAGER Amanda Bell

EDITOR Allan Britnell allan.britnell@nexthome.ca

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WEB MANAGER Regina Gadacz

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VP MARKETING – GTA Leanne Speers

COMMUNICATIONS AND SOCIAL MEDIA OFFICER Emily Fielden

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P R E S I D E N T ’S m e s s a g e

CHBA’S HOUSING MARKET INDEX YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO INFLUENCE GOVERNMENT AND MEDIA OPINIONS

BY LARRY CLAY, CHBA PRESIDENT

As

winter draws to a close and our busiest season of the year begins to ramp up, there is much to reflect on. The last few months have been challenging on a personal level for many Canadians, as the compounding effects of the ongoing pandemic, battling viewpoints, and international strife weigh on us. Further challenges in our businesses, including the supply chain and skilled labour shortages, add to the complexities of the times.

But through it all, I’m reminded of how fortunate I feel to be a Canadian. And I am optimistic about the future, even in the face of all that’s going on. I don’t think I’m alone in that feeling – at least not on the business side of things. Despite the challenges, we saw a record year for housing starts in 2021 and the renovation business boomed.

The latest results from CHBA’s Housing Market Index (HMI) indicate that members are feeling positive about things heading into the new year. The HMI is an industry sentiments indicator for single and multi-family builders.

It’s being picked up extensively by media and being followed by government departments and policy makers. If you’re not already

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SPRING 2022

contributing to this panel, I encourage you to participate. It gives your local, provincial, and national associations hard data to be able to communicate your on-the-ground experience to all levels of government as well as to the media. It’s easy to participate: you’re only sent the survey four times a year, and it takes just 10 minutes to complete. That small commitment provides a lot of insight.

For example, last quarter’s HMI had sentiment levels at the highest they’ve been since CHBA started collecting data a year ago.

This was reflective of the feeling of uncertainly over the last year beginning to resolve in Q4, and the fact that housing starts and permits were up towards the end of the year, when they’d previously been declining month-overmonth throughout the year after record highs at the beginning of 2021.

But as you know, there are still a lot of challenges in the industry. If you’ve been experiencing delays in closing sales, you’re not alone. According to HMI participants, supply chain issues have resulted in almost 10 weeks in delays in home completions for builders across Canada. It’s a tough spot to be in, and difficult to explain to clients. To help, CHBA has public-facing information for homeowners on its website, as well as a PDF you can print out on official CHBA letterhead that explain these are global problems and not builder-specific (see the Industry Issues section under Housing in Canada on CHBA’s website).

We all know lumber prices have been more volatile than ever over the past two years and continues to be an issue. But other construction materials and supplies have also felt the impact of supply chain disruption.

Beyond lumber, builders are reporting that

plumbing materials/fixtures have claimed top spot as the product most affected, followed by appliances and windows.

And we know overall construction costs keep going up… way up. The 2021 Q4 HMI indicates that on a 2,484 square foot home costs are up over $68,000 per unit from pre-pandemic.

That’s even 13% higher than what was reported in the Q3 survey. Labour has gone up an average of 20% since the pandemic, and that’s when you can find skilled trades to do the job.

Two-thirds (66%) of respondents said that access to trades is difficult, and 70% said it’s causing construction delays.

I’m hopeful that some of the construction challenges we’re facing as an industry will start to resolve over the coming year, especially those that are pandemic-induced. Others, like the skilled trades shortages, are more systemic problems. CHBA’s recommendations on how the federal government can address these systemic issues and help support the residential construction and renovation industry are explained nicely in CEO Kevin Lee’s message on the next page. Data from CHBA’s HMI is used to help support these recommendations, so I’ll leave you by repeating my earlier message: if you’re not already participating in the HMI, please consider doing so! You can email hmi@chba.ca for more details.

Wishing you all a safe, healthy, and happy spring!

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

C EO ’S m e s s a g e

BUILDING A BUDGET CHBA’S FIVE-POINT PLAN FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

BY KEVIN LEE, CHBA CEO

S

pring in Canada means a Federal Budget is on the horizon. Government relations to inform budgets and other Federal policies and programs is a top priority for CHBA. It builds on the excellent advocacy by Local Home Builders’ Associations (HBAs) at the municipal level, and that of Provincial HBAs with provincial governments. Our advocacy impacts make a huge difference for the business environments of our members (and affordability for home buyers) and are one of the most important member services our three-level association provides.

CHBA regularly meets with federal government officials to consult on initiatives and programs, and explain the challenges faced by our industry. Many of CHBA’s main talking points over the last couple years seem to have taken hold recently within the government and media. The lack of housing supply as a key contributor to high house prices is now being generally accepted, with the result that major expenditures are expected in the Federal budget to help and incent municipalities to unlock housing supply. The necessity for renovation to be

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

part of Canada’s plan to reduce emissions in homes has been met with incentives and a new government-supported CHBA initiative towards cost-effective net zero energy renovations (read more about both in the Renovator’s Corner).

CHBA submits pre-budget recommendations every year to the federal government for consideration, with a history of strong success. This year we have five main action items to support the residential construction industry and help unlock the door to homeownership.

The first priority is to address market-rate housing affordability through more supply.

Canada has been underbuilding for years, and while last year was great for housing starts, one great year is not enough to make up for decades of low supply. To put it in perspective, Canada has fewer housing units per capita than any other G7 country. The proposed Federal Housing Accelerator Fund is a huge opportunity to address supply if it’s designed well. CHBA has provided the government with recommendations on the direction it should take, as well as areas to be cautious about (like the impacts Inclusionary Zoning can have on market-rate affordability and supply).

The second recommendation is to avoid more demand-side restrictions that artificially suppress demand in an effort to lower home prices, that in turn lock people out of homeownership. This isn’t fair to incoming generations, nor is it the solution that bringing more supply online provides. To help young families benefit from homeownership while also freeing up more rental stock, the government should consider tweaking mortgage rules for first-time buyers that can also provide more stability of the market. Reintroducing 30-year amortizations

for first-time buyers and reducing the stress test for longer-term mortgages are actions that can help buyers while stabilizing the market.

Third, don’t further impact affordability by adding to costs through codes and regulations. While many new policy directions that put pressures for more stringent codes and regulations have good intentions, unfortunately, almost all increase costs to housing.

Rather than trying to implement short-term fixes through immediate regulation, it’s critical to fund research and innovation to find solutions that don’t raise costs. It’s also critical to incent action in the existing stock, where the majority of GHGs are emitted and need to be addressed.

The fourth recommendation is to address the skilled trades shortage. We need to change how many Canadians perceive the skilled trades and government should be helping to do so by promoting these fulfilling careers. Support for training and improvement to the immigration system to prioritize skilled trades is also needed.

Finally, we’ve seen over the past year what happens when supply chains don’t function well. Support for the entire residential construction supply chain is needed.

CHBA has seen success in its message.

Successful implementation of any actions will now depend on the details. CHBA’s pre-budget submission expands on each recommendation outlined above, providing the federal government with specific actions that can be taken. There’s much that can be done to support the industry and members as you build and renovate homes for Canadians. If you’d like to read more, CHBA’s Policy Infoguide, “Unlocking the Door to Homeownership,” can be found on our website.

SPRING 2022

7

A DV E RTO R I A L

AQUOR WATER SYSTEMS’ HOUSE HYDRANTS STYLISH, LEAK-PROOF, AND FROST-FREE BRONTECOLLECTION.CA

A

quor Water Systems’ innovative House Hydrants allow homeowners to access water in style and with ease. Not only are Aquor’s hydrants aesthetically pleasing, they are composed of high-quality materials that are built to last. The hydrants are leak-proof, frost-free, and lay flush against siding.

According to the U.S. EPA, a faucet dripping once per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water annually.

Aquor’s hydrant is the first leak-proof outdoor faucet and modernized hose bib introduced into the home building market.

Aquor also eliminates concerns about freezing pipes. As soon as the hydrant is disconnected, the outlet automatically seals, drains, and winterizes.

Unlike the compact threads that can be a pain to use with regular garden hoses, the Aquor hydrant’s connection system is quick and easy. Simply push and twist to engage the hose connector. To disconnect, untwist and the water stops instantly.

As the cost of water rises, homeowners are looking for ways to secure their utilities to prevent theft. Most solutions are basic locks with a physical key, increasing the time and hassle required to access water when needed.

Unplugging an Aquor hydrant provides an instant leak-proof and tamper-resistant fix, with no keys required. Store your hose

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SPRING 2022

with the connector attached – you won’t lose the connector unless you misplace your entire hose.

Conventional spigots have a flawed sealing mechanism. The friction of rotating and compressing a rubber washer onto a brass valve seat causes wear, which creates leaks. Aquor’s hydrant uses water pressure to keep its valve closed, rather than a screw-tightened assembly. This valve design seals with the same pressure and motion every time. Unlike a standard hose bib, the hydrant cannot be over-tightened.

Freezing temperatures can cause hose bibs to burst, often resulting in costly damage. In cold regions, homeowners must use shut-off valves, drain each faucet, then cover the spigots with foam. Aquor’s hydrant stops water deep inside the home’s wall for maximum insulation. Traditional spigots are made of brass, a poor insulator – even “frost-free” brass models fail in cold temperatures. Stainless steel has better thermal insulation compared to brass, so the hydrant does not need to be covered, even when temperatures reach -35°C. The hydrant self-drains when unplugged, automatically winterizing.

Typically, brass plumbing fixtures are designed to meet low-cost requirements therefore exhibit basic quality and construction. Every aspect of Aquor’s design was

taken into account to create the most robust valve possible.

The original concept was engineered for use on marine vessel decks and water tanks, then adapted for homes. The hydrant body is composed of marine-grade 316L stainless steel and is virtually indestructible. The internal seals are Viton®O-rings, commonly used in aerospace and automotive applications, which are renowned for their longevity.

Aquor connectors are molded from a high-tech polymer called DuPont Delrin®.

Most spigots are a single unit design, welded shut with no access to the valve seat. Only the handle and the stem can be removed or replaced, and it is impossible to visually inspect the point where it seals.

Aquor’s rear valve inlet unscrews from the body, allowing access for maintenance. See the complete range at BronteCollection.ca.

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

B U I L D E R p ro f i l e

THE TRICAR GROUP

Brilliant blue LED lights at the top of the Azure building light up the night sky.

BUILDING AWARD-WINNING MID- AND HIGH-RISE CONDOS ACROSS SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO

Photo by McAlpine Studios Inc.

BY NATASHA ROMBOUGH, CHBA’S DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

W

hat’s it like to build the tallest condominium tower in a city? At 29-storeys, Azure is a landmark in London, Ont. Built by The Tricar Group, the residential tower with blue LED lighting at its summit won the award for Best Mid- to High-Rise Building (Completed) in last year’s CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence competition.

We caught up with the Tricar team to talk about their company and what it took to build an award-winning project.

“Tricar was established in 1986 by my father, Joe Carapella,” says Adam Carapella, Vice-President. “The company started as a

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SPRING 2022

rental apartment builder in London. Tricar has since grown to produce more than 8,000 apartment rentals and condominiums throughout Southwestern Ontario.”

These days, Tricar is a leader in the development of high-rise and mid-rise condominiums throughout Southwestern Ontario. In recent years, the company has focused on large multi-phase mid- and high-rise community developments as well as intensification projects (both brownfield and greyfield) within downtown cores, including a large presence in the city centres of both London and Guelph.

FA S T FA C T S Company Name: The Tricar Group Head Offices: London & Guelph, ON Number of Full-Time Employees: 150 Website: Tricar.com

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

Azure boasts its amenities on the 29th floor so that all residents can enjoy the panoramic views.

They’ve seen some changes since the early days of the business. “Compared to 15 to 20 years ago, the development and construction process has changed significantly. With so many stakeholders having input, and with projects becoming more and more complex, project approval timelines have extended considerably,” notes Chris Leigh, Tricar’s Director of Construction and Development. With two to four projects typically underway at once, he says it’s critical to take extended timelines into

Photo by: ARC Creative

LEED certified plaque installed in the lobby of Azure.

From left: The Tricar Group – Alexa Krahn, Project Coordinator; Michael Pereira – Project Manager; Board members of Azure Condominium – Kim Toonk, Frank Clarke, and Peter DeGelder.

account when staging projects in their development timeline.

That planning skill is all the more impressive given the challenges the industry faced during the pandemic. To date, Tricar has not had to move occupancy dates. Leigh credits the feat to the strong network of trades and suppliers that Tricar has aligned with and have been using for many years, as well as the great work by the whole team.

AZURE – AN AWARD-WINNING PROJECT Azure is a 29-storey condominium with units ranging from 740 to 2,790 sq.ft. in the heart of downtown London. It’s got an impressive walk score of 95 to nearby amenities, and is also close to public transit and a VIA Rail station. For those with their own transportation (four wheels and two) there is secured underground parking and bike storage, as well as electric vehicle charging stations.

A number of cultural elements were integrated into the development, including an outdoor heritage courtyard at grade as well as a dramatic public art installation. But it was the design choice to have the shared amenities on the 29th floor rooftop that is the showstopper for many residents. The building’s outdoor terrace, as well as all the indoor amenities that include a Billiards Room and Lounge, Library, Party Room, Fitness Centre, and Golf Simulator – are all on the building’s uppermost floor.

“While we could have located suites on the top floor that would have demanded a premium, by choosing to locate the amenities there instead, we created a great place for all Azure condominium owners to enjoy and allowed everyone the opportunity to take in the breathtaking panoramic views of the downtown and the Thames River that winds through the City,” explains Leigh.

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS Land acquisition for the project took place from 2014-2015 and was a consolidation of four separate parcels – all with existing leases to commercial tenants. Tricar relocated one of the tenants (a large London tech company) into a post and beam loft-style adaptive reuse

Coming CHBA Events WEEK OF MAY 9

MAY 13, 2022

JUNE 13-15, 2022

National Committee and Council Meetings

Winners Announced for 2022 CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence

Executive Officers’ Council Professional Development Forum Toronto, ON

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

SPRING 2022

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B U I L D E R p ro f i l e

project they undertook just a few blocks away. They received planning committee and final council approval in the fall of 2015, and excavation took place early 2016.

The efforts to plan and execute the large raft slab pour in May 2016 stands out for Michael Pereira, Azure Project Manager.

“Significant time and coordination were invested in acquiring approvals and permits to shut down multiple intersections, and to efficiently redirect traffic in the city’s downtown core on the day of the actual raft pour,” he remembers. “Moreover, considerable time was spent leading up to this event to organize the efforts of multiple concrete suppliers to ensure the efficient execution of a 3,500 cubic metre concrete pour in under 12 hours.”

For perspective, that’s the equivalent of pouring 95 single-family house foundations, or completing all the foundations for a 25-acre single-family subdivision in one day.

It took 400 loads of concrete from three concrete suppliers sourcing from five different concrete batching plants, 65 trucks in continuous operation, four pumps with the ability to reach 200 feet, and 140 people to get the job done.

An additional challenge to construction was the fact that the footprint of the building occupied virtually the entire site plan. As a result, the temporary lease of portions of adjacent lands was required to establish a single and compact staging area that could diminish any impact on surrounding traffic.

The building’s height required daily transportation of materials and personnel up to the roof in a timely manner and impacted scheduling and production. To help, a construction hoist was set up along the exterior of the building to supplement the function of the tower crane. And those 29th floor amenities? Tricar’s goal was to provide early occupants of the building with access to those facilities so residents wouldn’t have to wait until the completion of the project. As a result, construction of the 29th floor amenities space was undertaken at the same time that all finishing work was initiated at the lowest residential floors – which created a

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May 2016 raft slab pour consisting of 3,500 cubic metres of concrete.

physical “gap” in all of the intermediate floors.

Significant effort and coordination were required to balance the workflow and eventual tie-in of infrastructure, scheduling, and inspections of these spaces.

Azure is also LEED certified. The company has always looked for ways to lessen its environmental footprint both at the time of construction and for the long-term operation of their development. “We have had projects connected to District Energy systems and have enrolled projects in the Energy Star for high-rise pilot program as well. We felt a LEED certified project would only strengthen this environmental commitment,” says Pereira. “It was a valuable process, and we are happy that the Azure condo owners can benefit from the reduced energy usage and reduced energy costs.”

NEW PROJECTS ON THE HORIZON The Azure project took a total of 4.5 years to create, from its initial inception to the final unit closing in early 2020. And there’s plenty on the horizon for The Tricar Group. They currently

have 14-storey condominium developments underway at Gordon Square in south Guelph and Edgewater in downtown Guelph.

Two 10-storey condominiums are underway at NorthLink in north London, and they have just broken ground on a four-storey boutique condominium project in London’s west end.

It couldn’t happen without a great group of people, and Carapella is proud of the team they’ve built. “We have an excellent team comprised of several different departments including project managers, project coordinators, site supervisors, construction personnel, and client relations teams – to name a few,” he says. “This team was added to slowly over the years and has enabled us to become a fully integrated development firm right from site acquisition, through to approvals, sales, construction, and client relations. This means that we have an entire group within the company that is committed to delivering a premier product in the market and providing best-in-class customer service to our homeowners.”

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PRE-CONSTRUCTION

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BY T H E n u m b e rs

TOP NEW HOME BUYER PREFERENCES TO CONSIDER IN 2022

TOP 10 HOME FEATURES FEATURE

BY EMILY FIELDEN, CHBA COMMUNICATIONS AND SOCIAL MEDIA OFFICER

T

he results from the 2021 CHBA Home Buyer Preference Survey – Canada’s largest nationwide market research study for new home buyer preferences – are in! Now in its seventh year, the study, which is powered by Avid Ratings Canada, surveyed 18,838 new home buyers. Canadians who recently purchased a new home answered questions on more than 50 in-depth areas of home design, building features, and more. Here’s a list of the top ten desired home features home buyers said their looking for going into 2022.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

RANK

High Efficiency Windows

1

Energy Efficient Applications

2

Overall Energy Efficient Home

3

Walk-In Closets

4

Kitchen Islands

5

HRV/ERV Exchange System

6

Kitchen: Open Concept

7

Linen Closets

8

Two-Car Garage

9

Large Windows

10

Energy efficiency features have increasingly gained traction in the top ten list over the last several years. In 2021, energy efficient features accounted for four of the top ten slots, with high efficiency windows taking the top spot, up from fourth in 2020.

Energy efficient appliances subsequently trended down in 2021, though still ranked a very close second overall. The desire for an overall energy efficient home was listed as a “must-have” by nearly 60% of respondents, while an HRV/ERV air exchange system ranked number six

on the top ten list with a rating of 85.2.

But respondents had different expectations for how much they’d be willing to spend to achieve that added energy efficiency. While most respondents in the 2021 survey indicated that they were willing to spend at least an extra $3,000 on energy efficient features to reduce their home’s utility costs, those amounts varied, and only 8% said they’d spend more than $10,000. Just over 45% of respondents said their top motivator for spending extra to install energy efficient features would be to lower their monthly utility bill. Environmental protection was also a strong motivator.

WILLING TO SPEND TO REDUCE UTILITY COST

MOTIVATION FOR ENERGY-EFFICIENT FEATURES

4.46% 4.53% 6.28%

27.06%

$3,000 $5,000 $10,000 $10,000+ Zero $4,000 $6,000 $8,000 $7,000 $9,000

6.97% 7.25% 8.09% 12.9%

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21.9%

4.78% 4.92%

3.62%

5.74%

45.86%

Lower utility costs Protect environment Higher quality construction Comfort (fewer drafts) Don’t know/unsure Improved indoor air Quieter Increased resale value

5.95% 7.59%

21.53%

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

Storage Galore

Canadians are looking for space to keep their belongings organized both inside and outside of the home. Three of the top ten spots include maximized storage space – walk-in closets, linen closets, and double-car garages. Over 60% of respondents said walk-in closets and two-car garages were “musthaves” in their home, while 51.84% said linen closets were also a highly important feature.

WALK-IN CLOSETS

TWO-CAR GARAGE

60.10%

61.32%

25.82% 11.45% Must Have

Really Want

19.91% 2.64%

If Affordable Not Important

Must Have

Really Want

10.10%

8.67%

If Affordable Not Important

Kitchen Features

Kitchen features have remained popular throughout the seven years of CHBA’s Home Buyer Preference Survey, so it’s no surprise that two of the most desired home features in this year’s Top 10 are in the heart of the home. The kitchen island maintained its position of fifth on the list with nearly 85% of respondents saying an island is a “must-have” or feature they “really want” in their home. The desire for an open-concept kitchen dropped from the sixth to seventh slot, but it’s still a very widely popular option with 59.72% of respondents also listing it as a “must-have.”

KITCHEN ISLAND

OPEN-CONCEPT KITCHEN

59.72%

53.75%

29.04%

25.03% 11.66% Must Have

Really Want

11.29%

3.59%

If Affordable Not Important

Let the Light Shine In

Finally, large windows continue to make the list of the most desired home features in Canada, with 80.85% of respondents saying they “must have” or “really want” them in their home. And with over 86% of home buyers saying they also want those windows to be energy efficient, builders may want to ensure the big, bright windows they select for their homes are also high efficiency.

Must Have

Really Want

5.92%

If Affordable Not Important

LARGE WINDOWS 47.19% 33.66% 15.27% 3.89% Must Have

Really Want

If Affordable Not Important

Free Access the Full Survey Results for Members Find out more on what home buyers really want, and what they’re willing to trade to get it, by downloading your copy of the study today. Full survey results are free for CHBA members (a value of $495) at chba.ca/survey.

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

SPRING 2022

??

R E N OVATO R S’ c o r n e r

SUPPORTING RENOVATION

D

emand for home renovation in Canada boomed during the pandemic as homeowners found themselves with changing needs and, for most homeowners, more money in their pockets due to reduced spending elsewhere. Renovation is a big contributor to Canada’s overall economy, accounting for more than 726,000 jobs, $47.3 billion dollars in wages, and $78.2 billion in investment. And renovating existing homes is key to reaching Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions targets. Over the last few years, these facts have helped bolster CHBA’s advocacy for the importance in supporting energy retrofits, and in turn, Canada’s renovators. And CHBA activities, supported by leading members, have resulted in an exciting new initiative for renovators.

In the fall, CHBA officially announced the expansion of its Net Zero Home Labelling Program to include renovations. That process started with a Pilot the year before, which included training courses for members looking to augment their skills and become Qualified Net Zero Renovators, as well as renovators who volunteered to be part of the Pilot by renovating homes within the Labelling Program’s technical requirements for renovations.

Building on the success of the Pilot and subsequent inclusion of renovations in the

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Labelling Program, CHBA announced in February a new five-year initiative towards cost-effective net zero energy ready residential renovations, with support from Natural Resources Canada. In collaboration with local home builders’ associations, Canadian municipalities, and renovators and industry partners, the initiative will target barriers to achieving net zero ready performance in existing homes. It will support members looking to accelerate the uptake of Net Zero Energy and Net Zero Energy Ready retrofits, and determine the most cost-effective solutions to renovating to these high levels of energy efficiency. The aim is to have the renovation work supported by municipally led programs/initiatives to support local adoption, in addition to the federal grants. This will be complemented by the know-how and programming that will be brought to the table

by CHBA and its members.

We know that government incentives for homeowners to do energy efficiency home renovations are important in achieving more widespread, voluntary action by homeowners.

CHBA has been advocating for years for the federal government to use its policy levers to address climate change in housing while improving affordability. The 2021 launch of the

Canada Greener Homes Grant Initiative is an example of that action, which should also help improve capacity in the industry. The initiative provides funds for home evaluations and for retrofits such as insulation, windows, doors, and air sealing. By requiring receipts, the program also helps combat the underground economy. More information on the grant, which can be shared with interested homeowners, can be found on the government’s website: NRCAN.gc.ca.

Recent activities show the federal government is aware of the critical importance of energy efficient renovations to the future of Canada’s existing housing stock if Canada is to achieve its climate change goals. CHBA is working to equip members who want to lead the way in this area with the information and skills they need to get ahead of the competition and provide homeowners with the quality renovations they’re looking for.

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

T EC H to o l s

Future Now THE IS

APPS, SOFTWARE, AND OTHER TECH TO HELP YOU GET THE JOB DONE

BY BLAIR EVELEIGH

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You can

manage PYPE SMARTPLANS No one likes project delays, least of all the contractor who has to deal with an angry or litigious client. The SmartPlans software uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze PDF project drawings and suggest traditional submittal requirements and deliverables that could be missed. It can also help create product, equipment, and finish schedules.

Pype.io

PROCORE One platform to rule them all… The goal is to integrate plans, finances, schedules, tool management, and all the other aspects of every project on one platform. Procore provides a cloud-based program that it claims will house “every app, document, and person” and make everything accessible and collaborative, useful for everything from a small residential reno in Peterborough to a multi-million-square-foot development in Manhattan.

Procore.com

BRIDGIT BENCH Still building workflow spreadsheets from scratch? Bridgit Bench, software from a Kitchener-Waterloo startup, aims to put your “workforce intelligence” to best advantage with tracking tools, charts, and graphs that optimize your people and projects.

Bench also integrates with other project management applications.

GoBridgit.com

MANUALSLIB Got a drawer stuffed full of user manuals – unsorted, dog-eared, pages missing or covered in coffee mug rings? This free online resource claims to have instructions at your fingertips for more than 3.8-million products, so you don’t have to dig through that drawer to figure out how to fix that nail gun that keeps jamming.

ManualsLib.com

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BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

Get the Job PROJECT PLANNING APPS Accurate project planning is essential. Get the estimate right – realistic cost and time projections – and your client will love you and you’ll walk away happy. Schluter-Systems has an app for calculating tile installation projects, everything from measuring the space to product and layout guidance and pricing. Designing a pool?

Latham Pool Products has two apps for that: the online Liner Visualizer and the Pool Visualizer, which uses augmented reality to show what different styles and shapes would look like in the client’s own backyard. If they see it, they will build it, right?

Schluter.ca, LathamPool.com

FOOD DELIVERY APPS

Get it

delivered

Another time suck: going out for lunch. Meal delivery has been streamlined, and services such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, and SkipTheDishes all have super-efficient ordering and payment platforms.

Save even more time by getting everyone to punch in their own orders and then tracking the delivery arrival so you can work up to the last minute.

UberEats.com, DoorDash.com, SkipTheDishes.com

RENORUN Time spent shopping for supplies is time not spent on the jobsite.

Delivery services like RenoRun (in Toronto and Montreal and expanding across North America) can bring construction materials to you, saving hours picking up what you need – and standing in line atthe cash and sitting in traffic. Other companies with a similar service: ToolBX (select Ontario locations) and Biiibo (Southern Ontario and Vancouver).

RenoRun.ca, ToolBX.com, Biiibo.com

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Smile, you’re on camera BRINNO CONSTRUCTION TIME-LAPSE CAMERAS Brinno has a number of products for capturing the big picture, suitable for almost any project: wall-mounted, able to withstand the elements for outdoor recording, wide-angle, long-term. Get a live view, change the camera settings, or download a video to send to a client – or to upload, so you can go viral – all from your laptop.

Brinno.com

SAMSARA DASHBOARD CAMERAS Hey, collisions happen. A dashcam video may be the only way to prove your company vehicle wasn’t at fault and get the driver off the hook. Samsara’s AI system also has sensors that alert for distracted driving, tailgating, rolling stops, and other potential hazards.

Samsara.com

BRIGADE BACKEYE360 New vehicles are increasingly sentient: all-seeing, all-knowing.

But if your company van isn’t one of those, tacking on a camera will help prevent collisions and injuries. The Backeye360 is actually four cameras – one mounted on each side, front, and rear – that provide the driver with one seamless image, eliminating blind spots, which are dangerous even at slow speeds.

Brigade-Electronics.com

TRACKING TAGS Apple got a ton of publicity when it launched its AirTags recently, but there are other options out there, including Tile, Chipolo, Orbit, and TrackR. Stick a small device on your valuable equipment and tools, and you can use Bluetooth and an app to locate them if they should go astray.

Apple.com, Tile.com, Chipolo.net, FindOrbit.com, TheTrackR.com

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BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

WE’RE COMMITTED TO CHBA Work with a dedicated agent and risk management team that understands the construction industry and are committed to helping you protect your business.

Learn more at federated.ca

Federated Insurance Company of Canada is the insurer of Federated Insurance policies. Federated and Federated Insurance are registered trademarks of Federated Mutual Insurance Company. Used under license. [3706-030 ed01E | 08-2021]

T EC H to o l s

Safety first PIXO VR LADDER SAFETY TRAINING Every year, thousands get injured on the job by falling off a ladder.

Sometimes it’s using the wrong ladder for the job or using faulty equipment, and sometimes it’s plain carelessness. Virtual training will help your workers before they take the first step. Pixo also offers first aid, CPR, fire prevention, hazard recognition, and other VR training experiences. Clear eyes, goggles on, stay safe.

PixoVR.com

ZELLO EMERGENCY ALERTS If you’re a worker all alone on a jobsite and something hinky happens – think equipment failure, threatened violence, or even personal injury – you’ll want help and fast. Zello, an app that turns devices into push-to-talk walkie-talkies, provides a panic button feature that will send an urgent message to a designated contact.

Zello.com

CCOHS SAFE WORK APP With the pandemic sticking around, and working from home not an option for builders and contractors, keeping COVID-compliant on site is crucial. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has a free app chock full of resources – PPE guidance, tip sheets, infographics, videos.

Bonus: the app works without internet access.

CCOHS.ca

APPLE WATCH NOISE APP Listen up! Jobsites are noisy places. Apple Watch’s noise app can help by alerting you when decibels get to a level when prolonged exposure can cause permanent damage. Other apps, like Decibel X (by SkyPaw), and one developed by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, handle the same task, by turning your smartphone into a sound monitor.

Apple.com, SkyPaw.com, CDC.gov/NIOSH

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W I N D OW w i s e

Window Shopping

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BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

THE LATEST TRENDS AND INNOVATIONS IN THE WINDOW BUSINESS

BY ALLAN BRITNELL, BUILDING EXCELLENCE EDITOR Image courtesy of Jeld-Wen Canada

Windows are the eyes of a home, letting in light and fresh air. But they can also be drafty, leaky, foggy eyesores. Here we recap the latest trends, innovations, and accessories to ensure your clients’ windows remain picture perfect.

W

indows, as we know them, have a surprisingly long history. While the first were just openings in the exterior walls to allow light and air in, for thousands of years people have been covering those openings with a variety of materials, including animal hides, paper, and even thin sheets of translucent marble. Not surprisingly, it was the Romans who came up with the first glass windows around 100 AD. Over time, window glass became an artform with stained glass decorating churches across Europe and a wide variety of shapes and sizes of glass adorning the castles and estates of those churches’ benefactors.

Today, we generally take windows for granted. But not the people who work in the fenestration business. For this article, we spoke to four of them: Lisa Bergeron, Director of Business Development and Regulatory Affairs for Jeld-Wen Canada, Russell Ibbotson, Manager of Technical Solutions & Architectural Projects for Velux Canada, Alfred Jury, a Passive House Design Consultant for EuroLine Windows, and Jim Thring, Ontario Regional Sales Manager for Marvin Canada.

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EuroLine’s tilt-and-turn windows come with insulated frames and multi-point locks.

W I N D OW w i s e

Energy Efficiency Energy efficiency is obviously an important consideration for anyone shopping for windows. In fact, it’s the number one concern.

The results from the 2021 CHBA Home Buyer Preference Survey are in (see “By The Numbers” on page 14) and high-efficiency windows topped the list for homeowners’ most desired feature. Nearly 90% of recent buyers surveyed said that they wanted energy efficient windows.

The key factor for comparing a window’s energy rating is its U-Factor, which calculates its thermal conductivity. The lower the U-Factor the better. The other stat to look at is a window’s energy rating (ER). This looks at solar heat gain, heat loss through the frame and glazing, and heat loss through air leakage. In the case of ER, the higher the number the better.

Today’s top-rated windows combine three panes of glass, multiple layers of Low-E coating, and argon gas to fill the cavity between panes. Other options such as krypton and zenon are available, but both are

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costlier and would require redesigning sealed units to meet their smaller optimal spacing requirements. “It becomes so expensive, the bang for your buck is just not there,” says Jeld-Wen Canada’s Lisa Bergeron.

Jeld-Wen Canada – the 2021 Energy Star Manufacturer of the Year – has a line of triple-glazed casements with three layers of Low-E that come in with as low as a 0.95 U-Factor. They also have a triplepane single slider and earlier this year introduced a tri-pane single hung in Eastern Canada, and are rolling it out to the West later this year.

For EuroLine Windows, based in Delta, B.C., energy efficiency is a primary concern. “Our focus in on performance. We’re committed to being a leader in green building technology,” says Alfred Jury. In addition to triple glazing and Low-E coatings, the frames have cavities filled with foam insulation. “Even the spacer bar has been designed to reduce heat transfer,” says Jury.

Big glass and black frames, as seen in these Jeld-Wen Canada windows, are very on trend.

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

Images courtesy of EuroLine (lower left) and Jeld-Wen Canada (lower right)

Security After doors, windows are the most-common entry point for crooks. So, customers want assurances that their windows are secure.

EuroLine’s tilt-and-turn windows feature a concealed, multi-point locking system with locks spaced every 20 cm or so around the frame. “It’s basically break-in proof. The only way you can get in is to break the glass.

And we have laminated or wired glass for that,” says Jury.

Marvin’s Skycove brings in light on three sides and from the top. Marvin’s Lock Status Sensor (inset) hides the sensors for after-market security systems within the framing.

There are also auto-locking options, such as Jeld-Wen’s Wen-Lock system, so users never forget to close the latch.

Some prefer the peace of mind of home security systems. But the sensors can be a bit unsightly. Marvin addresses this issue with their Lock Status Sensor system, available on their wood-clad line. The framing is factory made to accommodate after-market security systems.

“Everything is embedded in the frame so you don’t have to look at the sensors,” says Jim Thring.

FOR THE BIRDS: B I R D - F R I E N D LY W I N D O W I N N O VAT I O N S According to estimates by the Fatal Light Awareness Program, more than 25 million birds die in Canada every year after colliding with windows. While most of those are collisions are with high-rise condos and office towers, many bird strikes also occur with residential windows.

The problem is that the birds either see the reflection of trees and open space in the glass and fly into it or, at night, see light behind the glass but don’t realize there’s a lethal object in the way.

If your clients have concerns about bird collisions – or have experienced repeated strikes – there are measure you can take, including add-on decals that make the clear glass more visible to the birds. These range from stickers with the silhouettes of birds of prey, to sheets of non-intrusive dot patterns that are almost invisible to the eye.

There are also simple design modifications such as not having windows on both sides of a façade with an open-concept floorplan in between and installing auto-shutoff lighting or automated blinds to reduce nighttime collisions.

Visit BirdSafe.ca for more information.

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Trends

B.C.-based EuroLine’s windows feature unparalleled scenic backdrops. Below left, Marvin’s Skycove pref-fab bay window, a modern take with Jeld-Wen windows, and a Velux skylight.

What’s on trend today? “Big glass. Big glass.

Big glass,” says Marvin’s Tring. EuroLine’s Jury agrees. “The bigger the better. People really want to have the outside come in.” The numbers from the 2021 CHBA Home Buyer Preference Survey back them up with more than 80% of respondents saying they “really want” or “must have” large windows.

Frameless corner glass is one way to achieve that look. Marvin’s Skycove, essentially a prefab bay window with built-in seating, is another option. The steel-framed structure comes in four sizes from 78" x 70" up to 101" x 86". “With the glass top it lets in a tremendous amount of light,” says Thring.

After sheer size, “colour is the big thing, particularly black,” says Jeld-Wen Canada’s Bergeron. Black frames make a bold curbside statement on a modern design. On the inside, even the hardware can be black.

Alternatively, some clients prefer two-tone windows with one colour on the exterior and another on the inside.

Regardless of shade, homeowners want durability. “Laminates are taking over from paint,” says Jeld-Wen’s Bergeron. “They’re more robust, better for weathering, and some of them look so good you would think it’s real wood.” EuroLine has 70 different polymer foil finishes for customers to choose from. “They’re essentially maintenance free,” says Jury.

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Skylights Velux has a new to Canada triple-pane roof deck skylight where the frame is inset into the roof deck, further improving energy efficiency.

“It’s one of the most interesting things to come out in the past couple of years,” says Russell Ibbotson.

Ibbotson points out how skylights can be a valuable tool for bringing light and fresh air to infill construction projects. “With zero lot line projects you can’t put a vertical window

in. But you can put in a skylight,” he says. With Velux’s flashing system, it’s possible to install two or three skylights side-by-side for maximum light.

Velux’s smart skylights go beyond sensors that automatically close the windows if they detect rain. They can also be equipped with temperature, humidity, and CO sensors. “If you’re having a party and it’s starting to get stuffy, the skylights can automatically open up and allow fresh air in,” says Ibbotson. Sensors on the integrated blinds can be set to automatically close when a room gets too hot.

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

Skylights, such as these from Velux Canada, can brighten contemporary spaces and add light and ventilation to otherwise windowless rooms.

Here and Near-Future Tech While mostly still in the prototype stage, here are some innovations that may one day make it to the residential windows market.

THIN GLASS Thin glass enables manufacturers to boost R-value with minimal weight gain. In 2019, Anderson unveiled a window with a pane less than 1/32"-thick sandwiched between two regular thickness panes and both cavities filled with krypton gas. Another prototype had 10 thin layers sandwiched between two regular panes. One day, we may have windows with glass as thin as the screen on your smartphone.

After getting out of the skylight business for a while, Marvin has introduced the Awaken skylight. The fibreglass-framed skylight opens on all four sides for rapid ventilation. It includes hidden insect screens, built-in dimmable LED lights, and optional shades.

Like the Velux offerings, Thring says, “Everything is automated,” including the rain and VOC sensors. The lights and blinds can be operated with a wall switch, app, or any smart home system.

THE HISTORY OF THE HUMBLE SCREEN Given our climate and proximity to nature, you wouldn’t build a home in Canada without including screens for any operating windows to allow for bug-free ventilation.

The earliest known references to manufactured window screens are advertisements for the products from the early 1800s. Prior to that, various items including cheesecloth had been used to allow fresh air in while keeping insects out. Industrial screens really took off when U.S.-based Gilbert & Bennett Manufacturing company modified the wire mesh sieves they made for food processing.

Today, there is a wide array of options available for screen material, with fibreglass being the most common. There are also durable pet-resistant models that will stand up to cat claws, solar screens that block out up to 40% more sunlight if solar heat gain is an issue, and decorative copper-bronze screens.

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

ELECTROCHROMIC GLASS Windows that can turn from clear to opaque in a matter of minutes at the press of a button are useful for privacy or to reduce heat gain.

THERMOCHROMIC GLASS Thermochromic glass stays clear in cooler temperatures, but transitions to dark as the thermometer rises, blocking out solar heat gain.

SELF-CLEANING GLASS UK manufacturer Pilkington has developed a self-cleaning glass that it calls Activ. A special coating uses UV light to break down and loosen organic dirt, which is then washed away by the rain.

INTEGRATED SOLAR ENERGY PANELS South-facing windows offer an obvious location to try to generate solar power.

Current prototypes offer obscured vision and don’t generate much power but as the technology improves, high-rises could potentially produce excess energy.

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Act Local MAKING THE LEEP TOWARD INCREASED ENERGY EFFICIENCY

BY NATASHA ROMBOUGH, CHBA’S DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION

W

ith the goal of helping facilitate the residential construction industry’s voluntary move towards increased energy efficiency in homes, the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) has been working with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) over the last few months in preparation for delivering Local Energy Efficiency Partnerships (LEEP) programming with local and provincial Home Builders’ Associations (HBAs).

WHAT IS LEEP? LEEP is a collaborative program, which aims to accelerate energy-efficient construction through workshops, forums, and supply chain engagement. It introduces builders and renovators to new innovations in the residential construction industry, and gives participants the opportunity to assess and explore those innovations in their own construction projects. In

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addition, builders can offer their opinions on innovations for continued product improvement and refinement. This cycle of assessment, adoption, and feedback helps to accelerate innovation not only within the participants’ companies, but throughout the industry.

“CHBA has been supporting LEEP since its inception and is very happy to be part of scaling the efforts of such a great program through a coordinated national delivery system that works closely with local and provincial HBAs,” says CHBA CEO Kevin Lee. “LEEP’s model put builders and renovators in the lead, while bringing together other key players in the industry, which is why it’s such a successful model in accelerating the adoption and deployment of great emerging technologies. It’s about leaders in the industry collaborating to bring about voluntary and effective change.”

HOW IT STARTED LEEP was initiated by NRCan in 2007, and the first sessions hosted by the London Home Builders’ Association (LHBA) in London, Ont. The City of London and LHBA embraced the concept of LEEP and its implementation.

James Glouchkow, LEEP Team Leader from NRCan, has been involved since the beginning.

“The builders in London were interested in new technologies and wanted to trial the ones that fit with their builds,” Glouchkow recalls. The initiative in London was a success, and feedback from CHBA’s Technical Research Committee (TRC) strengthened the momentum. “When we shared the results, the committee clapped,” says Glouchkow. “I had never seen that before. That was what drove the point home and made it clear that we had the start of something special.”

Glouchkow credits early insights that led to the founding of LEEP to the late Rick

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

Olmstead, owner of an HRV manufacturing company. Olmstead believed strongly in the impact that builders working together could have on manufacturers and innovation coming to market. “He was a very special individual who had a big impact on our industry,” says Glouchkow.

From London, LEEP expanded across the country. “In Ontario, we learned that builder champions needed to be brought in to do a final vetting of presentations to make sure they fully addressed group needs,” says Glouchkow. “In Manitoba, we learned how builders all choosing to apply the same systems could impact the supply chain. In British Columbia, we figured out how to

including opportunities to innovate.

Presenters are chosen by regional LEEP builder planning groups. They identify suppliers that have advanced product offerings for their LEEP technologies of interest, while considering factors like technical fit and local supply chain support. Manufacturers who are

“ CHBA has been supporting LEEP since its inception and is very happy to be part of scaling the efforts of such a great program through a coordinated national delivery system that works closely with local and provincial HBAs,” says CHBA CEO Kevin Lee. streamline delivery, engage much larger groups of builders through forums, and enable builders to have a larger impact on supply chains as a result. And in Atlantic Canada, we learned how builders from various HBAs could collaborate to plan events that worked across their region with small but significant customization to meet their needs.”

PUTTING THE LOCAL IN LEEP Now LEEP is delivered regionally to establish an ongoing critical mass of local builders and renovators that can identify the best innovations and a supply chain response. In the technology forums, for example, builders and renovators will have access to manufacturers, identify opportunities to optimize their construction process, identify technologies that they’d like to trial, and work with industry and technical experts to innovate and advance the industry. In turn, manufacturers gain valuable feedback on their products and insight into the market,

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

invited to attend are able to present to a large group (50-200) of interested regional builders and renovators. They also have an opportunity to offer field trial support.

NEXT STEPS CHBA began rolling out the first set of events, Cost Benefit Analysis Workshops, this March with several HBAs eager to bring the programming to their members. These workshops help builders and renovators better understand the technologies and costs of building to higher levels of energy performance. Participants trial NRCan’s costing tool in real-time to give them a working understanding of the tool and output results.

Claudia Simmonds, CEO of CHBA-New Brunswick, was one of the first to jump on board to facilitate bringing a LEEP session to her HBA. “NRCan’s Cost Benefit Analysis Tool can empower builders to refine their project estimates and budgets, at their convenience, to meet their customer’s requests for energy

efficiency upgrade information prior to and during the construction process,” she says on the value this LEEP event brings to members.

Simmonds speaks from experience: CHBANew Brunswick first hosted LEEP workshops back in 2019. “We’re very excited to be working with the national level of the association to provide this training in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.”

The other LEEP events will start rolling out in the fall of 2022. These include Technology Forums, Innovations Exchanges, and Integrated Design Process Workshops. “LEEP helps the industry by bridging the gap between today’s technology and technology of the future, through platforms that accelerate innovation,” says Ejaz Hussain Farook, CHBA Project Manager for LEEP. “The learnings that come out of the program help in addressing the concerns of the industry while having a solution-first mindset. The various seminars and workshops are designed to provide unique insights and competitive advantage to builders, renovators, and manufacturers to be in the driver’s seat to accelerate the residential construction industry. And in the end, these advancements will directly result in energy savings for homeowners, while facilitating wider and swifter adoption of effective energy-efficient home construction and renovations across the country.”

For more information about LEEP, visit CHBA.ca/LEEP.

TYPES OF LEEP EVENTS • Cost-Benefit Analysis Workshops • Technology Forums • Innovation Exchanges • Integrated Design Process (IDP)

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Rising Stars

EXPLORING THE ENERGY STAR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR MULTIFAMILY HIGH-RISE NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

BY ALLAN BRITNELL, BUILDING EXCELLENCE EDITOR

C

ollectively, heating, cooling, and operating the lights and other fixtures in all the homes across the country are one of Canada’s largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Which is why it’s important to reduce household energy consumption. To date, most efforts have focused on retrofitting existing single-family homes or building efficient new homes.

But there’s a pilot program in Ontario that’s focused on achieving those goals for multifamily high-rise buildings. Energy Star’s Multifamily High-Rise (New Construction) certification provides the guidance to help builders and developers meet or exceed the 2017 Ontario Building Code’s energy reduction requirements by at least 15%. This is the first program in the country to explore an efficiency standard for high-rise multifamily residential buildings. (CHBA was involved in initiating the pilot project and the early phases of developing it before EnerQuality, the organization that coordinates Energy Star programs in Canada, took the lead on the program.)

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These goals are met by incorporating a variety of energy savings components including high-performance windows and exterior doors, higher-than-code levels of insulation, improved airtightness, efficient HVAC systems, and the use of Energy Star certified lighting and appliances. “It’s a performance-based metric, so it gives builders a lot of flexibility,” says Monica Curtis, EnerQuality’s newly appointed President and CEO. Completion of the program is a three-step process: enroll, submit a design, and then submit as-built documents which are reviewed by EnerQuality to complete quality assurance before certifying the building.

Vince Molinaro, president of the Molinaro Group, who are CHBA members in West End HBA, was not only one of the first builders to sign on, he served on the steering committee that developed the program.

“We’ve always tried to build sustainably. It’s good for the environment, and the quality of life for the people living there,” says Molinaro.

Prior projects include their geothermally heated

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

and cooled Strata and the LEED Silver Paradigm, both located in Burlington, Ont. Participating in the pilot project was an obvious next step.

“It’s about us getting ahead of the [building] code. And we think it’s a great way to get other builders excited,” says Molinaro.

Illumina, a 21-storey, 160-unit condo in Burlington features all the amenities buyers are looking for: a hotel-style lobby, gym, party room, rooftop terrace, plus sustainable energy conservation built-in. With an expected completion date of October 2022, Illumina is on track to be one of the first high-rises certified under the program.

The developer will meet the program’s goals through a variety of means. “Lighting is big. Low-flow plumbing fixtures use less energy. Higher R-values in insulation. A more airtight building envelope including better windows. They all play a part,” says Molinaro.

He estimates that achieving an overall 15% reduction in energy consumption will add 1% or less to overall project costs.

There are many other benefits to getting a building Energy Star-certified. For one, it’s a valuable marketing tool. “The program provides a cost-effective way to show consumers their building uses less energy, has better air flow, fewer drafts, lower operating costs, and increased comfort throughout private and public spaces,” says Curtis.

Molinaro agrees. “It’s very easy for purchasers to understand. You’ll pay a little bit more, but you’ll save on your energy bills while you live there and have a higher resale value

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[when you’re ready to sell].”

Similarly, building operators will achieve long-term savings through reduced energy costs and the potential to attract abovemarket rental rates based on the draw of living in an energy efficient building.

Beyond the appeal of lower operating costs, investors are increasingly focussed on

construction to occupancy.

Participating builders also have the opportunity to provide on-the-ground feedback from trying to achieve these goals and help develop a standard for Natural Resources Canada to publish that reflects the country’s varying climate conditions.

Since the official launch of the five-year

“ Investors are looking for verification, and Energy Star certification provides the evidence that a project meets those sustainability objectives” their ESG (environmental, social, and governance) criteria. Money invested in an Energy Star certified high-rise project support those ESG goals. “Investors are looking for verification, and Energy Star certification provides the evidence that a project meets those sustainability objectives,” says Curtis.

Backing by the federal government gives the program “an added seal of support.”

“Energy Star is the most recognized energy efficiency program in the world with over 90% consumer recognition. It’s the most successful green building program in Canadian housing with more than 100,000 Energy Star homes already certified in Ontario by EnerQuality,” says Curtis.

Builders are provided with regular training sessions and ongoing support through the years’ long process of going from planning to

pilot project in October 2018, more than 20 builders have signed on, submitting more than a dozen buildings with more than 2,300 units enrolled. The projects already enrolled in the program are located in eight different communities across Southern Ontario: Toronto, Guelph, Mississauga, Kitchener, Burlington, Aurora, Etobicoke, and Whitby.

EnerQuality is still accepting applications for the pilot program in Ontario. The goal is to eventually take the program national, while recognizing the need for regional variations based on local climatic conditions and other factors. For the next phase, EnerQuality is currently in the preliminary stages of rolling out a multifamily pilot project in British Columbia.

For more information, visit EnerQuality.ca/esmfhr.

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INTERIOR finishing

022’S Colo2u OF THE YE rs AR

Colour Number

BY ALLA N BRITN BUILDIN E G EXCEL LL, LENCE EDITOR

BY

E

ach fall the various paint manufacturers release their annual “Colour of the Year” selections.

Here’s what the experts predict will be trending for 2022.

Graham & Brown

BREATHE CT-090-018 Graham & Brown describe their colour of the year, Breathe, as “a soothing mid-blue, perfect for creating calm and peaceful spaces.”

GrahamBrown.com

Beauti-Tone

WARM HUGS D43-0-1598 Made in Canada Beauti-Tone opted for a decidedly Canadian name for their choice for 2022 – Warm Hugs – a reddish-pink colour with hints of orange.

HomeHardware.ca

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Benjamin Moore

OCTOBER MIST CC-550

Benjamin Moore’s pick, October Mist, was appropriately enough officially unveiled on an overcast October day last fall.

BenjaminMoore.com

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

Glidden GUACAMOLE

PPG 1121-5 Perhaps trying to appeal to the avocado-toast set, Glidden has gone with the rather retro Guacamole.

Glidden.com

Sico

COOL CURRENT 6199-42 Sico’s selection for 2022 is Cool Current, a grey-green shade that they describe as “sophisticated, grounded, versatile, and highly-adaptable.”

Sico.ca

Sherwin-Williams EVERGREEN FOG SW 9130

Sherwin-Williams’ selection for 2022 is Evergreen Fog, a greenish-grey shade with a hint of blue.

Sherwin-Williams.com

Valspar

COUNTRY CHARM 3007 10-B Velspar selected not one but 12 shades for their colours of the year, including Country Charm, described as “a cozy, neutral shade that works with different wood tones.”

Valspar.ca

Dulux

OLIVE SPRIG DLX1125-4 Dulux Paints selected Olive Sprig as their colour of the year for 2022. The sage green tone is described as, “Reminiscent of nature…emit[ting] a sense of calm and tranquility.”

Dulux.ca

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LOOKING AHEAD HOUSING DEMAND TO COOL BY A FEW DEGREES IN 2022

BY ROBERT HOGUE, SENIOR ECONOMIST, RBC ECONOMICS, ROYAL BANK OF CANADA

L

ast year was record-breaking for both the resale and the new construction markets – a trend that continued into the first quarter of this year. Since January 2020, national home sales have grown by 33%, residential building permits are up 27%, and housing starts reached highs that haven’t been observed since 1976. At the same time, we saw homes for sale plummet to decades-lows.

And while we expect rising interest rates to turn down the market’s heat, 2022 is poised to be another strong year for housing. There will still be plenty of unmet demand to keep activity brisk, just not as frantic as it was in 2021.

MORE HOUSING SUPPLY NEEDED TO SUSTAINABLY ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY Soaring house prices continue to be a major concern for both first-time and repeat homebuyers across the country. Year-overyear, the national home price index has increased by 28% while the number of active listings have plummeted 30%. Clearly, a chronic supply and demand imbalance is impacting housing affordability. The Canadian market was short an estimated 180,000 to 250,000 listings at the end of 2021, and active listings would need to triple to catch up to

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this exceptionally strong demand.

While the pandemic did exacerbate the situation, the lack of supply has been a long-standing issue. Home construction has lagged well behind rapidly growing demand for years across many parts of the country. We do expect demand-supply conditions to become less favourable for sellers later this year, which should slow the pace of price appreciation. That said, we see little that can stop home prices from rising further in the near term (with some possible local exceptions) given how tight market conditions are at the present time. We project that Canada’s benchmark price will increase 6.2% in 2022 or nearly a third of the record rate observed in 2021. The momentum is expected to be even slower into 2023.

PRICES ARE HIGH, BUT MORTGAGE DEBT BEING MANAGED WELL Even though the national home price index is up almost 50% since January 2020, Canadians so far continue to manage their debt well.

Canadian Bankers Association data shows that the mortgage delinquency rate fell to a historical low of 0.17% at the end of 2021 in Canada, down from 0.24% just before the

pandemic. No doubt the rock-bottom interest rate environment has played a significant role in this, making debt servicing more manageable.

DEMOGRAPHICS AND HOUSING TYPE It is important to not only address the chronic lack of supply across the country, but the right type of supply. Millennials will remain the biggest cohort of first-time home buyers as well as an increasing portion of move-up buyers. Their needs are changing, and many are looking for homes suited to families. Building the right kind of supply is an issue the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) has spoken about for some time. The CHBA warned in 2017 that Canada would be 300,000 family-oriented units short in the coming decade. The missing middle of new home supply (medium-density, low-rise missed-income housing, in walkable communities with ready access to public transit) particularly impacts younger families seeking their first home, where affordability is critical.

The sheer number of millennials are not the only ones putting pressure on the market.

This year we anticipate that the federal government will draw more immigrants from

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overseas to achieve Canada’s 2022 immigration target of 411,000. That influx will impact both the rental and ownership markets.

Most immigrants rent in their first few years in Canada, but many are ready to enter the ownership market from day one, and that missing middle type of housing will be needed.

INTEREST RATES Our central bank has initiated what we anticipate will be a string of six interest rate increases over the next 12 to 18 months (total 1.5 percentage points). We believe this will gradually cool demand from its current boil.

Buyers in Toronto, Vancouver, and Victoria will likely feel the change more than buyers in less expensive markets, as even a small change in rates in Canada’s priciest markets result in significantly higher monthly mortgage payments.

SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES Insufficient housing supply was not the only problem faced by the industry during the

past year. Supply chain disruptions continued to disrupt home completions causing significant delays. According to CHBA’s Housing Market Index, the overall construction costs on a 2,484-sq.ft. home are up more than $68,000 per unit (13% higher than what was reported in the Q3 survey) and supply chain issues have resulted in almost 10 weeks in delays in home completions for builders across Canada. In addition to this, 63% of builders indicated that the overall supply of developed lots in their area is low to very low, emphasizing the need for all levels of government to take rapid action to enable more housing supply to come online.

COMPLETIONS RAMPING UP Strong housing starts over the past year bode well for builders boosting completions materially in 2022. We think completions could potentially reach close to 250,000 units provided supply chain snarls and labour issues aren’t overly disruptive. On its own, the increase is unlikely to bridge the

huge supply gap though alongside cooler demand, we believe it will noticeably ease the housing supply and demand imbalance by the latter part of this year. There is even scope for completions to rise further into 2023 and beyond as many municipalities have considerably ramped up building permit issuance in the past year and the federal government move forward with its pledge to allocate substantial resources/ incentives to speed up project approval processes and rethink zoning regulations.

It is encouraging to see municipalities issuing more building permits and housing starts continuing strong, however, the average construction length has more than doubled over the past two decades.

Part of the solution to this supply and demand imbalance would be for municipalities to recalibrate the mix of project types being approved and fast-track housing categories that can deliver move-in ready units more quickly to market (such as low- or mid-rise housing).

Exceptionally high housing starts will boost supply Thousands of units in Canada, trailing four-quarter total

300 Forecast

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BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

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#3 HEX DRAIN BY SERENITY In a world where you can be anything, why settle for ordinary? Serenity presents a geometrical game-changer, beautifully crafted and undeniably unique, the all-new Hex drain. Available in four trending finishes, including brushed gold and matte black, the perfect symmetry of this centre drain is not only aesthetically pleasing, it also boasts superior craftsmanship that can be relied upon for years to come.

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TOGETHER AT LAST. The industry’s most comprehensive manuals are now available.

The new edition of the national bestselling CHBA Builders’ Manual is for those who need to know how to build homes in one of the toughest climates on earth, and for the first time addresses Net Zero Housing. Written as companion text, the CHBA Renovators’ Manual takes a deep dive into applying building science to renovating for a wide variety of circumstances. Available now for purchase individually or with special bundle pricing. CHBA members get a further discount on these two must-have texts.

To purchase, visit chba.ca/buildersmanual.

t h e G I V I N G BAC K p a g e

COMMUNITY SPIRIT C

anadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) members have been building, developing, and renovating Canadian homes for generations.

We are sharing the extraordinary contributions CHBA members make in their communities every day through our ongoing #CdnBuilt for Generations campaign. Here are a few recent stories. To read more stories follow our hashtag or visit blog.chba.ca/category/giving-back.

Centra Donates Windows to a Family in Need

For the past four years, Centra Windows, who are members in several local home builders’ associations in British Columbia, have been helping families in their community by guaranteeing home comfort through their registered charity, the Centra Cares Foundation. The Centra Cares Foundation supports communities both locally and globally and has raised and donated over $750,000 since its inception. Each year, the Centra Cares Home Renovation Contest sees members of the community nominate deserving families, friends, and neighbours who could use some help with window upgrades. The Centra Cares Foundation then donates and installs an entire home’s worth of new high-performance windows for the winning local family. Stories shared over the years are filled with moments of laughter, sadness, triumph, dedication, and resiliency. Now in the fifth year of the contest, Centra Windows is proud to continue to make a difference in the lives of local families.

LHBA Members Collect Donations for Food Drive

Over the final months of the year, members of the London Home Builders’ Association (LHBA) showed their support for the London Food Bank during some of the busiest months in its 35-year history. The 22nd annual Business Cares Food Drive saw LHBA members head out to local grocery stores to collect food and donations for the London Food Bank and the more than 30 programs and organizations that it supports. The event was a great success – members collected over 52,000 pounds of food in just one weekend! Throughout 2021, the London Food Bank received donations of 588,000 pounds, showing the generosity of London businesses, employees, and citizens in uncertain times. “Results like what we saw from this year’s campaign are just a reflection of how strong and supportive our community is,” says Jane Ry, co-director of the London Food Bank. “We’re truly honoured by the support and Londoners’ donations are going to have a huge impact on so many people’s lives.”

Doug Tarry Homes Sponsors Edible Holiday House Competition

Residential confectionary delights, for a great cause! St. Thomas and Elgin Home Builders Association (STEHBA) member Doug Tarry Homes kicked off the holiday season as the title sponsor of the Bake for Kids Sake Edible Holiday House competition in support of Big Brother Big Sisters of St. Thomas-Elgin.

Participants in four categories were asked to craft an entirely edible homemade of any kind of treat from cake to cookies to candy to gingerbread, and the results were both beautiful and delicious! STEHBA members throughout the community participated in the event, including Wastell Homes, whose house was the favourite in the Home Builder category. The event was an incredible success, raising more than $17,000 for life-changing mentoring programs for at-risk children in the St. Thomas-Elgin community.

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