Ontario Home Builder - Renovation 2016

contractors discuss their first tool ever, and their latest gear P.71 the path to mandatory home energy ratings P.48

why you should make friends with building officials P.64

Need a new work vehicle in 2016? the truck stops here! P.45

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t h e r e n ovat i o n i s s u e

nailed IT! How four renovators transformed their most formidable projects into masterpieces

Jamie Adam

of Pioneer Craftsmen Ltd.

Over 80 Ontario builders have participated. Join them.

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contents

54 A Step Up From Your Ordinary Reno Four companies dish on their toughest overhauls

Men at Work

Stairing down a challenge in Toronto

36 No Place to Hide

45 The Wheel Deal

48 HER&D Mentality

OHBA helping government shine the spotlight on the underground economy

Nine new trucks that will make driving to the jobsite the best part of your day

European models might help guide Ontario’s mandatory energy ratings for homes

ohba.ca

ontario home builder RENO 2016

5

contents

71 29 64 Ties that Bind Why it’s worth fostering working relationships with city building officials

71 Tools of the Trades

64

Contractors weigh in on their favourite new implements—and their treasured first tools

76 It’s What’s Inside that Counts Product choices that will help save the environment...and homeowners’ health

84 Water’s Reign

54

Evolution in plumbing is saving money and— more important—our most precious resource

13 One Voice The education and expertise of OHBA renovators is invaluable to consumers— and government!

27 Inside Storey Examining ways to bring nature into our homes

15 Ontario Report Honouring industry leaders, winning tips for your Awards of Distinction entries, Tarion’s Homeowners’ Choice Awards, kudos for net-zero energy home builders, Finnigan takes the helm at CHBA and OHBA members net honours at nationals

29 Top Shelf A new look for kitchen and bathroom surfaces, a range of impressive ovens, an army-grade computer, a Bluetoothenabled deadbolt, a new Standard in faucets, getting to the core of a flooring system and other unveilings of the latest in builder and renovator gear

23 Frame of Mind The insider’s guide to polyurethane foam insulation

91 Better Building LIV Communities praised for most energy-efficient home in North America,

6

ontario home builder RENO 2016

Dow findings suggest breathable walls are not necessarily better walls, a new kitchen showroom for Toronto, contractors sometimes need to be counsellors, revelations from a national first-time buyers survey, and a femalefriendly shop class 103 Product Focus From floor to ceiling 110 Words to Build By Bill Meek, W.C. Meek Design and Construction

On the cover

Quick thinking helped Pioneer Craftsmen’s Jamie Adam meet his client’s wedding date.

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The official publication of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association Renovation 2016 | Vol. 32 Issue 3

editor

Ted McIntyre ted@laureloak.ca

Introducing Amdry, the only insulated subfloor panel with integrated moisture resistant film and raised drainage channels.

associate editor

Norma Kimmins, OHBA art director

Erik Mohr graphic designer

Mary Young copy editor

Barbara Chambers contributors

Rodney Daw, Avi Friedman, Tracy Hanes, Penn Javdan, Jonathan Oke, Dan O’Reilly, Joe Vaccaro, Mark Wessel, Brody White advertising sales

Tricia Beaudoin ext. 223 tricia@laureloak.ca Cindy Kaye, ext. 232 cindy@laureloak.ca publisher

Sheryl Humphreys, ext. 245 sheryl@laureloak.ca PRESIDENT

Wayne Narciso

ste r Sy m te

Conn ec

Published by

Laurel Oak Custom Publishing laureloak.ca

ohba.ca

INSULATION VALUE ALSO AVAILABLE IN R9 & R11

Ontario Home Builder is published six times per year (Winter, Spring, Renovation, Summer, Fall, Awards).

All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher © 2016.

AMDRYSUBFLOOR.COM

For address corrections please email info@laureloak.ca or phone: (905) 333-9432.

Single copy price is $5.00. Subscription Rates: Canada $12.95 + HST per year, USA $29.95 USD.

Order online at http://ohba.ca/subscribe-or-buy-past-issues CANADIAN PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 42011539 ISSN No. 1182-1345

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Think spray foam insulation is more expensive?

It’s worth another look.

The National Energy Code, together with provincial codes and utility programs, is encouraging Canadian builders to produce more efficient homes. Icynene’s advanced insulation performance allows new homes to meet the requirements, and deliver savings through cost offsets.

Visit icynene.ca for full details.

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The Evolution of Insulation ontario home builder renovation 2016

11

One Voice

Renovators are Educators Helping consumers and legislators see the light

By Joe Vaccaro remember the slogan , “An educated consumer is our best customer”? It was actually coined in 1974 by Sy Syms, who peddled designer-label clothing at a discount—first on Wall Street; then later in suburban malls.

While Syms introduced the catchy phrase on late-night TV ads more than 40 years ago, it still resonates today and its sentiment is heeded by many organizations.

The phrase stuck in my head one night while watching an episode of a popular renovation show on HGTV. The host was encouraging viewers to educate themselves to ensure their reno plans didn’t turn into disasters. While many of these hosts have extensive training and are veteran contractors, their ability to educate is limited by both time and the entertainment nature of TV. So who can fill this education gap? Legitimate, professional renovators can. They do so on a daily basis in their business.

Whether it’s explaining what building permits are required for a new addition, how the extra insulation in the walls and attic will save the homeowner money or why it would be really expensive to remove that load-bearing wall, renovators continually inform and educate their customers.

In addition, many contractors in Ontario are registered with the RenoMark program, which has a Code of Conduct that is beneficial for both themselves and their customers. These OHBA members make sure they are up-to-date on any changes to the building code, municipal licensing and health and safety requirements—and they share that information with their clients.

Professional renovators have a network ohba.ca

of manufacturers, suppliers and trades that they work with on an ongoing basis so that their customers have access to information about new products, the latest design trends and the most cost-effective, efficient building methods. And they understand that it takes a team of professionals—each with their own skill set—to ensure the success of any reno project.

It’s through that committment to education that professional renovators acquire a wealth of information through their local, provincial and national home builders’ association, which, in turn, benefits their customers—not only in terms of helping guide the homeowner in the proper direction for their latest project, but also in providing vital information about government requirements and programs, such as energy-efficient retrofits that can save the homeowner money and increase the longterm value of their home.

And while it is invaluable in terms of restoring and improving our existing housing stock, that renovator knowledge and expertise is of benefit to more than just consumers. Our legislators and government agencies can also learn a great deal from this sector of our industry, as outlined in some of our feature stories in this issue.

From ideas on effectively tackling an evergrowing underground economy (p. 36) to the value of forging successful relationships with municipal building officials (p. 64), our Ontario professional renovators are keen to both inform and assist. OHB

“Our legislators and government agencies can learn a great deal from this sector.”

joe vaccaro is the CEO of OHBA. ontario home builder renovation 2016

13

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All NHL Rightsand Reserved. the 2015.

NHL Shield and reserved. the word National mark andHockey image League of the Stanley are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. and and NHLare team marks the property of the its teams.NHL, © NHL All Rights Players’Cup Association, NHLPA and the NHLPA logo are trademarks of theNHL NHLPA used © 2015 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. NHL, the NHL Shield and the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property the NHL&and its teams. © NHL 2015.

All Rights reserved.

Hockey League Players’ NHLPA and the NHLPA logoInc. areortrademarks the under NHLPAlicense. and are©used under license. © NHLPAof™Rogers Design plus associated logos and brand namesNational are trademarks of or used underAssociation, license from Rogers Communications an affiliateofused 2015 © 2015are Universal Studios.

All NHL Rights Reserved. the 2015.

NHL Shield and reserved. the word National mark andHockey image League of the Stanley are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. and and NHLare team marks the property of the and its teams.NHL, © NHL All Rights Players’Cup Association, NHLPA and the NHLPA logo are trademarks of theNHL NHLPA used under license. © NHLPA ™Rogers & Design plus associated logos and brand names are trademarks of or used under license from Rogers Communications Inc. or an affiliate used under license. © 2015 marks the property the NHL&and its teams. © NHL 2015.

All Rights reserved.

Hockey League Players’ NHLPA and the NHLPA logoInc. areortrademarks the under NHLPAlicense. and are©used under are license. © NHLPAof™Rogers Design plus associated logos and brand namesNational are trademarks of or used underAssociation, license from Rogers Communications an affiliateofused 2015 under license. © NHLPA ™Rogers & Design plus associated logos and brand names are trademarks of or used under license from Rogers Communications Inc. or an affiliate used under license. © 2015

Ontario Report

Clockwise from top left: CHBA President Jane Morgan, Tarion President and CEO Howard Bogach, Bonnie and Albert Schepers (2002 OHBA president); 14 OHBA past presidents joined an appreciative crowd at this year’s Industry Leaders’ Dinner; Larry French and his wife Marilyn are flanked by CHBA President Jane Morgan and OHBA President John Meinen. French, who is winding down his Muskoka-based company, French Fine Homes and Cottages, received a special recognition award honouring his 46 years in business and his commitment to his customers, energy-efficient building, the industry at large, as well as his local, provincial and national associations; Emily Carr Secondary School teacher Danny Paolino and students from the all-girls Construction Technology class were special guests at the Industry Leaders’ Dinner. The class has enjoyed great success, with a waiting list for admission.

Industry Leaders’ Dinner 2016 A large crowd was on hand to welcome CHBA President Jane Morgan as the keynote speaker at OHBA’s Annual Industry Leaders’ Dinner, held in mid-April in Vaughan. Morgan’s remarks focused on women in the industry—both the challenges and opportunities—noting that women are both welcomed and needed in the industry and at the association level. The annual event provides an opportunity to acknowledge and thank leaders for their work in the industry, association and within their communities.

Enter Now and Enter Often It’s that time of year again—the 2016 OHBA Awards of Distinction program has launched online at ohbaaod.ca.

The submission deadline is Wednesday, June 22.

Finalists will be announced in early August and the program will culminate in the Awards of Distinction Gala on September 20 in conjunction with OHBA’s Annual Conference at Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood. ohba.ca

This year marks the 25th anniversary of OHBA’s prestigious 39-category awards program, which honours the vision, innovation and expertise of some of Ontario’s most creative and talented builders, renovators, designers and marketers. Winners represent the pinnacle of achievement within the residential building industry.

Visit the website for full categories and entry details.

ontario home builder renovation 2016

15

Ontario Report

TARION 2016 HOMEOWNERS’ CHOICE AWARDS Congratulations to the winners and finalists for Tarion’s 2016 Homeowners’ Choice Awards. Winners were announced at the end of April, based on the results from customer surveys.

Formerly known as the Tarion Awards of Excellence, the Homeowners’ Choice Awards recognize a builder’s excellence in customer service each year in four categories: Small, Medium, Large Volume and High-Rise.

“These awards have always been about new-home buyers in Ontario and their level of satisfaction with their individual builder,” said Tarion President and CEO Howard Bogach. “Changing the name to the Homeowners’ Choice Awards simply reflects the importance of the customer’s experience in the new-home-buying process, and how each and every homebuyer can have a say in whether a new-home builder receives recognition.”

Finalists were determined based on the results of a comprehensive survey sent to more than 56,000 Ontario homeowners who took possession of a new home between October 1, 2014 and September 30, 2015. Survey questions focused on homeowners’ satisfaction with their builder, covering every stage in the homeownerbuilder relationship, from the signing of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, through construction and the pre-delivery period, to after-sales service.

“This year marks Tarion’s 40th anniversary of protecting new-home buyers in Ontario,” said Bogach who added, “Throughout the decades, we’ve witnessed homebuyers having an increased impact on the new-homebuying experience based on the decisions they make. The Homeowners’ Choice Awards reflects the importance of their opinions, and champions excellence in customer service.”

tarion winners & FINALISTS 2016 High-Rise

Large Volume

(More than 100 high-rise possessions per year)

(More than 100 possessions per year)

WINNER (TIE): The Daniels Corporation (Toronto) WINNER (TIE): The Tricar Group (London) Del Ridge Homes (Markham) Domicile (Ottawa) Plaza (Toronto) Tridel (Toronto)

16

Medium Volume

Small Volume Category

(21-100 possessions per year)

(5-20 possessions per year)

WINNER: Tribute Communities (Pickering)

WINNER: LEMAY Homes - Maisons LEMAY (Gloucester)

WINNER: Kolody Homes (Tecumseh)

Arista Homes Ltd. (Vaughan)

J .F. Markell Homes Ltd. (Cornwall)

The Daniels Corporation (Toronto)

Klemencic Homes (Trenton)

Granite Homes (Guelph) Mountainview Homes (Thorold) Tamarack Development Corp.

(Ottawa)

ontario home builder renovation 2016

Mikmada Homes Inc. (Burlington) SACA Homes (Casselman) Wrighthaven Homes Limited (Elora)

Beisel Contracting Inc. (Kincardine) Bouma Builders Inc. (Chatham) Marlo Homes Inc. (London) Menard Bros. & Associates Ltd. (Cornwall) Terry Waito Homes Inc. (Petawawa)

Owens Corning Canada presented home builders with awards recognizing their contributions to the successful NZE project.

Net-Zero Energy Home Builders Net Kudos Elite net-zero energy (NZE) home builders accepted accolades and awards for their contributions to Canada’s largest NZE housing demonstration project at closing ceremonies held in Ottawa in March.

With the support of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and Owens Corning Canada, five home builders built 26 homes in four provinces as part of the demonstration project.

Three Ontario-based companies participated in the ecoEnergy Innovation Initiative (ecoEII), including Reid’s Heritage Homes project in Guelph, Minto Communities’ project in Ottawa and Mattamy Homes’ project in Calgary.

Provident Developments (Halifax, N.S.) and Construction Voyer (Laval, Que.) also built homes.

“We have proven that net-zero energy housing can be built using existing technology, at prices that are accessible to the average homebuyer,” said Salvatore Ciarlo, Technical Services Manager for Owens Corning Canada. “Building entire net-zero communities is a viable shortterm goal—one that we are much closer to as a result of this project’s success.”

Measured over a year, an NZE home can potentially produce as much energy as the home utilizes, resulting in an average annual energy bill of zero for its homeowner.

Working with NRCan and CHBA, the outcomes of the home designs and lessons learned from the builders will be shared and disseminated to the industry.

The five innovative builders were applauded for their role as educators and mentors to their peers, as they shared their learning and designs at numerous building industry events. ohba.ca

See what’s next for masonry Spring 2016.

www.masonryworx.com

Ontario Report

IMPROVE YOUR ODDS OF WINNING Tips for Awards of Distinction entries Past finalists and winners in our Awards of Distinction program will confirm there are many benefits to participating. For your company, it’s a powerful marketing tool that highlights your firm’s passion, creativity and direction. For your staff, it’s a pat on the back; praise for a job well done. For your customers, an award can validate their decision to select your company over others.

So attention all builders, renovators or marketing agencies—here are some tips and guidelines for improving your submissions and how to ‘spin your win,’ should you be selected as finalist or winner.

Award-winning advice from a judge

off windows.

Address every point indicated in

is in the picture.

the project description of the submission guidelines. Pay attention to the judging criteria, including the requirements to enter and requirements to upload.

Keep descriptions to the points mentioned. Be brief but informative.

Style your project spaces before photographing.

Be diligent about your photos.

Photo Tips for All Submissions A picture tells a thousand words and the quality of your photographs can be the difference between a winning or losing entry. Further, improving the quality of your own photo gallery will showcase your workmanship and help secure future business.

1. send a clear message The size and format of all photos is very important: Max size: 10MB Format: jpg Min. width or height: 2500px Showcase your subject (properties

or renos) and the features you want to highlight.

Ensure the photos are well lit. Avoid shadows if possible.

Double-check that the photos are in focus!

2. Make sure it lookS good Pay attention to your subject’s lighting and staging.

Make sure your reflection isn’t showing in the bathroom mirror or in the reflections

18

ontario home builder renovation 2016

Eliminate clutter and make sure no one While dramatic, night shots are often

not ideal, so make sure to shoot during daylight as well.

3. Show Some Detail Get really close to a feature with the camera to better showcase it.

4. More is Better Check the number of photos required in your categories in advance. If you do not have the minimum requirement, you will have to enter the same picture to the minimum requirement. This is a bad reflection on the entry.

5. “Before” and “After” shots for renovation entries Plan your photos early to ensure the subject is represented clearly and reflects the best shot.

The number of photos in the renovation categories was increased from 8 to 12. Include comparative photos showing different “before” and “after” views (4-6 sets).

Take your “before” photos from a variety of angles and views. The camera angle of the “after” shots should be consistent with the “before” images, and in the same landscape or portrait framing.

Take “before” shots prior to doing anything! (‘During-construction photos’ don’t count as “before” shots.)

If you’re taking a “before” shot of an exterior renovation or an addition, please take a shot of the same area prerenovations.

How to ‘Spin Your Win’ Whether your company is a finalist or winner, here’s some advice from advertising experts on how to make the most of your achievement.

1. Tell the Media – Ensure all media outlets pertinent to your market know about your finalist standing (which is a bragging point in itself) to get them primed. If you win, follow up with that great news!

2. Celebrate with your current homeowners – Builders and renovators should share good news with current homeowners, who will be proud to tell family and friends how great THEIR builder/ renovator is.

3. If You Win for a room design that still exists in a model home, invite current owners and the public at large to come view your award-wining kitchen or bathroom, etc. The idea is to drive traffic.

4. Make your win a part of your ongoing marketing That incudes your website, brochures, media releases, etc.

Find a way to highlight the win in your sales office. It might be as simple as a framed poster with all your wins (and finalists placements are worth mentioning as well!)

5. Put your awards on display If it is your first win, park the award on the reception desk for all to see.

As you collect more, a display case is the ticket.

The bottom line is that you have to enter if you want to win! So visit the website (ohbaaod.ca) and get the ball rolling on your entry for OHBA’s 2016 Awards of Distinction.

ohba.ca

TIMELESS INSPIRATION

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Our extensive range of types, colours and textures will appeal to your creative-self as you conceive or construct timeless memories for your customers. From post-modern and contemporary to classical or green, style need be no barrier to your expressive achievement.

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Download our app or visit our website for endless inspiration!

Ontario Report

Winning Ways at the Nationals Congratulations to the many Ontario home builders, renovators and marketing teams who won 2016 National Awards for Housing Excellence at the CHBA conference held in Kelowna, B.C. in early May. New Home Awards

Apartment-Style/Condominium Units 1,000+ SF

Marketing Awards

Production Homes

Queenscorp Group of Companies, Toronto: “Watermark”

Project Signage & Logo

One-Storey Bungalow Gordon Tobey Developments Ltd., Brighton: “The Hawthorn”

Detached Under 1,500 SF

Community Development Award Georgian International Development Corp, Barrie: “Braestone in the Horseshoe Valley”

Corvinelli Homes ltd., Russell: “The Sapphire on Central Park”

Home Renovation Awards

Detached Over 3,500 SF

Kitchen – Under $65,000

Jeffrey Robinson Construction Incorporated, Burlington: “Ravines of Gloucester”

Multi-Family Homes Apartment-Style/Condominium Units Under 1,000 SF Branthaven Homes 2000 Inc., Burlington: “Lake House”

Coleman-Dias³ Construction Inc, St Thomas: “1940’s Colonial Revival – Kitchen Renovation”

Kitchen – $65,000+

Fusion Homes, Guelph: “The Metalworks” Concept, Creative, Production: Blackjet Inc.

Brochure/Kit New Horizon Development Group, Hamilton: “Bridgewater Residences on the Lake” (Concept, Creative, Production: McOuat Partnership)

Direct Promotion: Electronic Ideal Developments, Markham: “Pinnacle on 14th Avenue”

Sales Office – Low-Rise

Pioneer Craftsmen Ltd., Kitchener: “Comfort Kitchen”

Georgian International Development Corp, Barrie, ON: “Braestone in the Horseshoe Valley” (Concept, Creative, Production: McOuat Partnership)

Whole House – Under $250,000

Sales Office – Mid- to High-Rise

Amsted Design-Build, Stittsville: “First in Class”

Spallacci Group, Hamilton, ON: “Residence of Royal Connaught”

Ontario’s Bob Finnigan at the Helm of CHBA Congratulations to Bob Finnigan, who was elected 2016/2017 president of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) at the national organization’s annual conference held in early May in Kelowna, B.C. Bob is a partner in the GTA-based Heron Group of Companies and Heathwood Homes. He joined the firm in 1988 and has been responsible for directing Heathwood’s marketing and sales program, overseeing the land acquisition and development team and assisting with product development and design.

Throughout his industry career, Bob has taken on leadership roles at all three levels of the association. He was president of BILD in 2007 and of OHBA in 2010/2011, and has served four years on CHBA’s executive committee.

Bob also serves on the Board of Tarion and is a founding director and V.P. of the Mikey Network, a charitable organization that has placed more than 1,850 Mikey defibrillators across Canada.

Elections to the 2016/2017 CHBA board were underway at press time, so please visit chba.ca for announcements on Ontario member representatives.

20

ontario home builder renovation 2016

We’re back at Blue Mountain Plans are well underway for an exciting, educational OHBA conference at picturesque Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood this fall.

Hosted by the Simcoe County Home Builders’ Association, the annual conference is set for September 18-20 and promises to provide plenty of networking and learning opportunities, combined with fun and entertainment.

Mark your calendars and join your colleagues from across the province for the 2016 OHBA Conference! conference.ohba.ca

ohba.ca

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ENERGY STAR FOR NEW HOMES ®

Get ahead of the change.

The new Ontario Building Code takes effect on January 1, 2017.

Building to a higher performance standard now ensures that you’ll exceed stricter requirements of the Ontario Building Code in 2017 and beyond. Through programs like ENERGY STAR for New Homes, you can future-proof your business, getting ahead of the demand for increased energy efficiency instead of paying the price of catching up.

What you need to know today, to succeed tomorrow.

Visit uniongas.com/HighPerformanceHomes to learn about advanced building practices and technologies other builders are using to raise energy performance and quality standards while keeping costs low. Take advantage of advice and lessons learned from industry experts and your peers who are leading the way in high performance home construction today.

22

® The ENERGY STAR name and symbol are registered trademarks of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and are used in Canada with permission. ontario home builder renovation 2016 © Union Gas Limited 03/2016 UG20150071

ohba.ca

frame of mind

Foam Party A 70-year-old insulation is making new bonds CALL IT a PERFECT MARRIAGE , where

two come together to form a lasting bond— the whole greater than the sum of its parts.

An early 1940s creation of German industrial chemist Otto Bayer, spray polyurethane foam insulation consists of two liquid compounds (polymeric MDI, which is precursor of polyurethane, and resin). When they come in contact with each other, the mixture expands to form a lightweight solid.

While the fundamental benefits for construction applications have been known for more than 30 years, the residential applications have increased recently as homeowners, renovators and builders have come to appreciate the product’s ability to both air-seal and insulate a home.

Icynene is among those at the forefront of the spray foam evolution, with fans of the product including Tamarack, Pratt, Reid’s and Brookfield Homes, among others.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the company has installed more than 3 billion board feet of spray foam insulation in more than 425,000 residential and commercial projects in the U.S. and Canada. Paul Duffy, V.P. of Engineering at Icynene, is among the leading experts in the field. Current chair of the SFC Research Committee for the American Chemistry Council’s Center for the Polyurethanes Industry, Duffy’s many titles include past president of the Canadian Residential Energy Services Network.

OHB: How does spray foam insulation work?

PAUL DUFFY: Basically you have little

chunks of polyurethane that get joined together by a proprietary resin, and that process of bonding the chunks, causes heat to be given off during that reaction. That, in turn, causes the blowing agent to puff up the ohba.ca

material into a three-dimensional matrix of pockets, which deliver high R-values by virtue of trapping air or blowing agent.

OHB: What’s the difference between open-cell and closed-cell spray foam insulation?

PD: Open-cell is light-density foam with cells filled with air that have small openings between them (hence the name). Closedcell is medium-density foam. Its structure is needed to contain the blowing agent used to expand the cells. Blowing agents typically have a higher R-value than air—upwards of R5 to R6 per inch, compared to light-density open-cell, which typically has air in the cells and as a result produces a more normal R-value of 3.5 and 4.3 or so.

OHB: What are the differences compared to more traditional forms of insulation?

PD: People typically think of insulation as fluffy stuff that provides R-value. But when you install that product it doesn’t

always provide the R-value stated on the package simply because air leaks through the building’s walls and ceilings. And I think there’s a growing recognition of the importance of airtightness because of programs like R2000 and Energy Star.

Traditional fibreglass is used as a cavity insulation, as in attics. Here the typical spray foam option is open-cell light-density foam, which has the consistency of sponge cake. It delivers comparable R-value but has the added dimension of air barrier properties, which is a key facet of the newest building codes. And most of the energy efficiency programs require builders to test the finished product for airtightness.

The unique attribute of spray foam is that it delivers that airtightness before you put a stitch of drywall in the house. In that respect, you can actually test assemblies and the workmanship for completeness before any finishing is done. For builders, that takes a lot of risk and guesswork out of how ontario home builder renovation 2016

23

to make buildings more energy efficient.

Traditional exterior insulation products like rigid board, meanwhile, have the ability to kill some of the “thermal bridges” through structural elements. But using spray foam on the exterior adds that air-barrier dimension to the assembly— someplace you’d typically use a mediumdensity spray foam. Because the foam forms a monolithic layer, it can act as a physical barrier to water ingress. So a lot of spray foam products in the medium-density family are also classed as water-resistive barriers, which is very helpful in terms of delivering durability and fewer callbacks.

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OHB: How long does the process take?

PD: Typically a day—two if you do the

entire house. Many builders are familiar with using spray foam to solve specific problems like bonus rooms over garages, which have traditionally been problematic, or any where there are spaces that cantillever over unheated spaces, like inset front entrances or bay windows—areas that are really hard to insulate and air-seal by using traditional methods. Foam has gained traction for those spots, but more and more builders are actually opting for foam as a whole-house insulation.

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with this or does it need to be removed first?

PD: Most times in retrofits it makes sense to remove old insulation so you have a more continuous, consistent final product.

OHB: What about the expense of the process?

PD: Because codes are evolving to include

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OHB: So is there a potential timesaving element as well for builders?

PD: A few years ago, when changes to the ohba.ca

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design elements like air barriers, waterresistive barriers and drainage, sprayfoam products have the ability to tick off more boxes on the list of desirable properties. So depending on what part of the building envelope you’re talking about, you might actually be able to deliver a cheaper assembly by using more expensive insulation materials, since it provides these other functions as well. What we’re seeing is in a lot of commercial buildings where exterior continuous insulation is required, the use of spray foam versus board foam is coming in as a cost savings to the builder, which is opening a lot of eyes.

10/16/08 7:53:21 PM

code were being envisaged, we sat down to catalogue the steps required in terms of air sealing and insulating work if you were using traditional fibreglass, and we came up with five pages of steps—things that had to be addressed at various stages in various parts of the building. We compared that to the list for spray foam and were hard-pressed to get beyond one page.

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OHB: Is there also an acoustic improvement?

PD: You’ll hear a difference. There’s a

sound-deadening effect of being able to have sheathing materials attached to foam.

OHB: Your company encourages the use of

light-density, water-blown foams, versus medium-density options. Why is that?

PD: The water used as the blowing agent in light-density foams has a very low global warming potential (GWP) of 1. By comparison, some conventional blowing agents out there have a GWP in the range of 1,000. For now, consumers and builders need to be aware that medium-density foams usually include a blowing agent that has some issues with it. That’s why we like to use it strategically. That said, it does deliver greater energy savings per unit of thickness, and when you consider it in terms of lifecycle, the GWP cancels out after about 18 months to two years, and the foam keeps paying back in terms of reduced greenhouse gas emissions for years to come.

OHB: And what kind of potential energy savings are you talking about here?

PD: We’ve done side-by-side tests on houses. One example is Kingston, where a builder built both houses to the same specs—one with foam, one without, and he was able to achieve a 35% energy cost saving by using foam.

OHB: Anything else you can suggest to renovators to help convince clients that it’s a worthwhile investment?

PD: Renovators can face some unique challenges. If they have a 100-year-old home and there’s no cavity in the exterior walls, there’s a limitation of space. So you want to maximize the amount of R-value per inch. Often they’ll use medium-density spray foam insulation to avoid encroaching on the footprint. A spray foam insulation that can expand and fill interstitial cracks and gaps with the highest-available R-value is very advantageous. OHB ohba.ca

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inside storey

Outside In

Examining ways to bring nature into our homes

By Avi Friedman each year around the end of February

I wish for a rapid end to winter. For similar reasons, I dislike the end of summer and hope for a warm fall. But then it all ends and the time to pack up the beach umbrella and lawn chairs arrives.

At that time I also wonder if we can better introduce some outdoors features indoors.

Our homes are well designed to protect us from the elements, but they don’t always take advantage of the outdoor environment.

Canada’s housing is rooted in the climatic conditions and dwelling cultures of the nations from which settlers arrived. Since the majority were Europeans, they brought housing types and building traditions suited to that part of the world. Over the years, these traditions were modified to fit local building resources and environments.

Log cabins and cottages for early rural settlers and townhouses and walk-up apartments for urban dwellers were some of the predominant dwellings first constructed, mostly in eastern Canada. Each has daylight drawn in from windows, with the dwelling’s centre often remaining dark. Despite our long winter and few daylight hours, homebuilders were less successful in developing innovative approaches to bringing light into the dwelling’s core. In some designs, mostly townhouses, skylights served primarily as a ventilation shaft and less to illuminate space. In addition, since heat rises, their number was reduced to save energy.

Over the years, these dwelling forms have evolved and others, like bungalows, were introduced with new waves of immigrants and influences. Our range of housing types has nonetheless remained pretty narrow.

One can only speculate what might have happened if the first settlers had come from warmer climes. But I think some options do ohba.ca

exist. Take the courtyard house. Although present in parts of northern Europe, its roots are well grounded in warmer settings.

The rooms are placed around a court that acts as the main source of daylight and ventilation. The yard with plants and, at times, a water source, is open to the sky and encourages people to congregate informally.

Many variations of courtyard houses developed throughout Europe, Asia and South America. They have been successful in creating a garden-like environment within the dwelling year-round. Given the dimensions of our homes, the courtyard need not be huge—perhaps the size of a balcony or a small deck—and can be located near the living or dining area. Needless to say, the court, much like a skylight, will be covered, with the option to open it for cross-ventilation in summer, thereby reducing cooling costs.

Our long winters have many sunny days, which will help with growing small plants

and creating an indoor edible garden. With properly selected skylights and reflectors, courtyard homes can also assist with our energy management via passive solar gain.

Heat can flow through from lower to upper floors. In two-storey homes, one can even see the possibility of having a small fruit tree planted indoors. Top rooms can be built around the court and have double exposure to natural light and cross-ventilation.

In addition to interior courts, these homes can have a greenhouse attached to their side or a sunroom. Such installations have become affordable in recent years.

With a documented link between the winter blues and exposure to daylight, it is worthwhile exploring the advantages of bringing the outdoors in. Canadians, I trust, will even find ways to enjoy the barbecue season year-round in their indoor yard. OHB Dr. Avi Friedman teaches architecture at McGill University: avi.friedman@mcgill.ca. ontario home builder renovation 2016

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Top shelf Ideas for Builders & Renovators

Area of Influence When Silestone’s Trendspotters team toured the parent company in Spain late last year, they discovered eye-catching prototypes on the cutting-room floor. That discovery at the head office of Cosentino, the global leader in natural stone, quartz and architectural surfacing, resulted in two new colours in Silestone’s Influencer Series: Ink and Aquatint. Manufactured from shards of Cosentino’s ultra-compact material, Dekton, and cast in Silestone, these colours not only make old materials new, but for the first time unite the two Cosentino materials into one surface. ca.silestone.com/en

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Top shelf

A Range of Possibilities The new DCS Dual Fuel 48” Range features a total surface power of 158,000 BTU and precise control down to a full-surface 140°F simmer. The trueconvection oven, meanwhile, uses electronic control to deliver consistent temperatures and short heat-up times.

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Let’s Floor It! DRIcore’s Subfloor R+ combines highdensity Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and Extruded Polystyrene (XPS).

Maintaining an R-Value of 3, it raises the temperature of finished flooring by up to 5.6° C. Sound-dampening and moisture-resistant, its panels keep basements comfortable throughout the year, with the air gap encouraging constant air flow and evaporation/re-absorption of surface moisture emitted from your basement concrete floor.

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Efficient Firestarter Designed with the home builder or renovator in mind, the Majestic DV3732SBI is perfect for small and challenging spaces. Features include a shallow 16 ¼” profile and 32” viewing area, and the exclusive IntelliFire ignition system (which reduces gas consumption by providing a pilot flame only when needed). It also includes a back-up battery system to run the fireplace during a power outage.

Optional trim kits available. RedmondHearth.com ohba.ca

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Setting a New Standard Among a trio of new American Standard kitchen faucets for 2017, the new Beale Touchless model is an intuitive hands-free faucet that activates ‘on’ and ‘off’ mode with the wave of a hand. Available as a hands-free pull-down, manual pull-down and manual pull-down bar faucet, the Beale also features a sliding door that covers the motion sensor when manual mode is required, cutting down on water inefficiencies. americanstandard.ca

Opening the door on sophistication Boasting elegance, sophistication and low-maintenance, Jeld-Wen’s IWP Aurora Custom Fibreglass doors offer architectural authenticity in a durable, low-maintenance entry system. Every detail can be designed with fully customizable fibreglass that conjures the timeless character of real wood. jeld-wen.ca

Sense of Security The sleek new Bluetooth-enabled Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt has the ability to turn an iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch into a key, allowing homeowners to verbally unlock their door using Siri. It also works with Apple’s HomeKit, enabling the operator to remotely control things like lights, doors and thermostats. Schlage.com 32

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Flat Out Impressive Amvic Building System’s SilveRboard is a rigid, flat-sheet insulation made from expanded polystyrene insulation (EPS) and laminated with a layer of reflective silver film on both sides. It provides a continuous insulation layer, which eliminates thermal bridging and reduces air infiltration, while the reflective lamination helps to greatly reduce radiant heat transfer, dramatically improving a home’s insulation efficiency.

Applications include exterior sheathing, under concrete slab, and interior and exterior walls above and below grade. amvicsystem. com/silverboard-rigid-foam-insulation

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Top shelf

Now You’re Cookin’ Catering to the accomplished home chef, the Monogram French door wall oven features synchronized doors that open easily, just like restaurant ovens, while combining function and form in a luxurious style. The premium convection system ensures optimal baking, roasting and broiling results, and the self-clean interior, including the oven’s roller racks, makes for easy cleanup.

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Nature’s Beauty From the floor to a backsplash or countertop, Natural Stone polished tiles (limestone pictured) bring the beauty of nature indoors to a kitchen, bathroom or elsewhere in a home.

Available in either 12”x12” or 12”x24”, with a thickness of 3/8”, the look of each tile is distinctive, meaning every one of your projects will be unique. beavervalleystone.com

Putting on Your Best Face Arguably the best-value stone veneer siding in the industry, Fusion Stone boasts proven consumer appeal, multiple applications and a compelling margin opportunity. Utilizing a patented system, it’s easily and quickly installed with the included stainless steel clips and screws. Available in three distinct types (Great Lakes Brindle pictured), all backed by a lifetime guarantee, Fusion Stone is maintenance-free, water- and mould-repellent, and can be installed on both new and existing wall assemblies. fusionstone.ca 34

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Tough as Nails With spill-resistant keyboards, the chops to stand up to 6-foot drops and armour to defend against shock, vibration, sand, dust, altitude, humidity and temperature, the aptly named Panasonic Toughbook is durable enough to work anywhere you do. Features include a glove-enabled, multi-touch, daylight-readable display and long battery life, with options for 4G/LTE connectivity, GPS and Serial Port. go.panasonic.ca/build

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A renewed commitment by the Ontario government promises to better expose—and address—the underground economy 36

ontario home builder renovation 2016

ohba.ca

he numbers are staggering.

Accord ing to Statistics Canada, the residential construction sector comprises almost 30% of Ontario’s underground economy, which translates into approximately $4.5 billion in economic activity per year.

That’s money that could have been spent on municipal and provincial infrastructure projects, from local transit and sewer systems to parks and hospitals—money that could help offset raising taxes. More than that, it’s money that might otherwise have been earmarked for legitimate contractors in Ontario—those who are keeping a paper trail of contracts and receipts, paying for insurance and building permits, keeping up on the latest training and everything else that goes along with operating responsibly and above board.

It’s a matter of integrity, says OHBA Renovation Council Chair and president of Kitchener’s Pioneer Craftsmen Jamie Adam. “When a member joins the local home builders’ association, they’re establishing themselves as professionals and committing to a code of conduct and code of ethics. Beyond those codes is the RenoMark program. It commits us to educational requirements, like providing a written contract with a minimum twoyear warranty, and carrying a minimum $2 million of liability insurance, and complying with all laws, including WSIB coverage and licences. Not playing by those rules leaves consumers vulnerable.

Our focus is on protecting consumers and supporting professional renovators and licensed home builders.”

Of course, if there’s no demand for cash ohba.ca

deals, there is no underground economy.

But you can’t entirely blame the consumer, notes Frank Cohn, host of the Home Improvement Radio Show on CFRB 1010 and proprietor of Cohn Construction. When consumers see governments mired in scandals many are not exactly guilt-ridden over keeping a few grand here and there out of the CRA’s coffers, Cohn regularly hears from his clients. Perhaps that’s why a 2010 Environics Survey commissioned by OHBA revealed that 56% of 1,113 Ontario homeowners surveyed paid cash for a home repair or renovation—and those were just the ones who admitted to it!

In an attempt to divert a chunk of that work back to the ‘overground ’ market—part of a larger mandate to curtail underground economic activity in all sectors of the province—MPP Laura Albanese, parliamentary assistant to Minister of Finance Charles Sousa, has been engaging members of OHBA and the residential construction industry to seek out their input.

“Participation in the underground economy creates an unfair advantage for illegitimate businesses,” notes the York South–Weston MPP, who began her consultations with a Jan. 11 meeting at the BILD/OHBA offices in North York.

“BILD and OHBA are great partners for us, as they are the voice of this industry in Ontario. As a government you have to talk to people who are on the ground and do this every day. There’s really only so much a government can know about tax evasion practices if we’re not in the field as they are, so this is a great opportunity for all of us to learn.” ontario home builder renovation 2016

37

THE MOTIVATORS

So why is the underground economy proliferating to such a degree? “Two things we all wish we had more of: time and money,” says Jon-Carlos Tsilfidis, president of Fairside Homes and Renovations Ltd. and BILD Renovator Council chair. On the financial side, contractors currently incur 9% in WSIB costs, 13% in HST, as well as income taxes, CPP and EI. That means that under-the-table jobs can be offered for up to one-third off the regulation price—a significant carrot for homeowners seeking to cut expenses.

“We understand that there are task forces looking at changing WSIB rates, but when you’re asking a general contractor to pay close to the 10%, that’s a huge tax burden that ultimately gets passed on to the consumer,” Tsilfidis remarked to Albanese and company during the January 11 roundtable. “And there needs to be a serious discussion about HST on residential renovations. We exempt certain things like food, so there is precedence.

Then there’s the time element, which refers to the regulatory burden. And this is where the province has been remiss.

“It’s ridiculous that we have to wait 10-12 weeks just for a zoning certificate that will tell us what variances we need to meet,” says Sam Lapidus, president of Keystone Ridge Developments. “Then we still have a three- to four-month waiting period for committee, then the appeal period, and then the permit. So what should be a straightforward process becomes a sea of red tape. “ Toront o i s t he w or s t (of t he municipalities),” Lapidus says. “You’ve got a very slow building desk, a very large backlog

“There’s really only so much a government can know about tax evasion practices if we’re not in the field as they are, so this is a great opportunity for me and all of us to learn.” with the committee of adjustments, and both an old and new zoning bylaw with contradictions between the two, which are written in legalese that makes it very hard for anyone to understand.

“The story goes like this,” says Lapidus.

“Husband and wife want to do a project of considerable size. I give them a quote, but also a timeline of hurdles and milestones they can expect along the way. And when they hear we won’t break ground for six to nine months because of buildings permits, they don’t want to work with me. They have a kid on the way and will go with the cash deal from someone else.”

DREAMING OF THE HRTC

W hi le stream lining the process is undoubtedly required, there is no single way to incentivize homeowners more than

to slash taxes on renovation projects, the experts agree. And while government traditionally looks at tax rebates as money flowing out of its till, the numbers suggest it might actually be a revenue generator.

“When they added HST onto the labour component in 2010, I had almost 50% of my jobs cancelled, and the phone didn’t ring for almost six months,” says Cohn.

Conversely, when the Home Renovation Tax Credit was introduced in 2009, real spending on residential renovations rebounded by 18% in a one-year period, and an additional $4.3 billion in renovation i nvest ment wa s pu mped i nto t he economy, according to OHBA’s Manager of Gover nment Relations, Stephen Hamilton. Why? “Because the consumer was motivated to get it in writing, to get their rebate and warranty protections,” observes Hamilton. “And the paper trail provided an opportunity for the CRA, WSIB or whomever to investigate if they wanted to. The government got back economic activity that was either never recorded or new. That’s the shining example we always bring forward—how a renovation tax credit is not an expense; it’s an investment that pays itself back. And there were all the add-ons of how many firms the CRA discovered were not playing by the rules and upholding their obligations.”

“If you get a cheque for payment, you’re not going to pay your suppliers in cash; you’re going to want to be able to write off all your expenses associated with the job,” adds Tsilfidis.

While there was also the multiplier effect of consumers spending their rebates on other areas of the economy, if not additional renovations, “there were additional

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economic spin-off benefits as well,” explains Stephanie Coleman-Dias of Coleman-Dias3 in St. Thomas, who provided input to a CHBA advisory committee on the underground economy in November 2014 and also met with Albanese on February 3 in London with a representative from LIUNA and Ted Melchers of Melchers Construction. “Cash jobs means the government is not getting permit fees, and those legit renovations lead to increased property values, which therefore increases the tax base of the city to help with infrastructure, etc. And they’re probably not paying WSIB fees either.”

“One of the initiatives we need to remind the government about is the energy audit for resale homes—the legislation is already in place,” says Hamilton. “It would require every resale home that goes on the market to have an energy rating done and included in their listings, so that consumers understand the efficiency of each home, which motivates the seller, or at least informs the buyer about the kind of renovations needed to improve the energy efficiency of their home. Tying that to an energy rebate would again require a paperwork trail.

CUTTING CORNERS

W h i le hor ror s tor ie s a b ou nd of consumers being victimized by the shoddy work of u n sc r upu lou s or unqualified contractors,the plight of workers themselves operating in suspect conditions is another area of concern.

“When businesses fail to report their income for tax purposes or avoid meeting other regulatory obligations, consumers and worker safety is put at risk,” the 2016 Ontario Budget observes.

“If (underground contractors) are willing to cut corners with the CRA, they’re willing to cut corners with WSIB and health and safety,” says Lapidus.

“I see a lot of roofers not being tied off when I drive around,” says Stephanie Coleman-Dias of Coleman-Dias3 in St. Thomas. “There seems to be a correlation that when jobs are done for cash, they’re done under the radar. That means the job very likely doesn’t have a building permit where it’s required. So now you don’t have a third party inspecting, so there are slips in safety standards. We have this whole other economy taking place on weekends and evenings, after all the government workers have gone home. It’s hard for people like ohba.ca

the CRA to find them, other than sitting in the Home Depot parking lot and looking for guys carrying a lot of lumber and following their trucks.”

Unfortunately, it’s hard to identify the number of fatalities at underground projects versus legitimate, properly supervised sites, since “the Ministry doesn’t break down construction accidents according to the size of worksites,” Lapidus explains. “It’s currently just noted as ‘the residential sector,’ whether it’s a high-rise development or a home undertaking an addition on the back.”

The process of WSIB training and coverage, however, is not an easy one to negotiate for small businesses, says Keystone’s Lapidus, who is also part of an advisory group formed last summer to assist the Ministry of Labour in developing a Construction Health and Safety Action Plan.

“When it comes to health and safety training, small business needs help. Union labour gets training from their unions for health and safety policies, training and

requirements. It’s established. But that doesn’t exist in the small residential sector, so employers like myself have to work their way through the dark of the internet.”

Bypassing that cumbersome process is further incentive for underground activity, Lapidus, says, “but the Ministry now sees that picture.”

EDUCATION PROCESS

In addressing A lbanese, OHBA representatives cited some sources of underground activity as illegal immigrant labourers who don’t want a record of employment, as well as economically challenged sectors of the province. The rising cost of owning a home in Ontario, which makes it difficult for new purchasers to afford to renovate via legitimate means, was also a point of concern, as was the state of the Canadian dollar, since many supplies are imported from the U.S. (or from overseas and traded in U.S. dollars), further driving up renovation costs. It also encourages the sourcing of substandard materials, which are

Tarion Helps Lay Down the Law

Celebrating 40 years of protecting the rights of new-home buyers and regulating new-home builders, Tarion Warranty Corporation’s mandates include investigating, charging and prosecuting illegal building activities. This includes any builder that is building and/or selling a home in Ontario who is not registered with Tarion, and anyone who does not enroll a new home into the warranty program.

In 2015, the efforts of this group, which consists primarily of former police officers, led to 199 charges and fines of more than $334,000. Among the highest-profile cases was the duo of Jason Ronald Dun of Napanee and Kaj Owre of Coe Hill, who were acting on behalf of Napanee’s Granite Ridge Log Homes Limited. Dun and Owre were sentenced to 30 days of incarceration and fined $112,500, including victim fine surcharges, for illegal building.

The two illegal contractors were sent to jail for taking more than $850,000 from a retired couple to build them a custom home. At the time of prosecution, the home was incomplete and was observed with the exterior log shell remaining unfinished, with no roof. The retired couple contacted Tarion for help. “The severity of the resulting penalty was significant, as it was their first offence,” notes Melissa Yollick, senior manager of corporate communications at Tarion.

There are a few ways Tarion’s Enforcement team operates, Yollick notes. “We use an intelligence-based software system to identify high-risk builders, including repeat offenders and builders who have either had their licenses revoked or refused by Tarion. The system also alerts Tarion to builders who obtain building permits but do not include a vendor/builder number on the permit. Since implementing the new software, there has been a significant increase in the number of files that have been flagged to Tarion’s enforcement team.

“We also receive calls for homebuyers and new home owners who have sometimes unknowingly purchased an illegally built home,” Yollick adds. “Generally, the builder has left their homes either unfinished or with defects. We typically find that illegally built homes often do not meet Ontario Building Code standards and can leave homeowners living in unsafe and substandard conditions. In 2014, Tarion paid $934,134 in claims on illegally built homes.

We also find that when these builders are not following the warranty and registration regulations, they tend to take shortcuts in other areas too, such as not using licensed trades, not adhering to the proper workplace/safety regulations, OBC requirements and using substandard materials.”

Tarion has been working with OHBA and other agencies in the fight against the underground economy, Yollick says, including the CRA, the Ontario College of Trades, the Ministry of Labour and the Electrical Safety Authority.

ontario home builder renovation 2016

39

either inappropriate for our environment or not CSA-approved.

The need to address the problem at its root, however, was stressed to Albanese. “Put pressure on the homeowner and the illegal players—not the legit renovators following the rules, who are the low-hanging fruit, with business accounts and filing taxes every month,” says Coleman-Dias.

“The single-most important thing has to be a push to the consumer,” confirms Tsilfidis. “Run some ads. Show someone handing over cash, and saying. ‘It’s not going to hurt anyone.’ And then someone else steps in and questions, ‘Isn’t it? Who’s going to pay for our roads, for our hospitals, for food inspectors?’ The consumer will have faith (in the process) at the end of the day.

The message would be, ‘Cheap is expensive.

It’s a cost, not a savings. It’s a cost to the entire community, the entire economy.’”

“If the homeowner is responsible for taking out the permit, then they should be given an information package from the municipality, advising them what they’re responsible for—including the insurance, WSIB, paying the taxes,” says Lapidus. “We always say the best commercial ever was from MADD, where you see the glasses stacked up. The message is clear and simple, and it’s a scary message.”

Possible risks should also be impressed upon consumers, suggests Mauro Di Tullio, Eastern Canada rep for Federated Insurance. “What happens if your flyby-nighter gets hurt or their employees get hurt? And what if faulty wiring leads to a fire? The insurance company will probably pay for damages, because there are no exclusions for hiring people in the underground. However, they will be looking for subrogation (legal right reserved by most insurance carriers to pursue a third party that caused an insurance loss to the insured), and if they don’t have it, the consumer will be stuck paying for the bill. And to make matters worse, what if the fire causes subsequent damage to your neighbours? There goes your liability insurance!”

The government took one notable step in that education process last summer when the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Finance and the CRA undertook a pilot project targeting roofers and homeowners who hire for reroofing projects, the goal being to increase homeowners’ awareness of the risks of using unlicensed roofers. A 40

ontario home builder renovation 2016

A January roundtable on the underground economy included (L to R) Keystone Ridge Development president Sam Lapidus, BILD Renovators’ Council chair Jon-Carlos Tsilfidis, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance Laura Albanese, OHBA Renovators’ Council chair Jamie Adam and OHBA CEO Joe Vaccaro.

“Cheap is expensive. It’s a cost, not a savings. It’s a cost to the entire community, the entire economy.” month-long trial tested the performance of various ad messages on Google and Kijiji to direct homeowners searching for a roofer to a webpage filled with useful tips and the Consumer Beware List of contractors who had complaints issued against them.

Traffic to the Ministry of Labour’s website increased by 144% during the trial.

What’s more, although the pilot project only targeted roofing, it resulted in more than 1,700 orders for compliance, nearly 250 prosecutions initiated, and more than 550 information packages sent to homeowners and employers.

INFORMATION SHARING

As far as dispensing the information, OHBA is more than happy to facilitate the process, says Hamilton. “In 2002, the government put out a list of homeowner tips. We’d like to see more of that. We’ve been offering for years to work with governments and municipalities to develop a brochure with a government logo on it that our members could include when they go in to give their tenders. It would indicate to the consumer that if they’re going to shop around, that’s great, but understand that these are the risks and rules of the game.

“At the National Home Show, the GTA Home Show and other local HBA home shows, members would hand out brochures advising consumers doing renovations that they’re on the hook for A, B, C, D,” Hamilton

continues. “Many also have a RenoMark booth right next door so consumers can talk to a professional about how to protect themselves and their investment.”

Information sharing, however, must also be improved within government branches. “ The government has given us the opportunity through privacy agreements to get building permit information from the municipalities,” says Tarion V.P. of Stakeholder Engagement Siloni Waraich.

“But they don’t have systems in place to receive that information themselves, so we’ve had Ministries come to us, including the MOL, asking if we can share that information with them, and we actually legally can’t.”

“One of the issues we have is these silos that we have—one ministry cannot share information with another unless they have these agreements in place,” Albanese admitted. “That’s one of the things we’re working on for this and many other issues.

We’re victims of our own bureaucracy.”

Sug gestions to help stem the underground economy presented at the January roundtable included the mandatory requirement of a business license. “I think everyone needs to get an HST number,” says Adam. “Currently, small contractors billing $30,000 or less don’t need it. And every municipality is a little different. In Waterloo Region, they require it in order to get a permit, but in Cambridge ohba.ca

they don’t. Having a consistent approach across the province where all businesses, regardless of size or revenue generation, are required to obtain a business licence and number, would put them on the radar, although many contractors get around that by asking homeowners to apply for the permits themselves.

Not that the renovator’s information can always be trusted. “There are a couple of very depressed economic areas in our province where we actually charged and convicted a couple of registered builders for renting out their registration numbers,” says Tarion’s Waraich.

Another recommendation was to address the resale market by requiring paperwork for any home alterations. “When you put your home on the resale market, your property disclosure includes questions like, ‘Have you done a renovation? Are the permits in place?’ Those could be important factors to consider,” says Vaccaro.

As for her own suggestions, Albanese’s inter im report noted the need for better collaboration within and across government channels.

“Another constant theme that emerged from my discussions was how incentivizing homeowners and the public at large to use legitimate contractors could help contribute to tackling the underground economy,” she noted.

While Albanese’s final report is likely still months away, her initial recommendations were reflected in the 2016 Ontario Budget, presented in February. Among the steps the Province is prepared to move forward with is an extension of its residential roofing pilot project for an additional two years, while examining opportunities to expand its scope to other areas of residential construction. Further, a public awareness campaign to highlight the risks and liabilities associated with participation in the underground economy will be developed, and specialized audit teams using advanced analytics and innovative enforcement tools will be launched.

Additional penalties for those engaging in underground activ ities w il l a lso be proposed, as will partnering with natural gas utilities to help homeowners work with certified energ y auditors and reputable contractors as part of the government’s investment in home energy audits and retrofits under the Green Investment Fund.

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“That’s one of the things we’re working on for this and many other issues. We’re victims of our own bureaucracy.”

PRESERVING REPUTATIONS

“But it’s not just about dollars and sense; it’s a reputational factor,” Adam reminds.

“We need to make sure there’s consumer confidence in the industry, and we know from our locals in smaller communities how one bad egg ends up on the front page of the paper.”

“I was sad to see a Facebook post recently about construction being among the leasttrusted industries,” says Coleman-Dias.

“We should be respected, because ours is a very complex industry when you get into the physics and building science of it. But we’re not respected because of these cash dealers who devalue our worth.”

If the many barriers are not removed and incentives instituted, the problem will get worse before it gets better, suggests Lapidus. “I have a trade—some fantastic finishing carpenters—who only work by cheque with me. But when they first starting working for me, they asked, ‘Will you or the client do cash?’ I know that all the guys who work legit for me would probably be willing to work for cash for somebody else.”

Cohn, who has even had his CRA auditor request a cash deal, recognizes the need for change, even though there’s a silver lining to the current reality. “If it weren’t for the underground economy, I wouldn’t be nearly as busy,” he says. “I’d say 25% of my jobs are because of it. I had a client with a bathroom done four years ago, and we had to completely redo it. It probably cost them $10,000 to $15,000 for the original cash deal, then another $25,000 for us to come in, rip it out and do it properly.

“But hopefully they don’t just slap more regulations on us, because I’m already drowning in paperwork,” says Cohn. “I know a lot of contractors who have been tempted to go into the underground economy because of the way legitimate people are treated.” OHB ohba.ca

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Dealer Name, Dealer Address, Dealer Telephone Number, Dealer Website © 2016 Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. 2016 Metris Cargo Van with European wheels shown, total price $36,245. *Total purchase price of $36,245 includes MSRP of $33,900 plus all applicable dealer fees. Lease offers based on the 2016 Metris Cargo Van available only through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services (MBFS) on approved credit for a limited time. **Lease example based on $385 per month for a 60 month term, a lease APR of 2.99%, with a down payment of $0. First month’s payment, security deposit of $450, plus freight/PDI up to $2,095, admin fee up to $399, EHF tire fee up to $41.48, air-conditioning tax $100, PPSA up to $59.15, fuel surcharge up to $140, block heater up to $200, nitrogen fee up to $299 and OMVIC fee of $10 are due at signing. Total obligation is $40,114.63 which includes an end of lease residual value of $13,221. 1Licence, insurance, registration and taxes are extra. Dealer may sell for less. 2$1,000 discount is only available for 2016 Metris Cargo Vans.Only applicable on lease and finance offers. 3Offer valid only on approved credit from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services (MBFS). Offers are nontransferable, non-refundable and have no cash value. Offers may change without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers. Certain limitations apply. See your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for details or call the MB Customer Relations Centre at 1-800-387-0100. Offers end May 31, 2016.

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First month’s payment, security deposit of $550, plus freight/PDI up to $3,420, admin fee up to $399, EHF tire fee up to $41.48, air-conditioning tax $100, PPSA up to $59.15, fuel surcharge up to $140, block heater up to $200, nitrogen fee up to $299 and OMVIC fee of $10 are due at signing. Total obligation is $47,534.63 which includes an end of lease residual value of $16,341. 1Licence, insurance, registration and taxes are extra. Dealer may sell for less. 2$3,000 manufacturer discount only available for 2016 Sprinter Cargo Vans. Only applicable on lease and finance offers. 3Offer valid only on approved credit from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services (MBFS). Offers may change without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers. Certain limitations apply. See your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for details or call the MB Customer Relations Centre at 1-800-387-0100. Offers end May 31, 2016.

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ohba.ca

The Wheel Deal Nine great worksite vehicles for 2016

By Jonathan Oke

W

hile forecasters expect Canadian demand for light vehicles and trucks to ease off this year following a record-breaking 2015, particularly given the low Canadian dollar, many of North America’s largest automakers actually reported higher February sales in Canada than their previous campaign.

In fact, both Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) witnessed their highest February numbers since 2000, spurred by demand for trucks and SUVs. Ford sold 18,403 vehicles that ohba.ca

month, a 23% hike from February 2015, keyed by rising demand for the Ford F-Series pickup, the top-selling vehicle in Canada last year. GMC, which had a pair of trucks among the top-four sellers last year—the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado—was up 14% over February 2015.

Expect the following models to be among the hit parade in 2016.

ontario home builder renovation 2016

45

1

2

3

5

4

1

2

3

4

5

Ford 2017 Super Duty

2017 Honda Ridgeline

Mercedes-Benz Metris Cargo Van

Toyota Tundra

Ford 2017 Transit

The top-selling vehicle in Canada for the seventh year in a row and the No. 1 pickup for the 50th straight year, the Ford F Series sees the launch this fall of the 2017 Super Duty. While it features its strongest frame ever (with eight times more torsional rigidity than the previous frame), overall weight is down 350 pounds, thanks to the use of more advanced materials. The F-450 (pictured) increases its gross combined weight rating to a best-in-class 40,000 pounds.

The Ford-built 6.7-litre Power Stroke V8 diesel engine (with six-speed transmission), meanwhile, now churns out 330 hp and 750 lb.-ft. of torque! MSRP: N/A

Honda’s tech-packed 2017 Ridgeline mid-size pickup offers exceptional on-road performance, ride quality, cabin quietness and allweather traction capabilities, thanks to its unibody construction, sophisticated chassis and i-VTM4 torquevectoring AWD system. It also has the largest cabin and only four-foot-wide flatbed space in the mid-size segment. Other features include a huge in-bed trunk, dual-action tailgate, the industry’s first truck-bed audio system, top-in-class acceleration, NR-CAN fuel economy ratings, a vast suite of safety and driver-assist technologies, as well as leading-edge connectivity with its 8” display audio system. MSRP: N/A

Dubbed as Canada’s only mid-size work van, the rearwheel-drive Metris offers a volume of up to 186 cubic feet, payload capacity of over 2,500 lbs and towing capacity of 5,000 lbs.

Additionally, 50” between the rear wheel wells means several different types of construction materials can be hauled, while its cargo bed length of over 9’ is close to that of some full size vans. With a low overall height of 6’2”, it can access virtually any underground parking garage. It features a fuel-efficient, 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged gas engine that churns out 208 hp with a 7-speed automatic transmission. Starting at

The 5.7L Toyota 4x2 Regular Cab SR Long Bed delivers an impressive 4,760 kg (10,500 lb) of towing capacity, as well as the cargo-loading versatility of an 8.1-foot bed—long enough for fullsize sheet goods. Standard features include 6.1” display audio, voice recognition with Bluetooth connectivity, air conditioning, backup camera, steering wheelmounted audio controls and a tow package, to name a few.

Now offering a choice of 64 configurations, Ford Transit’s best-in-class flexibility has helped it become North America’s best-selling commercial van. Apart from enhanced interior ergonomics, new optional features include power running boards and low-profile centre consoles to allow easier access to the vehicle. The 3.7L engine is now standard on the dualrear-wheel van and wagon models, helping to lower the base price, although a 6.2litre V8 will be available midyear for 2017 Ford E-Series stripped chassis and cutaway models. MSRP: N/A

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ontario home builder renovation 2016

Starting at $29,035

$33,900 (OHBA member pricing available)

ohba.ca

$ The BestSelling Trucks In Canada

6

In 2015, auto sales data has Canada’s best-selling trucks being the: Ford F-Series Dodge Ram GMC Sierra Chevrolet Silverado

7

Toyota Tacoma Toyota Tundra Chevrolet Colorado GMC Canyon Nissan Frontier Nissan Titan

8

Source: Automakers & Global Automakers of Canada

9

?

6

7

8

9

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo Van

GMC Sierra 1500

Nissan Titan XD (diesel)

Chevrolet Colorado

A precision blend of performance, capability and style, the rugged Sierra has received a facelift to the front and rear fascia, including stunning new available LED headlamps, tail lamps and fog lamps that augment its bold style. There are three available cab configuration options—each promising a quiet ride thanks to triple door seals and a valved exhaust system, among other touches, that reduce engine noise. The fully boxed high-strength steel frame improves ride and handling, while a roll-formed pickup box is stronger, lighter and more durable than a traditional stamped-steel bed. Starting at $31,735

The 2016 Nissan TITAN XD should shake up the competitive full-size pickup segment. It promises the effortless towing and hauling of larger, more expensive heavy-duty trucks (with an available maximum towing capacity of more than 12,000 lbs and payload capacity of 2,000 lbs, yet has the fuelefficiency and affordability of a half-ton pickup. It features a powerful Cummins 5.0L V8 turbo diesel, three available cab configurations, two frame sizes, three powertrains and five grade levels. Starting at $52,400

The 2016 Motor Trend Truck of the Year, the new Colorado offers the latest in safety technology, including Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning, apart from being the first mid-size truck with an available 4G LTE with Wi-Fi2 connection. Under the hood, the optional 2.8L TurboDiesel engine produces 181 hp and a hands-down bestin-class maximum tow rating of 3,493 kg (7,700 lbs.). And with a highway fuel rating of 7.7 L/100 km, it’s Canada’s most fuel-efficient pickup truck. Starting at $23,115

Featuring a best-in-class payload of up to 5,508 lbs and cargo volume of up to 586.1 cubic feet, the pioneering Sprinter can be configured with three different roof heights, cargo lengths and gross vehicle weight ratings, and is the only commercial van with an AWD system. It has a best-in-class interior height of more than seven feet and boasts the longest cargo bed in its category. In addition, Mercedes-Benz is the only manufacturer to offer a SULEV-certified 4-cylinder diesel engine.

Starting at $41,900 (OHBA member pricing available)

ohba.ca

Cheapest Trucks to Insure in Canada 1. Nissan Frontier 2. Nissan Titan 3. Chevrolet Colorado 4. GMC Canyon 5. Dodge Ram 6. Toyota Tacoma 7. Ford F-Series 8. Chevrolet Silverado 9. GMC Sierra 10. Toyota Tundra From the No. 1 position to the 10th, the difference in quoted premiums was about $150 a year.

—SOURCE: InsuranceHotline. com

ontario home builder renovation 2016

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HER &D Mentality As Ontario contemplates a path to mandatory energy ratings for homes, European examples may help lead the way

By Mark Wessel

W

ant to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Ontario?

T h e re i s no g r e at e r opportunity than within the nearly 5 million homes across Ontario, which is why the Ontario Home Builders’ Association has been an advocate of the Ontario Ministry of Energy implementing a mandatory energy rating and disclosure system.

If implemented, this Home Energy Rating and Disclosure (or HER&D) would require Ontario homeowners to get an energy performance rating for their homes and then be required to disclose that rating to prospective buyers.

HER&D is seen as a way to make the province’s residents more aware of how energy efficient their homes are and, in theory, help to fast-track home energy retrofits. In turn, anyone selling their home could theoretically command a higher price or, at the very least, help them keep up with the Net Zero Joneses living next door. The

48

ontario home builder renovation 2016

numerous spinoff benefits include increased jobs, while reducing energy demands and helping the province to meet its long-term conservation targets.

The concept of a home energy rating system isn’t exactly a new one. More than 30 countries, including the entire European Union and Australia’s Capital Territory, have similar programs in place with varying degrees of success—success based largely on the extent to which these different countries and regions are providing financial support for energy retrofits after a home has been audited.

With the right mix of policies and incentives, Ontario Home Builders’ Association Senior Technical Advisor Pauline Lip says the upside could be tremendous for the province’s home builders and renovators. “Not only is it a huge opportunity (for those doing energy retrofits), it’s the single most effective ways to combat climate change,” observes Lip.

“Of Ontario’s 4.9 million existing homes, 4.1 million were built prior to the year 2000.

In other words, over 80% of stock are aging homes, most of which are energy inefficient.”

Considering the number of homes potentially in need of energy retrofits, Jamie Adam, OHBA Renovator’s Council Chair, says HER&D could have a dramatic impact in terms of business opportunities for builders or renovators looking to either supplement the existing work they do or perhaps even specialize in this area.

“It’s not unlike the auto industry and electric cars right now,” says Adam. “You have a few automakers spending time developing the market and you can see they’re beginning to make progress to the point where electric cars will be a lot more prevalent in the near future. I think it’s going to be the same for our industry if an energy rating system is established—the taps will be turned on. It doesn’t mean you’ll be making millions right away, but if there’s ohba.ca

Over 80% of Ontario stock are aging homes, most of which are not energy efficient.

in Toronto, and the economy here is stronger than other parts of the country right now.

And for most people their home is still the biggest investment they’re going to make.

So it’s important for people to realize there are things you can do with your home to, first of all, lower your carbon footprint and, second, to reduce your energy costs.” And if Ontario “gets it right,” McDonald notes, it will establish an important precedent for the rest of the country to follow.

BEAR TRAPS

“The province of Ontario just announced $100 million to help finance energy retrofits.

But my advice is to tread carefully.” a label on someone’s house that says it has a much better energy efficiency than the house next door, the purchaser of that home will be more willing to pay a premium for it.”

Consistent with this observation, the Ministry of Energy states that in the European Union, home energy ratings together with retrofits have translated into increase resale values of 2%-8%.

Elizabeth McDonald of the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance (CEEA), a national not-for-profit group that promotes energy efficiency, says Ontario is better positioned than any other province to embrace a home energy rating system. “You’ve got one of the hottest residential markets in the country ohba.ca

Of course, there are no guarantees the province will get it right. “There are lots of issues,” cautions Michael Lio, president of buildAbility, a consulting firm that focuses on implementing innovation in the building industry. “The province just announced $100 million (in February) to help finance energy retrofits. But my advice to government is to tread carefully. There are big bear traps, and if they’re not careful in terms of what program they introduce, we’re going to have a mess on our hands.”

And while the Ministry of Energy plays up the need to create a market and create a need for an estimated 1,900 energy auditors, Lio feels that energy audits are an unnecessary hoop for homeowners to jump through before actually tackling upgrades that will help to lower their energy bills. The other concern Lio cites is that once consumers get set recommendations to improve the energy ratings of their homes, “how will they be protected from renovators who say to the homeowner, ‘My brother-in-law can switch out your furnace and insulate your basement and you’ll get a great deal?’

And then when the work is done, how does the consumer know that the installer has actually put in an air barrier before they insulated?”

The most obvious starting point to help ensure renovations are properly done would be for the government to mandate that any energy retrofits done in the wake of an energy audit be completed by a RenoMark professional renovator. Corey McBurney, president of EnerQuality, says there’s also a compelling case for renovators serious about focusing on energy retrofits to gain additional training in this area.

“We developed a pilot program called the Green Renovator Project in 2013 to provide builders and renovators with the skills and know-how they need, consisting

world view

by the numbers $67 billion

$300-$350

Estimated value of the renovation industry in Canada.

Estimated cost range to conduct an EnerGuide home energy audit.

Source: Will Dunning Inc. for CHBA

$100 million Amount the Ontario government has committed to help residents make their homes more energy efficient.

Funds will be used to subsidize energy efficient retrofits such as upgrades to furnaces, water heaters and insulation.

Source: Government of Ontario

$92 million Amount the Province of Ontario has committed to spending on social housing energy retrofits through its Green Investment Fund.

Source: Government of Ontario

4.9 million Existing number of homes in Ontario.

Source: CMHC

4.1 million Number of homes built in Ontario before 2000.

Source: CMHC

$17,142 Average amount Canadians who planned to renovate in 2015 said they would spend.

Source: Neilson

Source: Natural Resources Canada

92.5 Percentage of owners in the CHBA Canadian Homebuyer’s Preference Study that value a walk-in closet.

Source: CHBA

89.9 Percentage in the CHBA Canadian Homebuyer’s Preference Study that value an energy efficient home.

Source: CHBA

68 Percentage of Canadian homeowners that said they’d be less likely to pay cash if they could receive a tax credit.

Source: Environics Survey commissioned by OHBA

56 Percentage of Canadian homeowners that admitted to paying cash for a home renovation.

Source: Environics Survey commissioned by OHBA

9 Number of provinces that participate in the RenoMark program founded by BILD and endorsed by OHBA and CHBA. Source: RenoMark

$2,100 Maximum amount offered by Enbridge Gas through their home energy conservation program.

1 Percentage of new homes added to the existing stock of homes each year in Ontario.

Source: Enbridge Gas

Source: CMHC

ontario home builder renovation 2016

49

of five courses and an exam that had 43 participants. But then the whole system that would fund such a program ground to a halt,” says McBurney. “But with a combination of HER&D and a good incentive program for retrofits, the timing could be right to relaunch this program.”

Russell Smith of London-based Parity Projects

MONEY TALKS Russell Smith of Parity Projects, a London, UK-based firm that specializes in energy retrofits, knows full well how important government incentives are when it comes to getting homeowners on board with spending money on upgrades that are tied to lowering their energy bill, instead of opting for a new kitchen or bath. The UK launched what was known as the Green Deal in 2013 and, says Russell, “things were going really well for a couple of years (the company did energy retrofits for over 150 homes).

But the government wasn’t pushing the policies very hard, and since 2015 they’ve been pulling every incentive one by one.

The theory of the new government (the Conservative party came to power in July 2015) is to divest money instead of growing this opportunity. So it has had a backward impact on installations.”

Now, with greatly reduced funding, Russell says they’re left with two types of homeowners. “The ones who can see themselves in the house for a long time know it makes sense for them to lower their energy bills, and they’re willing to pay for this work out of their savings. And then there are the ones that are still willing to spend 30k on a kitchen instead.”

Smith says the other challenge the UK faces, which ties in with the need to actively support a more comprehensive home energy rating and retrofit program, is the problem of ‘fuel poverty.’ “It’s when people are spending more than 10% of their disposable income on energy and having to choose between food and heat. It’s an issue that affects 5 million out of 24 million homes in the UK.” In Canada it’s called energy poverty and according to the Fraser Institute, it affects more than 1 million Canadian households.

Whether it’s giving homeowners who can afford to do the work more of a reason to choose energy retrofits over a new bathroom, kitchen or entertainment room, or helping those who don’t have the money to live more comfortably with lower energy bills, “what we need is to have low-cost loans 50

ontario home builder renovation 2016

in salzburg, Austria, “they award a grant and pay after completion, provided the invoices show that the money was used as planned.” and incentives available,” Russell says.

Other Euro-member countries such as Germany and Austria have had aggressive incentive programs in place for several years.

Germany, for example, offers grants or loans of up to 75,000 euros, while Austria offers subsidies that top out at 100,000 euros. As a report produced by the Austrian Institute of Construction Engineering points out, “the amount of money is substantial.”

Incentives not only support energy retrofits for existing homes, but the building of new homes that are more energy efficient. Susanne Geissler of the Austrian Energy Agency says all nine regions in that country have embraced what are known

Clear Thinking When purchasing a home, consumers want to know what the mortgage will be and what the taxes are. So why not the energy costs? Our new group hopes to include that latter piece of information into the equation.

Launched earlier this spring, the Home Energy Transparency Coalition comprises OHBA, the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance, Clean Economy Alliance, and NAIMA Canada, the latter of which represents more than 125 manufacturers of fibreglass, rock wool and slag wool insulation. The Coalition exists to support the Ontario government as it implements universal home energy labelling for resale homes. Under the Green Energy and Economy Act (2009), every resale home would require an audit that discloses energy consumption in plain numbers. Buyers would, in turn, know what monthly costs of home ownership they could expect.

Above-average home energy performance, meanwhile, would prove a selling feature— likely a financially rewarding one—for those placing their homes on the market.

In the Australian Capital Territory, a study revealed that sales data from 5,000 homes indicated that, on average, each additional Home Energy Rating & Disclosure (HER&D) program star-rating resulted in a 3% increase in the home sale price.

For more information on the new Coalition, visit homeenergytransparency.org.

as energy performance certificates, which are supported not only by aggressive incentives but also a rigorous process to ensure the money for energy retrofits is well spent. “The Salzburg region has a very interesting scheme,” says Geissler. “They award a grant and pay after completion, provided the invoices show that the money was used as planned. And they require an energy performance certificate as proof (of the improved performance).” Grants of up to 20% of renovations are managed by an online platform that includes a database that lists qualified staff both for doing the energy audits and for sourcing builders and renovators. This effectively removes unqualified auditors, renovators and builders from the picture.

As for the economic impact of these programs, in the case of Germany’s initiative, coined the CO2 Rehabilitation Program, the program in 2013 was responsible for up to 440,000 jobs, according to the country’s Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and ohba.ca

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Energy. The program also contributed to a growing demand for everything from more architects and civil engineers to skilled employees in the construction industry. And in Austria, the Salzburg region in particular provides a shining example of just how successful the country’s incentive program has become. Since 2009, when 30% of homes were built to higher energy standards, the program has gained traction to the point that by 2015, 80% of new homes were tied to the program and built to the prescribed energy performance.

HER&D’ING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

So where are we at with HER&D in Ontario?

In an interview late last year, Premier Wynne told a CBC reporter, “We will be putting money into green investments that will help people to retrofit their houses. We know right now that the greatest emission of greenhouse gases comes from our building sector and transportation. So if we can find a way to help people to retrofit buildings— if we can find a way to construct buildings in Ontario more efficiently, we will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But that’s going to require investment. (But) having a retrofit program that will help people to do

“If we can find a way to construct buildings in ontario more efficently, we we will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

But that’s going to require investment.”

52

ontario home builder renovation 2016

that is something that I absolutely hope I will see in Ontario.”

In February, the Ontario government announced a $100 million retrofit program to help homeowners complete upgrades, such as their furnaces, water heaters and insulation. But as reported by the media, details regarding a start date, eligibility rules or rebate amounts were not provided. Then in March, the federal government under the new Liberal administration launched its first budget, promising to earmark $2.9 billion over five years to address climate change and air pollution issues. Included in this was $128.8 million over five years for Natural Resources Canada to “deliver energy efficiency policies and programs.”

But several questions remain in the wake of both announcements. To what extent will the federal and provincial governments work together to come up with a tangible solution with respect to home energy ratings and energy retrofits? Is there enough ‘stomach’ to implement a program such as HER&D, which could face a backlash both from homeowners and realtors? And is there enough money on the table to bring such a program to fruition?

Just a day before the federal budget was announced, Ontario’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Executive Director Alex Wood admitted to OHB that he was “well aware” of the multiple challenges of implementing a program such as HER&D, including the fact that not everyone in the province is on board. “Right now, there are a lot of ideas on the table. The process we’re going through every day is to take a hard look and doing a due diligence of cost and benefits, including retrofits and disclosure (HER&D). But I can’t tell you when they’ll come up with a final action plan because our job here is really to coordinate the action plans that various ministries put in place. For instance, with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, if we go with a retrofit or rating disclosure initiative, it will be done through the tools they have.”

Whether it’s HER&D or some other iteration, Wood says “we want people to (commit to this) path as an energy auditor or a contractor specializing in energy retrofits.

We want to create a market for that. So yes, in the short term we’ll promote these initiatives based on government policy. But over the long term, we want people to take this on themselves.” OHB

Parity’s Energy Retrofitting Above Par Convincing consumers to spend money on energy retrofits versus other home upgrades remains an ongoing challenge for builders and renovators. So it’s rare, if not unheard of, to hear of a company that is 100% focused on the energy retrofit business. But such a breed does exist in the UK with London-based Parity Projects (parityprojects.com). Led by Managing Director Russell Smith, the company does everything from working with consumers to provide start-to-finish energy retrofitting support, to consulting support and training for architects, renovators and builders involved in energy retrofits.

One of the company’s key differentiators is its Home Energy Masterplan, which involves a detailed site survey and the use of in-house software that produces an analysis of not only how energy efficient (or not) a house is, but also details the probable costs and benefits of every single retrofit measure recommended for the home.

According to Smith, some of the things Ontario builders and renovators should keep in mind if they want to succeed in the energy retrofit business include: WHOLE HOUSE APPROACH Tackle projects by looking at the performance of the entire house vs. doing things piecemeal.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING The best time to take on energy retrofits is when homes are undergoing other renovations.

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS Parity has spent years working with a select group of reputable builders on smaller jobs and now has a team in place to tackle larger-scale work, such as social housing retrofits.

EDUCATION Recognizing there is still a low level of awareness on the part of consumers, the company is constantly promoting its success stories on its website and through the media.

TRAINING The work “won’t get done,” according to Smith, if the building regulations aren’t in place and companies involved in energy retrofits don’t get proper training.

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Pioneer Craftsmen

Integrating a garage to help expand a kitchen.

Men at Work

Learning to ‘corner’ the market pays dividends

Amsted

Harmonizing a 30-year-old addition with a century home

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ohba.ca

Not Your Everyday Reno Negotiating their way through unique challenges, four award-winning Ontario renovators share their success stories

Timberworx

Finding some room with a view

ohba.ca

Knock down a wall here, install some bigger windows there, add a kitchen island, quartz countertop, new cabinets and some LED lighting.

Some renovations are pretty similar. Others, however, present unique challenges for even the most seasoned of contractors and builders. Here are four examples that showcase successful resolutions to out-of-the-ordinary circumstances.

Turn the page to find out more

ontario home builder renovation 2016

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Before

A desire for post-less corner windows on all three levels presented the main challenge.

Cornering the Market Builder: Men At Work Design Build Ltd. Project Location: Broadway Ave., Toronto Date: 2015 Project Cost: $800,000

B

ILD awards are running in the family of one of Paul Gallop’s clients. “The sister won in the same ‘Renovations of $500,000+’ category at the 2013 Building Industry and Land Development Association Renovation and Custom Home Awards,” notes Gallop, owner at Etobicoke-based Men At Work Design Build Ltd., whose 56

firm just happened to claim the identical honour for that client’s brother’s place at the 2016 BILD Awards in March.

While both projects share the avant-garde style of Men At Work’s in-house architect Keith O’Brien, they differ dramatically in a particular design element.

“The recent project features a post-less corner window feature at all three levels of the house,” says Gallop, “so structurally supporting the floors was an interesting challenge.”

Although the $800,000 project included a complete gutting and transformation of the interior of the existing home, as well as a rear addition and a lowered, finished basement with in-floor heating and full finishes throughout, the client’s wishes for an open concept with no bulkheads meant that HVAC and plumbing had to route through a network of flush beams amid

ontario home builder renovation 2016

the already limited floor-toceiling height. But it was an increasing obsession with those corner windows that had Gallop, O’Brien and company scratching their heads.

“The couple purchased the house in November 2014 and wanted to immediately launch into the project,” Gallop recalls.

“Initially they had modest ideas for a small addition out back and some interior renovations, but as we started into the design process, they allowed score creep to take hold, and it all grew into a much more ambitious project. Yet there was a keenness to come up with a design that would allow construction to begin as soon as possible, so during the time they were waiting to close the deal to buy the house, we were figuring out how to optimize the shape and structure in a way that would comply with zoning so

that we wouldn’t need to obtain variances.

“The construction itself took about eight months,” says Gallop. “It was a pretty tight timeline, especially for the scale of the project. But we welcome these types of opportunities because we feel the design-build model we have is one of our biggest advantages. We can expedite things. We’re not a huge company, but big enough that we have a big rolodex of subtrades we trust that we can call upon.

“They had a contemporary design preference, but at the same time didn’t want to change the front appearance of the house substantially so that it still integrated into the neighbourhood,” says Gallop. “It was a challenge, since the house says it’s one thing and the design style said something else.

“They got fixated on corner windows early in the process, ohba.ca

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especially for the ground floor, where they wanted a dramatic feature. They really wanted this post-less corner window.

Structurally and technically, it’s a huge difference having a post and not having the post. The practical amongst us—namely me—were advocating for a post, even a slender post. But they were adamant about creating a floating condition. That took root. It was complicated by the fact that they wanted a corner unit that would have this very long expanse of glass along the back. So it meant for that entire pane there could be no intermediate column to support the beam, and that it would have to cantilever along the back to support the floor above. They wanted the glass to go as far as it could along the back and around the side of the house.

“As the plan evolved, it became, ‘Oh gee, wouldn’t it be neat if the bathtub on the second floor could also exploit this corner feature as well!’ So now we figured, ‘OK, so now we don’t get to have anything holding up the roof at that corner either,” Gallop relates. “Then it became, ‘If we’re going to do that, why not have the basement window do the same thing to?’ So the ground floor, second floor and roof all had to be supported with that cantilever condition, without any posts anywhere near the corners.

“The addition, meanwhile, was actually going to be wider than the existing house— around 30 feet. And there was also this ambition for floorto-ceiling windows. Further confounding things was that the headroom on the ground floor was already a meager 7’11”—and here we were going for this open concept on the ground floor. All things being equal, they would have preferred to have 9’ or 10’ ceilings, but, of course, that was impossible without destroying the house.

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Before

From “walking through a maze” to amazing views in Stoney Creek.

“Quebec-based Alumilex provided the door system and glass units in the back of the house. We used more economical Ostaco vinyl windows via Dundas Wood Windows for rest of the house.

“The heating and cooling design had to respect the amount of glass, which was in direct conflict with the problems of trying to minimize the amount and size of runs we had going through the second-floor platform, and getting the right amount of heating and cooling in the right places,” Gallop continues. “To help mitigate the possible heat loss with so much glass, we did a premium insulation job throughout the house and high-efficiency heating equipment.”

ontario home builder renovation 2016

Property Hunters Builder: Timberworx Custom Homes Project Location: Stoney Creek Date: 2015 Project Cost: $700,000

M

ajor renovations are challenging enough, much less if the client doesn’t even have a house yet to renovate.

Therein lies the advantage of having Eve Claxton on

call at Timberworx Custom Homes. Although she is responsible for interior design work at the Guelphbased builder/renovator, Claxton is also a high-end real estate broker. So when a repeat customer came calling, looking to relocate to the Oakville-to-Stoney Creek corridor, Claxton went fishing.

“The client was a young executive couple that came into our very first model home in Aberfoyle about eight years ago,” recalls Timberworx owner Shawn Marsh. “They were relocating at that time because of their jobs and went into our very first Timberworx model.

They wanted this and that ohba.ca

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renovated, and I thought, ‘Holy mackerel, this is a brand new house and we’ve got to rip it half apart to get where you want to, with a bar, a glassed-in gym, etc. We decided the best route was to build the same home with the modifications they wanted on a lot across the street from the model.

That ended up being our first OHBA Award of Distinction for best custom home in 2012.

To this day we still send people there as a great example of how we took the same floor plan but created a completely different exterior facade, so you would never know that it was essentially the same house if you see the two together.

“A year and a half ago, the same couple changed jobs and wanted to relocate again,” Marsh notes. “Eve found this gem in Stoney Creek, a 5,000 sq. ft. home on a one-acre lot on the water with a view of the CN Tower. It was the first time we’d gone out and found a piece of property for a client.

This particular property had been for sale for three and a half years. The interior was a time capsule with pink carpets and low ceilings and very dated. It had angled walls and small views of the lake—it felt like you were walking through a maze. But our clients fell in love with the incredible waterfront location and bought it.

“It was built like Fort Knox,” Marsh adds. “When we ripped up all the carpets, which were throughout the house, we discovered these core slab floors, which are a great product but were uneven and had to be levelled.

We’d never worked with core slab before, so there was a learning curve involved, although the factory in Hamilton was only 20 minutes away and were so helpful to the point that we’re now 60

incorporating that product into our new builds. And it was also a pleasure to work with the Hamilton Building Department for the first time.

They were really helpful.

“We took ceilings and raised them up—from eight to 16 feet in the kitchen—and added lots of glass and straight linear lines to create the open concept,” says Marsh. “We took angled structural walls on the outside and moved them on the core slab. We couldn’t pour concrete in the winter, so I found myself down there at 2 a.m. one morning during the January thaw in 2015, with a bit of a leak in the basement to address.

“Our client was well-heeled, but this was an expensive home,” Marsh says. “We re-did the drawings several times to get the most out of the layout and stay within a budget that worked for them. Another challenge was that the client lived in the basement while we did a 12-month reno! So we sort of had seven-day-a-week inspections—he’d let me know every night if everything was tiptop or not.”

“The main challenge, though was that the property had these fantastic views, but you weren’t seeing them anywhere in the original home’s layout,” says Claxton.

That mission was accomplished by opening up the interior and presenting the homeowners with stunning lake views toward Toronto.

“And now this one is also up for sale and they have us looking for the next project,” notes Marsh. “The day they put the For Sale sign on the lawn, a fellow drove by and asked if he could come in and take a look.

The look on that guy’s face was really something. “He’d seen it when it was previously for sale and said, ‘I knew it had that potential, but I couldn’t get my head around how to do it.’”

ontario home builder renovation 2016

Before

A dividing wall was designed to conceal the ceiling height discrepancy of the home’s backyard addition.

Blending the New and the Old Builder: Amsted Design Build Project Location: First Avenue, The Glebe, Ottawa Date: Spring to Fall 2014 Project Cost: $300,000

W

hile Ottawabased Amsted Design Build has a long history of renovating historic homes, sometimes it’s the newer aspects of those residences that pose the greatest quandary. In reworking an early 1900s home in The Glebe district of downtown Ottawa two years ago, Amsted was challenged by an addition that had been made to the rear of the house. ohba.ca

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“It had probably been added around the mid-80s, and was built right on the property line and granted as ‘legal nonconforming,’” explains Valerie Blasioli, who oversees project development and residential design with Amsted, the 2015 Ontario Renovator of the Year. “But to renovate or get any useful space out of it, we had to keep the existing wall that was on that property line, and which dictated the existing roofline.

“It’s a period home—our niche market is Victorian-era vintage homes—so we wanted to match the soaring ceiling heights,” Blasioli notes. “The existing addition had been constructed at the standard eight feet, well below the 10 feet throughout the rest of the house. Being cognizant of this feature, we needed a creative design to add to the overall ceiling height, while keeping the original portion of the addition that was built on the lot line. We achieved this by creating a second, higher roofline for the main area of the addition that matched the original slope of the roof. A dividing wall was designed at this point of the addition to conceal the ceiling height discrepancy, which was needed to structurally maintain zoning requirements. It proved to be a seamless integration of a modern space into a centuryold home.”

Apart from rebuilding the rear addition, the extensive five-month project included a new kitchen and three new bathrooms, as well as updating many finishes throughout the home while addressing many of the building systems, from increasing insulation values to updating electrical and plumbing systems.

“The client wanted to keep or replicate as many of those 62

Victorian-era features as possible,” says Blasioli. “To do that authentically is expensive—so baseboards, crown mouldings and casings are a good, costeffective way of doing that.

We salvaged brick from the existing house and the old limestone window lintels so that we weren’t introducing new elements to the exterior in order to keep a cohesive facade.”

When it comes to replication and refurbishing, the company is blessed with some talented staff, Blasioli notes. “Our team of finish carpenters is amazing. It’s about the people whose hands are creating it.

They really take pride in their craftsmanship. They recognize this is a period home and this is what we do very well.”

While every reno can expect some degree of surprises along the way, this may have been unique in how virtually nothing came up, Blasioli explains.

“We really do our due diligence, and that’s our advantage. We knew, going in, that this was an old structure, so we figured, ‘Let’s cut some holes in the walls and open things up and see what we’re dealing with, so if we have to restructure it, we can figure it out now so it can be part of the original budget.’ There were small modifications to the plan, but no surprises.

“Clients see value in that process, so when the time comes, they’re not having to go back to the bank hat in hand asking for more money,” says Blasioli. “In my 15 years of experience, that is what really sours a renovation.”

ontario home builder renovation 2016

A link to a detached garage was accomplished in time to accommodate a wedding date.

When Two Become One Builder: Pioneer Craftsmen Project Location: Blue Heron Ridge, Cambridge Date: 2009 Project Cost: $185,000

“O

ne of the most challenging projects I’ve worked on was a main-floor kitchen/dinette addition that tied the main house into what was originally a detached garage,” recalls Pioneer Craftsmen President Jamie Adam. “The original home was 60 years old and had undergone numerous piecemeal renovations by the various homeowners and contractors. After signing a design contract we went to work investigating how all the existing pieces fit together. We found many serious deficiencies, such as bearing walls removed with no support, and crawl spaces with no insulation or vapour barrier.

“After we thought we had most of the answers we signed a contract and began construction,” says Adam.

“After removing the breezeway between the home and the garage—we kept the main garage structure and rebuilt the one common wall—we

began excavation and learned quickly that there was no frost protection for the original double-car garage. Our designs called for the two now-separate structures to become one, and with the homeowners hosting a wedding at their home shortly after our scheduled completion, the pressure was on to develop and execute a solution.

“We considered various approaches and ultimately ended up underpinning part of the garage and adding frost protection around the perimeter, which allowed the two structures to come together seamlessly and to be structurally sound.

“Having a good working relationship with our engineer and the building inspectors, as well as a written contract that was reviewed closely with our clients, allowed us to finish the project within our targeted gross profit and one week before the clients’ wedding party.

“While we could plan ahead for all the other structural deficiencies, this was an unexpected curveball. But since we’d done our homework ahead of time, we weren’t overwhelmed trying to solve all the structural challenges at once and kept the project moving forward. We were lucky, though, that we were able to reassign some staff, and also worked longer hours and a couple Saturdays to meet the deadline.

We did develop a new schedule, but kept the wedding date!” OHB ohba.ca

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Renovator Garnet Northey, President & Founder, Spotlight home and lifestyle

The Ties that Bind Forging relationships with building officials makes life easier for renovators

By Tracy Hanes 64

ontario home builder renovation 2016

Building Official dean findlay, chief building official, city of Peterborough

Renovating can be a tricky business in many of

Toronto’s older neighbourhoods where mere inches separate some houses. Say you have to caulk windows or fireproof a sidewall as part of a job you’re doing for a client, and there’s no way to do it without putting a ladder or scaffolding on the neighbour’s property—but the neighbour refuses to grant access or even allow a crane to swing over his yard.

In situations like that, Brendan Charters, partner in Eurodale Developments, a Toronto renovation and custom home building company, relies on the relationships he’s built with City of Toronto officials to gain a Right-of-Entry permit to an adjoining property so his crew can finish the job.

Whereas past relationships renovators and builders had with building officials were often tenuous and contentious, that’s changing due to an increasingly complex construction environment and a rapidly changing Ontario Building Code. But navigating the process remains a particularly daunting task for renovators, who ohba.ca

have to deal with issues such as tying new construction to older houses, protection of trees or heritage properties and dealing with unhappy neighbours. And that’s why renovators and builders should be forging alliances with their local officials, suggest Charters and others.

“We are coming out of an old era of adversarial relationships— one that is going away rapidly as everything is becoming more complicated,” says Garnet Northey, president of the Peterborough & The Kawarthas Home Builders’ Association and owner of Spotlight Home and Lifestyle, a renovation and restoration company.

“Our interests aren’t divergent; they are convergent. We are on the same page,” agrees Jon-Carlos Tsilfidis, Renovator Council chair for the Building Industry and Land Development Association and president of Fairside Homes, a company that does renovations and new home builds.

Doug Tar r y is another who appreciates the value of walking in step with community officials.

While president of OHBA in 2011, the director of marketing for Doug Tarry Homes was a catalyst in forging a working relationship between the Ontario Building Officials Association and OHBA, similar to a working committee he had been co-chair of in St. Thomas that included builders and building officials.

Tarry says builders had felt like they had had “the rug pulled out from under them” when building officials got advance notice of Code changes before them, then they’d scramble to comply and get their houses passed.

T he i nt roduc t ion of SB -12 (Supplementary Standard SB-12) into the Code, which required enhanced energy efficiency requirements, was a “game changer,” says Tarry.

Many Energy Star builders knew more about how to meet the energy efficiency requirements than building officials, and often Tarry and other high-performance builders found themselves acting as mentors, which “helped break the ice.”

Tarry worked closely with Leon Bach, Central Elgin’s Chief Building Official on developing products to help achieve the new energy efficiency standard, such as an optimum basement wall that would pass muster with inspectors. “I walked through all the technical issues with him and his input was very valuable,” says Tarry. “As the Code gets more complicated and the Ministry (of Municipal Affairs and Housing) has backed away from giving rulings, it’s become really important for us to partner with building officials so that we mutually understand what we’re building and what they’re inspecting. When we get a new Code change, it’s really good to get in a room together.”

The Molinaro Group, which builds extensively in Burlington and has been a trailblazer in introducing concepts not previously seen in the city, such as downtown mixed-use residential condos, also recognizes the value of such ties. Company president and OHBA Past President Vince Molinaro says fostering such bonds has been imperative in mounting projects, as well as getting them built in a timely manner.

A dozen years ago, his company purchased an old gas station site to redevelop as a mixed-use condominium (Bunton’s Wharf). Although the site itself had been remediated, off-site contamination was discovered midway through the construction process.

“We had to scramble—get road-closure permits, get the area excavated and peer reviewed,” recalls Molinaro. A series of meetings between both Molinaro’s and the City’s experts and consultants were held to figure out how they could tackle the problem.

Although it was a serious issue, by working collaboratively the issue was resolved and construction was able to continue with as little delay as possible.

“The City respected the fact that instead of complaining about it, we worked with them to resolve the issue and demonstrated to them that we were a true team player,” says Molinaro.

The respect and trust his company earned through that issue continues to benefit Molinaro’s business. If a proposed project has been stuck in the zoning process, for example, Molinaro has been able to negotiate a partial approval, such as an excavation permit, so he can commence work. “There are a lot of checks and balances,” he notes.

“You don’t want to embarrass people or make them look bad. These are big, complicated projects and you have to include a lot of people.”

The City respected the fact that instead of complaining about it, we worked with them to resolve the issue and demonstrated to them that we were a true team player.

ohba.ca

ENGAGING STAKEHOLDERS

If you’re looking for a blueprint of the two sides working toward a common goal, you might find it in Peterborough.

“The previous president of the Peterborough & Kawarthas HBA, Mike Davenport, focused on getting their house in order—making things more professional, more accountable and reaching out to members to build more consensus. And then Garnet Northey came in as president and, with that work done, focused on reaching out to other stakeholders,” says City of Peterborough Chief Building Official and Building Division Manager Dean Findlay. “The local chapter of the OBOA has been doing the same in recent years, reaching out to local home builders, engineers, designers and others to become members.”

Forging those links “is an important part of the process to ensure things are following Code, and building officials can offer ontario home builder renovation 2016

65

sug gest ions,” says Northey. “Working with them is far more effective than not. At the end of the day, we all have the same goal: to build safe, healthy homes.”

“It wasn’t easy at first,” acknowledges Findlay. “The issues that are a bit challenging between the sectors get thrown on the floor and beat up pretty harshly: ‘Why do you do things differently?

Why can’t you be on the same page?’ But eventually everyone realized the challenges that faced each other and there was a better understanding.

“I remember sitting down with OHBA CEO Joe Vaccaro and getting a better understanding of the higher level items on the table,” says Findlay, a former OBOA president. “One of those issues was how municipal building departments are on different pages as far as the Ontario Building Code is concerned. I don’t think we as building officials recognized that until our partners went to great lengths to point it out to us.

“When you have a good working relationship with someone and there’s mutual respect, you’re probably going to have a better understanding of their needs and know what the source of the issue is quicker,” Findlay adds. “Even if you don’t get along, try to understand what each other’s jobs and issues are. I spend a lot of time telling people that the City of Peterborough didn’t invent the OBC and all the requirements for submission. You’ve got a group of people here who are simply trying to do their jobs. You may not like it, but if you at least respect it, things are probably going to go well. The one thing I really appreciate about Garnet is his open and honest approach. It’s gotten to the point now that we can go downtown and have a coffee and if he passes on a complaint to me, I know that it has been vetted and I’ll take immediate action on that based on faith. Those are the intangibles in a good relationship.

Findlay also recognizes the importance of the building industry in Ontario and Peterborough. “We have to work together. I’m a law enforcement person—we enforce the building code—but my mayor and the CEO on my council also expect my department to help the construction industry succeed. But we all have to take responsibility for our profession. As building officials, we had to become more educated in the technical aspects of the OBC to better understand our core work.

Similarly, for builders, the more they know about the OBC and their obligations, the better they’re going to do.

Building officials, and OBOA in particular, have become leaders in building code training. I think we have a great relationship with the OHBA, but it would be great to see us further develop technical training for builders on what their obligations are with respect to the Code. You

One of those The Relationship issues was Checklist how municipal building departments are on different pages as far as the Ontario Building Code is concerned.

66

ontario home builder renovation 2016

Waiting for a building permit to be allocated is one of the biggest areas of frustration for home builders, but also for building officials.

“I know it’s hard for the builders—the amount of information required is extensive and a lot of times they’re relying on other people—designers, architects, engineers— but it’s rare that we come into possession of a fully completed application at the outset,” explains City of Peterborough Chief Building Official and Building Division Manager Dean Findlay. “The Code sets out timelines for plan reviews. If you have a complete application, the clock starts ticking the minute you file it with us. But if you come in with an incomplete application, the clock does not start. We still review the set of plans and advise on what’s missing before we can finish the review, but a lot of times that process requires the same amount of time as a review of a complete application.”

But things can also break down afterward if builders don’t pay close attention to reviewed plans. “In many cases, when you get out to the field to do inspections, you either find those comments weren’t paid attention to, or that the reviewed set of plans aren’t even on site,” Findlay says. “There’s nothing that starts an inspection off worse than an inspector encountering something that wasn’t in line with the approved plans.”

Mike Seiling, past president with the Ontario Building Officials Association and Chief Building Official with the City of Kitchener, cites five common areas when relationships can break down: the matter is time-sensitive; builder/ contractor demands; external pressures; a sense of builder/contractor entitlement; and attitude.

Understanding the basics of the OBC helps mitigate potential tensions, says Seiling, who provides the following to foster a healthy working relationship:

1. Start construction after the building permit issuance. It’s the Law BCA 8.(1). (Obtain/download copy of the municipal building by-law and complete application requirements.)

2. Meet in person Pre-application meetings can highlight interpretations and avoid issues.

3. Complete applications within prescribed time frames Part 9 residential: 10 business days Part 9 non-residential: 15 business days Part 3 Large: 20 business days Part 3 Complex: 30 business days Prior to filing application, consider pre-application meeting to review code interpretations. And check with the local municipality if they offer a pre-app meeting and ask if a fee applies.

4. Support two-way communication.

That means one contact person, while using the project address for all correspondence.

And don’t phone every day, Seiling advises.

5. Continue two-way communication with the building inspector once the permit has been issued and construction is underway.

6. Keep inspectors apprised of changes and confirm if any documentation is required prior to making a change. And do not occupy the residence unless it has been approved by a building inspector.

It’s a good idea to set-up a pre-occupancy inspection a week before, while obtaining all documentation and submitting it to the inspector prior to the inspection.

only get better the more information you accumulate.”

The overall relationship is definitely improving, agrees Aubrey LeBlanc, Chief Administrative Officer for the OBOA. “It’s not a fluke.

Both parties have been trying to move the yardstick. Officials and builders/renovators have more in common than they think and are allies on a lot of things.”

LeBlanc adds that building departments are reaching out more to builders and renovators, such as experimenting with service hours and offering advance reviews of plans to provide some coaching ohba.ca

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to make sure submissions will be correct.

The City of Hamilton has also nurtured the process by implementing awards for best applicants to recognize exemplary builders and renovators who invest time and effort to avoid problems. (Winners have included OHBA members Spallacci Homes in 2013 with the Building Inspection Recognition of Excellence Award, and Marz Homes in 2015 with the Building Permit Submission Recognition of Excellence Award).

A bone of contention for Charters and other renovators who work in Toronto is that it is the only municipality in Ontario or Quebec that doesn’t furnish inspection reports containing details of whether a project passed or why it failed. With no proof of inspection, that’s a potential liability for a contractor.

If a Tree Falls

TIME CRUNCH

Time-challenged workweeks, though, leave little time for building relationships, Charters laments. The renovation industry in Ontario and the GTA is larger than the new-home Trees can pose a unique challenge for industry, and so much more segmented, says What remains a source of frustration for renovators and in some jurisdictions a Charters, with thousands of renovators, many renovators is the unpredictability of how long permit will be required if they plan to of them small mom-and-pop operations that a permit will take. Generally, the process can remove them. Some municipalities do not don’t have the staff or internal structure to be a little quicker in smaller municipalities have any bylaws in place governing tree deal with municipalities. but gets more complicated in large cities such removal on private property, but many do, “I have to run every day to get permits and as Toronto or Ottawa. including large cities such as Toronto and sell jobs and deal with on-site issues and I In Toronto, Charters says permits can be Ottawa and York Region. have very little time to saunter into building fast-tracked in as few as five days for projects In Toronto, the Private Tree by-law departments and spend a couple of hours a that aren’t complex or for additions of less regulates injury or removal of trees that week to develop relationships,” Charters says. than 1,000 square feet, although the zoning are 30 centimetres or more in diameter and But if you don’t do that, you’re just a single file has to be clear. But often a renovator won’t measured 1.4 metres above ground level.

Renovations involving trees will require an on the books, he adds, and the odds are the know if zoning is clear until he seeks a zoning arborist’s report detailing the severity of people across the counter don’t know—or certificate, and that review process can tree injury and protection measures to be care—who you are. take up to 12 weeks. Charters says he’s had carried out and will require the approval What he and Tsilfidis suggest is for permits take as long as eight months. of the City’s urban forestry department renovators to join their local home builders’ Complex projects may have to be reviewed before a permit is issued. association. “With the myriad Code changes by many departments (such as planning, Trees on municipal land or a neighbour’s happening, especially regarding energy building, transportation, zoning and urban property can also be problematic, as even if efficiency and insulation, it would behoove forestry). If it’s on a ravine property, it will they are 20 or 30 feet away, their roots could renovators to become members of their require Toronto Region Conservation be affected by construction work. local home builder association, as those Authority approval, and historic properties “You need the permission of the owner associations provide education courses and may need heritage approval. Sometimes an of the tree, and that can pose serious challenges,” says Brendan Charters of updates,” says Tsilfidis. application will come back with comments Eurodale Developments. “It’s becoming Charters, who was on BILD’s board and conf licting w ith those from other more and more part of the proforma of the executive committee for five years and active departments, Charters adds. homeowner or renovator.” on its government relations committee, says “Municipalities are making great progress It gets even more complicated if the tree by joining those associations and attending on providing better service, but what remains is on a ravine lot or wooded area. In Toronto, meetings and forums, renovators can get to a bottleneck is the permit process. It is still a those trees are regulated both by the City’s know people in the association who work major instrument of broad public policy, and Ravine and Natural Feature Protection in government relations and deal with real friction remains,” LeBlanc agrees. by-law and the Toronto and Region municipal officials on a regular basis. “Most Renovators and builders are also frustrated Conservation Authority, and renovators will renovators are not the polished professionals by how processes can vary from municipality have to obtain a TRCA permit, as well as the in the government relations people area, to municipality. “I deal with three or four city permit, which means longer delays.

Those who don’t obtain the proper but they can leverage those members’ skill municipalities and they all have different tree permit can be convicted of an offence sets and use them to move their project procedures,” says Tsilfidis. “It makes it and potentially fined up to a maximum ahead. These people can take issues to senior challenging for today’s renovator, who has to of $100,000 for the injury or destruction officials and can effect change.“There will know as much about municipal procedures as of any tree in a protected area, or for any always be a bit of underlying friction, because building procedures.” other offence in the ravine by-law, and there are sometimes opposing views—that’s Northey would like to see inspectors in $10,000 per day for any continuing offence. to be expected,” says Charters. “Building his area designated as experts in specific officials have to make sure they protect areas such as framing, plumbing, HVAC, etc. public interests and their community as a Those experts could do the inspections for their field of expertise across all the local municipalities. He says it whole, while we have to protect our interests as businesses and the may also be worthwhile to have separate inspectors for new home interests of our clients. But due to the regular meetings we have and improvements we’re making, the relationship is improving.” OHB projects and renovations.

TIME’S ’A WASTIN’

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Ed Jordan’s

saw was his first tool.

Read more on page 73.

Ontario contractors weigh in on their most essential implements— and their wish lists!

ohba.ca

From staff members to smartphones, any business operator worth their weight in nails knows he or she must rely on their assets to be effective. So too is it true for the most valued possessions of Ontario’s contractors. The effects of a defective tool, for example, can range from slowing down productivity to causing physical harm. Put the right weapon in their hands, however, and you will find a lot of men and women who are happy in their work.

It doesn’t have to be the most cuttingedge technology. Frank Cohn, host of The Home Improvement Show on Newstalk 1010 radio and proprietor of Cohn Construction Ltd. in Mississauga, has never even owned a computer, much less a smartphone, but says he’s still booked 18 months in advance. “But I do have an enormous truck packed with tools,” he observes.

It’s hard for some gearheads to ever leave their tools for long. Steve Putinski, who has been with Amsted Design Build for 22 years, began his tenure at the Ottawa firm as a framer on site and eventually worked his way up to project manager.

But he has returned to his first love. “He’s back to his tools now,” explains Amsted’s Valerie Blasioli. “He’s at a time of life where he wants to work with his hands, and it’s something he takes pride in.”

Below are eight members of the province’s trades who share everything from their very first tool to the latest gear that has them drooling.

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r Greg Schnar rr Cr aftsmen

President, Schna Solutions Creative Renovation

Do you recall your first tool?

I started as an apprentice carpenter 45 years ago, so it’s difficult to remember, but it was most likely a hammer with a wooden handle that I would not have anymore. I do still have my first handsaw, though, because that was an important tool. And electric drills were not available yet, so we had what was called a brace and bit, which I still have as well!

What’s your latest acquisition?

If you were to ask about one of the most valuable tools in renovation, I’d say the reciprocating saw. It makes for easy demolition work and has lots of uses. My latest tool, though, is the Dremel Multi-Max MM45, a multi-tool that cuts almost anything—in any position—with a blade that moves back and forth very quickly. All my employees have one now.

Is there something out there that’s on your wish list?

I don’t work on site anymore, but do a lot of weekend projects in my kids’ homes. I would like to own the Paslode trim nailer that doesn’t require a compressor. It uses a gas cartridge and is handy for small jobs.

And what do you lose the most often?

I don’t often lose tools, but it is hard to keep a full set of drill bits.

You keep them in a case and if they’re not put back right away, who knows where they end up!

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Jamie Adam

President, .

Pioneer Cr aftsmen Ltd

What was your first tool?

That would have been a shop vac. It’s long gone, but over the years I’ve always had one. When I first started out, my dad was pretty clear: “Work hard and always make sure the jobsite is clean!”

How about your favourite tool?

A Hilti laser tape. I spend a lot of time measuring houses and this little pocket tool saves me hours and hours every week and provides accurate dimensions. It also keeps me from having to climb over, under or around our homeowners’ personal belongings.

Is there something on your wish list?

I wish there was a tool out there that would accurately measure a house and input the dimensions onto our design program!

What breaks down or goes missing the most often?

I think we replace more reciprocating saws each year than any other tool, but they sure pay off in helping with tear-out!

ohba.ca

Frank Cohn

ction Owner, Cohn Constru

Do you have a favourite tool?

I have dozens of sub-trades I’ve been working on and off with for decades. But I do have a lead carpenter, although he works as an independent. We have two enormous trucks packed with tools, so there’s not much we don’t have.

Do you recall your first tool as a contractor?

It was an Estwing hammer, and I still have it. I started out with a pretty mickey-mouse hammer with a wooden handle that my dad gave me. I was on a jobsite for another contractor and he saw what I was using and gave me a hammer as a gift. That was about 40 years ago. And it still works perfectly.

What’s your latest acquisition?

Paslode power nailers—one for framing and one for finishing. The Estwing doesn’t get used much anymore. They were around $70 apiece. Got them a couple years ago. We also just got a Milwaukee cordless drill with hammer action on it.

What do you lose the most often?

Measuring tapes. I must lose one every two to three months.

ohba.ca

Ed Jordan

Master Installer, ens Casey’s Creative Kitch

Do you recall the first tool you were ever given (or purchased)?

My first tool was a set given to me by my father: a Handy Andy Toolkit. I used the saw pictured when I climbed to the top of a tree and began to saw the very branch I was standing on. Quite the fall, but I survived unscathed!

What’s your latest piece of equipment?

I recently purchased a DeWalt 10” Jobsite Table Saw with Rolling Stand to replace my dying old Makita. It works great!

Is there anything out there on your wish list that you’d like to add?

I’ve found myself on jobsites many times wishing I had a biscuit joiner. There are so many applications where it would be a handy tool to have!

What tool do you lose the most often, or that most often breaks?

The easiest tool to lose is my tape measure, since it’s so simple to set it down and just forget it. Drill bits break the most, which usually happens from overworking them without consistent sharpening.

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73

Steve Putinski Lead Carpenter, Amsted Design Build

Do you remember the first tool you were ever given?

I believe it was from my girlfriend and now my wife, Diane: a small Black + Decker 5 1/2” saw with an all-plastic body. She gave it to me on our first Christmas together in 1979. I still have it because I’m pretty sure my wife said, ‘Don’t lose or break it, or else!’ Happy wife, happy life. So far so good.

What was your latest purchase?

That was a DeWalt 12” Sliding Double Bevel Compound Mitre Saw. Don’t know why I bought it. My wife says it was because it was on sale. Now I will have to use it soon or she will wonder why I bought it.

Is there something still on your wish list?

That would be a complete set of cordless DeWalt 20-volt LithiumIon Max power tools including radio. My set now is getting old and the batteries aren’t charging well.

What tool do you lose the most often?

My measuring tape.

I have probably bought 25 to date. Funny thing is, I usually find them after buying another.

I have a nice collection at home now.

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ontario home builder renovation 2016

Carlos Avarado owner, Got Glass

What was your first tool?

My first big purchase was the DeWalt 12” sliding saw. I bought it around 1999 for about $1,200. Nowadays they are half price.

They’re a great tool for big renovations, but heavy as an elephant.

What’s your most recent purchase?

I just bought the CM8S Bosch 8” Sliding Compound Mitre Saw, although it’s a single bevel saw. The size speaks for itself.

It’s compact and lightweight and has a 12-1/4” crosscut, which for a small saw is great! I take this tool everywhere.

Is there anything on your wish list?

There are a few, but the one I most want is the Fein BF 10-280 belt file. Great for metal and wood sanding!

What tool do you find that you replace the most?

I normally buy quality tools, but I find that cordless drills and drivers break the most.

18-volt and 20-volt are great and lightweight, but at times they overheat, although they can deliver on demanding applications. Also, I’ve had about three versions of the Fein Multimaster ever since 2005. The best tool ever! So good that if it breaks I just go to the store and buy a new one without thinking twice, although they do last pretty long considering the use.

ohba.ca

Nick Heykoop

Owner /Founder, Heykoop Construction

Do you remember your first tool?

The first tool I was given that stands out to me was a set of four Freud chisels. The box is a little worse for wear, but the chisels still are in incredible shape for how much they’ve been used. I got them for my 15th birthday from my first boss, Kase Vanden Heuvel. I was working on his farm at the time, but he also owned a large construction company. He was an incredible role model and taught me a lot.

What was your most recent tool purchase?

A Makita track saw with a 55” track and the 118” track.

Anything out there you’d like to add to your arsenal?

A scissor lift or genie boom would be on top of my wish list.

And what tools do you find go missing the most often?

Pry bars and driver bits seem to be the tools that disappear the most.

ohba.ca

Stephen Dolan Lead Carpenter, Men at Work

Do you recall the first tool you were ever given or purchased?

One of my first tools was from my 92-year-old grandfather. He was one for the stories and used this hammer when working as a log roller in Northern Ontario. He handed it to me with a beam of pride in his eyes and emphasized the many uses this tool could have, from chopping to hammering to prying. He always said it’s not the tool that makes the craftsman; it’s the craftsman that makes the tool. No truer words were even spoken, in my opinion.

What’s your latest tool/equipment purchase?

The 3.3-amp Dremel Multi-Max. Is there something on your wish list that you’d like to add?

The Milwaukee 12” Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Mitre Saw. What tool do you lose the most often, or that most often breaks?

Definitely the tape measure!

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75

Interior design elements that will m ake both eco-conscious homebu yers a nd Mother Nature happy

By Tracy Hanes

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sustainable interiors

Gas or electric fireplaces ARe greener options tha n woodbur ning ones, with electric adding the adva ntage of flexibilit y.

With the Ontario Building Code poised to take another leap forward in 2017, manufacturing a more sustainable, efficient house will be on most builders’ agendas. ohba.ca

When creating tighter building envelopes, increased insulation levels and more efficient heating and cooling systems, it makes sense to integrate sustainable features into a new home’s interior design.

But while most consumers have good intentions and want to live an eco-friendly lifestyle, many don’t understand which design features and products can help achieve this, note two interior designers who work extensively with new builders and homebuyers.

This presents an opportunity for builders to be leaders in educating their clients and differentiating themselves from the competition, indicate Yasmine Goodwin of My Design Studio in Toronto and Josie Abate of Ambience Design Group in Woodbridge.

Empire Communities, Midhaven Homes, Reid’s Heritage Homes, Gregor Homes and Minto are a few examples of builders that are constructing homes with eco-friendly and healthy features. But there is much room to grow.

“Not enough people have this knowledge. It’s important to have people understand it and put it into practice—that it’s not only good for them and their family, but good for the environment,” says Abate.

“Some builders are really aiming to focus on healthy homes,” says Goodwin. “I don’t know if I’d call it a trend, but it’s about providing more awareness and education to homeowners. I think builders who have the ideology of wanting to provide a healthy environment for customers to live in, do it to set themselves apart and want to be trendsetters. Not all builders do it, though, because it takes time to develop packages and get ratings (such as LEED, Energy Star or ontario home builder renovation 2016

77

sustainable interiors

If you ca n marry both sustainabilit y a nd pleasing aesthetics, you will have greater success.

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HERS) and not all builders have that desire. For those who want to do it, especially smaller builders, it’s a nice way to differentiate themselves as being environmentally conscious.”

Goodwin has found the most effective way for builders to sell these options is to package interior design options along with other health-oriented or energy-efficient features offered as upgrades.

She says a typical package might include low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints, quartz countertops, cabinetry and flooring, as well as carpets and underpads that have met emission standards such as GreenGuard third-party certification.

Empire Communities, the 2015 OHBA Builder of the Year, has been a green-building leader in the province and has offered various eco-friendly upgrade packages to its buyers over the years. Behindthe-wall energy efficiency upgrades such as mechanical systems and insulation are a tough sell because their benefits can’t be seen or touched, but Paul Golini Jr., Empire Executive Vice-President and co-founder, says it’s somewhat easier to sell interior design features.

Empire is not currently offering eco packages as it has in the past, but is working with TV personality and home inspector Mike Holmes to develop new packages that include healthy home options.

“People love their design and when you are selling upgrades, first and foremost you have to deliver on design,” says Golini. “So whether it’s countertops that have recycled content and an anti-bacterial element, or low-VOC paints, they still need to look good and feel good. If you can marry both (sustainability and pleasing aesthetics), you will have greater success.” ohba.ca

sustainable interiors

A huge trend in interior design is reclaimed and recycled wood

But it’s still early days in the market’s transition to sustainable homes. “It’s like the electric car,” Golini explains. “For years, people asked, ‘Why can’t they make a pretty electric car?,’ because the first electric cars weren’t very attractive. Then the Tesla came out and whether it was electric or not, people liked it because it was pleasing to the eye and well-designed.”

Buyers, though, might not be ready to embrace choices that aren’t mainstream, such as bamboo flooring (as long as it meets green standards) or recycled glass countertops. “People still like oak hardwood,” says Golini. “If you can pair an oak hardwood from a plant that has sustainability practices and recycles its waste, that’s great. But, again, it still has to look good and perform well.”

Golini does believe there will soon be “a meeting of the worlds between health and wellness and how we design and construct our homes.”

Here are some emerging interior design elements that can be considered as sustainable choices, according to Goodwin and Abate.

FLOORING Abate contends that radiant heat flooring results in healthier indoor air quality compared to a forced-air system. A gas-fired boiler or geothermal system works well with radiant floor heating, but due to the cost, radiant heat floors are more within the realm of luxury or custom home budgets.

“If people are using heated floors and want to have a wood floor, they are going to have to use engineered wood, and it’s just as good as ohba.ca

conventional hardwood if you get from a reputable manufacturer,” says Abate. “The top layer is solid wood. It stands up to expanding and contracting, and you can wipe and wash it.”

Goodwin prefers engineered hardwood to conventional hardwood for all homes, as it’s more durable and has less shrinkage and service issues. It works over any substrate including plywood, or can be installed directly over concrete, so can be used in basements or condos as well as low-rise homes. Solid hardwood floors can warp, shrink or cup, and that can create service headaches for builders.

A huge trend in interior design is reclaimed and recycled wood, but offering authentic reclaimed wood flooring is not practical for production builders, due to sourcing, cost and warranty issues. As well, old wooden flooring may have been treated with harmful PCB finishes. Goodwin says a great option for production builders is engineered hardwood flooring that looks vintage.

“Farmed wood that looks like reclaimed is definitely trending,” she says. “It can be finished with a matte, weathered look that looks recycled or reused. Wide planks are in for flooring as part of the de-formalization of spaces.”

For a less rustic and more contemporary look, wood flooring is veering away from the traditional brown hues to grey tones, and from light to dark charcoals.

The most sustainable wood choice—for flooring or any lumber— is FSC- (Forest Stewardship Council) certified product, which ensures that the forests from which it is sourced have been harvested in an environmentally responsible way, notes Goodwin. ontario home builder renovation 2016

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sustainable interiors

DON’T BE BAMBOOZLED

BY BAMBOO Bamboo flooring has not caught on in a big way with builders or homebuyers, says Goodwin, although it’s widely touted as being eco-friendly.

What people like about quartz is the ease of care a nd the consistency of colour,

“Overharvesting still happens where people don’t care about the environment, but we tell our clients it’s better to use FSC wood,” says Abate. “If you just turn a board or piece of flooring over, it’s usually stamped to indicate FSC certification.”

STAINS, GLUES, ADHESIVES

Bamboo is a renewable resource that grows quickly and can be harvested without killing the plant (bamboo is a grass, not a tree). It can therefore be a sustainable choice, but check carefully to see how eco-friendly it actually is.

If a homebuyer is bent on using bamboo, make sure it has Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification to ensure it’s been harvested in a responsible way.

The other issue is that many factories that manufacture bamboo flooring use glues with high levels of formaldehyde that can cause health issues, so also check for certification such as GreenGuard to ensure that it will not adversely affect indoor air quality.

Mercier (all its flooring is GreenGuard-certified), DuroDesign, which provides flooring that can help with LEED points, and Nadurra.

KITCHENS After choosing cabinets (made with low-VOC adhesives, of course), countertops are one of the major considerations for the kitchen. Real stone is still a desired choice among homebuyers for its appearance, but it also has ecological benefits.

While granite is still popular and non-toxic, it can stain and needs to be sealed periodically. And it’s not always mined in an environmentally responsible way. Marble has a classic, beautiful look, but is porous and susceptible to damage.

Quartz countertops are rapidly gaining favour, and while they use a small amount of resin as a binding agent, they are non-toxic and composed mainly of aggregated quartz and up to 50% recycled material. Quartz can be pricier than granite because it has to be manufactured, Abate admits, but the extra price will be worth it to environmentally conscious homeowners.

“What people like about quartz is the ease of care and the consistency of colour,” says Goodwin, who says the colours and patterns in granite may be too ‘busy’ in the open-concept layouts of today.

Quartz, one of the hardest substances found in nature, is non-porous, thus stain and bacteria resistant and never needs to be sealed. These countertops generally come with a 10-year warranty (a plus for builders) and don’t ‘off-gas’ harmful chemicals. Caesarstone, Cambria and Cosentino are among the most popular quartz brands and these companies also engage in environmentally responsible manufacturing and business practices.

Abate is also seeing more concrete and glass countertops—both sustainable choices made of recycled materials.

And speaking of recycling, Abate says she is incorporating more recycling centres in kitchens to make it easier for homeowners to sort their waste.

“They are mainly in higher-end kitchens and you can have a drawer or door that opens with separate bins for garbage, compost and recycling.”

You can’t see it, but you can smell it. Homebuyers may think that new home scent is a positive thing Further, most bamboo for but that odour, created by toxins and chemicals in flooring comes from China, stains, finishes and adhesives, poses adverse health meaning, as Abate points consequences and affects indoor air quality. out, that it takes a lot of “I don’t know that it’s design-driven, but builders energy to transport it from and designers should try to integrate materials that the other side of the globe are low-VOC into their designs,” says Goodwin. to Canada.

“Floorings, wall coverings, cabinetry and paint are available in low-VOC or with no VOCs,” notes Abate. “And those paints, for example, are just as durable as paint that isn’t low-VOC.” Many paint companies, including Benjamin Moore, Sherwin When it comes to lighting, the designers are united in their opinions Williams, Para and Behr, offer low-VOC or no-VOC paints. Kitchen that LED is the way to go for any room of the house. manufacturer AyA only uses low-VOC finishes for its kitchens and “A regular 50-watt halogen bulb can cost $18 a year to illuminate, Irpinia will use water-based stains and finishes for a slight premium. depending on how long it’s turned on, but an LED providing the Artcraft and Scavolini are other brands that offer these options. same amount of light costs $3.58,” notes Goodwin. “LED bulbs are Flooring suppliers that offer sustainable products include more expensive, but you will have payback in the first year and you

LIGHTING

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• Textured back prevents slippage during installation • Easy to cut and install for all types of tile projects.

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• Professional-grade performance.

• Minimizes callbacks and improves profitability.

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sustainable interiors can build it into your margins. If you are going to sell pot lights, why not sell homebuyers the better bulb?”

“LED bulbs don’t heat up, they don’t use energy in the same way and they last on average for 10 years,” echoes Abate.

LEDs come in choices that create warmer or cooler illumination and are dimmable to control a room’s ambience. And there are a vast array of fixtures in every shape and size to suit individual design preferences.

AT ONE WITH NATURE Abate is an expert on biophilic design, the design of functional, inspirational spaces that connect people with nature.

“Humans thrive in nature and designers and architects are trying to find ways to bring nature inside,” says Abate. “When you have a view of greenery and trees, it really affects mood. Studies have proven people are happier when they connect with nature.”

One way to achieve this is through window placement that allows for natural light to pour into a home, says Abate, as light contributes to a sense of well-being and windows provide a connection to the outdoors. She says new switchable glass film technology, a commercial application that has come to the residential side, can alternate from clear to opaque, eliminating the need for shades or blinds. The film has a high degree of UV protection and solar heat reduction and is compatible with home automation systems. This would, however, fall into the splurge category for homeowners.

Living or green walls—vertical gardens consisting of a wall of plants that can be attached to either the interior or exterior of a building—are also becoming popular, Abate says. “They cleanse the air and bring the outdoors in.”

While becoming quite common in new commercial buildings, they may not be feasible for most production homes, as green walls have to be supported to hold the weight of plants and soil, and must have an irrigation system. But nature-themed graphics and textures that mimic the natural environment can at least replicate the visual effect.

Fireplaces are also are area of potential improvement, with gas or electric fireplaces a greener option than wood-burning ones that pollute. Gas models may be cheaper to operate and have real flame, but electric models can be moved and plugged in anywhere there’s an outlet. Ethanol is another choice for indoors or out. Ethanol is cleanburning with no smoke or ash, so doesn’t require flues or chimney.

On the other hand, they don’t emit much heat and require oxygen (such as a slightly open window) to burn.

There has been growing public awareness of health risks posed by furniture made in foreign countries. There is large-scale use of formaldehyde in furniture, cabinetry and flooring made in China.

That’s one reason North American-made, rather than imported furniture, is making a comeback. As well, Abate says consumers are opting for better-made, quality furniture that will last longer.

Eco-conscious practices can help separate builders from their competition, but it has to mesh with aesthetics, observes Anthony Martelli, Chief Operating Officer for Burlington-based LIV Communities (formerly LandMart).

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Studies have proven people are happier when they connect with nature.

municipal governments, such as water-conserving fixtures and faucets, and paints containing VOCs are “a no-no,” says Martelli, who developed GreenPark’s Eco-Friendly program.

While you can appeal to their conscience, homebuyers want products they see featured on home improvement shows and are still largely driven by appearance, says Martelli. Quartz countertops or engineered stone countertops that have a high content of recycled material are “very much in vogue,” he notes. “We don’t pitch that it’s great for the environment, but that it looks good and has an appearance that’s different than marble, granite or Corian. In a competitive marketplace, people will buy what looks appealing.”

Flooring is another product that people choose mainly based on appearance, and while they are becoming aware that there are low- or no-VOC options, the more eco-friendly option must look as good or better than the alternative, says Martelli.

LED lights are becoming very popular for various reasons, he adds. There is awareness about the safety of disposing of compact fluorescent bulbs, and LEDs, which can be dimmed and come in either cool or warm light choices, are catching on. Big home improvement stores such as Lowes and Home Depot are also promoting LEDs, which is helping to increase public awareness.

“I think more people are more aware today (of sustainable products) than in the past, but that alone probably doesn’t drive their decision-making,” says Martelli. “It makes them feel better to consider a product that’s been manufactured in a sustainable way.

But they need to see the benefit and what’s in it for them.” OHB ohba.ca

Image Courtesy of Black Tusk Development Group

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Evolution in residential plumbing is saving consumers money, while conserving our most precious resource

By Penn Javdan

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W

hile Canadians may think of themselves as an eco-friendly population, we are actually the world’s highest users of our most precious natural resource: water. According to the Polis Water Sustainability Project, released in January, we go through an estimated 325 litres of water per day, more than any other nation on earth, and roughly twice as much as fifth-place Sweden. A 2013 study by Statistics Canada suggests the numbers are much better than that: 223 litres per person, as of 2013—nearly a 35% drop from the 342 litres per person in 1991.

(According to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s 2009 Municipal Water Use Report, the last such report filed by the agency, Ontario’s residential water use is 225 litres per capita a day, well below the 274-litre average across the country).

Regardless of the actual numbers, Canadians are, comparatively speaking, remarkably inefficient in their daily water use. Part of that stems from the fact that we have a lot of it—9% of the world’s largest freshwater supply, in fact. But it also doesn’t help that we pay less for each litre of water than any other global jurisdictions. Australians, the world’s stingiest users of H2O, pay about 62% more for water and sewage services than Canadians and 100% more than Americans.

Monetary incentives tend to be good ones. But if the psychological commitment isn’t what it should be as yet in this country, technology is at least helping Canadians to be significantly more efficient in their water usage than they were a short time ago.

Credit more efficient plumbing for much of that transition, which has resulted in more savings for homeowners and less strain on the environment and a growing demand for plumbing professionals.

“There’s been a shift towards more efficient fixtures and fittings for years,” says Chris Hanson, product manager at American Standard Brands. “As recent as the early 1990s some toilets were as high as 19 litres per flush, whereas now we have Map Premium-listed products such as our H2Option and H2Optimum flushing at only 4.2 litres. Technological advancements have allowed American Standard to be more efficient how the water is used, creating our Vormax flushing system that not only uses less water, but has been tested by IAPMO to keep your toilet two times cleaner than a standard toilet.”

A look at emerging products, systems and technologies sheds light on the evolution towards increased efficiency.

PRODUC T S , S Y S T E M S , T E C H NOL O G Y

Faucets and Showerheads On the more aesthetic side of the equation, faucet and showerhead manufacturers are now cleaning up in the conservation department.

And that’s a good thing, particularly in the bathroom, where, according to Environment Canada, about 65% of indoor water usage occurs (with showers and baths accounting for 35% and toilet flushing 30%).

The kitchen is another water guzzling area. Blanco’s Sonoma model can reduce consumption by up to 30% in conjunction with the aerator (1.5 GPM) provided.

Regardless of what part of the house such fixtures are being used, builders and plumbers should “look for products with the ohba.ca

WaterSense label, which adhere to criteria set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency and may also contribute to a project’s eligibility for LEED credits or Built Green points,” stresses Jan Rutgers, director of product design at Taymor.

Garry Scott, V.P. of wholesale marketing and brand development at Moen Canada, echoes those sentiments. “At Moen, we realize the importance of water conservation, which is why all of our residential lavatory faucets—and many showerheads—are certified to meet the EPA’s WaterSense criteria,” says Scott, whose company offers a number of innovations such as its Immersion technology in showerheads and aerated faucet flows that allow users to save water without sacrificing performance.

Even the installation of tubs has become a more efficient undertaking, thanks to OS&B’s Island Tub drain rough-in. Designed for freestanding tub installations, it allows plumbers to rough-in the drainage connection before walls and ceilings are finished— a rough-in that will define the exact location of the tub. It then enables tilers to install flooring prior to the tub going in, and also allows for the tub to be installed as little as one day before occupancy, thus greatly reducing any potential damage to it.

Ultra-Efficient Toilets Toilets have quickly evolved from single-flush to dual-flush to lowflow. Gone are the days of toilets that required anywhere from 13.2 to 26.5 litres per flush, with many of today’s models required to use less than 4.8 litres per flush, and some boasting lower numbers than that.

Add it all up and for a typical home, today’s new water-efficient toilets can save you as much as 60,000 litres of water annually, which could potentially cut hundreds of dollars from your water bill.

The most water-efficient gravity-flush toilets on the market, American Standard’s dual-flush 0.92/1.28 gallons-per-flush H2Option and the single-flush 1.1 gpf H2Optimum both meet EPA WaterSense and MaP Premium criteria. As with the manufacturer’s powerful Vormax model, they’re also easy-cleaning thanks to their EverClean surface, which is twice as smooth as ordinary toilet surfaces.

Beyond conservation, there is more visual technology taking hold of this essential household item. Kohler’s NightLight model features an attractive blue LED task light that illuminates the bowl when lid is lifted and a guiding light to illuminate the toilet when the lid is down.

If your client is inclined to shell out more than $1,400 for a place to conduct business, Canadian-based Ove Decors’ tankless toilet offers a luxurious balance between comfort, aesthetics and function. Taking up less space than standard toilets, this water-conserving model promises a “massage wash” massage, heated seat, as well as cleaning, deodorizing, drying and automatic flushing. It can be operated via remote control.

Smart as they are, one cautionary note for plumbers is to think twice before installing toilets as a wall-hung feature, as any retrofit work might cause wall damage—and cost—to the homeowner.

Septic Tanks It’s anything but sexy, but even septic tank construction has taken leaps forward in recent years. But according to Scott Atchison of ontario home builder renovation 2016

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they no longer get caught. Water-powered pumps, though, are still a good backup for when electric powered sumps fail.

On the technology front, wifi-connected sumps notify homeowners via alarm of potential problems. On the scene since at least 2013, it’s an affordable smart-home addition, with Flotec offering a range of capabilities. Another option is the Myers Pump brand, which works without a floater, making troubleshooting smoother. Nuheat, LAARS and Tekmar offer a range of solutions in this field.

Atchison Plumbing & Heating in London, traditional septic systems on their own aren’t optimal “because they rely too heavily on a pump system with no generators or backups.” Since most systems outside the urban core are septic, the lack of power backup can be a challenge.

Construction-wise, while old-style tanks were concrete, meaning heavy, thick, harder to install and at risk of leaking through their lids, today’s newer alternative tanks are composed of non-rusting, watertight plastic and recycled material. Installation costs can be lower since they don’t always require the heavy use of cranes, and the risk of damage is less. They are also generally better than conventional septic systems at removing solids and other pollutants from wastewater before it goes to the soil absorption system (SAS). The SAS can therefore be expected to have a longer life.

Alternative systems (ATS) also permit the development of land parcels where lack of space and environmental concerns preclude the installation of conventional septic systems. They can be used in individual residences, clusters of homes, condominiums, schools, recreational facilities, restaurants or other businesses. And as developable land becomes scarcer, these systems become increasingly useful.

Properly operated and maintained, ATS can provide enhanced treatment performance as compared to conventional gravity systems. BioNest, Ecoflo and Premier Tech are among the companies offering this newer technology.

Tankless Water Heaters Tankless water heater brands are setting themselves apart, and with good reason. Their technology differs in important respects. The gas-operated Rinnai model offers continuous hot water availability, as opposed to 21 minutes for electric tanks and 18 minutes for gas tanks. The entire hot water supply replenishes instantly, compared to 88 and 36 minutes for electric and gas tanks, respectively. According to Consumer Reports, tankless water heaters are 22% more energy efficient on average. Eco-Smart, Stiebel and EcoTemp also stand prominently in this field.

While gas tankless water heaters have the capacity to supply hot water for most homes, according to Natural Resources Canada, “most electric tankless water heaters cannot supply an entire house with hot water. They are most effective when installed as supplementary heaters near bathroom or kitchen sinks far from the main water heater.”

They are also useful in locations with few fixtures and less demand for hot water, such as in a workshop or cottage. (For comparisons between conventional versus tankless technology, visit rinnai.ca/ hybrid-tank-tankless-water-heater).

Sump Pumps Early generations of sumps used floats that often stuck during operation. And those with above-ground motors were unsightly and an electrical hazard. Today’s submersible sumps still have floats, but

Water pricing versus water consumption Water pricing (purchasing power parity) $0.00

$0.50

$1.00

$1.50

$2.00

$2.50

Germany Belgium France

consumption

Netherlands

price

u.k. finland italy sweden ireland spain u.s. canada 0

150

Water consumption (litres per day per person)

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200

250

300

350

SOURCE: POLARIS WATER PROJECT

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Lighting the Way

Pulling it off Blanco’s Sonoma pulldown spray faucet reduces kitchen water consumption by up to 20%.

Kohler’s Nightlight toilet seat with QuietClose seat.

Water Tight American Standard’s H2Option requires just 4.2 litres per flush.

LEED Friendly Taymor’s Dixon Widespread bathroom faucet comes with a WaterSense label.

Easy Install OS&B’s Island Tub Drain allows a freestanding tub location to be defined at rough-in.

Greywater Usage Greywater is any household wastewater with the exception of wastewater from toilets, which is known as blackwater. Typically, 50%-80% of household wastewater is greywater from kitchen sinks, dishwashers, bathroom sinks, tubs and showers. Proponents say greywater systems can reduce household water usage by up to 50%.

Yet only about 5% of homes currently incorporate a greywater recovery system. But professionals are starting to take notice of greywater recovery,” says John Bell, VP of business development and co-founder of Toronto’s Greyter Water Systems.

With the patent-pending Greyter Home system expected to come to market this year, the firm suggests that professionals proactively prepare to be “greywater ready” with a checklist that includes isolating greywater (showers/baths), having dedicated supply lines to the toilets, tying overflow into sanitary sources and ensuring that the system is vented.

Another option is the AQUS system, which sanitizes water from ohba.ca

the bathroom sink before pumping it into the toilet tank to supplement city-supplied water. There’s also Recover brand’s CleanScreen technology, which has been engineered for low maintenance and long life. Its innovation is a state-of-the-art filter designed to remove contaminants from the water while ensuring the highest water savings. At the end of each shower or bath, the reusable filter is automatically cleaned with a high-pressure spray to remove contaminants to the drain. The filter’s clean cycle uses recycled water with a touch of chlorine to disinfect the filter, leaving it clean and ready for the next shower.

For plumbers installing greywater recycling systems, Chris Thompson, president and CTO of Greyter Water Systems, suggests four simple tips: • Use shower water as source water when possible. Avoid kitchen sinks, dishwasher and laundry.

• Isolate everything. Tie all incoming drains into a single 2” pipe into ontario home builder renovation 2016

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the system. Use a single ½” to ¾” riser pipe out of the system and branch it out to the toilets.

• Label everything. Use purple PEX or large warning labels on the pipe to designate that the pipes are running greywater.

• Install appropriate overflow and bypass connections back to sanitary to avoid flooding the system.

Rainwater Reclamation (RWR) (or Rainwater Harvesting)

Filling the Talent Well Running water is big business in Canada. IBIS World market research organization reports that Canadian plumbing-related revenues in 2015 were $12 billion.

While a number of post-secondary institutions are addressing the need for skilled plumbers to take the reins from those retiring from the field, Ron Dotzko, program coordinator for plumbing apprenticeship at Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, acknowledges that it’s sometimes a challenge to keep up with the latest hardware, with companies regularly adding new parts and technology to everything from radiant in-floor heating systems and power-stack heat reclaim systems to greywater recycling systems.

Humber’s Plumbing Techniques program is a comprehensive introduction to the trade. Over the course of two semesters, students learn the basics of plumbing, including theory, code and blueprints, as well as gain significant hands-on experience.

To augment the work of Humber and other colleges, manufacturers are occasionally invited to advise apprentices on new products and technology, Dotzko notes. “In return, those manufacturers, such as DeWalt and Milwaukee, may donate some of their products to our shop. One company we have in on a regular basis is Uponor, a manufacturer of plastic piping.”

Dotzko also advises apprentices to seek supplementary education specifically geared toward newer technologies.

“It would be a win-win for everyone,” he says.

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Rainwater harvesting is the accumulation and deposition of rainwater for reuse on-site, rather than allowing it to run off. Rooftop rainwater harvesting is where the collection surface is a roof where contamination is minimal, providing high-quality water.

With RWR, homeowners will save on water fees and manage harmful chemicals. But it can also be a godsend for helping maintain greenery in times of restricted residential water use—something other jurisdictions in North America have been plagued by, and a situation that Ontario residents can expect in the near future.

According to Saskatchewan-based Clean Flo Water Technologies, RWR can be used for irrigation, gardening, toilet flushing, laundry and even drinking water. Its website features a rainwater calculator (harvestingrainwater.ca/rainwater-harvesting) to demonstrate the volume of rain that can be annually saved and utilized, right down to how many toilet flushes and loads of laundry can be accommodated. The calculator suggests that a typical two-storey, 2,300 sq. ft. Ontario house with a medium-pitch roof covering 1,500 sq. ft. would harvest 100,000 litres of rainwater annually, which would equate to roughly 1,330 loads of laundry.

CMHC’s Guidelines for Residential Rainwater Harvesting Systems Handbook states the goal of newer systems is to “incorporate treatment technologies to improve the quality of rainwater before and/ or after storage, and include provisions for periods of insufficient rainfall (a makeup water supply) and periods of excessive rainfall (overflow provisions).”

Clean Flo’s SuperCleaner by Rainwater Collection is a smaller version of a commercial water-cleaning box. Water flows over a concave piece of stainless steel “wedgewire” material that draws clean water through it. It’s virtually self-cleaning, as debris and excess water flow over the wedgewire and out a drain. No pre-cleaning is required.

Brae and RainFlo are other brands offering similar systems.

Solar Water Heating (SWH) In the last decade, Canada has represented a little under 2.5% of SWH installations worldwide, but that’s changing. According to CanSIA, the association for solar manufacturers, installers, resellers and consultants, SWH is the most cost-effective way of using the sun’s energy, with a year-round solar water heater system providing 35% to 55% of annual water heating needs. In most residential homes, water heating is the second-largest energy consumer next to space heating, so the payback period is relatively quick. The Solar Boiler from Dartmouth, N.S.-based Thermo Dynamics is designed for automatic daily and year-round operation. A non-toxic glycol solution in the solar collectors eliminates winter freezing problems.

A photovoltaic module regulates the proper daily operation of the Solar Boiler and the “solar loop circulator” turns on only when the collectors are hot enough to heat the solar tank.

Other companies offering product options in the category include American Electric, Blujay, Duda and Stiebel. OHB ohba.ca

Why are homeowners talking about Goodman?

Seems like lots of people are talking about the Goodman brand these days. Nearly every day, comments and ratings from homeowners across North America are now being captured and placed on display. To find out how homeowners rate Goodman brand products simply visit www.goodmanmfg.com/reviews. ®

Spoiler Alert:

Goodman Locations

Regardless of the type of Goodman brand product, the reviews are quite exceptional. When homeowners have their local dealer install a new Goodman brand heating or cooling system, it’s not unusual to get a review that reinforces the brand’s slogan, “Thank goodness for Goodman®”.

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I purchased this equipment after researching the major brands and speaking to several HVAC installers. The equipment is well built and a great value. Goodman has an excellent warranty program.

The installer was professional and his workmanship is of the highest quality. I noticed an immediate difference in the comfort of my home. I am impressed at how quiet the unit is. - smithke

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*Goodman uses the industry leader in homeowner reviews, BazaarVoice, to administer and validate the reviews you see on the website. This means reviews are directly from homeowners, with checks to prevent fabrication, modification, or fraudulent activities. To see how Goodman authenticates reviews, please see BazaarVoice’s Authentication Policy at www.goodmanmfg.com

For more information about the complete high-efficiency value product line from Goodman, simply contact your local Goodman brand distributor or sales representative.

Our continuing commitment to quality products may mean a change in specifications without notice. © 2016 Goodman Manufacturing Company, L.P. · Houston, Texas · USA

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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR PARTNERS

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Better building

Solar panels on LIV Communities’ Casablanca model home in Brampton.

High Scores for Nearing Net Zero LIV Communities awarded for most energy-efficient home in North America A Brampton development has netted LIV Communities

the Cross Border Builder Challenge Lowest Score Award at the 2016 RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The award is presented annually to North American builders who build homes with the lowest HERS (Home Energy Rating System) index score. The score is determined by a certified RESNET home energy rater, who assesses the energy efficiency of a home and assigns it a relative performance score. The lower the number, the more energy ohba.ca

efficient the home is.

Although the current building code standard for new homes in Ontario is required to meet an EnerGuide rating of 80, equivalent to a HERS score of 60, Burlington-based LIV Communities, a division of Landmart Homes, achieved a HERS Index of a mere 25 for its model home on Countryside Drive in Brampton’s Casablanca community. It was the lowest score ever recorded for a production (50+ built) home.

Last year’s winner, Markham-based Brookfield Residential, was also well under the code standard, scoring an index of 41. ontario home builder renovation 2016

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Better building (Continued from page 91)

Female-Friendly Shop Class Noticing how many girls would drop out of his Construction Technology course due to the predominance of boys, teacher Danny Paolino pitched an idea for a female-only class at Emily Carr Secondary School in Woodbridge. Covering woodwork, electrical work and plumbing, the only all-girls shop class in York Region now has a waiting list.

A teacher for more than 20 years, Paolino told CTV News in March that he was “hoping the girls will get some confidence and empowerment out of it.”

It has inspired some of his students to ponder a career in the skilled trades—something the Ontario construction industry could desperately use. According to Ontario College of Trades, currently only 14% of applying apprentices are female.

“It’s something I’d been talking about for a couple years with the head of the department and the principal,” says Paolino. “We’d always get one or two girls dropping out because they felt uncomfortable. I felt they were missing out on a great opportunity. They need to know now if this is something they want to pursue. By the end of high school, it’s too late.

“Our principal, Paolo Burzese, said, ‘I’ll run it with five girls!’ But we filled the class of 22, and there was a waiting list of six or seven who couldn’t get in,” Paolino says. “If it wasn’t for (Mr. Burzese), this wouldn’t have happened. Now we might fill two classes next year.”

Grateful students include Bianca Forgione, who says she “jumped at the chance” to take this year’s all-girls course, while Francesca Del Duca says she was interested in developing skills she could employ with daily household tasks. “But it’s also an opportunity,” Del Duca adds. “The class was more uncomfortable with boys—it can be intimidating. But we’re gaining confidence now.”

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LIV C.O.O. Anthony Martelli is proud of the accomplishment, but says they’re still striving to improve. “We constantly plan for the future, because our vision is to build homes that are as close to becoming a netzero home as possible.”

LIV’s accomplishment was propelled by partnerships with such companies as Enbridge, Savings by Design, Enercare, Building Products of Canada, Renewability, Pollard and Pinnacle Home Comfort. But its innovative work with Panasonic Eco Solutions Canada and its Panasonic Residential Solar PV + Energy Storage Solution was integral to the award.

“Working with Panasonic, we are providing solar panels on the roof that store energy in a lithium-ion battery system,” Martelli explains. “Using a smart inverter, the stored solar energy is used during peak times, thus reducing consumption and energy costs.”

The solar modules in this installation use black materials, offering homeowners a clean, modern aesthetic. Apart from select homes in its Casablanca community, LIV’s Classics development in Brampton will also be among the first homes in North America to provide this energy generation and storage system, which accounts for over half the energy savings in the home. “(This) marks the next phase in residential solar energy and an industry-leading step forward in sustainable housing,” said Walter Buzzelli, managing director at Panasonic Eco Solutions Canada Inc.” The Panasonic Residential Solar PV + Energy Storage System installation is one of the first net-metering projects of its kind for Brampton Hydro One. Net-metering allows customers who generate their own electricity from solar power to feed excess power back into the grid. The battery system can store electricity for backup power during a grid outage.

The system maximizes consumption by allowing homeowners to easily adjust the system as energy needs fluctuate. With the solar PV system, battery and grid working together to power the home, the system takes the guesswork out of managing residential solar power.

“The collaboration with Panasonic Eco Solutions demonstrates a shift in home building towards the integration of green solutions into the overall design and offering,” said Martelli, who believes the ohba.ca

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Benefitting from partnerships with a long line of prestigious designers, Ernestomeda combines industrial capability with an atelier philosophy. Its kitchens also comply with the LEED prerequisite for indoor pollution. ernestomeda.com

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Dow Finds Moisture in Commonly Built Homes Findings suggest “breathable walls” are not necessarily better walls Dow Building Solutions challenged the norm for residential building science through its latest findings of moisture in residential wall 4:22 PM cavities. Through its Building Better Homes Challenge, formally referred to as the Twelve Energy Efficient Test Homes (TEETH), Dow discovered moisture content exceeding 20% on the surface of the oriented strand board (OSB) in most homes in the study built with 2x6 R19 fibreglass insulation, OSB and housewrap.

The study has been an ongoing project in collaboration with Belleville-based Cobblestone Homes and DBS to investigate t he per for mance of common ly bui lt wall assemblies. Beginning in 2012, and announced by Dow in 2013, the study has evolved to provide insight into the effects energy codes play in eliminating and, alternatively, potentially creating moisture in the wall cavity.

Dow collected four consecutive years’ worth of data showing that homes built with OSB and housewrap, regardless of the building code standards, retain high levels of moisture content throughout the winter season in a cold climate zone. Meanwhile, homes built with continuous insulation using Styrofoam Brand Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) ohba.ca

insulation did not. Contrary to the industry’s popular building beliefs, permeable wall layers (“breathable walls”) are not drying fast enough to the outside to overcome the interior moisture condensing on the OSB. “What we learned from this study was that even with the best building practices and highly reliable products on the market, (a period of) only four winters can lead to signs of moisture exposure in new homes built with OSB and housewrap,” said Brain Lieburn, DBS research scientist. “A breathable wall isn’t always a better wall. When it comes to moisture, continuous insulation using foam sheathing provided higher protection from condensation for the homes in our study.”

To validate the notable amount of moisture content found in the wall cavities, samples of OSB from several homes were sent to Dow’s microbial lab for further examination. While very little evidence of active fungal decay or moulding were found, the OSB sampled from the homes built with OSB and housewrap did show signs of moisture exposure that may to lead to future long-term problems, which may include house mould, airborne allergens and rotting walls, Dow observed.

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App for iPad Shows Finished Product in Advance Contractors who specialize in exterior remodelling projects have a next-generation tool to help their customers sort through a world of design possibilities. CertainTeed has improved upon its industry-leading array of home design visualization tools by expanding the product offerings showcased in the mobile version of the ColorView Exterior Style and Color Selector. Created expressly for the iPad, the ColorView Mobile app untethers building ohba.ca

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professionals from the office computer, enabling them to work directly with homeowners as they try out different exterior product style and colour combinations.

The app allows the contractor to show the homeowner how various CertainTeed products will look on his or her home— before the first nail is ever driven. Once images of the customer’s dwelling have been uploaded to the app, the walls and roof can be masked over with virtual layers of CertainTeed siding and roofing products.

In addition to experimenting with various styles and colours of CertainTeed roofing shingles and vinyl and polymer siding, users can also choose from dozens of Sherwin-Williams paint colours to apply to the front door, garage door, trim areas and shutters. Once the design is complete, ColorView Mobile can save and share custom renderings for future reference.

The app enables contractors to add a powerful element of personalization to sales presentations. Snapping photos of a prospect ive customer’s home, uploading them to ColorView Mobile and preparing suggested visualizations before a presentation gives the contractor a head start on explaining the many exterior product options available from CertainTeed. Contractor and homeowner can then work together to create additional renderings based on the homeowner’s persona l st yle. C e r ta i n t e e d.co m /

Top points of contention for couples planning a project include agreeing on products, materials and finishes (33%), communicating with one another (31%) and agreeing on style and design (3%). While the majority of couples (63%) compromised to address these challenges, some took matters into their own hands: 5% admitted to tossing something of their significant others’ without their knowledge. Three percent even considered a breakup or divorce during the process.

Compromise is the key to a successful remodel, say 46% of respondents, followed by agreeing on what they both want prior to starting the project (34%) and making a realistic budget from the start (30%).

Despite the relationship strain many couples experienced, 70% report feeling more comfortable in their home thanks to the project, while 66% felt happier.

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When Contractors Need to be Counsellors If renovators think they’re getting mixed signals from client spouses during major projects, they’re dead right. The Canada R emodeling & R elat ionships Sur ve y, conducted by Houzz.com from December 2015 to January 2016, found that in the midst of this stress, couples often keep secrets from one another. Nearly one in five Canadian respondents (18%) admitted to making a significant design or purchase decision during the project without telling their partner. Nine percent also admit to withholding the cost of a purchase or service.

Insulated, Breathable Building Wrap Gets CCMC Evaluation DuPont Tyvek ThermaWrap R5.0, a building wrap that acts as a breathable air and water barrier while providing continuous exterior insulation, has received its Canadian Construction Materials Centre evaluation. This means that builders can use the product with the full confidence of ohba.ca

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A single, integrated product that can be installed using familiar installation techniques, the w rap of fers another insulation option to builders seeking to construct more energy-efficient homes that will achieve the higher wall R-values required by the most recent versions of the National Building Code.

Adding a continuous insulation value of R-5 to a 2x6 wall improves the total thermal effectiveness by as much as 25%, Dupont reports. In newly constructed homes this results in an overall reduction in annual heating energy of between 3% and 9% with air leakage at 4.55 ACH @50 Pascal, depending on the geographic location, style of house and wall types.

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Contractors Expect Minimal Growth Ontario’s construction industry is cautiously optimistic about growth in 2016, with 31% of contractors across Ontario expecting to grow their business this year and 52% expecting to just maintain current work levels.

The findings are contained in the annual Construction Confidence Indicator, released in March by Ipsos Reid and the Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS). “ T he construction industr y is still expecting to grow, but remains cautious,” says Sean Strickland, CEO of the Ontario Construction Secretariat. Although the Indicator still shows an overall expectation for growth, it has been on a downward trend since rebounding from the 2009 recession.

Detailed geographic data collected for the first time by the OCS suggest certain regional economies and cities will significantly outpace others. Firms in London expressed the greatest increase in confidence over 2015, surpassing last year’s most confident contractors in the GTA. Firms in Northern Ontario, where just over half of firms expect to see business decline as they look ahead to 2016, expressed the least optimistic economic outlook in the province.

For a comprehensive regional breakdown of the report, visit: iciconstruction. co m/2015/ 11/ 12 /co n str u c tio n i n d u s t r y.

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A slight majority (51%) of Canadian millennials own their own home and, of those who rent, most (76%) expect to buy a home within the next five years. But affordability is a major concern for these first-time buyers, according to a new report released by BMO Bank of Montreal and conducted by Pollara.

As housing prices continue to rise, millennials are striving to save enough money for a down payment. But almost onethird (29%) don’t think they’ll ever be able to afford a home, according to the survey, which was compiled from a random sample of 2,079 Canadians aged 19 to 35.

According to the survey, millennials expect they will have to spend $350,000, on average, to buy their first home ($415,110 in Ontario). To make such a purchase, respondents indicated that they expected to raise about 15% of the purchase price for their down payment. Most (65%) indicated that they would rely, to some extent, on parents or other family members for financial assistance for as much as 10% of the purchase price.

Of those who are currently renting, 64% are trying to save until they have enough for a down payment on a home. One-fifth (20%) are planning to buy with someone (partner, friend, relative, etc.) so that it’s more affordable.

In addition: 60% are having difficulty saving for a house that meets their wants, onequarter are waiting for housing prices to drop, another 37% are concerned about rising real estate prices and 42% said it’s hard to find an affordable home in their desired location.

When asked what kind of property they hoped to purchase, respondents indicated: • Detached home (51%) • Condominium or loft (29%) • Townhouse (27%) • Semi-detached home (20%) By comparison, the 51% of millennials nationally who have already purchased their first home have tended to buy detached houses (46%) or a condominium/loft (23%). They paid an average of $295,458, with a 16.5% down payment. However, many (26%) said they put down only 5% of the purchase price; and even then, 16% noted that they went over budget. OHB ohba.ca

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Sealing You In From insulation to flooring—and all the trends in between By dan o’reilly Defined as a direction, tendency or inclination, the word

trend or trendy often conjures up images of a movement, belief or fad with a limited shelf life. For manufacturers, builders and renovators, trend is an all-encompassing catch phrase of new designs and innovations, ever-evolving customer tastes and even ongoing government legislation that influences and, in some cases, dictates the creation of new products and enhancements of existing ones.

Staying on top of those trends in terms of technical and market research is an undertaking that comes with no small effort. ohba.ca

“Research is a long process that can take anywhere from six to 12 months,” says CertainTeed Insulation Canada product manager Marlon Thompson on the measures and strategies the company employs to address issues that affect the insulation industry.

For instance, many provinces are now requiring that insulation R-values be increased from a minimum R20 to R24 in walls, a move fuelled by the ever-increasing conversion of basements into comfortable living spaces. “The challenge,” Thompson notes, “is to achieve that higher rating while keeping the standard six-inch batt thickness.” ontario home builder renovation 2016

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product focus Clockwise from top left: CertainTeed’s MemBrain air barrier, Roxul’s ComfortBatt stone wool insulation and AquaSafe’s residential fire sprinkler system.

In Ontario, the 2012 Building Code outlines a number of affordable rental units, combined with homeowners wanting to instances where R20 is required for the basement wall, says David cover mortgage costs and/or help out their adult children with Smith, Residential Segment Manager at Roxul Inc., the producer living accommodations.”

While most basement renovations aren’t undertaken until of stone wool insulation made from natural stone and recycled slag. To comply with that standard, the Milton Ontario-based some time after homes are constructed, builders can provide both manufacturer created a basement insulation system comprised of fire protection and allow homeowners to plan for that eventual ComfortBoard, a 1.5-inch-thick rigid stone wool insulation board conversion thanks to the efforts of Uponor Ltd., the manufacturer fastened to the concrete wall, and its R14 ComfortBatt, which is of PEX (crosslinked polyethylene) piping systems. Uponor’s AquaSafe residential fire sprink ler placed in the interior wood framing wall. system has been approved for use in “ With this combination, you get exposed situations by QAI Laboratories, continuous R-value, with a vapour an independent certified testing facility permeable and water-repellent insulation Looking after in Mississauga. In other words, it doesn’t solution,” Smith notes. residents’ safety is have to be covered by fire barriers, saving Controlling vapour means controlling vital, but there’s also builders time and money. mould, another vital basement concern.

With certain limitations, the system Cer tainTeed ’s MemBrain, for one, a continued focus can be used in unfinished basements with provides a continuous air barrier along on caring for the dimensional lumber, engineered wood with advanced moisture management environment or wood I-joists in accordance with the in a single product. Having been on the National Fire Protection Association’s 13D market for three years, it’s not exactly standard, a residential sprinkler design new, “but it hasn’t been receiving the standard focused on single-family units, promotion it should have in the Canadian market,” says Thompson, explaining that marketing of the duplexes and some townhouses.

“Many builders are now installing fire sprinklers to address MemBrain had previously been conducted by CertainTeed’s U.S. International Residential Code requirements for protection of head office. lightweight construction, and this listing makes that task easier,” says Uponor’s Fire Safety Product Manager Eric Skare.

BASEMENT SPENDING IS TRENDING UP If and when a homeowner decides to proceed with the Citing various industry studies that indicate that basement renovations accounted for 15%-30% of the estimated $68 billion renovation, the renovator should first consult with a fire sprinkler renovation spending in Canada last year, Roxul’s Smith says this consultant to ensure the sprinkler won’t be blocked and will section of the reno market will keep on growing. “We continue to continue to adhere with all fire sprinkler regulations, says Skare, see growth in basement renovations due to the ongoing need for who also serves as volunteer firefighter.

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WALKING THE PLANKS

Although total home control systems are still in an early stage of acceptance by builders, customer demand for them is on the increase.

Look ing after residents’ safety is vital, but there’s also a continued focus on caring for the environment. Lauzon Flooring is addressing the latter with the launch of its Atlantis line. Featuring a matte finish combined with colour variations and subtle texture, this eco-friendly h a rdwood f loor i ng l i ne replicates the beauty of the seashore, says communications manager Priscilla Bergeron.

“Matte finishes are more trendy now than high-gloss finishes,” says Bergeron, noting the Atlantis launch was the culmination of approximately a year’s worth of research by the company and its interior design consultants. “As well, a lot of tests were conducted to find the perfect texture.”

What that research revealed was that after years of being technologically connected around the clock, “more and more people are looking to unplug and get away from it all when they come home at the end of the day, and this even is being reflected in their hardwood flooring choices.”

According to Bergeron, there are three overriding trends for 2016 in that department: the weathered or rustic look; multi-tones, which are highlighted with lighter and natural grey flooring with tone variation and which are now replacing dark wood planks; and textured, which imparts “a touch of depth” to new wood flooring, as opposed to planks that look artificially smooth.

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The weathered, rustic look is in for flooring this season.

LIGHTING A NEW PATH While homeowners are choosing a more natural lifestyle in some respects, they still have to deal with the complications of new technology and their accompanying electronic gadgets. Among the increasing number of companies making the automated control of lighting, heating and other home functions less onerous is Toronto-based ARA Lighting and Sound Control.

Working with different manufacturers, AR A designs and installs a simplified system that bundles those separate controls into one integrated package, enabling homeowners to unlock their doors, adjust lights, shades, internal temperatures and more with one application on their mobile device. Within the home, the coordinated control is accessed by a wall-mounted keypad.

“It’s simplification. Homeowners don’t have to rely on numerous applications,” says company president and founder Ken Arahovitis. At the same time, they aren’t forced to pay for a total bundling package. It can be tailored to provide just one or two services, such as programming the lighting, Arahovitis says.

Although total home control systems are still in an early stage of acceptance by builders, customer demand for them is on the increase. “Young people are definitely interested in the convenience they offer,” says Arahovitis, who defines that age group as ranging from 25 to 40, although consumers at the higher end of that age bracket are more likely to have the income to afford it. “Contractors should at least bring (the technology) to the table.”

That means starting that dialogue with new homebuyers at the initial planning stage, rather than waiting until the project reaches a partial completion, says Arahovitis.

From an energy consumption standpoint, there is no slowdown in the move toward LED lighting, advises Michael D’Angelo, principal of Engineered Lighting Solutions, a Toronto-based ohba.ca

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product focus Solar Brokers Canada is among those helping consumers turn sunlight into cash.

ARA Lighting and Sound Control offers attractive LED options, including Lutron’s Ivalo collection.

lighting engineer and design firm that works with architects, engineers and custom home builders to create architectural light packages. The reasons for their popularity is the energy savings the lights provide, as well as the fact that prices are becoming increasingly affordable. Although not inexpensive, LED lights are a worthwhile investment, considering they can have a 50,000hour life, D’Angelo notes.

Also attractive is the increasing number of available styles.

“Even decorative lighting, such as pendants, are now LED,” D’Angelo says.

UP ON THE ROOF Manufacturers adapting to the changing climate include roofing specialist IKO. Recent product enhancements include an addition to its line of architectural laminate shingles, the IKO Dynasty with ArmourZone. The new shingle offers contractors easy installation and an enhanced wind-resistance rating for wind speeds of up to 210 kph.

Eco-conscious consumers are getting on top of the green movement in other ways—sometimes literally. “We have seen a growing number of green roofs throughout Canada and, more specifically, Ontario,” notes Rob Davidson, IKO’s V.P. of Canadian residential sales.

Toronto was the first city in North America to adopt a Green Roof Bylaw, which requires and governs the construction of green roofs on new developments. The bylaw applies to new building permits for a variety of commercial and institutional buildings, but also many residential applications.

Davidson sees an advancement of the trend—something akin to the ‘Cool Roof’ construction standards mandated by California’s Title 24 legislation, in reference to a roofing system that delivers higher solar reflectance (the ability to reflect the visible, infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths of the sun, reducing heat transfer to a building) and higher thermal emittance (the ability to radiate 108

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absorbed, or non-reflected solar energy) compared to standard designed roofing products. Cool roofs construction can also enhance roof durability.

Some home and building owners are addressing energy costs and energy efficiency by taking advantage of their sun-swept roofs with solar panels, notes Chris Buligan, operations manager for Ozz Solar, a sister division of Cricket Energy Inc. In its role as a solar rooftop developer and installer, the Vaughan-based firm provides consultative advice to renovators and homeowners to provide the optimal rooftop design.

The company’s potential customer base includes—but is not limited to—property owners who qualify for the Province of Ontario’s microFit program. Under this program, successful applicants who erect solar panels, windmills or develop other “micro” 10-kilowatt (or less) renewable electricity generation projects on their properties receive a guaranteed price over a 20-year term for the electricity they produce and feed into the province’s electricity grid. Currently, the program is capped at 5,000 applicants a year. But Hydro One’s Net Metering program, which provides credits to property owners who generate electricity for their own use, is also available.

And then there are people who are interested in solar panels to store power in home batteries. Depending on the type of battery used, homeowners can lessen or even eliminate their dependence on the hydro grid.

“The batteries are expensive, but there is a long-term investment return,” says Buligan, who claims that almost 70% of visitors who stopped by the Ozz Solar booth at the National Home Show held earlier this year in Toronto expressed an interest in the solar-to-battery option.

“Renewable energy projects are now becoming the norm in order to gain electricity independence and combat increasing electricity prices,” suggests Buligan, who believes he’s on the ground floor of a growing roofing trend. OHB ohba.ca

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