Ontario Home Builder - Summer 2014

ohba.ca SUMMER 2014 | $5.00

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Cottage bound!

Building expertise has evolved the once-humble summer abode into a four-season retreat

A LIBERAL MAJORITY

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what the election results mean to you

How to build a golf community

keeping up on changes to the OBC

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contents

60 21 And the Winner is...

OHBA prepares for a triumphant Liberal government

By Joe Vaccaro

44 Reality Check The marketing advantage of high-tech renderings

52

By Elaine Kapogines

52 Cottage Kings Summer retreats to four-season getaways

By Tracy Hanes

60 Course of Business The evolution of golf course communities

76

By Ted McIntyre

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70 ABCs of the OBC Ontario Building Code changes you need to know

By Jeffrey Reed

76 Bite Out of the Big Apple OHBA’s first U.S. housing tour heads to NYC

44

By Michael Collins-Williams

11 One Voice By Joe Vaccaro Small-town builders do it all—and do it well

31 Marketing By Glenn Marshall

A short path to longer muscles

81 Better Building The secret of trapped moisture in walls, ending consumer confusion in countertops, OHBA members among Canada’s Best Managed, chilling facts about insulation and a new app for protective gear

13 Ontario Report Don’t miss OHBA’s Annual Conference and Meeting of Members, prepping for the Awards of Distinction, CHBA Forum for Growth, Planting Hope in London, Ottawa’s Building Blitz and a big award for a Burlington builder

33 Health & Safety By Dr. Judith Wells

35 Technology By Joseph Nakhla

91 Product Focus

Today’s buyers are seeking ‘smarter’ homes

The latest in curb appeal and specialty finishings

27 Human Capital By Frank Feldman

37 Top Shelf

A legal checklist for renovation contracts

Putting the right tools in your hands

98 Outside the Box By Avi Friedman Exploring eco-friendly power options

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Socially responsible work pays many dividends

ontario home builder summer 2014

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The official publication of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association Summer 2014 | Vol. 30 Issue 4

editor

Ted McIntyre ted@laureloak.ca associate editor

Norma Kimmins, OHBA art director

Erik Mohr copy editor

Barbara Chambers contributors

Frank Feldman, Avi Friedman, Tracy Hanes, Mike Hetherman, Elaine Kapogines, Glenn Marshall, Joseph Nakhla, Andrew Oding, Dan O’Reilly, Jeffrey Reed, Joe Vaccaro, Dr. Judith Wells, Michael Collins-Williams PRESIDENT

Wayne Narciso publisher

Sheryl Humphreys, ext. 245 sheryl@laureloak.ca advertising sales

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

Laurel Oak Custom Publishing www.laureloak.ca

www.ohba.ca

info@ohba.ca

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

All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher © 2014. Single copy price is $5.00.

Subscription Rates: Canada $12.95 + HST per year, USA $29.95 USD. Mail payment to: Laurel Oak Custom Publishing 1062 Cooke Blvd., Burlington, ON L7T 4A8 Phone (905) 333-9432 Fax (905) 333-4001 CANADIAN PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 42011539 ISSN No. 1182-1345

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ontario home builder summer 2014

ohba.ca

LUXURIOUS WARMTH

One Voice

Finding Creative Solutions Small-town builders do it all—and do it well

By Joe vaccaro One of the major points the Ontario

Home Builders’ Association strives to ‘hammer home’ to politicians, the media and the general public is just how important our industry is to the economic and social well-being of the province. OHBA member companies create jobs, invest in new and existing communities and provide our governments at all three levels with billions of dollars in revenue to support infrastructure, programs and services for Ontarians.

The final numbers have been tallied for 2013 and confirm that there were 61,085 new housing starts in Ontario and that new home construction, renovation and related fields continue to be one of the biggest employers in the province. Last year, the industry supported 313,400 jobs that paid out over $17 billion in wages—wages that are reinvested in the communities where they are earned.

Additionally, these jobs generate billions of dollars in income taxes, CPP, and EI and WSIB premiums.

And while the majority of housing starts and employment occurs in big cities and urban areas, let’s salute the builders and professional renovators in small towns, rural areas, northern Ontario and cottage country who also contribute significantly to the success of their communities.

A s many of these members have explained to me, they are in the business from dirt to door; they would just as soon install a window as build an addition to secure a new client or maintain a longstanding business relationship. ohba.ca

They also deal with some unique challenges that ‘city builders’ might find daunting. Things like transporting supplies and materials to remote locations across harsh terrain, finding qualified trades and coping with a shorter building season.

Small-town, rural and cottage-country builders and professional renovators also appreciate that in their communities reputation is everything. Persuasive advertising and polished marketing can’t compete with the quality of their final product and their ability to deliver what their customers want. Positive word-ofmouth advertising is what generates business for them year after year. After all, they live, work and play in these communities, and are rightfully proud of where they hang their shingles.

In this 30th anniversary edition of Ontario Home Builder magazine, you’ll meet a few of these very special builders and professional renovators in our “Cottage Kings” feature on page 52. They are hard-working, talented and creative individuals, adept at solving problems and impressing their clients. While the circumstances and areas in which they build are vastly different from their urban counterparts, their commitment to quality work, innovation and professionalism, along with their contributions to their communities, are unmatched in their respective regions. OHB

“They are in the business from dirt to door.”

Joe Vaccaro is the CEO of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association. ontario home builder summer 2014

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OHBA Annual Meeting of Members

1 Great Location 2 Fantastic Events 3 Days you won’t forget The much-anticipated OHBA Annual Conference and Awards of Distinction are just around the corner and you don’t want to miss out! This year the conference will be taking place in our nation’s capital from Sept. 21-23 at the spectacular Ottawa Convention Centre.

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to celebrate successes, share ideas and stories, learn about new programs and products, and network with your industry colleagues from across the province— not to mention enjoying the beauty and excitement of Ottawa.

Register early for reduced rates and visit: ohbaconference.ca.

Highlights for this year’s conference Business Sessions: Expect insightful and engaging business sessions, including: an interactive builder panel, CMHC and RBC housing and economic update, Smart Home Technology, Best Practices for Customer Service Excellence with bv02 Inc.’s Andrew Milne, as well as keynote luncheon speaker, comedian Dave Hemstad from CBC’s The Debaters. Sessions are constantly evolving so visit the website frequently to see new programming as it is added.

Canada Day in the Capital! Our host, the Greater Ottawa HBA, has planned an exciting opening reception where we will get to celebrate Canada Day all over again!

Show your Canadian pride by coming in your favourite Canadian jersey, red and white, or your Canadian tuxedo. ohba.ca

The Ontario Home Builders’ Association will hold its Annual Meeting of Members at its Annual Conference as follows: DATE: Monday, September 22, 2014 TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

LOCATION: Ottawa Convention Centre, 55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario

All members in good standing are invited to attend.

Awards of Distinction 2014: Always a highlight, the Awards of Distinction will be held on Monday, Sept. 22. This year, OHBA has introduced several new categories, including the People’s Choice Award. Vote for your favourite project (voting starts August 12; visit: ohbaaod.ca) and cheer on the winners during the celebratory dinner!

President’s Gala: We will conclude with the President’s Gala, where OHBA will formally welcome our new president.

Additional Activities: OHBA has organized several additional activities for Monday, Sept. 22 to help make your stay in Ottawa all the more enjoyable. Conference delegates can enjoy OHBA’s Annual Golf Tournament at Stonebridge Golf Club, an Ottawa Housing Tour featuring the Canadian Centre for Housing Technology Facilities, as well as The Holtz Spa.

Andrew Milne, President of Strategy for the awardwinning digital marketing company bv02 Inc. ontario home builder summer 2014

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Ontario Report

CHBA Forum for Growth CHBA leaders from across the country and at every level of the Association attended over 50 meetings in early June with Ministers, MPs, Senators, ministerial staff and senior government officials during the second annual Forum for Growth in Ottawa. The delegation was officially recognized in the House of Commons prior to Question Period with a Members’ Statement from MP Phil McColeman, who is also a past president of OHBA. CHBA advanced its agenda with meetings that included party leaders and officials from the four national parties, as well as Ministers of State, Parliamentary Secretaries, Committee Chairs and ministerial staff for every government department that has a role in housing.

CHBA’s Forum for Growth on Parliament Hill in June was a great success.

From left to right: CHBA President Bard Golightly, CHBA 2nd Vice-President Bob Finnigan, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, CHBA CEO Kevin Lee and OHBA 1st Vice-President and CHBA board member representing Ontario, Vince Molinaro.

The Hon. Jason Kenney (MP for Calgary Southeast and Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism) with OHBA President and CHBA 2nd Vice-President Eric DenOuden.

Awards of Distinction Gala: 2014

OHBA’s Awards of Distinction celebration announcing the winners of this year’s awards will take place on Monday, September 22, with the President’s Gala set to close the OHBA Conference on Tuesday, September 23. It promises to be a glitzy gala at the dazzling Ottawa Convention Centre, so get your friends and colleagues together and book your tables early. Register at ohba.ca.

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ontario home builder summer 2014

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Building Blitz brings community together In early April this year, volunteers from the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA), Habitat for Humanity National Capital Region (NCR) and Algonquin College joined forces to build a new two-storey, three-bedroom home for charity. Working around the clock in cold, rainy conditions, they completed the home in three days.

“We had been kicking around this campaign for years and finally decided to go ahead,” said GOHBA Executive Officer John Herbert, who notes that the housing industry is quietly responsible for one-third of charitable actions and donations in the city. “We wanted to show how much our industry gives back.”

Tartan Homes donated the lot at a reduced price, along with the building plans for the house. Numerous local builders, renovators, contractors and suppliers donated labour and materials or provided them at cost and then worked side-by-side on the job to get the project finished.

The house is now up for sale and Habitat will receive the difference between the selling price and the reduced building costs—estimated to be as high as $250,000.

Habitat plans to build two semi-detached homes in Orleans this summer and needs $75,000 for each build.

Teams of Algonquin students from the building trade and hospitality programs were on hand, helping the pros, feeding the hundreds of volunteers and taking video of all the action. Massage therapy students were even on hand to soothe aching muscles and College officials were delighted with the hands-on experience all the students gained through the Blitz Build.

“Overall it was a huge success to watch so many companies come together,” pointed out Val Newton, Habitat NCR’s fund development manager.

Both Habitat and the Greater Ottawa HBA expect the Blitz Build will be repeated in coming years. “We hope to do it again every two or three years,” said Herbert.

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ontario home builder summer 2014

Branthaven Homes builder named Burlington Entrepreneur of the Year The Burlington Chamber of Commerce handed out the 2014 Burlington Entrepreneur of the Year Award to Steven Stipsits, President of Branthaven Homes, at a sold-out dinner on June 5 at the Burlington Convention Centre.

“The award honours an individual who has built a company that is widely recognized both inside and outside Burlington, and has given back to the community,” said Burlington Chamber President Keith Hoey.

Branthaven, a family-based home builder with deep roots in the Burlington community, was founded in 1971 by Steve’s father, Al, and Steve has been leading the company full-time for the past 27 years.

“It is a great honour to join this group of esteemed business leaders,” said Stipsits, the tenth inductee into the Burlington Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. “This was completely unexpected.

I’m very proud to have our company recognized this way. It’s a reflection of the great work and dedication of everyone here at Branthaven. To share this evening with so many of my friends, family and business associates was just amazing.”

Stipsits was chosen as the award recipient to recognize his leadership role in building a successful, high-profile company that positively represents Burlington both locally and regionally, including his company’s and his own personal philanthropic endeavours in giving back to the community.

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Jake Draper of Copp Building Materials and LHBA President-Elect gets a helping hand from his son, Rhyerson, planting a tree in the LHBA Cancer Survivors garden.

Planting Hope

London HBA Supporting Cancer Survivors

Ministry of Labour Summer Blitz 18

The Ontario government will focus on the safety of new and young workers during a four-month enforcement blitz across Ontario that started on May 1 this year.

Ministry of Labour inspectors will check that employers are complying with Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act ensuring that new and young workers are being instructed, trained and supervised on the job, meet minimum age requirements and are following required safety measures and procedures to prevent injuries.

ontario home builder summer 2014

Community volunteers and members of the London Home Builders’ Association, Union Gas and the City of London joined together to plant 30 trees and shrubs at the LHBA Cancer Survivors Garden on May 31 to honour National Cancer Survivors Day. The event included a demonstration

by Kids Kicking Cancer, an organization dedicated to helping children with cancer manage the stress and pain of their disease and treatments through personalized coaching instructed by black belt martial artists. LHBA presented Kids Kicking Cancer with a $20,000 donation to help support their outreach programming in London.

correcTION In Ontario Home Builder’s Reno edition feature “Before & After,” Eurodale Development’s Jim Cunningham was inadvertently mis-identified. OHB regrets the error.

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A Liberal Majority Government What can we look forward to from the new government?

By Joe Vaccaro

On June 12, Kathleen Wynne was elected Ontario’s first female Premier, and the provincial Liberals won a majority government.

During the writ, OHBA’s Election Watch provided members and industry observers with timely information and analysis culminating with an election scorecard on OHBA issues. As OHBA continues its advocacy work, it is important that we consider how the Liberal campaign platform will influence this majority government on issues that specifically impact our industry. ohba.ca

DEVELOPMENT CHARGES Building from the government’s consultation, the Liberal platform committed to “ensure (that) new residential development projects provide more revenue for transit.” OHBA is not surprised by this election commitment, as it reflects the government’s discussions with industry and municipalities on the role of development charges and other new-neighbour taxes to fund transit expansion.

In 2013, municipalities collected over $1.8 billion in development charges from new neighbours to finance municipal infrastructure projects. OHBA will continue to demand greater accountability and transparency as we work to make affordability and fairness the cornerstone of Ontario’s planning and infrastructure system. ontario home builder summer 2014

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OHBA Incoming President Vince Molinaro with Premier Kathleen Wynne. Ms. Wynne became Ontario’s first elected female Premier on June 12, when the Liberals won a majority government.

ONTARIO MUNICIPAL BOARD Again, building from the government’s consultation, the Liberal platform committed to “enhance respect and protection for local official plans when municipalities do comprehensive, up-front planning and zoning,” “reduce the number of development applications that go to the OMB,” and “ensure citizens are consulted sooner and that there is more citizen input into the land-use planning process.”

OHBA has been demanding municipalities modernize and update their Official Plans and Zoning bylaws, including prezoning transportation corridors with appropriate density, and instituting a development permit system to create investmentready communities.

Honourable Ted McMeekin: Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing OHBA congratulates the Honourable Ted McMeekin on his new position as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

McMeekin was first elected as a Hamilton City Councillor from 1977-1981 and served as Mayor of Flamborough from 1994-2000. In 2000, McMeekin won a provincial by-election for the riding of Ancaster-Dundas-FlamboroughWestdale, which he continues to represent.

As an opposition MPP, his first assignment was as the critic for Municipal 22

ontario home builder summer 2014

The OMB will remain but the government will be making amendments to the Planning Act that will impact its current function as an administrative tribunal.

Immediate action is required by the government to bolster the current OMB with new board members, reduce the backlog of hearings and to support a more expedient appeals process that will allow economic growth and job creation to occur more quickly.

GREENBELT The Liberal platform’s language with respect to “growing the greenbelt” seems to be changing. The platform spoke to “working with communities to expand the outer boundary of the greenbelt over the next six years.” At this point, it is unclear if this means

Affairs, where he served from September 2000 to May 2002. In government, Minister McMeekin has served in a variety of roles, including: Minister of Government and Consumer Services; Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities; Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; and Minister of Community and Social Services. In Cabinet, Minister McMeekin has been responsible for the development of key legislation, including the Payday Loans Act, 2008.

OHBA looks forward to continued positive dialogue with Minister McMeekin as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Minister McMeekin brings a wealth of

practical municipal experience, as well as legislative and provincial experience to his new role in government.

ohba.ca

NOW

P.9-11 CERTIFIED!

OHBA ELECTION SCORECARD

DOES THE PARTY SUPPORT: LIBERAL LIBERA L

PC

NDP

HOME BUILDERS

Update HST Threshold on New Housing No New Municipal Land Transfer Taxes Six-Storey Wood Buildings in Ontario Abolishing the Ontario College of Trades Repealing Mandatory WSIB Coverage Preserving the New Home Warranty Program Cut Provincial Land Transfer Tax

LAND DEVELOPERS

Reform the Development Charges Act for More Accountability, Transparency & Fairness Update Planning Act Parkland Requirements Make Density Bonusing Policies More Accountable Stop Non-Voluntary Charges on New Neighbours Integrate Land Use and Infrastructure Planning (Investment-Ready Communities) Support Housing Options For Families: Both High-Rise and Single Detached Homes Will NOT Place Additional Taxes/Charges on New Neighbours to Fund Transit Expansion Preserve Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) Support Long-Term Infrastructure Planning Focus Mandate of Conservation Authorities

RENOVATOR AND TRADE CONTRACTORS

Restore Secret Ballot Voting For Union Certification Energy-Efficient Loans/Rebates for Home Reno Projects Modernizing to a 1:1 Tradesperson-to-Apprentice Ratio No Compulsory Certification of Carpenters and Renovators Affordable Options through Secondary Suites Permanent, Consumer-Based Home Renovation Tax Credit

TOTALS

The Election Scorecard reflects OHBA’s analysis of current party platforms, public statements The Election Scorecard, issued during the campaign, reflects and stated legislative positions.

OHBA’s analysis of party platforms, public statements and stated legislative positions.

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ontario home builder summer 2014

municipalities under the “growing the greenbelt” criteria established in 2008 or if the word ‘communities’ means something different.

The Greenbelt Plan, Oak Ridges Moraine Plan and Niagara Escarpment Program are scheduled for review in 2015. OHBA supports no greenbelt expansions at this time. In addition, OHBA believes the legislative greenbelt review should establish criteria in consultation with stakeholders, whereby landowners/municipalities can test if there are opportunities for removal from the designation.

COMPULSORY CERTIFICATION REVIEWS/COLLEGE OF TRADES The Liberal platform states: “To support the success of the College of Trades as it moves into its second year, we will appoint a special advisor to review the College’s application process and scope of practice of trades, including how the scope of practice relates to enforcement. We will pause the certification of new compulsory trades during this review.” OHBA has been opposed to OCOT from the beginning, instead recommending a 1:1 ratio for all trades to create apprenticeships and jobs across the province. The “pause” means that the potential for “carpentry” to become a compulsory trade has been delayed to the benefit of all home builders and renovators. OHBA has presented at every OCOT review panel and will take full advantage of the special advisor review of OCOT to demand greater accountability and respect for the impact of OCOT decisions on OHBA members in both urban and rural communities.

SIX-STOREY WOOD BUILDINGS OHBA has been actively advocating for this change to the OBC since 2009, and just prior to the election the government had posted a six-storey wood building standard that would change the OBC and bring this new building option to Ontario.

The Liberal platform clearly states: “We will change the building code to allow six-storey wood-frame buildings to encourage the construction of mid-rise, mixed-use buildings.”

OHBA will be actively advocating that the government move forward with this commitment so that members can begin to offer this new, safe, environmentally sustainable housing, rental and mixed-use options across Ontario by January 1, 2015.

There is no shortage of issues for our land development, home builder and professional renovator and trade contractor members, but as you can see, OHBA has already begun to plan our advocacy campaign to represent you at Queen’s Park. OHB

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Human Capital

Covering All Angles A legal checklist for renovation contracts

By Frank Feldman For members of the construction indus-

try engaged in renovation work, it is critical that agreements with owners be formulated to address two major considerations. First, the contractor will want to have an agreement that addresses essential legal rights of the parties. Second, agreements should be written in concise, simple language so as not to be intimidating, which may dissuade owners from retaining the contractor.

In respect to the content of a Renovation Agreement, there are several topics that should be considered from the contractor’s perspective. The following is a summary consideration of some major issues: Contract Documents

In this section the parties identify the plans and documents that form specifications of the work. For example, drawings, plans and details.

indicated (eg., contractor’s cost plus 10%, a lump sum, etc.).

› Description of the Work

› Work Change Orders

In this section there is a description of the work. For the sake of clarity and to avoid disputes in the event of uncertainty, it is also prudent to describe what is beyond the scope of, or not included in, the work.

Finally, it is wise to include a statement that any matters beyond the scope of work are additional or extra to the contract.

It is advisable that all changes to the Agreement in respect to the scope of work be confirmed in writing. These written confirmations of changes are normally referred to as Work Change Orders and are signed by the owner and contractor. The reason for this is to avoid disputes after the fact as to whether the change in the scope of work was extra to the Agreement and therefore resulting in an increase to the contract price, or if it reduced the scope of work and thereby reduced the contract price.

› Unknown or Unforeseen Conditions

In this section, the Agreement deals with the rights of the parties in the event that circumstances are encountered which were not anticipated. If these circumstances increase the amount of work and/or materials required, the Agreement should state that these are extras and that contractor has a right to be paid for addressing these issues in addition to the contract price. The basis for calculating the additional charges should be ohba.ca

› Quality, Service and Warranties

A thorough Agreement should indicate what warranties are being offered by the contractor and their limitations. › Contract Price and Payment

The Agreement should be clear about the total price being charged for the work. Additionally, it will specify whether the price is

payable in a lump sum or payable in installments or draws. In any event, the contract will determine when payment is due.Finally, it will deal with the issue of statutory holdbacks required pursuant to the Construction Lien Act and indicate the due date for payment of the amounts held back upon expiry of the applicable period of time. › Timing

Set the dates for starting and completing the work. As there are often unanticipated events beyond the control of the contractor, the circumstances allowing for an extension of time to complete should be indicated. For example: labour disputes, unavailability of materials, delays in obtaining permits, natural events such as weather conditions, unforeseen or unknown conditions, etc. › Permits

The responsibility of the owner and contractor to obtain governmental approvals and permits required to authorize the work such as zoning variances, demolition, buildontario home builder summer 2014

27

ing and other permits. It is prudent for the Agreement to indicate that the contractor will not be responsible for the consequences of default in obtaining permits for which the owner is responsible. › Utilities and Facilities

If the project requires special utilities to facilitate the work, the agreement will specify whose responsibility it is to provide them, such as electrical, water, sanitary and waste removal. › Other Contractors

In the event that the contractor is performing work in addition to other contractors retained directly by the owner, the Agreement will specify who is responsible for coordinating the work of the contractors and the additional amount payable. Should this situation result in delays, the contractor may wish to specify an amount of money payable for each day of delay caused by the operation of other contractors on the worksite. › Insurance

The Agreement will specify the respective obligations of the contractor and owner to provide for different types of insurance coverage, such as third party liability, fire and comprehensive insurance covering the building and renovation work, with details of these coverages.

“

› Disputes/Termination

In the event of a dispute between the parties, the Agreement will indicate the procedure for resolution of different types of disagreements. For example, attempted mediation and/or arbitration prior to resorting to the courts. The contractor may wish to specify what circumstances give him/her the right to cease work and/or treat the contract as terminated. The Agreement will detail the procedure to be followed in the event that the parties wish to provide each other with notices related to the contract.

established in 2001, has been helping elite builders , transform their development projects into profitable results. Providing project planning and design, decor studio management, model home design and staging, we are committed to your success.

”

Yasmine Goodwin PRINCIPAL

› Owner’s Rights to Cancel

TURNING HOUSES INTO HOMES DECOR SALES

.

MODEL HOMES

.

CUSTOM HOMES

416.742.2882 1.866.869.4454 416.742.2882 1.866.869.4454 www.my-designstudio.com www.my-designstudio.com 28

ontario home builder summer 2014

Pursuant to the Consumer Protection Act, owners have certain rights to terminate agreements of which they should be notified.

The foregoing are some important aspects of agreements relating to renovation work that should be covered by written contracts.

Please consult a lawyer for advice about your individual situation. This article and its information is not legal advice, nor is it intended to be.

info@my-designstudio.com info@my-designstudio.com 4250 Weston Rd. 4250 Weston Rd.Suite Suite208 208 Toronto ON, M9L1W9 1W9 Toronto ON, M9L

Frank Feldman, B.A., LL.B., is a barrister and solicitor with FeldmanLaw. Feldmanlaw.info ohba.ca

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Building Professionals

marketing

Doing the Right Thing Socially responsible work pays off

By Glenn Marshall In today’s world of mass media and

instant updates, grabbing the attention of your target audience is becoming more elusive. So how can you define yourself as a company, while continuing to reach your clients in an authentic way?

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) offers a way to support sustainability, while delivering growth through your company’s marketing and public relations initiatives at the same time. Specifically, it operates on the principle of working to benefit a triple bottom line: people, planet and profit.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to implementing this strategy. Do you wish to support eco-friendly programs, or your local hospital? The choice is yours.

However, don’t lose sight of the fact that besides being a kinder way to operate your company, there is a sound business strategy as the basis for doing so. Along with achieving a positive impact on society, companies are also able to engage suppliers as partners on these initiatives. And better yet, these outcomes are measurable.

No one is going to argue with the value of retail advertising. But beyond the “paid for dollars” way of doing things, corporate social responsibility initiatives generate interest through free publicity. In turn, that coverage will generate returns in the form of a loyal audience and, better yet, loyal consumers.

“Builders for Change” is a fine example of corporate social responsibility at its best. The latest endeavour, which was led by James Bazely of Gregor Homes and Dan Gabriele of Marz homes, constructed a Youth Development Centre in the Dominican Republic.

The Centre provided a venue for recreation and life-skills learning in one of the country’s most poverty-stricken areas. The project also generated at least $20,000 in free pubohba.ca

licity for both builders, with media coverage from newspapers and TV. Just as important, it created an ongoing dialogue on social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook with current Marz and Gregor homeowners, as well as prospective buyers who were keenly interested in the daily tweets and posts as the project took shape.

When paying for media, using it to promote triple-bottom-line projects can carry awareness far beyond an ad promoting the company itself. For example, a $5,000 TV ad for a park clean-up sponsored by a client could result in multi-faceted outcomes, including media coverage and public tweeting. All of these impressions last far beyond the 15 or 30 seconds created by a conventional ad spot.

The other benefit is the positive effect corporate social responsibility initiatives can have on your own workforce. It’s not only consumers who feel good about being associated with a socially responsible corporation; your employees do too. A Scotiabank 2007

study of employed Canadians concluded that 70% would consider changing jobs if their employers did not operate in a socially responsible manner. With the replacement costs for the average worker about $50,000 (including lost output, recruitment, training and other elements), it pays for companies to manage their CSR as well as their financial performance.

By adopting the principles of a triple bottom line, a company can distinguish itself from competitors in ways beyond the idea of different product lines or prices. The time has come for commercial objectives to be working alongside community and environmental goals in interesting and meaningful ways. Corporate social responsibility makes a difference not only in your community and the environment, but to your corporate brand image and bottom line. OHB Glenn Marshall is the president of Greening Marketing Inc. in Hamilton. ontario home builder summer 2014

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TM

Helping builders design and build more energy efficient homes.

New building codes require new approaches to housing design and energy performance. Enbridge’s Savings

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Using our unique and collaborative Integrated Design Process (IDP), we will work with you to identify optimal solutions for improving energy efficiency 25% beyond Ontario Building Code 2012.

To learn more, visit www.savingsbydesign.ca

health & safety

A Short Path to Longer Muscles Incorporate stretching into your daily routine

By Dr. Judith Wells MANY UF US FIND it difficult to add exercise, let alone a regular stretching routine, into our daily lives. And all too often, we use the minimal time that we do have to exercise in the way we feel we’ll get the most gains. Those wanting to bulk up only hit the weights. And those wanting to slim down focus on cardio. But even if we are getting in one hour per day, exercising five days per week (as recommended by the Mayo clinic in order to improve body composition), there are another 23 hours in the day where we are putting our bodies through repetitive strain patterns that need to be balanced out by adding range-of-motion exercises. Prolonged sitting at a desk or continual repetitive movements in awkward positions are just two examples of postures that build up over time to cause injury. Regular stretching can help to prevent these imbalances from developing .

There are many different types of exercises that fall under the “stretching” umbrella. Dynamic activation exercises are currently the most recommended techniques to use before exercising. These involve moving the muscles through the ranges of motion required for your activity with less resistance or speed than the activity itself in order to prepare or warmup the muscles. They have been shown to improve blood flow, body temperature and power output, preparing your body for optimal performance during exercise or physical work. Examples include slow, walking lunges before running, or lightweight lifting through a full range of motion for a few repetitions before weight training. Dynamic activation exercises will help you warm up properly and prevent injury by preparing your muscles for exertion.

Static stretching exercises are what we ohba.ca

traditionally think of as “stretching.” These are exercises where we lengthen a muscle and hold the position for a longer duration of time (say, 30 seconds). Studies have shown that static stretching before a workout actually decreases the amount of power your muscles can produce. And there is no evidence that static stretching before exercise helps prevent injury. However, utilizing static stretching after you cool down from exercise and throughout your day will reduce tension in your muscles, calm your nervous system and decrease stress. It is important to take time away from a busy work life to relax and release built-up muscle tension. If you can’t find the time to add an extra hour per week into your schedule, 30 seconds of stretching per muscle, per day has been shown to increase mobility and counteract the poor posture patterns that develop in all of us when we neglect stretching. The top five muscles to stretch? Trapezius, levator scapula, hip flexors, hamstrings and piri-

formis. That’s a 10-minute per day recipe to keep you healthy and strong all day long.

Tips for stretching smart:

• Always warm-up before activity and incorporate 5-10 minutes of Dynamic Activation Exercises to improve your workout.

• Static Stretching is beneficial after exercise and throughout the day to counteract prolonged or awkward postures.

• Hold stretches for 30 seconds or until you feel the muscle tension release and extend the length of the muscle you are stretching.

• If you are new to stretching, get help from a trainer, chiropractor or other healthcare professional to master the techniques and find out which stretches will be the most beneficial to you. OHB

Dr. Judith Wells is a chiropractor and massage therapist at Kew Gardens Health Group in the Toronto Beaches. kewgardenshealth.com ontario home builder summer 2014

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The besT VAlue IN A

Modulation CoMBination Is Now AVAIlAble!

Choose the Goodman brand for the Best Value in a modulating gas furnace! ®

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The ComfortNet™ compatible GMVM96 delivers quiet, precise temperature control with a self-calibrating modulating range from 35% to 100%. All in all, the Goodman GMVM96 Modulating Gas Furnace delivers the best combination for maximum value: energy-efficient operation, precise temperature control, exclusive tubular heat exchanger and ComfortNet communicating system compatibility.

For more information, visit us online at at www.goodmanmfg.com.

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Goodman Locations 1055 Cardiff Blvd., Mississauga, ON L5S 1P4 1161 Parisien Street, Ottawa, ON K1B 4W4 15700 Robins Hill Road, London, ON N5V 0A4 46 Zatonski Avenue, Brantford, ON N3T 5L8 8305 Jane Street, Unit 3, Vaughan, ON L4K 5Y3 963 Brock Road, Suite 1-5, Pickering, ON L1W 3A4 41 Brockley Dr, Unit #8, Hamilton, ON L8E 3C3 2640 Jacques Cartier-Est, Longueuil, QC J4N 1P8 4313 Autoroute Des Laurentides, Laval, QC H7L 5W5 6741 Cariboo Road, Unit 111, Burnaby, BC V3N 4A3 18043 111th Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5S 2P2 7007 54th Street SE, #141, Calgary, AB T2C 3C2 807 60th Street E, Saskatoon, SK S7K 5Z7 107 Mountianview Rd., Unit 1, Winnipeg, MB R3C 2E6

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technology

Renovating the Industry Today’s buyers are seeking tech-focused homes

By Joseph Nakhla Once Upon a time, new home buyers were enticed by the quality of amenities a condo building or masterplanned community offered, and developers differentiated themselves with unique designs that catered to buyers’ growing needs, such as innovative storage solutions or spacemaximizing floor plans. Most recently, the industry is undergoing another renovation with the focus of buyers now switching to technologies that help occupants feel safe and save them time, energy or money.

Gadgets, such as the smart fridge and Nest, have paved the way for ‘smart homes’—a space that is connected through automation and accessibility. While these gadgets make homeowners’ lives easier, an integrated and connected home is still yet to become the norm. But as the industry learns to adapt to these new technologies and tech companies produce more sophisticated products, it is just a matter of time before homes become ‘intelligent’.

Property developers who are interested in differentiating their offering and improving property sales are looking for more interconnected technology features that encompass a broad return on their investment, as opposed to a short-term win. Platforms that integrate the developer and add a level of differentiation place a strong focus on community by encouraging communication between the developer, property manager and buyers or occupants. As such, these platforms help developers strengthen the message that a home is part of a community.

Home security technology Canary has built its product with community in mind, with a vision to impact people’s lives for the better. Their wireless security device monitors the home, can be controlled by a smartphone and alerts users when something ohba.ca

abnormal happens. Security technology that puts the consumer in control can be implemented by property developers and is one step further to offering consumers a customizable, safe and connected home.

Nest is another well-used technology that provides consumers with a platform that can ‘think’ for itself, learning the temperature patterns of the consumer. With this device, however, property developers have begun to integrate this technology into a home from the planning phase.

Consumer demand has been the driving force and property developers are already responding, although it may be some time before every new home is fitted with a smart energy management system.

In a similar way that Canary’s vision impacts people’s lives, the bazinga! platform puts community at its core via a smartphone app. For builders and developers, the deficiency-reporting feature streamlines this process, helping improve

efficiency and customer care. The private social platform connects residents, encouraging a sense of community from enabling residents to organize service group discounts, plan events or simply get to know their neighbours.

These innovative, next-generation technology platforms that help occupants feel safe and save them time, energy or money, are generating considerable interest from buyers and developers alike who see these as key differentiators in the real estate market. They offer solutions that help to sell homes, make building completion and livability more efficient and help connect occupants to their homes.

The property developers who act quickly and smartly—identifying the platforms that will withstand the test of time—will be the most likely to capitalize on this technological renovation of the industry. OHB Joseph Nakhla is the CEO and founder of bazinga! ontario home builder summer 2014

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Saving energy makes sense – business sense.

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Learn more about incentives and the training program at saveonenergy.ca/home-builder-training

Subject to additional terms and conditions found at saveonenergy.ca. Subject to change without notice.

OM Official Mark of the Ontario Power Authority.

Top shelf Ideas for Builders & Renovators

DROP EVERYTHING! Blundstone’s toughest boot ever, the “UTE” 165 CSA Met Guard offers the same easy pull-on, kick-off function as regular Blundstones, but also features highly flexible and comfortable Poron XRD foot-top met guards, steel toes, protected side elastics with leather covers, bullet-proof kevlar stitching and shock-proof soles. blundstone.ca

ohba.ca

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Top shelf

PREPARING FOR NEXT WINTER The lowest BTU furnace on the market with a 30,000 BTU input up to 120,000 BTUs, Napoleon’s 9200 series offers the shortest 92.1% AFUE gas furnace on the market. Engineered in Canada for the toughest winters, it allows for simple conversion to propane and features an interior condensate trap for left or right drainage options. napoleonheatingandcooling.com

KEEPING THE WATER AT BAY Featuring a range of building and drainage products designed for the residential landscaper, the Markant by ACO line includes trench drains made of either plastic or polymer concrete, point drains, drain mats with a variety of grates, as well as reinforcement for grassed and gravelled areas to allow for vehicle traffic. Suitable applications include residential driveways, patios and pools, entrances and golf cart paths. acomarkant.com

STONE COLD TRUTH A designer favourite since it was introduced to Canada in 2010, the ErthCOVERINGS Strips Series features clean lines and modern 3D effects.

Now available in six colours, it’s made from 100% natural stone—ideal for large applications, feature walls, fireplaces and more. Suitable for both interior and exterior environments, the series includes Tivoli Strips (pictured), with new additions to come in 2015. erthcoverings.com

THEY SAW, THEY CONQUERED Purported to be the industry’s most powerful 12V reciprocating saw, Milwaukee’s new M12 FUEL Hackzall delivers over 4X more run time, up to 70% faster cutting and 6X longer tool life. It has a compact, lightweight design for onehanded operation in tight spaces, and features reduced vibration for increased control and accuracy. milwaukeetool.com

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ohba.ca

Some ThiNgS SimpLy Need To be doNe righT. WALLTITE offers superior comfort and long-term savings.* ®

Now offeriNg wALLTiTe The indusTry’s highesT long-Term Thermal resisTance performance† *

r 12.4 @ 2” | r 19.2 @ 3” | r 26.2 @ 4”

WALLTITE outperforms conventional insulation with: n

n

n n

Enhanced energy efficiency – high long-term thermal resistance, higher R-value per inch – to dramatically lower energy costs Improved control over air leakage and vapour movement, reducing the risk of condensation and mould Exceptional adhesion to almost any material GREENGUARD Children & Schools certified for indoor air quality SM

To learn more visit www.walltite.com or call toll-free 1-866-474-3538 at Basf, we create chemistry. †

As per Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC) reports for medium density spray polyurethane foam posted December 2011.

WALLTITE is a registered trade-mark of BASF Canada Inc. ECOLOGO is a trade-mark of Environment Canada; GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified is a registered trade-mark, and GREENGUARD Children and Schools is a service mark, of their respective owners; all used by BASF Canada Inc. with permission. © 2014 BASF Canada Inc.

Top shelf

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR Bosch helps contain dust and dirt from concrete drilling and chiselling applications at the source with an all-new lineup of attachments. The HDC200, for example, is designed for the larger SDS-max and spline hammers. Connecting directly to a Bosch dust extractor, the air suction through one of the two specially designed air chambers sucks the unit to the wall, while the second chamber allows the drilling bit to pass through for the actual dust collection process. bosch.com

IT’S HAMMER TIME DeWalt has re-engineered its line of its High Velocity hammers. The four new models, including a 10 ounce Mig weld hammer for control and accuracy in fine nailing applications, are lighter but feature the strike force of heavier hammers. There’s also a redesigned claw for smoother nail-pulling. $34.99$79.99. dewalt.com

FIRESTOPPER Used to firestop a variety of gaps created by electricians, plumbers and other construction trades, 3M FIP 1-Step Firestop Foam limits smoke and sound and, most important, prevents fire from penetrating walls and floors. As an alternative to the two-part epoxy sealants, it provides a one-step application and, unlike mineral bricks and runny foams, can be installed up to three times faster than traditional methods—all without the need for mineral wool. It also remains pliable after installation for easy re-enterability. 3m.com/firestopfoam

YOUR WORLD AT THEIR FINGERTIPS The Marketing Company has expanded its product line to include complete touch tower solutions, ranging in height from 26 to 65 inches.

With preinstalled interactive software, it’s plug and play, compatible with web technology and has its own internal wifi. Once in the sales office, the potential buyers can see your model choices, view your integrated site map, check out local amenities and book appointments. marketingcompany.ca

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ontario home builder summer 2014

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Top shelf

MINIMALIST DESIGN, MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE The clean lines of American Standard’s new Times Square bathroom faucet collection co-ordinate with any transitional or contemporary setting.

Featuring water-saving efficiency and dripfree performance, the sleek designs include a single-handle faucet that provides sensitive adjustment of both temperature and volume. This control also remembers the temperature setting when it is turned off.

LIGHTING THE PATH The new Nightlight toilet seat from Kohler features a lighted hinge, illuminating the toilet space sufficiently to allow homeowners to leave the overhead lights off while using the bathroom at night. It runs on a seven-hour timer so that the light will shut off by morning. kohler.ca

americanstandard.ca

NAILING THE FINER DETAILS Bostitch’s Smart Point Nailer is ideal for a wide range of woodworking applications, including moulding and cabinetry. Just 2.7 pounds, it drives 18-gauge brad nails between 5/8” and 2-1/8” long. It also features the world’s first micronose design while offering dial-a-depth control and tool-free jam release.

NATURAL STONE IS ALL THE RAGE Quarried in Ontario and Quebec, Stone Selex’s Natural Stone Veneer will add value and natural beauty to a facade or interior fireplace. Flat on one side and cut into pieces of up to 1.5 inches thick, the product features 90-degree corners to continue the illusion of full-bed-depth stone. stoneselex.com

bostitch.com 42

ontario home builder summer 2014

ohba.ca

Help strengtHen your business – Hire an arcHitectural tecHnology co-op student Our Architectural Technology program is designed to simulate a work environment where, along with designing, our students handle the business aspects within an organization.

Our students represent the ideal mix of education, technical abilities and workplace skills.

Our students are skilled at: • Preparing concept and working drawings, floor plans, elevations, schedules, 2D details and 3D massing models • Analyzing plans and drawings, and completing revisions to working drawing sets

Our students possess: • A strong knowledge of the Ontario Building Code • A desire to learn and develop both technical and nontechnical skills and abilities • A strong knowledge of AutoCAD and Revit ®

®

• Liaising with architects, consultants and other construction professionals to seek guidance and advice on required amendments Work with George Brown College to support your business and help our students gain valuable work experience related to their program of study.

For more information contact: The Industry Liaison Office and Alexis Trejgo at atrejgo@georgebrown.ca or 416-415-5000, ext. 6829

4 4

ontario home builder summer 2014

ohba.ca

Reality Check Modelling and rendering technologies add new dimensions to project marketing

By Elaine Kapogines Consumers generally don’t like to open their

The Interactive Abode’s popular Virtual Decorator program allows buyers to create rooms in their home using the exact floor plan and materials offered by the builder. ohba.ca

wallets for something they can’t see, especially when the money is for a down payment on a chunk of dirt, a floor plan and a promise. No matter how well a model home shows, many buyers have a difficult time translating that professionally decorated, completely upgraded house into a home of their own.

As we continue to move into an increasingly digital world, home builders are being forced to assess how they are presenting their projects to their technologically savvy consumers. Long gone are the days of hand-drawn renderings lining the walls of a sales office, so if you look around at your own sales office and see those hand-drawn renderings, it might be time to reassess how you’re interacting with your potential buyers.

Homebuyers, especially the younger condobuying crowd, not only expect a high-tech sales pitch, they may walk away from a builder that is not utilizing the latest technologies. And it’s not enough to just have your presentation on a tablet either—you need something truly memorable.

“Developers in the new environment need a visualization package that can help them get approvals during early stages and then move units fast at firm prices,” says Joseph Trainor, director of DoHere Digital Technology, an architectural rendering company that specializes in cuttingedge digital renderings and illustration services.

“And by choosing a top-shelf rendering company, your project will be showcased to the public in its best possible light, and will be perceived as a solid investment.” ontario home builder summer 2014

45

Myles Burke Architectural Models projects include (clockwise from top left): The Taylor in Toronto, Watermark Long Branch in Etobicoke, Lanterra’s Ice Condos in Toronto and a set model for the Hollywood blockbuster Pompei.

There is a wide range of rendering and modelling options available for builders, developers and architects to consider, and finding the right product created by the right company for the right price can have a huge impact on how your project is marketed to consumers.

“Scale models are typically the central marketing tool for condominiums,” says David Myles of Myles Burke Architectural Models, a producer of premium quality 3D models. “That’s because it’s tactile. The buyer comes in and is literally wowed by a six- or eight-foot model standing in the centre of the room.

And what makes it really memorable are those little details, because they’re just so cool. They’ve probably never seen a tiny treadmill or BBQ before. When consumers see a model that they can walk around and touch, they seem to trust that the builder can actually build the real thing.”

Like any industry, model making has gone through an evolution driven by the advent of new technologies. Peter McCann 46

ontario home builder summer 2014

of Peter McCann Architectural Models has been in business for 30 years and has watched the industry change drastically with the introduction of each new technology. “When I first started out, we were working on milling machines and different tools of that nature,” recalls McCann. He then watched the laser machine replace the exacto knife, and is now watching the 3D printer make its mark on the industry.

“It’s certainly making life easier,” McCann says. “You can just let it run for hours and hours and then when you walk over, your product is done and away you go.” He points to the Salt Lake Temple project as an example of how his staff utilized the printer for really special details, such as oxen and extremely ornate furniture. But they are also able to use 3D printing technology to build mockups, which helps them to visualize the form of a building before moving to the large-scale models, as well as for context models. “The developer or architect may want to see what their building will look like in context of the ohba.ca

we live out of drawers

We live life out of drawers and a good cook is a tidy cook. If kitchens are being redesigned around drawers, it makes sense that dishwashers are as well. After all why shouldn’t cleaning up be as enjoyable as cooking itself?

Fisher & Paykel Appliances Canada, Inc, SOFA International Centre, 6900 Airport Road Suite 207, Mississauga, ON L4V 1E8 905.569.4001

6370_FPG

fisherpaykel.com

DoHere’s high-end digital rendering assignments include Hirsh Development Group’s Edgewater on Lake Muskoka.

few square blocks around the development—the height of it or how the shadows are cast.”

Myles of Myles Burke is less enthusiastic about the 3D printer’s impact on the model-building industry, but agrees it has increased speed and efficiency. “It has its limitations,” he says. “You can’t print transparent or translucent items, but it’s good for solid details like staircases, columns or cornice.” He also adds the size that you’re able to print is a limiting factor, as is the fact that the unique texture makes it difficult to seamlessly join parts.

So where is the rendering and modelling industry going? It’s safe to say that many consumers live online, so maybe the future of rendering and modelling is also in that digital space. The Interactive Abode, a young start-up based in Mississauga, is taking renderings to the next level with its interactive marketing tools focusing on iPad applications and touchscreen kiosks. This 18-month-old company has already garnered business from some

Price Breakdown for Renderings Joseph Trainor of DoHere Digital Technology notes that different projects require different types of renderings and perspectives, which can impact the costs associated with the project. Here’s a breakdown of a few common projects and how he would tackle the renderings for each:

48

$700 to $800

“And by choosing a top-shelf rendering company, your project will be showcased to the public in its best possible light, and will be perceived as a solid investment.” big names in the home building industry, including Monarch and Remington Homes. “The business is picking up quite quickly,” says co-founder and CEO Jenna Sicilano. “It was just the condo market at first, but now we’re meeting with a number of low-rise developers as well.”

One program that has caught the attention of developers is The Virtual Decorator, a program that allows buyers to create rooms in their home using the exact floor plan and materials that the builder offers. “Now people are really able to see if the dark cabinets go with the light floor before making that final purchase,” says Sicilano, adding that their programs also allow potential buyers to email the finished product as a kind of digital brochure. “We are really able to utilize the online market,” she says, pointing to marketing tools such as social media and YouTube that lend themselves well to the virtual tours.

For any developer, a high-quality visual package is a must-have, but what kind of cost is associated with these types of marking

$1,500 to $1,700

$15,000 to $25,000

Low-rise

Townhomes

Mid-rise/High-rise

With custom houses and duplexes, a perspective shot at dusk may be enough to get the job done. These show the home at a time someone would be arriving after work, with light emanating from within, looking all warm and inviting. For a new subdivision, each model gets a rendering for both A and B elevations. Subdivision home renderings are generally in the $700 to $800 per range (discounts for quantity), with custom homes and duplexes reaching into the $900 to $1,100+ area.

These generally require a one-block perspective, plus either an overall aerial view, or a “view from street” shot. A streetscape view can be $1,500 to $1,700, while a block of six to eight townhouses is usually in the $1,600 to $1,900 range. An aerial shot is about 50% to 60% more, depending on how many area buildings are being shown.

Moving into condo development presents a set of new challenges. A typical condo package will be three exterior views (one aerial, two eyelevel), two to five features/amenity shots (example: lobby, fitness room, party room, pool, terrace), plus three to four suite interiors (living room, kitchen/dining, master bedroom, bathroom). The price per rendering can depend on size, elevations and detailing, so a package of 10 to 12 visualizations for a small to mid-size new condominium development will usually be in the $15,000 to $25,000 range, and more for larger condo towers/multi-tower projects.

ontario home builder summer 2014

ohba.ca

BECAUSE FOUR WALLS AND A ROOF CAN BE THE FOUNDATION FOR GENERATIONS TO COME,

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At CGC, our mission is to make sure we never stop building. From walls to ceilings to floors to exteriors, we will continue to deliver the products, innovation, service and support, as we have for more than a century, so you can construct the places where we work and live. Build your world at CGCINC.COM

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DoHere’s high-end digital rendering assignments include Hirsh Development Group’s Edgewater on Lake Muskoka.

tools? “It’s a small investment for a large impact,” says Sicilano.

And there seems to be a fit for any budget across the board.

“A rendering produced by someone working at home may be only $500, whereas the same view may be quoted at $3,000 or more if you go to a full-service ad agency,” says Trainor of DoHere, adding that it’s important to note the quality of work before making a final decision on what company to hire.

“One way to assess the quality of a company is to look at any windows/glass in their work. If it's all grey, the images evoke a prison feel. If there's a systematic pattern of lighting in the windows, it can look stiff and contrived. Higher-end visualizers will have glass surfaces reflecting the world around the property, and the degree of those transparent/translucent/ opaque light flows depend on the time of day chosen.”

David Myles notes his company would be able to do a highquality 3D model for around $5,000, but has also done projects in the $150,000 range. “The projects are priced based on the number of parts required to build it,” he notes. Myles adds that timelines are also flexible and are generally accommodating, but

“The way to produce stunning visuals begins with preparedness.”

when you’re dealing with man-hours, the longer the lead time, the better. “Preferably, it’s better to do 800 hours in eight weeks versus doing 800 hours over two weeks, but we have the capability to do what’s required.”

“The way to produce stunning visuals begins with preparedness,” says Trainor, adding that changing the designs during production will increase timelines and costs. “Also, feel free to ask questions, to consult with your visualization partner as the back-and-forth helps the renderers fully understand the project and the purpose of the imagery.”

A solid visual package tailored to your specific needs—whether it includes 3D models, interactive tours, better-than-a-photo digital renderings or a combination of all three—is not only attainable, but increasingly necessary to create an impact on consumers whose attention spans are quickly dwindling. By utilizing the available technologies, potential homebuyers will be wowed by not only your stunning floor plans and array of upgrades, but by your out-of-this-world visual presentation that they will be Tweeting about to all their friends. OHB

The interactive experience Yes, they offer amazing digital renderings and 3D printing, but what really gets the creative juices flowing at the NVYVE/Neezo Renders studio is the opportunity to have a client walk through a project in vivid detail—years before it’s completed.

The Mississauga firm specializes in “architectural visualization,” blending 3D art and technology to create photo-realistic film-quality animations. Unlike any video or still image, interactive 3D employs the latest in game engine software to create 3D worlds that look like something out of the movie Inception. It give customers the ability to virtually step inside their future home, years before a single brick has been laid, to view a design at different times of day, to walk into an

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elevator or a condo and press the appropriate floor button, or to design and customize a new basement renovation digitally, and much more.

The interactive element also allows for the creation of virtual landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see. NVYVE/Neezo Renders can also tailor the user interface to match your existing branding and guidelines. Clients can explore and customize floor plans for homes or condos in full 3D, or design and develop cutting-edge augmented reality experiences across multiple platforms and markets. “Trust us,” says president and CEO Marvin Maalouf, “your customers will be blown away when they watch a condo tower grow out of their table!”

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Steve Miller Miller’s Home Building Centre Sauble Beach, ON

IT TAKES MORE THAN MATERIALS TO BUILD A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS Your reputation is on the line every time you step on a new job site. That’s why HH Pro Contractor Services provides the buying power, job site deliveries, credit services, home and cottage plans, and expert advice you won’t find anywhere else. Because helping to bring peoples’ dreams – and dream homes – to life is something we both take pride in.

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Cottage Kings Builders have evolved the once-humble summer retreat into some of the province’s grandest four-season getaways

By Tracy Hanes

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Ideal for small lots, Linwood Homes’ The Greenbay focuses on sustainable resources for green living. ohba.ca

hile living in cottage country has a unique appeal, building there involves special challenges that urban and suburban builders will likely never have to deal with.

Access is a common dilemma, especially when cottages are on an island and building materials need to get to such problematic sites. Some builders, like Kawarthas Lake Construction, deal with island builds by waiting for winter to ship materials across the ice by snowmobile or truck. As well as trucks, company president Scott Wootton keeps snowmobiles and ATVs among his equipment.

“If you’re building on the Canadian Shield, roads are through rocky and steep terrain,” says Bill Williams of Normerica Authentic Timber Frame Homes. “Even if a site isn’t on an island, sometimes it’s more cost-effective to use a barge.

(That said), with smaller islands, sometimes you have to find a mobile barge, and that can be expensive. Then a site may be all rock and cliffs, so you have to use block-and-tackle and pulleys.”

The Shield presents more challenges than access, as Craig McFarlane of Linwood Homes can tell you. It’s often impossible to build basements or to install conventional septic systems.

Craig Marshall of Marshall Homes says another challenge can be to find out-of-town trades, such as those dealing in earthworks, and “you have to forge new relationships.”

Old cottages weren’t subject to the same stringent setback rules that completely new builds are. So if owners want a new home as close to the water as the original cottage, it can take some design savvy to figure out how to fit a new cottage into an old footprint, as Larry French of French’s Fine Homes did recently.

Despite the challenges, the results can be spectacular. Here are a few examples of exceptional cottages constructed by Ontario builders. ontario home builder summer 2014

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FRENCH’S FINE HOMES

Lake Vernon

After being razed to the ground by fire, this Huntsville residence underwent an inspired redesign overtop the same grid, incorporating more natural light and a bridge from the driveway to the main floor.

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More than a steep hillside posed a challenge for French’s Fine Homes in building a new four-season cottage on Lake Vernon in the Huntsville area. The A-frame structure that had been on the site previously was destroyed by fire and the owners, who used it as their primary residence, were coping with shock and grief. As well, the new cottage had to be built on the old grid or would be subject to new rules requiring greater setback from the lake.

Company president Larry French, sales and marketing director Al Bryant and selections coordinator Mair French (Larry’s sister) helped guide the couple as they came to grips with their sudden loss to create a new cottage that they would love. The new abode, with cedar cove siding and timber frame elements inside and out, fits well into its lakeside setting and has spectacular views.

Larry French used the same footprint as the old cottage to design a 3,568-square-foot, three-storey residence with a new walkout basement (there wasn’t previously a basement).

Because the bank is almost vertical, French’s carved into it as part of the new design.

“Larry built a bridge initially to get materials across to the main-floor living space from the driveway without having to go down exterior stairs and it was so convenient that it was incorporated into the design,” says Mair French. “The couple had the older cottage since they were young and the bridge makes things so much easier as they get older.”

As construction got ohba.ca

“The couple had the older cottage since they were young and the bridge makes things so much easier as they get older.”

underway, Larry suggested adding a couple of dormers to give an even airier feel and to allow more light to pour into the space. As the company has in-house auto CAD, making such changes was relatively simple.

As the homeowners got more involved in the process of the build, their grief lessened. At Mair’s suggestion, they added custom metal panels depicting loons, fish and bulrushes along the railing overlooking the main floor from above, and the wife created stained glass pieces to include in the house.

“They started looking forward and getting excited,” says Mair. “They both had wonderful taste and are very inventive and did a great job with their design choices.

They are absolutely thrilled with their new cottage.” ohba.ca

LINWOOD HOMES

Jack Lake

A 2,262-square-foot cottage

by Linwood Homes on Jack Lake near Apsley in North Kawartha is a prized possession—literally—as it was the early-bird prize offered in the 2014 Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Home Lottery. Designed by Linwood’s Craig McFarlane, the year-round cottage in Jack Lake Estates has three bedrooms and three bathrooms and sits on a 2.4-acre hilltop lot, 300 feet above the lake, offering spectacular views.

All of Linwood’s wood construction materials come from B.C. and three types were used on the exterior: horizontal western red cedar V-joint comb-face horizontal siding, natural channel siding on gables and dormers, and darker-toned tongue and groove soffit and fascia.

It includes a magnificent great room with an expanse of windows overlooking the lake that opens to the kitchen

and dining room. A threeseason screened porch and a lake-facing sun deck provide indoor-outdoor living. The second level features a loft and a large games room.

The cottage’s well is 540 feet deep and the septic system is a high-performance Waterloo Biofilter system well suited to bedrock settings such as this one. Unlike conventional septic systems that use a tile bed to treat and dispose of waste, the Waterloo system uses an engineered synthetic, absorbent filter

Sitting 300 feet above Jack Lake in North Kawartha, this Linwood cottage features vaulted ceilings with beams as long as 22 feet.

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to treat sewage and process wastewater. Because of the bedrock, there is no basement.

Since the cottage was a full post and beam construction, the entire interior could be opened up and vaulted ceilings installed—some of the beams are as long as 22 feet. A glass railing system was used in the loft to allow for unobstructed views of the woods and forest.

Normerica

North Channel, Sault Ste. Marie

Set on a 10-acre island in Sault Ste. Marie, this sprawling weekend home from Normerica maximizes solar energy opportunities, features a variety of rooflines and is designed for multigenerational living.

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This custom, 5,500-squarefoot weekend family home belonging to Toronto HVAC engineer Andy Selin blends harmoniously with its rugged natural setting on a 10-acre private island off St. Joseph’s Island in the North Channel, while incorporating some leading-edge technologies.

The custom-designed Normerica Timber Frame house boasts generous use of wood, natural stone and glass and every room has a view of the water. Selin wanted the house to be designed on “pattern language,” a term coined by architect Christopher Alexander in the 1970s to describe a structured method of design practices that ordinary people can use to solve simple to complex design problems.

“Andy was really the leader of our team and we worked together with him, and the result was fantastic,” says Bill Williams of Normerica.

He says access to the island wasn’t a problem, as Selin acquired four levels of government approval to build a causeway to the location.

The house’s southern exposure maximizes passive solar energy. Its podular ohba.ca

Marshall Homes’ Stoney Lake work was adapted from the company’s Port 32 model home and included multiple lakeview windows and a basement with a walkout, screened-in porch.

Selin wanted the house to be designed on “pattern language,” a term coined by architect Christopher Alexander in the 1970s design features a variety of room shapes, sizes and ceiling finishes, as well as multiple rooflines. Williams says a challenge was to how to bring all the rooflines together, but tying them together under a cupola solved the problem. The home’s timber, meanwhile, was cut at the Normerica plant and shipped for on-site assembly.

Blending communal and private spaces and areas that can be shut off from the rest of the house when not in use, the cottage is accessible for anyone with special needs and is designed for multigenerational living.

The timber-frame materials were supplied by Sustainable Forest Initiative members. Its pre-fabricated walls and roofs drastically reduced the amount of on-site waste, while high insulation levels and low ohba.ca

E argon windows help make the residence energy efficient. The limestonecoated steel roof looks like asphalt shingles but will last a lifetime and the prepainted board and batten siding won’t need repainting for two decades. The home’s extensive decking is metal, topped with natural stone.

Heating and air conditioning are provided by a geothermal system that uses in-lake air exchangers to draw heat from the North Channel in winter or expel it in summer. The cottage also has a Daikin Variable Refrigerant Volume system (usually found in commercial buildings) that has 13 different units inside the house and can move heat around where it’s needed through lines about the same diameter as a finger and requires no ductwork (ideal for a timber frame home).

An 8x10-foot wall of ‘switchable’ glass in the second-floor office overlooks the living space below. With a flick of a switch, an LCD filament between two panes turns the glass from clear to opaque to provide privacy.

The home’s Lutron lighting system is also state-of-theart and networks all switches together in a programmable format. All the house’s systems can be monitored remotely through the Metasys Building Automation system.

MARSHALL HOMES

Crystal and Stoney Lakes

Craig Marshall’s company, Marshall Homes, usually builds custom and subdivision homes in Durham Region, but his company made a foray into cottage consruction after requests from three customers who had purchased homes from him. While Marshall hadn’t built cottages, he was already building in cottage country with Port 32, an active adult community in Bobcaygeon.

Marshall turned to architect Stephen Hunt, who does most of Marshall Homes’ design work, for further assistance on the creative front and ended up building Hunt’s

own cottage on Crystal Lake near Kinmount. That fourbedroom 3,000-square-foot abode is on a point and is designed to take advantage of the views through expansive windows. The open-concept layout features dramatic pine cathedral ceilings to provide an even greater sense of space.

The cottage was also designed to make use of the sloping lot to create a walkout basement.

For another client on Stoney Lake, Marshall adapted the popular model home at Port 32 into the design. “We had

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Situated on a steep bedrock site, this project required Kawartha Lakes Construction to wait until the lake ice sufficiently froze in February before moving in equipment and materials.

to get rid of the garage and cut the size down a bit. It’s a bungalow and we didn’t need a study and we made a bigger eating area, rather than a formal dining room,” he explains. “It has a basement with a walkout and a screenedin porch facing the lake that everyone loves. We used wood siding as opposed to vinyl, as it’s so much richer and suits cottage country. And because there was no other house close, we were able to put more windows on the lake side.”

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Marshall says being a subdivision builder does have its advantages, as he is able to give people a fixed-price contract so their costs don’t get out of control (which often happens in cottage country).

But he has maintained the business model for cottage building as well. “We take responsibility for the costs and take the risk away.”

KAWARTHA LAKES CONSTRUCTION

Catchacoma Lake

The 1,700-square-foot cottage that Kawartha Lakes Construction is building for clients on Catchacoma Lake in the Kawartha Highlands is a real cliffhanger. A staggered two-level design was the best solution for the steep bedrock site 70 feet from the water, says Scott Wootton, president of Kawartha Lakes Construction.

The upper level has four bedrooms and the lower level features a kitchen, openconcept great room and dining room, with a large deck facing

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the water. A utility building sits beneath the upper level, housing the water filtration system and hot water tank.

The clients are doctors from Timmins who grew up in the Kawarthas. Wootton used 3D renderings to explain the design to them and they embraced it.

For most of the year, the island site is reached by boat, but Wootton says wind and wave action make it difficult to move materials. So he and his crew waited until the lake froze to a depth able to accommodate vehicles and took the building materials across on trailers. On site, they built a marine railway to carry the materials up to the site. Construction started in early February 2014 during the unusually harsh winter and continued through March, when work stopped temporarily until the ice went out.

“Because it was a winter job, we didn’t want to get into concrete footings,” says Wootton. “You have to protect concrete from freezing and we were in a remote location with no electricity. With steel, we didn’t have to worry about the separation distance from bedrock to foundation, as steel

“For most of the year, the island site is reached by boat... So he and his crew waited until the lake froze to a depth able to accommodate vehicles and took the building materials across on trailers. ”

can sit right on bedrock.”

The steel plan required an engineer’s approval, then the steel work was done by R & J Machine in Lakefield. To secure the steel foundation, holes were drilled into the bedrock and mounting plates installed. An acrylic epoxy helps keep bolts in place.

Wootton and his crew partnered with Discovery Dream Homes to create some timber frame elements for the cottage, while the conventional wood framing elsewhere helps keep costs down.

The exterior will be in Hardie Board fibre cement siding— “That’s great stuff from a maintenance standpoint,” says Wootton. “Pre-finished wood takes a pummelling.”

The project was expected to be completed in July, just time for the owners to enjoy summer in their island abode. OHB ohba.ca

In the course of business Golf is making a comeback, and so are golf communities

By Ted McIntyre

As with the equipment used to play the game, the golf industry has evolved in dramatic fashion in recent years. The boom of the late ’90s that saw dozens of bigbudget courses open across Ontario—a seemingly logical reaction to a healthy economy, the impending retirement of the Baby Boomer generation and the red-hot nature of a game stoked by Tiger Woods—soon led to a saturated market unable to absorb a downturn in the economy.

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Avoiding waterfront development will leave outstanding Georgian Bay views for Cobble Beach’s Blue Bay Villas in Owen Sound.

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The award-winning Muskoka Bay GC is a key draw for Freed Corporation’s latest addition to the development, the Lofts at Muskoka Bay.

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any courses have since folded and/ or sold out to developers.

But the economic storm clouds are beginning to part, suggests Toronto’s Tom McBroom, one of Canada’s heavyweights in the golf architecture arena.

“The golf industry has come out of the bottom. The number of courses that were in bankruptcy or a challenged state has significantly decreased over the last two years. Golf course construction as part of residential construction has picked up in the U.S., and that’s a very encouraging sign. It will be a slow recovery, but it’s coming back.”

Golf communities might well feed that recovery. “The majority of new golf courses built today are typically developed in association with some form of residential or resort development,” explains Doug Carrick of Don Mills-based Carrick Design, who along with McBroom have sculpted most of Canada’s “Best New Course” winners over the past 20 years.

“The costs associated with building and maintaining today’s courses often necessitates the development and sale of surrounding real estate in order to create a successful business model for golf,” says Carrick, whose golf course community partnerships include Ballantrae Estates in

Stouffville (Schickedanz Bros.), RiverBend in London (Sifton Properties), Cobble Beach in Owen Sound (Cobble Beach Golf Resort Community/Georgian Bay Villas and Reid’s Heritage Homes) and Muskoka Bay in Gravenhurst (Freed Developments)—the last two of which, in particular, have claimed multiple provincial and national awards. He’s also working on a new course at Friday Harbour on Lake Simcoe, as part of a development with Geranium and the Pemberton Group.

For home builders seeking a competitive edge, “a wellplanned golf course community can create a strong marketing advantage over other residential developments and will generate increased property values for surrounding real estate,” says Carrick. “It not only increases the value of golfcourse-fronting lots, but the value of interior lots throughout the development.”

Today’s golf community plans, though, are a far cry from those of a little over a generation ago. At that time, logic dictated lining as many fairways, tees and greens with the backyards of as many homes as possible. Arriving closely on the heels of that philosophy, of course, were multiple lawsuits resulting from errant golf balls striking private property.

When it was overseeing its Millcroft development in Bur-

lington during the late 1980s, in an effort to foster goodwill, Monarch Homes would replace windows broken by golf balls at no charge for the first five years after someone purchased a home. The builder also spent an estimated $25,000 a year planting trees in strategic locations to prevent further damage to homes.

While Millcroft’s course routing, which weaves through the neighbourhood, spurred the development’s financial success, golf community design has evolved into something much more organic. Today there is mutual appreciation for the importance of buffers between a course and residential units, McBroom explains. “I think the quality of golf residential communities has improved over time because the developers realize they need to have those buffers, and that the larger the buffer, the better. We now try to minimize fairway frontage.

Thirty years ago, the typical golf community was trying to get homes on both sides of every fairway, and it really dragged down the quality of the golf course, because people don’t want to play golf in a canyon of homes. I think the real estate development industry has learned that it’s not about frontage feet; it’s about the quality of the community and the golf course, and that’s how you command higher prices for land.”

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“In addition to growing the community, I truly believe the golf club members of tomorrow will come from our real estate sales.”

— Larry Dunn

Reid’s Heritage Homes seamlessly meshes golf and community at Lora Bay in Thornbury.

Putting golf first The importance of the golf element as a draw to potential residents is being embraced by many builders. In its first kick at the can in golf community development, Eden Oak Homes’ research suggested that it was better to initially construct the golf course at its Oak Bay community to allow potential buyers to witness first-hand the melding of homes and land, explains Eden Oak president Romas Kartavicius. “The golf course features and attributes are much more powerful when the buyer is looking at the real thing, rather than looking at a rendering or being told about the benefits. They can see the grandeur of the golf course, the beautiful green, open space and manicured lawns.”

Located just outside Honey Harbour, 90 minutes north of Toronto, the four-season master-planned community features the Residences of Oak Bay, complete with a marina (under construction), fitness facilities, swimming pool, walking trails and other lifestyle amenities.

The centrepiece, the Shawn 64

Watters-designed course that opened in the fall of 2010, is highlighted by one of the most memorable par-3s in Ontario, a stunning 170-yarder over wetlands to a raised green perched upon a granite outcropping.

While Eden Oak took a longterm approach by unveiling the golf course well in advance, nobody has demonstrated more patience than the folks at Cobble Beach Golf Resort Community and Georgian Bay Villas. Having purchased 574 acres on the shores of Georgian Bay in Owen Sound in 1998, Willis McLeese and his son Rob opened the Doug Carrick-designed Cobble Beach on May 22, 2007. With only 29 completed homes to date, there are eventual plans for 1,000 residences as part of a 20-year project that relied heavily on the expertise of Reid’s Homes in the early stages, according to McLeese. Although the development has focused on advanced environmental practices, the golf course is the primary lure.

“We thought, ‘If you build the golf course and use the waterfront as its primary anchor, instead of using it for houses,

ontario home builder summer 2014

which is what most builders would do, then people will always have that view of the water; it will never be blocked,” says company president Rob McLeese. “The real estate people thought we were crazy, but it was really important for us to preserve that waterfront for everybody.”

Most of the single-family homes range from 2,200 to 4,000 square feet and average between $700,000 and $900,000. McLeese estimates a premium of $100,000 for homes situated on the property, versus a location in a generic community elsewhere in Owen Sound.

One of Ontario’s best marriages of high-quality homes and golf can be found at Lora Bay in Thornbury, a Reid’s Heritage Homes/McBroom partnership. “It’s an outstanding golf community—it just works,” says McBroom, whose portfolio includes celebrated residentialrelated courses Tobiano and Tower Ranch in B.C., and who is currently working on the Links at Brunello in Halifax. “Five holes were built along the top of the escarpment. Ordinarily,

a developer might have said to me, ‘We want to preserve that land for development because it has the outstanding views out over Georgian Bay.’ But I said, ‘You’ll create more value for yourselves if you put golf holes there. Then you’ll have homes paralleling the golf course but that have views out over the course and Georgian Bay.’” While a golf course can potentially hook homebuyers, residents are typically required to support the economic model of the golf course, whether the golf division is run independently or by the developer itself. In its recent Lora Bay Living newsletter put out by Reid’s, Larry Dunn, Chairman of Lora Bay Corporation, observed, “real estate continues to be a very important component of Lora Bay (Golf Club). In addition to growing the community, I truly believe the golf club members of tomorrow will come from our real estate sales, allowing us to reach our goal of becoming a private golf club.”

Business models vary, though. In London, Sifton’s affordable and award-winning RiverBend residences are propped up by an underrated 2002 Carrick design—run separately from the community— that maximizes the backdrop of the Kains Woods and the rolling contours of the development.

The development is a leasedland community, with 49- and 99-year lease options—each averaging in the $700-a-month ballpark, although a new 52-home release—the 13th Green at Riverbend—runs around $1,200.

High rolling Of course, a great golf experience requires a great piece of property. Most golf designers prefer rolling land broken by natural vegetation. “With rolling land and a treed landscape, ohba.ca

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“Golf course construction as part of residential construction has picked up in the U.S., and that’s a very encouraging sign. It will be a slow recovery, but it’s coming back.”

— Tom McBroom

PAY FOR PLAY The premiums developers charge for golf course community homes are required to cover the capital costs of constructing the golf course.

And those costs can add up. Not including land charges—and you can typically factor in 175 to 200 acres for a championship-length golf course alone, including driving range, clubhouse and parking area—developers can expect construction costs for a quality course to average anywhere from $300,000 to $400,000 per hole.. That means $3.5 million to $6 million just for the course construction, which does not factor in costs to build and furnish the clubhouse, pro shop and maintenance buildings, nor the parking lot and course architect/builder fees. . Planning-wise, design and environmental approvals typically require two years, with construction and grow-in four years minimum. And developers should expect a number of design changes to the golf course routing and the context of the land plan as a project evolves.

While buffer zones are required around

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you create visual separation between the golf and the residential development, which is desirable,” says McBroom.

“With a flat piece of land, you can see other homes and adjacent fairways. That’s not so appealing.”

“A site that allows for dramatic grade separation between golf fairways and elevated home sites will provide homeowners with more privacy and is not as intrusive visually and psychologically to golfers as a site with flat, open terrain that is devoid of trees,” adds Carrick.

Moderate changes in elevation add interest to the layout, but it also allows golfers to walk the course. “The ease of walking a golf course is an important factor for first-home communities, where the higher frequency of play from regular members and residents necessitates the

holes to protect errant balls from invading private property (and developers will want to make sure homeowners have signed legal work and waiver on potential lawsuits), there’s no law that says a golf course must be a 7,400 par-72 from the tips. A well-designed 6,800 par-70 can have no difficulty earning awards and challenging low-handicap golfers while reducing required acreage. Layouts shorter than 7,000 yards can be done on 150 acres, although you may have to sacrifice your driving range to accommodate. Costs can also be kept to a minimum if the developer has a site with gently rolling land and starts the job on time with all necessary permits taken care of.

There can also be a number of shared costs in the construction of the course and community. “The pre-grading of the golf course and residential land—if it’s done in one phase—is a huge cost saving,” says Toronto golf architect Tom McBroom. “Further, the golf course quite often acts as a drainage conduit.

Since it’s usually on lower ground, it receives drainage water from the residential area, which is usually on higher ground, (allowing for the creation of storm management

option to walk the course,” notes Carrick. “At golf resorts and second-home communities, visiting golfers are more conditioned to accepting a cart-only policy.”

Regardless of the terrain, the golf architect should be the developer’s partner in any planning discussions. Carrick, a former president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, compares fashioning a golf course community to piecing together “a complex 3D puzzle that must balance the requirements for a variety of golfers with different skill levels, the desires of discerning homebuyers, the financial model of the client, the environmental concerns of various regulatory agencies, engineering limitations and a distinctive marketing strategy.”

That marketing strategy, as

ponds, which can be incorporated into the course design). So if done together, the interconnecting pipe and so on can also be a substantial cost saving.”

“Seeding is less expensive,” McBroom notes, “but today, roughly half the total land area is sodded. It helps get the course open sooner, looking good and maturing faster, thereby reducing cost of grow-in.”

Further cost-cutting measures include reducing the number of bunkers, especially large, flashed bunkers requiring added upkeep, minimizing the length of cart paths and using seed rather than sod. Reducing green size can also trim the initial budget. However, similar to trimming spending on items such as final grading, you can end up paying more in the long run since there will be more wear and tear on those areas.

Simply put, cutting corners can be bad for marketing. “If you build a crappy golf course where the fairways are too tight, who’s going to want to pay a premium to be there?” asks McBroom. “The lesson we’ve learned is that high quality is always the best prescription for success.”

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“The majority of new golf courses built today are typically developed in association with some form of residential or resort development.”

— Doug Carrick

Sudden Impact: the Millcroft example Few builders understand the impact a golf course can have on a housing development than Monarch Corporation. In 1972, Monarch purchased a 650-acre site in Burlington for $10.5 million. The company intended to build thousands of homes on the property, but the City adopted a nogrowth policy shortly after the purchase and the project lingered for years. By the mid-’80s, with the property bleeding money, Monarch decided the only way to get a return on its investment was to add a golf course to the community, even though it was never part of the original plan.

An executive was brought in from Florida to pitch City Council on the golf course community concept and the protected green space it would provide, recalls Mattamy Chief Operating Officer Brian Johnston, who was president of Monarch Corporation at the time. With assistance from golf architect Tom McBroom, a 5,800-yard, par-70 public course was laid out in a figureeight pattern, with no parallel fairways and the clubhouse smack in the centre. Nine holes opened in 1987, with the remaining nine opening the following year.

Sales of new homes were slow at first, 68

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with other elements of any new development, can benefit from good environmental practices.

“Sustainability, including the recycling of storm water along with the use of effluent water for irrigation purposes, is a critical element in land planning for golf course communities today,” says Carrick.

“It also provides a method for improving the quality of runoff from developed areas.

“Identifying and protecting key sensitive site features and habitat areas early in the design process helps developers establish credibility with regulatory agencies and planning authorities. It also builds respect and credibility within the local community (and) provides homeowners with a valuable resource

Johnston remembers. “With a unique community like a golf course community, the buyer has a sort of a show-me attitude. They want to see that the golf course is built, they want to see that the clubhouse is built and they want to see the community is continuing to evolve—that the developer hasn’t run out of money and suddenly stops or somebody else comes in,” Johnston related to ScoreGolf Magazine in 2006.

Club memberships at the public facility were never part of the sales pitch, nor were they offered as a home purchase incentive, the first of which was purchased in 1987. But by 1990, Monarch had sold just 36 homes, and with $30 million invested in the project, some hand-wringing was taking place. But momentum steadily increased, and by the time Monarch sold the course and parted ways in 2007, they had sold nearly 2,400 homes.

The Millcroft project was so successful, in fact, that Monarch used the same figure-eight model in developing a 700-acre golf community in the Ottawa area in 2000, hiring the services of golf architect Ted Baker to design the centrepiece of Stonebridge G&CC. “My predecessors would argue that the delay (at Millcroft) was a very significant problem for them to deal with,” Johnston told ScoreGolf.

“However, looking back over time, there is no

to enjoy for many years.”

Beyond increasing land value, protecting greenspace and desirable views for as many of the potential residents as possible is an excellent way of creating a sense of place and value that extends throughout the entire development,” suggests Carrick.

Similar value can be attained through the golf clubhouse, which can serve as a great gathering place, not merely for golfers but for family meals, weddings and other events.

Consequently, positioning it “in a prominent location with scenic views over the surrounding countryside and over the golf course can help to establish a strong identity and sense of community.” OHB

doubt the delay forced a unique development concept on Monarch, which, combined with land price appreciation, generated profits well in excess of whatever was imagined when the property was purchased.”

Even today, the bottom line is still the bottom line for Johnston. “Developers need to understand that golf courses are like a park, ravine, pond or something similar,” he says. “A golf course is a feature that generates premiums. If you look at the financials of any golf course, there is not a solid rationale to own a golf course as a stand-alone investment if one fully costs the construction, the clubhouse, the equipment and the staff, as well as the carrying costs. Golf courses generate premiums, pure and simple, which is the only reason a developer would build one.

“Having said this, there is an exception, as one could make the argument that a golf course is simply a temporary use of a property that could be re-purposed for a higher and better use. We have seen that in the GTA— Glenway Golf Course in Newmarket (which was sold for roughly $10 million four years ago and is slated for new development) being an example). In situations like these, owners are seeking a rezoning to realize profits through a residential development, as opposed to running a golf course.” ohba.ca

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hile the Ontario Building Code is a constantly moving target, the latest adjustments require builders to be detail oriented to stay on top of things.

“Yes, the new code has some 20,000 changes from the 2006 version. However, there are only some 500 technical changes,” notes Mike Seiling, president of the Ontario Building Officials Association (OBOA).

Although it’s still a daunting number, all the changes are not hitting builders at once. In announcing O. Reg. 332/12 in November 2012, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing formed the new Ontario Building Code 2012, which came into force January 1, 2014. Some energy efficiency provisions will come into effect January 1, 2015, with additional adjustments scheduled for January 1, 2017. As well, builders should be prepared for certain changes related to onsite sewage systems, which take effect on December 31, 2016.

According to the Ministry, this phase-in period gives the industry adequate time to learn about the new changes and prepare for their implementation. “The 2012 Ontario Building Code applies for all permit applications filed after December 31, 2013,” explains Seiling of the revised OBC, which will increase Ontario’s consistency with other codes across the country, enabling businesses to better sell their products and services nationwide. According to the Ministry, the new OBC improves the competitiveness of Ontario’s building sector through new and updated standards. It will allow for the use of new products, the recognition of best practices, more flexible requirements and maintaining Ontario’s harmonization with National Building Code requirements in areas such as structural design.

Designed to better protect property and health, including structural design and fire protection, the Code has an environmental focus, putting in place measures that reduce greenhouse gases, protect air, water and soil, and conserve energy. As a result of the Code’s evolution, new houses constructed in 2017 will, according to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, consume 50% less energy than homes built before 2006, and large buildings will only consume 65% of what they did before 2006. It will additionally place Ontario among North America’s leaders in water conservation.

Three Pillars According to Seiling, the updated OBC can be broken down into three pillars of change: fire and life safety, energy efficiency and accessibility.

David Potter, chief building official with the Town of Newmarket, and a member of the Ministry’s Building Code Conservation Advisory Council, notes that the 2012 Code’s Division B, Part 12 represents “the most significant changes to the Building Code in the past few years”—specifically in the area of energy efficiency.

“Builders now have both the prescriptive and performance compliance path options, as well as a number of available trade-off provisions,” says Potter.

Seiling, who is also the director of the City of Kitchener’s building division, provides a Top 10 list of changes to the OBC as they apply to the home building industry. Potter and Doug Tarry, director of marketing at Doug Tarry Homes in St. Thomas and past president of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association, offer insight on each change. ohba.ca

1.

Smoke alarms required in every bedroom and requirements of temporal patterns for smoke alarms (and in addition to be interconnected and must have battery back-ups) The 2012 Building Code contains specific requirements in order to enhance fire protection of large and small buildings, including: requiring hard-wired smoke alarms with battery back-up in each sleeping room for houses and large buildings, and requiring integrated sprinkler and fire alarm systems in multi-unit residential buildings.

“The change to smoke alarm requirements is one that OHBA advocated for,” says Tarry. “By having the smoke detectors in each bedroom, there is a better chance that residents will hear and respond to an alarm, rather than having it adjacent to the bedroom. This change provides for even greater occupant safety into what was already a very safe built environment and is relatively easy for builders to implement.

“The interconnection is important, as it enables all occupants to have the opportunity to hear the alarm,” adds Tarry. “Battery backups are also critically important in the case of a power outage and even more so in older homes that are not hardwired.”

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2.

Water efficiency requirements for toilets/shower- heads increased (i.e. toilets 4.8L per flush or dual 4.1/6.0 LPF) The 2012 Building Code promotes the conservation of Ontario’s water by requiring newly installed toilets and urinals in residential occupancies to be high-efficiency and requiring high-efficiency showerheads in residential occupancies.

“A number of changes were introduced to further help in the area of water conservation,” says Potter.

“In addition to expanded uses for harvested rainwater (lawn irrigation and clothes washing), flow rates for plumbing fixtures (water closets and showerheads) have been further reduced. This should not impact the industry too much, provided product is available. Unfortunately, we have little control over the consumer, particularly when it comes to switching out showerheads after occupancy.”

Adds Tarry: “This measure is to help reduce strain on municipal infrastructure services for water treatment. The electrical costs of treating water is now commonly the largest electrical cost that municipalities are faced with, and with electrical costs rising, conservation will become even more critical. This is a very easy measure for builders to implement, as there are many Water Sense products that are currently available in the marketplace that are costcompetitive and work quite well.

“However, at the same time as the move has been made to reduce fixture volumes, there was an unintended consequence with a Code change around water supply pipe— both inside the home and from the street to the home. In many cases, supply lines that were ¾ in. will now increase to 1 in. This goes against the conservation goals established 72

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by the Provincial Government and will need to be addressed. OHBA is working with our partners at the OBOA and Large Municipalities Chief Building Officials (LMCBO), along with Glen Pleasance, Water Efficiency Coordinator, Region of Durham, and Bill Gauley, water conservation consultant, to raise this issue with the Ministry in an attempt to get clarification of this issue.”

3.

Requirement for programmable thermostats in homes (support energy efficiency, turn down heat when sleeping or when home is unoccupied)

“Low initial cost, the availability of a variety of products and the potential payback in terms of energy efficiency made this a good change. It is also one which is relatively easy to enforce,” says Potter, who points out that in January 2015, all furnaces will require an ECM (Electronically Commutated Motor).

“Programmable thermostats will enable occupants to have greater control of their living environment and help reduce their energy usage and costs,” says Tarry. “There are many cost-effective options available on the market; however, homeowners are increasingly looking to the use of their smartphones to run wificontrolled thermostat devices such as the EcoBee and the Nest thermostats. This enables the homeowner to remotely manage their home’s HVAC system, so if you are coming home sooner than expected, you can start the home’s cool-down to match your early arrival."

4.

Increase in backfill height against foundation wall for taller ceiling heights.

The table for backfill height/height of foundation wall has changed. For example, for a 12 in. wall, the previous maximum backfill height was 7 ft.

7 in. Now it is 9 ft. 4 in.

Other thicknesses have also changed, but now there is no need for an engineered design for a reinforced 9-ft. foundation wall.

“This will make taller basement walls more affordable for purchasers and will provide greater design options for creative basement design,” explains Tarry.

5.

Changed rise/ run for public stairs (reduced rise and increased tread), and new green-coloured pictogram exit signs

“The change to rise and run (wider treads) provides for stairs that are more easily accessible/climbable for individuals with disabilities who are still able to walk,” Tarry notes. “The coloured exit signs brings the code in line with international standards and provides more recognizable pictures to users, regardless of language.”

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6.

Requirement for locating septic system distribution piping via tracer wire or iron bars around perimeter “Given the changes to septic installation and the need for oversight, this change makes sense and is probably long overdue,” says Tarry.

7.

Laundry sanitary pipe: change from 1 ½ in. to 2 in. diameter for riser and trap or washer box, and a trap for washing machine discharge “This change provides greater drainage capacity for water discharge and is not excessively expensive,” says Tarry.

8.

New insulation requirement for waterlines (hot only), with an 8 ft. downstream for the hot water tank (min. R 3.5) “Domestic hot water storage tanks now require heat traps to minimize heat loss when the system is not in

use,” explains Potter. “Most tanks in the marketplace have been including an integral heat trap for some time.

There is also a new requirement to insulate the hot water lines at the hot water storage tank.”

“This will have an impact on plumbing design, as installers will want to ensure that there is an 8 ft. line before any hot supplies are taken off the main hot water supply,” adds Tarry. “If individual lines are taken off before the 8 ft., they would then also need to be insulated, which will increase costs. There may be some design challenges for two-storey and townhome projects.”

9.

Requirement for taping of transverse joints for HVAC ducts “This is a very important step in HVAC performance,” Tarry explains.

“At a cost of only a few hundred dollars per home, the performance improvement is significant.

The supply side is the critical control area, as it is imperative to be able to push air to where you want it. In this manner you can balance the home to ensure greater occupant comfort. “But you can’t balance the air flow if there is excessive leakage,” adds Tarry.

Taping the transverse joints is an important step to improved performance and is low-hanging fruit, but it is only a first step, especially with

the CSA F280 guidelines resulting in smaller furnace sizing requirements next January.”

10.

Code changes create challenges With any change comes challenge, and the new Ontario Building Code will force builders to take a closer look at their practices, according to Seiling. “Builders build houses throughout the year, so they have to remember on every permit—or on every project—which set of building code requirements apply: the 2006 Code or the 2012 Code?

“Another challenge is that they need to educate their subtrades,” says Seiling. “And a third challenge is that when the Code changes, you have to make sure there are products available that can be installed and that have been approved.”

Seiling warns that if there are any discrepancies uncovered by a building official, occupancy could be delayed. But Potter feels with the way the new 2012 Building Code has staggered its changes from 2014 to 2017, getting up to speed on requirements allows for more time in familiarizing oneself with the new Code requirements, and that the 500 technical changes to the new 2012 Ontario Building Code have set the stage for Ontario to better its home building industry.

"A change would do you good," sang singer Sheryl Crow. Ontario home builders are counting on it. OHB

Want the latest updates on the code?

CodeNews is an online newsletter issued by the Building and Development Branch of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. CodeNews provides information related to the Ontario Building Code. When you subscribe to CodeNews, you will receive notifications of: • New amendments to the Ontario Building Code • Code interpretations issued by the Building and Development Branch

• Latest Decisions issued by the Building Code Commission • Latest Authorizations issued by the Building Materials Evaluation Commission

• Latest Minister’s rulings • Seminars scheduled in your area • Building Code courses scheduled in your area

To subscribe to CodeNews email: codenews@ontario.ca. For more information visit www.mah.gov.on.ca 74

ontario home builder summer 2014

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1

Taking a bite out of the Big Apple New York City picked for OHBA’s first international housing tour

2

By Michael Collins-Williams “If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.”

So goes the memorable lyric describing New York City, one of the most celebrated and recognizable cities in the world. Boasting a rich and legendary history, an endless array of public parks and a very active development industry, New York City was an obvious choice for the Ontario Home Builders’ Association first international housing tour.

An enthusiastic group of builders and industry professionals enjoyed visits to some exciting new residential developments, as well as learning about some of NYC’s most vibrant public spaces through the Project for Public Spaces organization.

New York has a lot to teach and offer in terms of city building and shaping public spaces, and so OHBA, its members and communities across Ontario certainly stand to benefit when builders, planners and developers share experiences and best practices from around the world.

While NYC is full of eye-popping architecture and an efficient public transit system, one critical issue where Ontario stands head and shoulders above Manhattan is that we offer more affordable housing and greater choice in terms of housing styles and types of communities.

1

The High Line

The new jewel in New York City’s crown is the High Line, which is a linear park built on an historic freight line elevated above the streets of Manhattan’s West Side. It is owned by the City and operated by the Friends of the High, who fought for the High Line’s preservation and transformation at a time when the historic structure was under threat of demolition. Today, the first two phases have been completed and a third phase will connect with one of North America’s largest development projects, the Hudson Yards. The High Line not only has become one of NYC’s most extraordinary public spaces; it has also resulted in a mini real estate boom with new residential and commercial development occurring all along the High Line corridor.

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2

42 Ann Street

The Compass Lofts at 42 Ann Street by KPR Partners LLC is a landmark residential loft conversion in the centre of the financial district. The lovingly restored development offers just seven luxurious residences that combine Old World charm with modern conveniences. Our tour of the nearly completed conversion, hosted by Synergy NYC president and CEO Elie Pariente, was an impressive example of an adaptive re-use of an old building no longer able to function in today’s marketplace.

3

One World trade center

Formerly dubbed the Freedom Tower, at 1,776 feet, it’s the tallest building in the Western hemisphere. ohba.ca

1

4

3

Pierhouse at Brooklyn Bridge Park 4

The Toll Brothers’ spectacular Pierhouse at Brooklyn Bridge Park is a 123-unit project with prices approaching $2,400 per square foot that will be the first newly constructed residence within Brooklyn’s worldclass waterfront park. It features unrivalled views of Manhattan and environmentally conscious features. Our tour included a site visit of the unique waterfront location at the edge of the burgeoning community of Brooklyn Heights.

ohba.ca

Projects for Public Spaces The conclusion of the tour showcased a presentation and walking tour with the Project for Public Spaces (PPS), an organization focused on design and dedicated to helping people create and sustain public spaces that build stronger communities. Led by PPS President Fred Kent, we enjoyed a tour of the West Village that highlighted its history and, more significantly, the place-making initiatives that have helped transform public spaces into vital places that spotlight local assets and spur rejuvenation of urban communities.

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Better building

Water,Water Everywhere Solving the secrets of trapped moisture in walls

By Andrew Oding It happens every spring. Every builder

and building inspector knows the script: The phone call comes about the basement leak, a visit to the home is arranged and the inspection takes place. The wet insulation is visible through the ‘plastic stuff.’ The plastic stuff is known as the vapour barrier, and in some cases, the air barrier.

During the investigation no leaks are found anywhere. A perfectly installed air gap drainage membrane is present, weepers are fully connected to an active sump, AND there is even a capillary break placed between the footing and the foundation wall (you don’t see that every day!).

Then someone suggests it might be air leakage and that “interior air with relatively high humidity was creeping past the plastic stuff and condensing on the inside of the wall.” So, the plastic stuff is taped up with two ohba.ca

kilometres of red tape.

The dehumidifier is checked. It’s in great condition and running well, with the drain hose connected directly to the floor drain.

After a thorough review of all construction detailing, it is clear the home meets and exceeds the minimum requirements of the OBC. One week later, the builder gets a call from the same home. The water is back. The head scratching begins. Unfortunately, the script will continue to replay until we accept that we cannot change the laws of thermodynamics and agree that vapour barriers in belowgrade enclosures may not be appropriate in many regions of Canada.

I realize this may be oversimplifying the issue, but bear with me for a minute. It’s basic science with a somewhat tricky outcome.

Water in either liquid or vapour form will

always move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Combine heat (energy) with water vapour and you are talking about this thing called Relative Humidity (RH). With RH, the science remains the same: Given the opportunity, water vapour will move from areas of higher RH to areas of lower RH by vapour diffusion.

The wet insulation in basements is simply science reminding us that natural laws exist.

Outdated building code rules that ignore natural laws look like this: A foundation of a new home has thousands of gallons of construction water sitting inside the small pore structure of the concrete. It will take several years for all of this unbound water to eventually dry out. For most of our Canadian season cycle, the outside is cooler and drier than the inside of the home, so the water moves (dries) to the outside. However, in the spring and ontario home builder summer 2014

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Better building

summer, the temperature and RH outside go up. Cooler, below-grade temperatures and air conditioning keep the basement interior cool and drier. As a result, the predominant vapour drive switches direction and moves towards the inside of the basement-conditioned space. As the water vapour moves inward, the temperature continues to drop and the RH inherently goes up. Upon coming in contact with the cooler, plastic stuff (vapour barrier), the vapour condenses and we see water! This small dehumidification cycle going on behind the plastic vapour barrier can cause substantial amounts of water to be produced and even puddle on the floor beneath.

What’s the solution? Let some of the water vapour through. Not all of the water—just some of it. You can achieve this by providing a material that isn’t a full-stop barrier to vapour but rather retards or controls the rate of vapour diffusion through the assembly. In some areas of the U.S., this is even called— wait for it—a vapour retarder.

We know it will continue to happen. We know WHY it continues to happen. We also know a reasonable solution exists and has proven successful. We simply need the will to change what is ours: our Canadian Building Codes.

SOME Background READING:

The concept of vapour retarders has some rogue roots in Canadian building science.

With the 2014 NHL season closed down, here are some very informative articles to keep you entertained until the skates hit the ice this fall.

A little background reading for future Building Code committees (hint, hint)—especially, the references where we see similar climates south of the border successfully adopting vapour retarders in appropriate hygrothermal regions in lieu of full-stop vapour barriers:

Understanding Basements by J. Lstiburek, Building Science Press, 27 October 2006 Information Sheet-310: Vapor Control Layer Recommendation by Building Science Corporation, Building Science Press, 8 September 2009.

The Influence of Low-Permeance Vapor Barriers on Roof and Wall Performance

by J. Straube, ASHRAE Buildings VIII/Attics/ Roofs—Principles, 25 March 2011.

Andrew Oding is the Senior Building Sci-

ence Associate of Building Knowledge Canada Inc. and Chair of the OHBA Technical Committee.

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Ending consumer confusion in the countertop business

By Mike Hetherman Premium decorative surfaces.

These three little words are bringing a renewed excitement to the countertop industry. And defining “premium decorative surfaces” is bringing a clear, concise vision to the everyday countertop consumer.

OK, so what the heck are premium decorative surfaces? When you move beyond the realm of laminate countertops, you have entered into the world of premium decorative surfaces. From quartz to granite, from solid surface to soapstone, these “higher end” surfaces are what consumers look for when they want to bring a definitive and upgraded style to their kitchen and bath countertop.

Not only is the countertop often the focal point of any kitchen or bathroom,

but it is also the most highly used surface in the entire household. It is understandable, then, that there has been a strong consumer focus on searching for the “perfect” countertop material.

However, once the search for the perfect surface begins, so also begins the phenomenon known as “consumer confusion.” Consumers now, more than ever, are confused about all of their options and are confused about the overwhelming amount of information that is available to them.

How it all began

Let’s take a trip back in time to the year 2000. Laminate was essentially the only available material in terms of countertop surfaces. With the limited scope of ohba.ca

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options, certainly there had to be a surface that would bring a renewed interest to this seemingly single-product industry. Enter granite. Heavily marketed as “the next best thing,” consumers became enthralled with the elegance that came with a hard and shiny stone countertop.

And so the industry trends began to shift dramatically towards granite. From homes to apartments, restaurants to offices, this relatively unknown material just a few years prior had become an industry giant in the world of residential and commercial design. With its growing hold on the countertop market share, granite became the go-to material for anyone in search of a premium countertop.

But here is what could not be predicted: Although many consumers wanted to keep up with the growing trend of purchasing granite for their homes, other consumers wanted to differentiate and find a countertop material that better fit their lifestyle.

And in this moment, the robotic granite buyer began to disappear and the confused consumer was born.

With so many options, how does a consumer choose? The answer has become extremely convoluted. The premium decorative surfaces category can easily encompass a confusing number of options. And with all these options available, which information can they trust? Who can they trust to provide you with the right information?

And, most important, how can they realize that choosing the right countertop does not begin with reading the latest “home trends” magazine or watching a design show on TV? It begins with finding the perfect countertop material for their lifestyle.

This may seem like a simple enough idea, but let us take a look at some of the available countertop surfaces in the market today: granite, quartz, solid surface, limestone, soapstone, glass, stainless steel, tile, marble, exotic wood, concrete, recycled materials.

While some of these surfaces are perfectly suited for specific applications, not all surfaces are perfect for a home. Some countertop materials are natural and beautiful but can be high-maintenance, while others may be more economical but don’t fit your client’s lifestyle needs.

This, in conjunction with the elements of an unstable economy, means that there is a growing need to be certain they are sinking their money into the right premium decorative surface. ohba.ca

Putting Two and Two Together

We know that lifestyle considerations are important when choosing a countertop surface. We know that value is an important factor in choosing the right countertop surface. So what next? Amongst the plethora of available surfaces, there is a clear delineation between two—yes, only two—varieties of premium decorative surfaces: those that are hard and shiny and those that are seamless/integrated.

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Hard and Shiny Surfaces (granite, quartz, marble, tile)

Many surfaces that fall into the “hard and shiny” category can offer the look of a natural stone surface. Though some may enjoy the glossy appearance of a stone surface, it is most certainly a factor to consider, especially for those who may have issues with eyestrain.

These materials may require sealant (and may need to be resealed over time), which could result in more maintenance and upkeep. However, there certainly are hard and shiny surfaces that do not require sealing, such as quartz.

A bit more work is required in cleaning this type of countertop. Further, these surfaces tend to be “heavier” materials that project sound. (Think clanging silverware on your stone countertop surface.) They are also cold to the touch.

On the other hand, they offer high levels of scratch and heat resistance (although trivets are recommended to prevent damage from heat). Though these surfaces are quite resilient, if damaged, they are extremely difficult to repair. And while these natural qualities give the surface a one-of-a-kind look, the countertop will lack a consistent flow, as there will be visible seams as required.

Sink options are also limited. Undermount and overmount sinks are the only options when working with hard and shiny ohba.ca

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countertops. With these types of sink applications, there tends to be dirt/grime build-up around the rim of the sink. seamless/integr ate d surface (concrete, soapstone, etc.)

Features of this style include easy installation. And because of the smooth, silky, matte finish, these surfaces are not reflective and are much easier on the eye.

Warm to the touch, these materials can be considered to have a more inviting appeal. And because of the malleable nature of these surfaces, seams have the ability to be integrated—meaning two pieces can be integrated together to appear as one piece. Often, seams are not visible at all, giving the countertop a consistent flow.

Further, colour runs all the way through the material. Should there ever be a need to renew or repair the surface, this consistent colour makes it much easier to do so.

Aside from the options of undermount and overmount sinks, these surfaces also come with the option of integrated sinks.

When the countertop is integrated with the sink, the presence of mould/dirt build-up around the rim is completely eliminated.

Similar to the benefit of an integrated sink, integrated coved backsplashes also allow for ease of cleaning. There is the added benefit of minimal upkeep since they generally require a wipe-only cleanup.

Since they are non-porous, these types of countertops are extremely hygienic, as bacteria cannot penetrate the surface. The surfaces also offer a high level of scratch and heat resistance, although—again, trivets are recommended to prevent damage from heat.

Due to the malleable nature of these materials, you can personalize the fine details of your countertop. And should any damage occur to your integrated/seamless countertop, the ability to restore the surface to its original state is almost always possible.

No matter who you are and what your client’s everyday life entails—whether they’re a mother of three or a bachelor in the city—if you can take into account the various qualities of these two types of premium decorative surfaces, you will be able to make a more educated recommendation and choose the surface that best fits your client’s lifestyle.

Elevating

Luxury Home Elevators Specializing in flawless residential elevator installs since 1985.

This timeless home amenity allows you to enjoy all levels of your home for a lifetime. Our expert team will help turn your custom elevator concept into a reality.

Mike Hetherman is the president, owner

and CEO of Willis, a North American distributor of building materials.

416.617.6326 | info@motionelevating.com | www.motionelevating.com

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OHBA members among Canada’s Best Managed OHBA members Deslaurier Custom Cabinets and Napoleon Group of Companies have been named among Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies.

Ottawa-based Deslaurier develops custom kitchen and bathroom cabinets, which it markets through three main sales channels: the company’s 7,500-squarefoot Ottawa showroom, a province-wide dealer network and local builders. Barriebased Napoleon is North America’s largest privately owned manufacturer of quality wood and gas fireplaces, gourmet gas and charcoal grills, outdoor living products and heating and cooling equipment.

The twosome was among 250 Canadian companies asked to participate and undergo a thorough review before the top 50 were selected. Companies are evaluated on their business strategy and commitment to core values, their capability to provide superior customer service, foster a culture of teamwork and support a healthy bottom line and a commitment to set and achieve goals, support their surrounding community and invest in their staff and associates.

The chilling facts about insulation It’s common to think about insulation to keep the heat in and the cool air out during the winter, but builders and renovators ohba.ca

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Cut Insurance Costs Not Coverage Builders can save 20-30%

Comprehensive Insurance & Risk Management Solutions Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management Inc. (JDIMI) is a leader in providing builders insurance solutions. We recognize the insurance challenges builders face today and offer competitive rates and the most comprehensive coverage available in today’s insurance market.

Matt Croswell 416.234.6326 mattc@jdimi.com 1.877.232.9996 jdimi.com/builders /JonesDesLauriers @360risk

Where Vision Becomes Reality

THE COMPLETE INTERIOR MILLWORK SOLUTION FOR HOMEOWNERS AND CONTRACTORS Trim & Mouldings Interior Doors Locksets & Door Hardware Custom Wood Entry Doors

Stairs & Railings Columns, Pillars & Posts Closet Organizers Custom Millwork

Servicing Southwestern Ontario & Surrounding Areas 519-578-3265 88

Supply & InStallatIon avaIlable riversidedoorandtrim.com showroom: 520 Conestogo Rd. Waterloo, ON

ontario home builder summer 2014

should remember that the opposite is true in the hot summer months, where energy efficiency and comfortable living can pay off with proper insulation installation.

During summer months, air in an attic can reach up to 140°F/60°C. Without proper attic insulation, that hot air can make its way down into the home, sabotaging an air conditioner’s hard work. If the second storey is hotter than the first floor, add extra insulation or replace failing insulation in the attic. Basements are often overlooked as a key place to insulate as well, but in the summer, a basement is typically the coolest places in the house. To keep that cold air in, adding a layer of insulation to exterior facing walls and in the basement ceiling will help prevent drafts and escaping cool air.

Products such as Owens Corning’s EcoTouch or Roxul fire-resistant and water-repellant ComfortBatt insulation can add insulation barriers into the walls of a home. Roxul’s Safe ’n’ Sound stone wool insulation can also help reduce white noise and soundproof a house for optimal privacy, on top of aiding in cutting energy costs.

Installing any of these products helps to keep cool air in and hot air out during the summer, and during winter, helps minimize the use of heaters.

Need protective gear? There’s an app for that!

The Personal Safety Division of 3M Canada has launched the 3M Safety App. The first of its kind, the app takes a complex catalogue of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and simplifies the selection process to quickly identify and share the right 3M ohba.ca

safety products. Today it is available for free in the App Store.

The app will eliminate the need to earmark catalogues, search for a tech data sheet, image or brochure, or simply go with a best guess. It includes more than 2,400 3M safety products in the following categories: disposable and reusable respiratory protection; powered and supplied air respiratory protection; hearing conservation; protective clothing; fall protection; hard hats and visors; protective eyewear; and welding protection.

The app prompts the user with unique filters or questions to arrive at the best available options. Building a complex product system, like a powered air respiratory kit, becomes as easy as answering a series of questions. 3M.ca/safetyapp

A colourful partnership When it comes to colour, Kohler Co. and Benjamin Moore understand the impact it can have on enhancing a space, as well as the process homeowners undergo to pick the perfect palette. To aid members of the trade through the selection process, designers from both companies collaborated to create Collaboration in Full Colour, an array of inspiring tools and content that help customers visualize and choose their styles, and then empower them to create it by providing a list of materials to transform that vision into reality.

The first three of a future series of creative environments, each including a kitchen and a bathroom, include Southern Charm (an elegant design palette of soft pinks, saturated blues, cloudy greys); Eastern Mist (which blurs the lines of sea and sky on the eastern seaboard with a palette of greens and blues and light woods and earthy tones); and Northern Roots (with hues of greys and taupes to create a mature feel).

“Colour isn’t only a part of our history, it’s a part of our heritage dating back to 1927 when we were the very first to apply colour to plumbing products,” says Tristan Butterfield, Kohler’s creative director.

The content and tools created through this collaboration are available now online as well as in Kohler showrooms and select ohba.ca

Eavestrough | Half Round Gutter Siding | Soffit and Fascia | Windows

Contact us for a free quote.

Our staff is highly qualified, are bonded, safety regulated and insured. We are proud to stand behind our workmanship and offer a 2-year service warranty.

Providing quality products and services since 1969.

Roussel Eavestrough | 416.438.4344 | rousseleavestrough.com

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Benjamin Moore retailers across North America. Additionally, the colour collaboration will be rolled out at trade shows, in-market events and as featured content across several social media channels

Luxury Custom Renovations

Custom Bathrooms • Kitchens • Wine Cellars • Built-ins Dressing Rooms • Custom Millwork 416.806.2232 • info@torontocustomconcepts.com www.torontocustomconcepts.com 1750 The Queensway Suite#1101 • Toronto, ON • M9C 5H5

Saniflo launches new training program Saniflo Canada has launched a new training program, SANIPRO Certified. Led by Saniflo-certified representatives, the program is designed for licensed plumbers to become fully trained on the company’s product line, applications and installation of Saniflo’s unique macerating systems.

This classroom-style training aims to provide trade members at the wholesale and contracting level with the most up-to-date information and tools on how to best recommend and use a Saniflo product. Each trainee will receive a certificate of completion upon finishing the program.

Give your old tires a new life!

Where do tires go to die? Environmentally conscious builders and renovators can make sure they end up in the hands of Liberty Tire. In the U.S. and Canada, Liberty annually transforms more than 140 million tires into raw materials for smart, sustainable products. Their Ontario branch in Brantford will pick up used tires for free anywhere in Ontario, provided customers first register with the Ontario Tire Stewardship to obtain a registry number. libertytire.com 90

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product focus

Similar to the wrapping around a Christmas or birthday present, curb appeal adds lustre and excitement to a home. It’s an important visual element for luring potential buyers out of their cars and into the sales presentation centre. The following is a list of products to accomplish that task.

First Impressions A lucky 13 ways to improve a home’s curb appeal

By Dan O’Reilly

ohba.ca

A column with prestige

Constructed from premium quality Versatex PVC and designed to last, Prestige Columns from Décor Innovations conjures up images of a bygone era when homeowners sat out on their front porches drinking mint juleps. Offering the elegant beauty of traditional wood features while being virtually maintenance free, the columns are available in both tapered and non-tapered profiles and feature unblemished panel faces. That appearance is achieved via an innovative technology that enables the columns to be assembled without the need for nails or screws. decorinnovations.ca ontario home builder summer 2014

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S O U L O F T H E C I T Y S E R I E S : T H E R E D R O C K E T. A N E N D A N G E R E D S P E C I E S ?

SOUL OF THE CITY TORONTO STAR “More subways!” It’s a refrain heard over and over, while the plan calls for more LRTs. The future of streetcar is far from certain, but the place it holds as a symbol of a people-friendly city will remain forever – perhaps because looking out a subway car offers just a flashdance of grey concrete streaming by.

For charm, and the view, the Red Rocket wins, hands down. It’s got soul.

The Toronto Star knows its readers, many of whom ride “The Better Way.” Check it out: 70% more women and 48% more 25-54 year-olds read the Star than our closest competitor.* When the spread in readership is that great, you can bet advertisers know it too. When you place your media, place it where the people are. Advertise in the Toronto Star and on thestar.com *Source: NADbank Fall 2011/Spring 2012, Toronto CMA, Weekday Readership

product focus

Wrap-around beauty

Florence Railings

CSL Lighting

With only minimal effort and set-up time, builders can transform front elevations into low-maintenance works of arts with the use of Fypon Moulded Millwork and Column Wraps.

The polyurethane decorative millwork evokes the beauty of traditional materials like wood, while resisting rotting, warping and cracking.

As for the PVC wraps, they can be easily inserted around columns and available in a variety of sizes and styles. They can also be left white or painted. Campbellville-based Ridley Windows & Doors is a major Fypon distributor and also provides consultation advice for builders.

Railings are stately and sensible

ridley-windows.com

During the past 30 years or so there has been a resurgence in the use and construction of raised front porches.

The reasons are obvious, suggests Florence Railings, the manufacturer of aluminum railings. Not only do front porches create a sense of community in new home subdivisions, which ever y builder str ives to achieve, they also increase aesthetic appeal and living space. At the same time, builders shou ld consider adding aluminum railings because they provide safety and security, as well as being weatherproof and maintenance free, says the company.

The Look of Old Ontario

Ridley Windows

A unique manufactured stone brought to market by New Generation Stone closely recreates the colours, textures, appearance and feel of the limestone used to build houses and other structures in Ontario’s pioneering past. Old Ontario Blend is created with the use of fine-grain aggregates, which preserve the natural appearance, even in close-up views. It can be cut and shaped onsite by the mason in the same manner as a good-quality limestone and, like real stone, will weather naturally and look better with age. A major feature is its naturally split surface. ngstone.com

florencerailings.com

Step up to the light

Builders looking for a distinct product to generate curb appeal might consider the LED Steplight Collection from CSL Lighting. These lights are more than just ornamental features, though.

Constructed of die-cast aluminum and available in nine versatile and zero-maintenance versions, they are the ideal solution for illuminating darkened passageways, steps and other areas that might be a security or safety issue for homeowners. The clean, graceful designs are offered in three different finishes engineered to blend seamlessly with virtually any environment. The Steplights can be wall- or recessed-mounted directly into steps and they fit in standard single-switch boxes. csllighting.com 92

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NG Stone ohba.ca

product focus

core colours, the stone gives builders the freedom to create a distinctive look for each house. The colours can be easily handblended on site when planned in advance by the architect/builder. Each stone has textured ends, allowing for use in corners with less cutting and waste, while its 3.5inch bed depth eliminates the need for additional time-consuming and expensive surface preparation. Depending on site location, orders can be filled the following day. BramptonBrick.com Roussel Eavestrough

Troy Lighting WINDOWS WITH DESIGN SENSE and energy SAVINGS

soffit with style

A lthough often considered a basic and necessary extension of the roof structure, soffits and fascia can also be things of great beauty that add a touch of elegance to any house. Toronto-based Roussel Eavestrough fabricates and erects made-to-measure products that some passersby believe is wood. There are more than 15 different colours available and the company can also customize the ventilation of the soffit to maximize its benefits. rousseleavestrough.com

Designed for durability and performance, the new Pella Series 250 window (unveiled earlier this year) comes with a number of distinct design options, which allows it to blend in with any number of different housing styles. Available in popular singlehung, double-hung and sliding styles, the 250 includes a number of energyefficient options, such as three panes of glass. The options meet or exceed Energy Star guidelines in all 50 American states, although Pella Windows and Doors cautions some of its products may not meet Energy Star guidelines in Canada.

ELEGANT LIGHTING

Desc r ibed by m a nu fac t u rer Troy Lighting as “a blend of modern beauty with a timeless industrial aesthetic,” the Hoboken light is ideal for both inside and outside the home. An important roof accessory for exterior locations such as adjacent the front entry door, the light is comprised of rectangular panels of frosted safety glass encased in handworked iron and finished in aged pewter.

Actual wires fused into the glass create a soft, elegant grid pattern. The Hoboken is available as a one-, two-, and three-light sconce, as well as a two-light flush mount.

It’s one of a number of exterior lights Troy introduced to the market earlier this year.

pella.com

Brampton Brick

troy-lighting.com

Stone adds appeal

One photograph of a finished house is all that’s needed to demonstrate the eyecatching appeal of the Vivace Stone from Brampton Brick. Available in two packing configurations (small and large) and eight

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Pella Windows and Doors ohba.ca

16783 Thorndale Rd Thorndale, ON N0M 2P0 Tel: 519-461-1180 Toll free: 1-800-265-7086 Fax: 519-461-0903

luxury residential elevators expertise, installation and customer service second to none

1.888.423.4865 2 Walker Drive Brampton

®

savaria.com

We’re BIG on Productivity 323E Compact Track Loader

www.trscomponents.ca

Build great looks.

Increase your reach height, lift height and productivity with reliable, everyday performance of John Deere Commercial Worksite Products.

HuronTractor.com

Our curb appeal never fades. arriscraft.com

ohba.ca

product focus

of manufactured stone from Arriscraft.

Made without any cementitious or artificial binders, it gives homeowners the aesthetic and durability qualities of quarried stone at considerable less cost. As the stone is standard brick depth, it can be installed using traditional masonry techniques. There are five colours and six different products to choose from. arriscraft.com Siding with distinction

Dulux

Techo-Bloc

A diamond of a paint

A harsh w inter like this past one demonstrates the need for a durable exterior paint that can provide excellent performance under all kinds of extreme weather conditions. The Diamond Exterior from Dulux is ideal for bare or previously painted wood siding, trim, pre-finished aluminum, vinyl siding, metal, brick, stucco and masonry. It’s formulated with a ceramic microsphere technology that creates a hard, smooth and durable burnish-resistant surface that resists dirt, scuffs, nicks and marks. It’s available in three sheens: matte, semi-gloss and a shower-resistant satin. However, the company’s goal is to update the first two sheens to include this unique feature.

The exterior of a home might be compared to the clothes people wear and the appearance they project. It def ines the home’s character and sets the stage for buyers’ first impressions. With Sentry from Mitten

by Ply Gem, vinyl-siding builders can be sure their houses will draw attention from the curb. With a lifetime fade-protection guarantee and available in 36 low-gloss colour-rich finishes, the siding offers one of the largest, most vibrant selections in the siding industry, suggests the manufacturer.

Enhancing the colours is a cedar-grain texture with a deep silhouette, giving it rich shadow lines and depth. Offered in three profiles, the siding’s contoured lock system and thickness is designed to shield the home and can withstand winds up to 180 mph. mittenbp.com

Arriscraft

dulux.ca

Aura of Borealis

In heralding the release of its five-inchwide modular Borealis wood plank concrete slab, Techo-Bloc suggests even housing industry professionals will be guessing what it is made from. Designed and moulded to replicate the warm appeal of wood, its concrete composition means little or no maintenance. Offered in Sauvignon Oak, Hazelnut Brandy and Smoked Pine, its outdoor applications include walkways and patios. techo-bloc.com Stone is distinct and realistic

Whether they’re building contemporary houses in large subdivisions or catering to clients’ upscale custom-home enclaves, builders can offer their purchasers a distinctive-looking product with the use

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product showcase

Leak-Bye

The Interior Foundation Drainage System Be sure to use the Leak-Bye interior foundation drainage system. Used by award-winning builders, Leak-Bye diverts inside moisture from foundation leaks and condensation to the floor slab drainage system below.

Leak-Bye, your best defense against water penetration.

Leak-Bye Incorporated

RR#3 Mt. Forest, Ontario N0G 2L0 ATTN: John Plume Toll Free: 1-800-393 LEAK (5325) Tel: (519) 323-4123 Fax: (519) 323-4793

Beaver Valley Stone offers the largest selection of natural stone and precast products in Ontario, including flagstone, both random and saw cut. We also have many different types of drywall, ledgerock, natural stone steps and sills. Our precast concrete products include patio slabs, sills, steps and curbs. We also offer a wide selection of interlocking paving stones and retaining wall systems, from a variety of manufacturers.

Accessories available.

25 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, ON L3T 3P7 Phone: 416-222-2424 or 905-886-5787, Fax: 905-886-5795 www.beavervalleystone.com

Visit One of Canada's Largest Outdoor Displays

Maintenance-Free Vinyl Decks & Fences No Stains No Pains No Deck Washes No Water Sealers • Durable • comfortable • choice of colours & Styles • lifetime Beauty • Non-Skid Surface • lifetime Warranty

Dealerships available throughout Ontario Exeter, Ontario 1 -888-644-2844 www.almarvinyl.ca

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outside the box

No Energy Bills?

Exploring eco-friendly power options

BY Dr. Avi Friedman The citizens of Medicine Hat, Alberta

pay some of the lowest energy bills in the country. No wonder: the city sits atop a huge natural gas reserve and owns the town’s distribution facilities. But we are all lucky in this country. Every Canadian home is located on top of an abundant and free prime energy source: geothermal heat.

Geothermal energy technologies use heat from the earth for applications that range from powering a heat pump for a single home, to large-scale electrical power production. How does it work? In most locations, the upper three metres of the earth’s surface maintains a constant temperature of between 10C and 16C. Geothermal heat pumps tap into this reserve to heat and cool homes. The system consists of a heat pump, an air delivery system (the ductwork) and a heat exchanger. A network of pipes is then buried in the shallow ground near the building. In the winter, the pump removes heat from the heat exchanger and pumps it into the indoor air delivery system. In the summer, the process is reversed, and the heat pump 98

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moves heat from the indoor air into the exchanger. (That heat can also be used to provide a free source of hot water.)

A slightly different system exists for homes located next to a lake or a pond. The coiled pipes are installed at the bottom of the water source and the heat is transferred to or from the water. This system makes use of the fact that heat transfer is much more efficient through water than soil.

Another variation is the vertical system.

It is useful when the land area is limited.

Closed loops of pipes are inserted into a borehole with a diameter of 100 mm and into a depth of 25 to 90 metres.

In the past decade, geothermal energy has become popular with Canadian homeowners, and architects who introduced these options to their clients suggest that the payback period is eight years, which is not bad when compared with other alternatives. Once the initial investment is paid, a homeowner essentially gets a free supply of energy.

Other alternative sources are being explored. For example, landfill bio-gas is

generated from household waste and is produced when waste products ferment in the absence of oxygen, making it a cheap source of energy—primarily in rural regions.

Often overlooked in our communities is solar energy. Proper positioning of homes toward the sun will help with simple passive gain. On the active side, installing solar panels for water heating can provide a free supply of hot water for household use. In recent years, manufacturers have introduced solar energy systems that are both reasonably priced and aesthetically attractive. These systems integrate well with our sloped roofs.

In the past half-century, Canada has relied on a limited number of energy sources—oil, coal, hydro and nuclear energy among the main ones. As we attempt to contribute their share to lowering emissions, we must explore alternatives, some of which are clean and free. OHB Dr. Avi Friedman teaches architecture at McGill University. He can be reached at avi.friedman@mcgill.ca. ohba.ca

WE BUILD

COMMUNITIES

BUILDING OUR LABOUR MANAGEMENT PARTNERDHIP FOR OVER 30 YEARS

Ontario Provincial District Council

With over 65,000 members across Ontario, LiUNA is

LiUNA’s contribution to building communities exists

committed to building communities throughout the

in the low rise residential construction sector. Repre-

province. Our members are employed in all sectors of

sented by LiUNA Local 183, it is the largest residential

the construction industry: building our roads & bridges,

construction Local in Canada, with more than 40,000

installing our sewers & water mains, developing our

members and retirees. Local 183 is the leading source

pipelines, channeling our energy sources, and expanding

of skilled Labourers, who have built homes for Ontario

our recreation facilities, hospitals & schools.

families for decades.

visit www.liunalocal183.ca • www.liunaopdc.org today