Bathroom Design Elements

DESIGN ELEMENTS The elements of universal bathroom design are:

• Lighting
• Flooring materials
• Switches and controls
• Doors
• Vanities, drawers and storage
• Grab bars
• Toilets
• Showers
• Bathtubs

Lighting A range of different lighting levels constitutes one design element in creating a relaxing spa-like atmosphere in the bathroom. It is also a universal design approach. A night light in the bathroom is an excellent feature.

It is also possible to install a light that gradually adjusts the rate of illumination. When you awake in the middle of the night, a motion detector activates the light, which slowly brightens so you are not overwhelmed.

Adjustable directed or task lighting also allows you to have extra illumination in key areas of the bathroom such as the vanity or shower area. Ambient lighting should be provided to...

Bathroom Design For Your Home Universal Design Universal design is a concept designed to accommodate the functional needs of everyone: children, adults and seniors with or without activity limitations or disabilities. One of the goals of universal design is to maximize the usability of environments. Everyone appreciates having a well-designed bathroom that is safe, spacious, relaxing and easy to use.

The successful design of a universally accessible bathroom starts with identifying potential users and anticipating the needs of all family members and visitors who will use the bathroom.

Bathroom design One of the latest design trends involves the creation of spacious bathrooms that incorporate a variety of features and flexibility of use. As a result, bathrooms become more adaptable and comfortable for individuals and families....

Kitchen Design Elements

Design elements The major design elements of a universal kitchen are:

• Countertops
• Cupboards, drawers and pantries
• Sinks and clean-up areas
• Food preparation areas
• Switches and controls
• Flooring materials
• Lighting

Countertops Countertops are traditionally 920 mm (36 in.) high, but a countertop 860 mm (34 in.) high is more convenient for children, shorter people and people who use a wheelchair. If the person who uses the wheelchair is a child or a shorter person, they may appreciate 730 mm (29 in.) high counter and work areas.

Installing counters at a variety of heights is a universally accessible approach to meeting the needs of people of different heights and reach abilities, but remember, a traditional dishwasher requires a minimum counter height of 920 mm (36 in.) so the height of the counter...

Kitchen Design Ideas

Universal Design People who inhabit and visit the houses we live in come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from infants to seniors, with various ever-changing abilities and skills. As we grow up, grow old and welcome new people to our homes, our housing needs change. A house that is designed and constructed to reflect the principles of universal design will be safer and more accommodating to the diverse range of ages and abilities of people who live in and visit these homes.

Everyone appreciates having a kitchen that is safe, spacious and easy to use. The successful design of a universally accessible kitchen starts with identifying potential users and anticipating their needs.

Kitchen design People are demanding functional, usable and flexible kitchen designs...

FAQs About Hoists & Ceiling Lifts In Your Home

Frequent Questions When should you consider a hoist or ceiling lift? Consider a hoist or ceiling lift when the person being moved becomes too heavy or too large to be moved safely manually. One person can easily and safely assist with transfers if a mechanical hoist is used.

Do I need a building permit? Call your municipal office to find out if you need a building permit. You probably do not need one for devices such as wheeled and stationary hoists. But you may need one if you will be making structural changes to your residence for a ceiling lift.

Whether you need a building permit or not, you should...

Hoists & Ceiling Lifts In Your Home

Universal Design People who inhabit and visit our dwellings come in all shapes and sizes, range in age from infant to senior and possess various ever-changing abilities and skills. As we grow up, grow old and welcome new people into our homes, our housing needs change. A dwelling that is designed and constructed to reflect the principles of universal design will be safer and more accommodating to everyone who lives or visits there, regardless of age or ability.

A residential hoist or ceiling lift can help people who have difficulty safely moving themselves or others in and out of bed, and in and out of a bathtub.

Consistent with the philosophy of universal design, it takes little...

FAQs About Lifts & Elevators In Your Home

When should you consider installing a lift or residential elevator? Lifts and residential elevators are typically used when the vertical change between two or more floor levels is significant and there is not enough space to construct a ramp. It is usually impossible to find space for a ramp inside a house if the change in floor levels is more than 200 mm (8 in.).  Lifts are also frequently used outside residences and in garages for access from the exterior ground level into the house.

Again, lifts are typically used if there is not enough space for a ramp, if the vertical change is so great that the ramp length would be excessive...

A Residential Elevator In Your Home

Universal Design People who inhabit and visit our houses come in all shapes and sizes, range in age from infant to senior and possess various ever-changing abilities and skills. As we grow up, grow old and welcome new people into our homes, our housing needs change.

A house that is designed and constructed to reflect the principles of universal design will be safer and more accommodating to everyone who lives or visits there, regardless of age or ability. Consistent with the philosophy of universal design, residential lifts and elevators provide an appropriate and equitable means of access for many people. Traditionally, an elevator or lift in a private residence has been viewed as an expensive luxury exclusively for wheelchair users.

Now, people...

A Lift In Your Home

Universal Design People who inhabit and visit our houses come in all shapes and sizes, range in age from infant to senior and possess various ever-changing abilities and skills. As we grow up, grow old and welcome new people into our homes, our housing needs change.

A house that is designed and constructed to reflect the principles of universal design will be safer and more accommodating to everyone who lives or visits there, regardless of age or ability. Consistent with the philosophy of universal design, residential lifts and elevators provide an appropriate and equitable means of access for many people. Traditionally, an elevator or lift in a private residence has been viewed as an expensive luxury exclusively for wheelchair users.

Now, people recognize...

Security & Common Sense Pt. 2

Continues Security & Common Sense Pt. 1

Garages Locks on most garage doors are inadequate and can be easily pried off. Overhead garage doors (that is, those that swing out and up) should be fitted with a sliding bolt lock. Hinged doors can be secured by a pair of cane bolts at the top and bottom. Horizontal-panelled doors that slide along a track can be fitted with a pin that inserts into a hole drilled in the track to prevent the door from opening, even if the lock is broken.

Be especially careful to secure the garage if it provides access to the house. Put a deadbolt lock on the door leading from...

Security and Common Sense Pt. 1

If you are like most Canadians, you are concerned about the safety of your home and your community. One particular type of crime that worries Canadians is breaking and entering or burglary. Recent statistics show that burglary accounts for 22 per cent of all property crime.

The How To Lock Out Crime series, jointly prepared by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), will make you more aware of burglary and its dynamics and show you how to minimize the likelihood that this crime will happen to you.

The How To Lock Out Crime series promotes a proactive approach to safety and security. By knowing the conditions favourable to...

Patio Door And Your Home If you are like most Canadians, you are concerned about the safety of your home and your community. One particular type of crime that worries Canadians is breaking and entering or burglary. Recent statistics show that burglary accounts for 22 per cent of all property crime.

The How To Lock Out Crime series, jointly prepared by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), will make you more aware of burglary and its dynamics and show you how to minimize the likelihood that this crime will happen to you.

The How To Lock Out Crime series promotes a proactive approach to safety and security. By knowing the conditions favourable to burglars and taking...

Tougher Glass, Locks & Guards For Your Window

If you are like most Canadians, you are concerned about the safety of your home and your community. One particular type of crime that worries Canadians is breaking and entering or burglary. Recent statistics show that burglary accounts for 22 per cent of all property crime.

Tougher glass Typical insulated glass units (IGU’s) used in most residential applications comprise of 3mm or 4mm thick annealed glass panes; thicker panes of glass may be required for very large windows. Glazing at entrance doors, or where additional strength is required, should be heat-strength glass.

Other types of glass include the following:

• Tempered glass - Specially heat-treated to resist shattering. On impact, it shatters completely—into thousands of small, blunt...

Secure Windows For Your Home

If you are like most Canadians, you are concerned about the safety of your home and your community. One particular type of crime that worries Canadians is breaking and entering or burglary. Recent statistics show that burglary accounts for 22 per cent of all property crime.

The How To Lock Out Crime series, jointly prepared by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), will make you more aware of burglary and its dynamics and show you how to minimize the likelihood that this crime will happen to you.

The How To Lock Out Crime series promotes a proactive approach to safety and security. By knowing the conditions favourable to burglars and...

Secure Locks For Your Home

If you are like most Canadians, you are concerned about the safety of your home and your community. One particular type of crime that worries Canadians is breaking and entering or burglary. Recent statistics show that burglary accounts for 22 per cent of all property crime.

Door locks Homeowners confronted by the vast array of locks available for residential use need not be disheartened. Essentially, there are only two types of locks: springlatch, or slip bolt, and deadbolt.

In a spring-latch, the bolt (that is, the part of the lock that projects beyond the edge of the door) is spring-loaded and is activated when the handle is turned. The familiar key-in-knob locks, found on most doors,...

Secure Door For Your Home

If you are like most Canadians, you are concerned about the safety of your home and your community. One particular type of crime that worries Canadians is breaking and entering or burglary. Recent statistics show that burglary accounts for 22 per cent of all property crime.

The How To Lock Out Crime series, jointly prepared by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), will make you more aware of burglary and its dynamics and show you how to minimize the likelihood that this crime will happen to you.

By knowing the conditions favourable to burglars and taking steps to eliminate those conditions, you can greatly reduce the chances that your...

Choosing An Alarm For Your Home If you are like most Canadians, you are concerned about the safety of your home and your community. One particular type of crime that worries Canadians is breaking and entering or burglary. Recent statistics show that burglary accounts for 22 per cent of all property crime.

Reporting systems Detecting an intruder is just one function of an alarm. Making sure someone knows about it is the other part. A reporting system can be a bell, siren or horn located on the premises (local alarm), or a telephone hookup to a central monitoring station (“silent” alarm) or both.

To be effective, a local alarm must be loud enough to frighten the intruder and to be...

Type Of Alarm For Your Home If you are like most Canadians, you are concerned about the safety of your home and your community. One particular type of crime that worries Canadians is breaking and entering or burglary. Recent statistics show that burglary accounts for 22 per cent of all property crime.

The How To Lock Out Crime series, jointly prepared by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), will make you more aware of burglary and its dynamics and show you how to minimize the likelihood that this crime will happen to you.

By knowing the conditions favourable to burglars and taking steps to eliminate those conditions, you can greatly reduce the chances that your...

Home Exterior Security

If you are like most Canadians, you are concerned about the safety of your home and your community. One particular type of crime that worries Canadians is breaking and entering or burglary. Recent statistics show that burglary accounts for 22 per cent of all property crime.

The How To Lock Out Crime series, jointly prepared by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), will make you more aware of burglary and its dynamics and show you how to minimize the likelihood that this crime will happen to you.

By knowing the conditions favourable to burglars and taking steps to eliminate those conditions, you can greatly reduce the chances that your home will be burgled....

Lock Out Crime

If you are like most Canadians, you are concerned about the safety of your home and your community.

One particular type of crime that worries Canadians is breaking and entering, or burglary. Recent statistics show that burglary accounts for 22 per cent of all property crime. The How To Lock Out Crime series, jointly prepared by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), will make you more aware of burglary and its dynamics and show you how to minimize the likelihood that this crime will happen to you. By knowing the conditions favourable to burglars and taking steps to eliminate those conditions, you can greatly reduce the chances that your home will be burgled.

Being...

A Setback Thermometer For Your Home

What Is A Setback Thermostat? Thermostats control heating and cooling appliances in houses. A setback thermostat gives the user the option of changing the temperature setting automatically at night and also during the work day when the occupants have left the house. A setback thermostat can help reduce overall household energy consumption.

A conventional thermostat simply regulates house heating at one temperature. For instance, in the winter, if you set the thermostat to 20°C (68°F), it will activate the heating system when the house temperature drops below 20°C and will shut the system off when the house air warms up past 20°C.

A setback thermostat contains an electronic clock. It can automatically turn down the temperature...

Principles of Universal Design

Washers and Dryers Front-loading washers and dryers are preferred by many people, including people who use wheelchairs. Top-loading machines may be preferred by someone who finds it difficult to bend comfortably. Whichever model is selected, front-mounted controls are preferable as they are easier for everyone to see and operate. Stacked washer and dryer units are often used when there are space limitations; however, they may not be a good design option for people who use wheelchairs, as these appliances can be difficult to operate and see into. Pedestal base units are available for many models of frontloading washers and dryers making them easier to reach into.

Careful consideration should be given to the location of the soap dispenser, as it may be located on the top of...

Selecting An Appliance For Your Home

Universal Design People who inhabit and visit our houses come in all shapes and sizes, range in age from infants to seniors, and possess various ever-changing abilities and skills. As we grow up, grow old and welcome new people into our homes, our housing needs change. A house that is designed and built to reflect the principles of universal design is safer and more accommodating to everyone who lives or visits here, regardless of age or physical ability.

Appliance designers have increasingly taken into consideration the principles of universal design, realizing that this increases the usability of appliances, making them simpler to use, quieter and safer, equipped with dials and controls that are easier to operate and read.

Selecting an Appliance Many factors...

Building A Ramp For Your Home

Constructing a Ramp Ramps can be either prefabricated or site-constructed in various configurations and out of various materials.

Do I need a building permit before starting the construction? Before commencing the construction of any ramp, it is always a good idea to contact your local building department to find out whether a building permit is required. The building department may also be a great source of information on how best to design and construct a ramp in your area. Building permits are generally not required when the changes in level are minor and a ramp is an integral part of landscaping (sloped sidewalks, re-grading, etc.), or when a portable ramp is used. However, building permits are usually required for longer ramps...

Designing A Ramp For Your Home

Designing a Ramp Ramps generally require a lot of space; particularly if they are used to overcome significant changes in level. In addition, landings, which are required at the top and bottom of a ramp, at all changes in direction and where the run is longer than 9 m (30 ft.), further increase the space requirements for ramps. When designing a ramp, special consideration should be given to the following elements:

• Slope
• Length
• Width
• Level landings
• Location
• Handrails
• Effects of snow

Slope The run (length) of the ramp will depend on two primary factors: the overall rise (vertical change in level) and the slope used. Building codes require a slope no steeper than 1 in 12 for public buildings. That is, for every...

Does Your Home Need A Ramp?

Universal Design People who inhabit and visit the houses we live in come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from infants to seniors, with various ever-changing abilities and skills. As we grow up, grow old and welcome new people to our homes, our housing needs change. A house or dwelling that is designed and constructed to reflect the principles of universal design will be safer and more accommodating to the diverse range of ages and abilities of people who live in and visit these homes.

When should you consider using a ramp? A ramp can be used to overcome changes in level, either on the inside or outside of a home, as an alternative to using stairs.

A ramp...

What Is A Garden Suite? A garden suite—sometimes called a granny flat—is a self-contained dwelling without a basement. It is installed in the rear or side yard of a lot with an existing, permanent, single-family house.

Usually, a garden suite has a kitchen, living area, one or two bedrooms, bathroom and storage space. Your municipality may have planning or zoning regulations governing garden suites. These regulations can set restrictions, such as distance from the permanent house, parking requirements, how long a garden suite can stay on a lot and the appearance of the garden suite.

Who Lives In A Garden Suite ? Garden suites are usually intended for individuals or couples over the age of 65 who...

Keeping It Safe Fire and smoke detection Smoke alarms are required on all floors of a residence and near bedrooms. Although most smoke alarms are wired directly to the electrical panel in newly constructed houses, some jurisdictions permit battery-powered alarms in existing construction. It is prudent to install a carbon monoxide (CO) detector near a fuel-fired appliance, such as a fireplace or furnace, and near a doorway to an attached garage.

Electrical outlets and fixtures The electrical code requires electrical outlets to be placed at intervals around all finished rooms. They are usually located no more than 3,600 mm (12 ft.) apart, and from 100 mm (4 in.) to 300 mm (1 ft.) above the floor. Kitchen outlets...

Preparing The Space Foundation walls To prevent heat loss to the surrounding earth, most jurisdictions require exterior basement walls to be insulated for most of their height. Although builders usually place the insulation on the inside face of the foundation wall and cover it with gypsum board, it would be better to place water-resistant insulation on the exterior face where it can keep the foundation warm. If the wall is warm, the dew point, the point at which air vapour condenses as water, occurs on the exterior of the foundation wall where condensation will do no harm.

When insulating the foundation on the inside, you should expect some moisture to condense on the inside face of the foundation wall. Place a...

Getting Ready To Reno Your Basement

Renovating a full-height basement can be a relatively easy and cost effective way to add new living space to your house. But is your basement really a good candidate for a renovation?

If your basement isn’t high, dry and sound, you should correct these problems before starting renovations.

If you are planning a basement renovation, you should inspect your basement for possible problems:

• Must you stoop to avoid bumping your head on a beam or duct?
• Are there intermittent or permanent traces of moisture or mold on the floor or walls?
• Is there a persistent musty odour in clothing and other objects that are stored in your basement?
• Are there cracks as wide as a pencil, or...

Avoiding chemical contaminants in your home

Smoking Cigarette smoke contains numerous chemical contaminants.

• Do not smoke indoors
• Do not allow visitors to smoke in your home
• Burning candles - By-products of combustion include carbon monoxide, VOCs, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and soot.
• Do not burn candles, liquid fuel
• or incense in the home

Pesticide use Pesticides may affect more than just the target pests:

• Use non-chemical pest control methods, such as baits, traps or fly swatters
• Get rid of spiders and clusters of insects by vacuuming
• Seal likely entry points
• Control moisture to discourage moisture-loving insects (such as sowbugs and silverfish)
• Find other ways than pesticides to deal with fleas on your pets and insects in your houseplants
• Avoid pesticides on your lawn or garden
• Do not allow any fungicide or biocide (including natural...

How to Reduce Chemical Contaminants in Your Home Our homes can contain many contaminants. Some come from living organisms and are grouped as biological contaminants, for example, bacteria, viruses, dust mites, animal dander and molds. Other contaminants, which are not associated with living organisms, are classified as chemical contaminants. Contaminants, whether biological or chemical, can be in the form of particles (e.g. dust, fibres) or gases. Good indoor air quality is achieved when there are very low levels of contaminants. This document focuses on reducing your exposure to chemical contaminants in the home. Other publications by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) can provide you with additional information.

Most people assume that contaminants can be removed by filtration. Typical residential furnace filters are designed to...

Choosing Solar Power

Equipment Selection While safe installations of electrical systems are covered under the Canadian Electrical Code, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) governs product safety. CSA has standards for all electrical components, including solar equipment and all electrical equipment must carry an approval label. Products that are purchased outside Canada may not have undergone the testing process that the same product goes through when brought in by a solar product distributor. It is possible to find good quality PV modules that meet testing standards such as IEC 61215 crystalline silicon design qualification test performance (or the IEC 61646 for thin film modules) and the IEC 61730 (or the equivalent UL 1703) safety test. In addition, inverters have to meet the...

Is Solar Power Right For Your Home?

System Design Issues Evaluating solar electricity generation potential It is wise to consult a PV professional at the design stage, as most dealers offer design and consultation services. Ensure that the dealer has proven experience in designing and installing the type of system you want.

The Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) offers a PV Technician certificate program, and graduates have good knowledge of the design, installation and operation of home-sized PV systems. In addition, a number of community colleges across Canada have started to offer programs that cover PV system installations.

The first step in evaluating the potential of solar electricity for your home is a site assessment. PV modules are extremely sensitive to shading....

Solar Power Systems & Your Home

Photovoltaic System Overview Photovoltaic (PV) systems are used to convert sunlight into electricity. They are a safe, reliable, low-maintenance source of solar electricity that produces no on-site pollution or emissions. PV systems incur few operating costs and are easy to install on most Canadian homes. PV systems fall into two main categories—off-grid and grid-connected. The “grid” refers to the local electric utility’s infrastructure that supplies electricity to homes and businesses. Off-grid systems are installed in remote locations where there is no utility grid available.

PV systems have been used effectively in Canada to provide power in remote locations for transport route signalling, navigational aids, remote homes, telecommunication, and remote sensing and monitoring. Internationally, utility grid-connected PV systems represent the majority of...

What To Do After A Fire Pt.2

Continues What To Do After A Fire Pt.1

Keeping lists and records Although your restoration contractors may take plenty of photographs and develop lists, work with them to develop your own sets of photos and lists of destroyed, damaged and unaffected items.

Make sure that you record the rooms involved, the date and time and anything else that may be helpful in resolving disputes about what needs restoring or replacing. Assume that your restoration contractor wants to help but may be required to do only the work that insurance will cover. Be thorough.

Approving materials and processes The materials and processes used in fire restoration have changed dramatically over the last few years. It...

What To Do After A Fire Pt.1

Act quickly to avoid secondary damage A house fire is devastating. There is damage to your house and its contents from the fire itself. And once the fire is out, you have to deal with secondary damage—damage caused by smoke and the water and chemicals firefighters use to put a fire out.

Call your insurance professional You have to start with some phone calls—first, and most important, to your insurance professional or company. Major insurance companies have 24-hour hotlines and will generally treat your problem promptly. Ask your insurance company to recommend at least three fire restoration companies. Choose one to start the immediate work—making your house and property secure, removing water and seriously damaged...

Preventing Falls By Changing Your Behaviour

(the most common misstep on home stairs) or twisting your feet or body on relatively short treads or windings stairways n   Be cautious, deliberate and not rushed.

n   Hold on to the handrails. Rushing, especially on steep, curved or cramped stairs n   Take time and be extra cautious, especially where there is a transition between angled, shorter treads on winding stairways and rectangular treads. Wearing loose slippers or other footwear n   Always wear shoes or slippers that fit properly and that have a non-slip sole. Unintended use...

Preventing Falls By Changing Your Environment

n   Mark nosings permanently (not with tape) if they can’t be clearly seen. Paint

a contrasting colour stripe on the nosing of each tread. A painted stripe works very well and looks good even on carpet.

n   Improve lighting (see below). Poor lighting that causes people to misjudge presence and exact location of each step n   Improve lighting on steps and stairs. Stairs should not have lower illumination levels than...

Preventing Falls on Stairs The stairs in your home—the ones you climb up and down every day—can be dangerous. A large portion of Canadians who visit hospitals after a fall on or from stairs or steps in their homes are seniors (men and women 65 years or older). When seniors fall, the consequences can be severe and long-lasting. Most of the falls on or from stairs can be prevented. Prevention starts by keeping in mind that there are risks when people use stairs. Good planning and simple strategies can help everyone prevent falls and injuries.

Here are some of the ways you can reduce the risk of falling on or from stairs.

Where can you fall? You can fall anywhere in your house...

Speak To Building Management About Odour

In consultation with the building management:

1. Try to identify and eliminate the source of the odour Cooking and tobacco smoke odours can often be easily traced back to other apartments or common areas. Objectionable odours originating from other apartments may be resolved, with the help of the property manager, by coming to an agreement with the occupants to stop, or limit, the odour causing activity. The presence of car exhaust odours can be a sign that the parking garage or the parking garage vestibule ventilation systems are not working properly. The intake grille for the building’s corridor air supply could be too close to street level or the outlet for the parking garage exhaust...

Odour Transfer: What to Do About It Helpful suggestions for reducing odour transfer from other areas of the building to your apartment are offered below. It must be emphasized that you should discuss any measures you choose to try with the building’s management in advance of taking action and obtain their approval. The suggestions are divided between what you could do in your own apartment and what you could do outside it with the support of the property management. Be aware that many of the measures provided below have a trial and error element to them—and are identified as such. The causes of odour transfer to your apartment, and the solutions, will be dependent on where your apartment is located...

Odour & Air Movement In Your Apartment

One of the most common problems experienced by the occupants of apartment buildings is the transfer of objectionable odours from one apartment to another. Tobacco smoke and cooking odours top the list of complaints. Other complaints are often heard concerning the transfer of odours, noise, light and sometimes pests, under apartment entry doors. The smell of car exhaust from underground parking garages can also be problematic.

Regardless of whether an apartment is rented or owned, there are steps you can take to solve, or at least improve, odour conditions in your apartment. However, before you take any actions that might affect your unit or other areas of the building, you should consult with...

Asthma & Other Irritants

Asthma, an inflammatory disorder of the airways, is one of the most common chronic respiratory conditions affecting Canadians. Physicians have diagnosed more than 2.3 million Canadians as being asthmatic—8.4 per cent of adults (Statistics Canada, 2009) and 13.4 per cent of Canadian children (Garner, 2008).

While the exact cause of asthma is unknown, it appears to result from a complex interaction of predisposing factors (tendency to have allergies), causal factors that may sensitize the airways (such as animal dander, dust mites, mold, cockroaches and workplace contaminants) and contributing factors, such as tobacco smoke during pregnancy and childhood, respiratory infections and indoor and outdoor air quality (National Asthma Control Task Force, 2000).

Management of asthma involves the individual, his family and his physician. Asthma specialists recognize...

Asthma & Molds

Asthma, an inflammatory disorder of the airways, is one of the most common chronic respiratory conditions affecting Canadians. Physicians have diagnosed more than 2.3 million Canadians as being asthmatic—8.4 per cent of adults (Statistics Canada, 2009) and 13.4 per cent of Canadian children (Garner, 2008).

While the exact cause of asthma is unknown, it appears to result from a complex interaction of predisposing factors (tendency to have allergies), causal factors that may sensitize the airways (such as animal dander, dust mites, mold, cockroaches and workplace contaminants) and contributing factors, such as tobacco smoke during pregnancy and childhood, respiratory infections and indoor and outdoor air quality (National Asthma Control Task Force, 2000).

Management of asthma involves the individual, his family and his physician. Asthma specialists recognize the...

Asthma & Dust Mites

Asthma, an inflammatory disorder of the airways, is one of the most common chronic respiratory conditions affecting Canadians. Physicians have diagnosed more than 2.3 million Canadians as being asthmatic—8.4 per cent of adults (Statistics Canada, 2009) and 13.4 per cent of Canadian children (Garner, 2008).

While the exact cause of asthma is unknown, it appears to result from a complex interaction of predisposing factors (tendency to have allergies), causal factors that may sensitize the airways (such as animal dander, dust mites, mold, cockroaches and workplace contaminants) and contributing factors, such as tobacco smoke during pregnancy and childhood, respiratory infections and indoor and outdoor air quality (National Asthma Control Task Force, 2000).

Management of asthma involves the individual, his family and his physician. Asthma specialists recognize...

What is Reverse Osmosis? Reverse osmosis (R/O) is a water treatment process in which water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane that has very small holes or “pores”. Clean water passes through and impurities that are too big to pass through the membrane are left behind and flushed away.

Do I Need a Reverse Osmosis Unit? It is presumed in this document that the water you are using meets all health regulations and is known to be safe. If your municipality or utility supplies your drinking water, it is likely that you do not need a reverse osmosis unit. Municipally supplied drinking water is microbiologically safe. It is treated to meet health and aesthetic requirements, and is subject to routine testing...

What is UV treatment? Ultra-violet (UV) treatment is the disinfection process of passing water by a special light source. Immersed in the water in a protective transparent sleeve, the special light source emits UV waves that can inactivate harmful microorganisms. This method of treatment is growing in popularity because it does not necessarily require the addition of chemicals. UV systems alone are neither intended to treat water that is visually contaminated nor intended to convert wastewater to safe, microbiologically potable water.

How does UV treatment work? The ultra-violet rays, similar to the sun’s UV but stronger, alter the nucleic acid (DNA) of viruses, bacteria, molds or parasites, so that they cannot reproduce and are considered inactivated. UV treatment does not alter the...

Water Softeners In Your Home

To explain why water softeners are beneficial and how they work, one needs to understand the differences between hard and soft water. It is presumed in this document that the water you are using meets all health regulations and is known to be safe.

What Is Hard Water? Hard water contains large amounts of calcium and magnesium—two minerals that cause the soapy scum on glasses and lime residue on bathroom fixtures. While suitable for drinking and gardening, hard water can cause mineral build-up in water heaters, pipes, dishwashers and showerheads, reducing its flow. Soap and shampoo’s ability to lather is reduced, and laundry becomes stiffer and duller in appearance. Water hardness is measured with five different classifications...

What are water distillers used for? Water distillers produce highly treated and disinfected water for drinking, cooking and other household uses. The distillation process removes minerals and microbiological contaminants and can reduce levels of chemical contaminants.

Water distillers are neither intended to treat water that is visually contaminated nor intended to convert waste water to safe, microbiologically potable water.

Do I need a water distiller? If your drinking water is municipally supplied, it is likely that you do not need a water distiller for health purposes.

If your personal preference is to improve the taste of your water, remove hardness or ensure high purity, use of a water distiller may provide the enhanced treatment you seek.

Is distilled water safe to...

Carbon Monoxide detectors Are they really necessary? If you take the actions above, you greatly reduce your risk of CO poisoning. But unanticipated dangerous incidents may still occur despite your best efforts to avoid CO. The installation of at least one CO detector in your home is a good safety precaution and in some municipalities, it is the law. A detector might be your second line of defence, but it is necessary. You should have one in your home today.

How do CO detectors work? There are three basic types of CO sensors—metal oxide, biomimetic and electrochemical.

Note that while there may be performance differences between these technologies, all detectors are tested and approved for their operation. The retail cost of a detector will generally...

12 Kinds of Neighborhoods

Whether you like big yards or hip nightclubs, there’s a community type that fits your lifestyle

1. Urban Core (Downtown)

Where to find it: Downtown, the heart of major metros

What you can call home: Aging single family homes and apartments, modern luxury lofts and condos converted from old warehouses and above businesses

Your Neighbors: Ethnically diverse mix of young single professionals, low to middle income families and seniors

Why You’ll Like It: Affordable housing, eclectic mix of high-end and modest, close to nightlife and city attractions

Why You May Not: Little to no public parking, typically has higher rate of crime, transients

2. Urban Pioneer (Up-and-Coming)

Where to find...

Recycle Your Christmas Tree

Choosing to recycle your tree after Christmas has become a new holiday tradition. According to the Canadian Christmas Tree Growers Association, Canada Harvests approximately 5.5 million Christmas trees annually. When you recycle, not only are you being eco-conscious but you can also reuse the tree chips as mulch to benefit your garden or landscape, or donate it to a tree recycler.

Choose a real tree

According to the Canadian Christmas Tree Growers Association, there are many benefits to choosing the real deal over an artificial tree.

• There are millions of Christmas trees currently growing across Canada, while 80 percent...

Clean Your Heating Ducts? A hot air furnace heats and distributes air through its ducting system. The ducts are usually made of sheet metal and are most obvious in your basement, where they hang from the floor joists. The return, or cold air, ducts bring air to the furnace, usually collecting it centrally in the house. The return air trunk duct is the big rectangular duct along the basement ceiling that enters the bottom of the furnace. The supply, or warm air, ducting usually exits from the top of the furnace. It starts with a trunk duct on the basement ceiling. The individual supply ducts, in round or smaller rectangular sheet metal, branch off the trunk duct and...

What a furnace filter can do for you? Traditionally, furnace filters were designed to protect the furnace and fans. With increased air quality awareness, some filters are now being installed to reduce exposure to particles which can affect your health. There is a wide variety of furnace filters available. However, you may find it confusing to select one which is suitable.

What airborne particles are found in your home? The particles you breathe in your home come from a variety of sources including:

• Dust on floors or other surfaces that is disturbed by activity in the house
• Dust generated by smoking, burning candles, cooking, doing laundry, etc.
• Hair and skin flakes from humans or pets
• Particles from the outside air which come into your home with...

FAQ On Log Homes Log homes are becoming more and more popular everywhere in Canada. They are attractive, a reminder of our heritage and—with modern design and building methods—comfortable, efficient and healthy.

There are some unique design and building considerations about log home.

Question: Can I design my own log home or should I hire a professional? Answer: There’s lots you can do to save time and money designing your log house. Remember, though: you cannot convert plans for a conventional frame house to a log house without some help from a log home contractor. To start, list some of the things you want and need in your log home— and the things you don’t want. Try sketching these ideas on...

Urea-Formaldehyde Foam Insulation In Your Home?

What is UFFI? Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) was developed in Europe in the 1950s as an improved means of insulating difficult-to-reach cavities in house walls. It is typically made at a construction site from a mixture of urea-formaldehyde resin, a foaming agent and compressed air. When the mixture is injected into the wall, urea and formaldehyde unite and “cure” into an insulating foam plastic. During the 1970s, when concerns about energy efficiency led to efforts to improve home insulation in Canada, UFFI became an important insulation product for existing houses. Most installations occurred between 1977 and its ban in Canada in 1980.

Why was UFFI banned? In the insulating process, a slight excess of formaldehyde was...

Radiant Floor Heating In Your Home Long ago, the Romans used radiant floor heating in their bathhouses. For centuries, the Koreans heated their royal palaces and traditional homes in this manner. Today, radiant heating technology has been improved and can be used in all or part of our homes.

What is radiant floor heating? Radiant floor heating is a method of heating your home by applying heat underneath or within the floor. Comparable to warming yourself in the sun, this type of heating warms objects as opposed to raising the temperature of the air.

There are three types of radiant floor heating: hydronic, electric and air. Brought to North America post World War II, the first generation of North American systems...

Combustion Gases in Your Home – Things You Should Know About Combustion Spillage Are Combustion Gases Spilling into your Home? Does your home have any of these combustion appliances?

• Gas-fired furnace, boiler, or water heater
• Oil-fired furnace, boiler or water heater
• Wood stove or fireplace
• Other fuel-burning device

If so, then combustion gases will be produced as the fuel burns. Normally, these combustion products–which can include both visible smoke and various invisible gases–should be vented to the outdoors through a chimney or vent pipe. Unfortunately, they may instead escape into your home, where they could raise a variety of health and other concerns.

Combustion spillage is the term used to describe the unwanted flow of combustion gases into your home. The quantities involved...

FAQ About Radon

The following are frequently asked questions about radon and their answers: Q.We occasionally notice an unusual smell in our basement. Could it be due to radon? A. No. Radon has no odour.

Q. Food items that we have stored in the basement have spoiled. Is radon the cause? A. No. Radon is chemically inert and cannot react with things and spoil them.

Q. Shortly after moving into our home, several members of our family developed persistent coughs. Could radon be the reason? A. No. Exposure to radon is not associated with persistent coughs.

Q. I have recently developed headaches which my doctor cannot...

Finding A Contractor For Your Radon Home Many of the techniques used to reduce radon on a long-term basis require the services of a professional contractor. Radon is a relatively new issue. There are not many contractors in most regions of Canada with experience in radon reduction methods. To find a contractor, ask the company that supplied your radon detector for recommendations. Also ask for recommendations from friends, relatives and neighbours who have recently had work done to their homes.

Try to compile a list of at least two or three contractors and then make inquiries about their reputation. Contact your local Better Business Bureau (BBB). Note that not...

Radon Preventive Measures for New Homes It is very difficult to predict before construction whether a new home will have high radon levels. Fortunately, preventive measures can be taken by your builder during the design and construction process.

Most of these measures are low-cost, desirable for other benefits they provide, and difficult to install after the home is constructed. They include:

• minimizing potential entry routes for radon
• reducing forces that draw radon into a home
• making provision for an active soil depressurization system.

Many elements of these measures are a requirement of the 2005 National Building Code of Canada (NBC) issued by the National Research Council of Canada. Check with...

Reducing Radon in Existing Homes This section gives an overview of what can be done to reduce radon levels in existing homes. Health Canada is currently developing standard protocols for the selection, design and operation of systems to reduce radon levels in homes, schools and other large buildings.When completed, these protocols will provide homeowners and mitigation companies with detailed instructions and guidance on radon mitigation techniques. In the interim, comprehensive and technical information may be found in the following U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publications: Radon Reduction Techniques for Existing Detached Houses – Technical Guidance (Third Edition) for Active Soil Depressurization Systems

Methods to reduce the level of radon...

Methods For Measuring Radon Several methods can be used to measure radon in a home:

• Charcoal Detectors – These devices consist of a container filled with charcoal and covered with a screen and filter. They are exposed to the air in your home for a specified time period (usually 2 to 7 days), sealed and then sent to a laboratory for analysis.
• Passive Alpha-Track Detectors – These detectors use a small sheet of special film enclosed in a container with a filter-covered opening. Passive alpha-track detectors  areexposed to the air in a home for a period that can range from several months to one year. Passive alpha-track detectorsmust be returned to a laboratory...

What is Radon? Radon is a radioactive gas that is colourless, odourless and tasteless. It is formed by the breakdown of uranium, a natural radioactive material found in soil, rock and groundwater.

Radon escapes from the ground into the outdoor air. It is diluted to low concentrations and is not a concern. However, radon that enters an enclosed space, such as a home, can sometimes accumulate to high levels. Radon breaks down to form additional radioactive particles called “progeny” that can contaminate the air you breathe.

Concern in Canada about indoor radon levels began in the mid-1970s. Some homes in communities where uranium ore was either mined or processed were found...

Alzheimer’s Disease & Your Home Pt. 2

Pacing, Wandering & Confusion

Following are some examples of adaptations that may be made to a home occupied by a person with Alzheimer’s disease to accommodate the pacing, wandering and confusion that are typical of AD.

Pacing and Wandering

• Move furniture back from the centre of rooms, remove all small pieces of furniture, and keep hallways clear of furniture and knick-knacks, to allow for pacing and circular wandering.
• Keep a solid armchair in the kitchen or the centre of quiet activity, so that the AD person can sit there and be part of things. This may discourage wandering.
• Move a bed or a sofa bed to the main floor of a two-storey...

Alzheimer’s Disease & Your Home

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) affects over 300,000 Canadians. It is a disease that attacks the brain and results in mental, behavioural and physical changes. Although not all persons with Alzheimer’s Disease have the same symptoms, there are some symptoms that are typical.

The main mental changes include the following:

• gradual memory loss, especially recent memory
• loss of ability to make logical or sensible decisions
• difficulty making a connection between what they see and what the images mean
• less and less ability to learn new things
• a decline in the ability to carry out routine tasks
• loss of language skills (forgetting words and names and how to explain or describe something so that it can be understood)
• disorientation, (getting lost or confused about...

Asbestos In Your Home

What is asbestos? Asbestos is a natural mineral with unusual qualities. It is strong enough to resist high temperatures, chemical attack and wear. A poor conductor, it insulates well against heat and electricity.

Asbestos crystals become long, flexible, silky fibres, so it can be made into a wide variety of forms. It can be spun into yarn, woven into cloth or braided into rope. Asbestos can also be added to materials as diverse as cotton and cement.

This combination of properties gives asbestos performance capabilities that are difficult to match.

What has asbestos been used for? Asbestos has been used in hundreds of applications and products over the past 4,500 years. The ancient Greeks wove it into oil...

Generator Maintenance Tips (typical 5,000 watt gasoline engine)

These instructions are for maintenance of a modern 3,000 to 5,000 watt, air cooled, gasoline engine generator for residential service. Most points, however, apply to all generators.

Remember: gasoline and diesel fuels require special care for proper and safe storage, so they don’t become unusable as gums and gels form when not in use, or they become contaminated by water and dirt. Special additives can prevent these problems.

Warnings and Cautions

■      Is your generator wiring safely insulated AND properly grounded?

■      Disconnect main breaker (and non-critical circuits) before starting generator.

■      Connect auxiliary breaker panel to...

Backup Power Systems

What It Runs

Examples of Costs

Buying Tips

1A—Battery backup with inverter/charger for short blackouts of

12–48 hours: $2,350

1B—Single-battery backup with inverter/ charger for very short outages of 3–6 hours: $250

Essential AC loads only. Furnace, sump pump, well pump, fridge, plus efficient lights and small DC appliances.

Critical loads only. DC sump pump, DC ventilation fan. DC lighting—preferably LED, not halogen—plus AC for charging cell phones,

fax and small computers, emergency radios, medical devices, even small well pumps.

Battery bank: $725 (16 KWhr) Inverter/charger: $1,400 (1,100 W)

Transfer switch: $225

(50 Amp, 240 V).

Single battery power system: $250—on cart

(60 Amp/hr) with 1,200 W inverter for...

A New Year…A New Beginning!

May the new year flood your home with happiness.

From all your friends at Coldwell Banker Vantage Realty

Wishing Everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays.

From your friends at Coldwell Banker Vantage Realty

10 Tips For Backup Power For Your Home Pt. 2

Continues 10 Tips For Backup Power For Your Home Pt. 1

You rely on many appliances and systems in your home for your health, comfort and security. Most depend completely on utility supplied electricity. It makes sense to have a backup system that will keep your family comfortable and your home safe in a power failure.

6. Choose a Backup System Some of the systems include battery storage, a battery charger and an inverter. The inverter converts 12 volt DC battery power to standard 110 or 220 volt AC power. These systems can also recharge the batteries using photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, a generator and your vehicle, or your vehicle...

10 Tips For Backup Power For Your Home Pt.1 You rely on many appliances and systems in your home for your health, comfort and security. Most depend completely on utility supplied electricity. It makes sense to have a backup system that will keep your family comfortable and your home safe in a power failure.

1. Plan Careful preparation is essential to select, buy and install a backup system. Don’t leave it to the last minute—your household should have time to learn how to use the system in advance. And during a power failure, you may not be able to find suitable, reasonably priced equipment, fuel, and/or installation help. Keep the system simple, so you and your family...

Snow Throwers: Your Ideal Snow Removal Solution

Snow removal can be taxing on the body and hugely time consuming. If either is a concern, consider purchasing a snow thrower. These powerful snow blowers will quickly and efficiently remove heavy snow from driveways and sidewalks.

Types of Snow Throwers

The type of snow thrower you choose will depend largely on the application, the average snowfall over time for your area, and the type of surface being cleared, as not all snow blowers are designed to handle unpaved driveways. There are three types of snow throwers: powered shovels, electric snow throwers and gas snow throwers.

Helping Your Trees Survive A Storm A storm can damage trees. However, damage to a tree does not mean that the tree is lost. With proper pruning, you can restore the shape and health of a damaged tree. A tree that appears damaged can still be structurally sound, and capable of providing benefits to you and your community.

If a winter storm damages a tree, you can prune it during the winter if you can reach the broken limbs safely. But it will not harm the tree to leave repairs until just before the spring thaw. Unless hanging or drooping branches are a safety hazard, it is best to wait until the early spring—particularly if they...

10 Tips for selling your home during the holidays Part 2

Continues Home for the Holidays Pt.1

It’s the holiday season and you decided to sell. Coldwell Banker Vantage Realty has some tips for you on what you should do if you want to sell your home during the holidays.

Bring Warmth: Turn on the fireplace & get a fire roaring. Set some candles and turn the temperature up to help potential buyers view a cozy and warm home.

Engage the senses: Baking gingerbread men, simmering a pot of cider with cinnamon or baking some other delicious cookies just before an open house or...

Wood Heat Safety In An Emergency

This information can help you use wood safely as an emergency heating fuel. As most home heating systems need electricity to work, loss of power creates a heating emergency. Many householders use their wood burning stoves and fireplaces to heat their homes during a power outage.

A properly installed and operated wood stove or heating fireplace can be a safe and secure way to heat a home. But using wet wood, a makeshift, temporary wood stove installation or continuous use of a decorative fireplaces increases the risk of a house fire. If possible, get professional help from a qualified chimney installer, a chimney sweep or ask your local fire department for advice.

Getting...

Hardwood Floor Care & Maintenance

Hardwood floor care and maintenance is just as important as what you may have finally chosen

Over the years we’ve seen our share of floors that were maintained beautifully and it shows. Never the less we’ve also seen those that were abused and no attention to preservation was considered.

Not only does cleaning play an important role to the longevity of your investment, but attention to damage prevention as well. Listed below are several items that should be given priority after your new floor has been installed:

• Place bristle type mats at all exterior door entries. These will collect...

Getting Your House Ready to Sell

When getting your home ready to sell, you need to look at your house in a new way. Think of your house as a product about to go on the market where it is probably competing with brand new housing. It needs to show well—which means clutter-free and well kept.

Today’s homebuyers lead busy lives and may not be interested in taking on major repairs or improvements upon moving in. You need to make your house a “10”. This document will help you spot what is right and what is not so good about your “product”. It will give you the opportunity to take corrective action to ensure your house looks fresh, clean...

10 Tips for selling your home during the holidays Part 1.

It’s the holiday season and you decided to sell. Coldwell Banker Vantage Realty has some tips for you on what you should do if you want to sell your home during the holidays.

Avoid too many decorations: Although you may be caught up in the festive spirit, if you want to sell, less is more. Show potential clients the room and space in your house.

Oh, Christmas Tree!: The smell of a live tree will help bring in a fresh smell through the house. As well, think of something smaller, to show...

How To Prevent Plumbing & Heating Vent Stack Freeze-Up

Many Canadians, particularly those in the North, have experienced the effects of frozen plumbing or heating system vent stacks. By taking a few preventative measures, risky trips onto a frozen roof in the middle of winter to thaw out frozen vent stacks can be greatly reduced.

The concern with frozen vent stacks is that moisture carried by exhaust air in the plumbing system or heating system may condense inside cold vent stacks before it has been safely vented from the house. Exhaust air from the plumbing or heating system may then enter the house. There are two main strategies used to prevent this: make the portion of the vent...

Removing Ice On Roofs

The 1998 Ice Storm The ice storm that hit eastern Canada in January, 1998 was a laboratory for concentrated research into severe ice accumulation on roofs. Removing ice on roofs describes some of the techniques developed from the research for dealing with extensive roof icing and ice dam problems:

Please note: Some of these techniques are for skilled tradespeople only. No ice problem on your roof is serious enough to risk broken bones—or worse.

• The balance between removing ice and damaging the roof
• Thick ice is hard to remove. You must decide if trying to remove it will cause more damage than leaving it on the roof. Tools, such as hammers, shovels, scrapers, chain saws, and devices such as shoes...

Attic Venting & Ice Damming If you have properly sealed the attic you should not need more attic ventilation. Attic ventilation is overrated. In winter, the cold outside air cannot hold much humidity or carry moisture away from the attic. In summer, attic temperatures are more affected by the sun and shingle colour than by the amount of ventilation.

Recent research shows that identical attics, one unvented and the other vented to code, have much the same humidity and temperature. Computer models show that attics in damp coastal climates may actually be drier with less ventilation.

Building codes require attic ventilation. Ventilation may make a difference in a borderline situation. Attic ventilation is driven primarily by wind. To ensure thorough venting,...

Winter Makeover

As the mercury dips and we head inside, these top 10 tips will have your home looking cozy and incredible instantly.

1. Create an accent wall. The project doesn’t have to be huge. Simply choose one wall, or bulkhead even, and re-paint it in a deep, saturated colour – the perfect antidote to the cold weather outside. The russet of CIL DL05, or a spicy pumpkin shade like CIL MC11 are good choices, as is the deliciously nutty Behr 750D-6.

2. Warm up furnishings. You don’t have to reupholster; instead, simply cozy up the couch with a plush throw (or how about making...

Attic Moisture It is rare for Canadians to visit their attics. For many years building codes have required high levels of attic insulation, making attics less-than hospitable places.

People usually go into their attics for one of two reasons:

• animal intruders, such as bats or squirrels
• water leaking through the top floor ceiling.

This article deals with water entry, such as roof leaks, ice dams, and attic condensation. Consult your local pest control expert to rid the attic of creatures.

What to do if water comes through your ceiling Find out where the leak is in your ceiling by measuring its location from the nearest outside walls. Then, go into the attic through the attic hatch. It is often hidden...

Caring For Poinsettias: The Classic Holiday Plant

The red poinsettia (Euphorbia) has become synonymous with the holiday season, but there are more than 100 varieties of this plant; some of the more popular varieties sport red, pink, yellow or cream-coloured foliage.

1. Select your plant

• Check the flowers for fresh green or red-tipped blooms. The showy coloured parts of poinsettias that most people think are the flowers are actually coloured bracts, or modified leaves. Poinsettia flowers are found in the centre of the bracts. If they’re already producing pollen, part of the plant’s colourful display life has already passed and its leaves will...

Comparing Heating Costs You may be interested in calculating the cost of using wood fuel compared to the conventional fuels such as oil, natural gas, propane or electricity. The procedure outlined here can provide comparative figures.

You may be interested in calculating the cost of using wood fuel compared to the conventional fuels such as oil, natural gas, propane or electricity. The procedure outlined here can provide comparative figures. However, no calculation can account for all the variables involved when a wood heating system is installed. For example, this procedure is based on the fuel consumption of central heating systems that heat all areas of the house to the same temperature, whereas...

Four Fast Fixes for a Fabulous Bath

(NC)—If your bathroom looks better with the door closed, it may be time for an update. Make some big–impact changes without spending big bucks. A trip to your home improvement store and a weekend of elbow grease is all you need to transform your bath from boring to beautiful.

Fabulous Faucets

As the focal point of the vanity and one of the most used items in the bath – update your current faucet with a new stylish design in a beautiful finish. Your local home improvement store has a wide variety to meet your design needs...

Accessories For The Hearth

There are some accessories that are necessary for successful and convenient wood heating.There are other accessories that may seem like a good idea, but can create problems.

There are some accessories that are necessary for successful and convenient wood heating. There are other accessories that may seem like a good idea, but can create problems. Here is a review of some of the options.

FireTool Set You will need a tool set to manage the fire and keep the hearth neat. In general, tool sets for wood heating are simpler and shorter in length than sets for fireplaces. The set should have three tools: a rake...

Festive Facades

The holidays conjure images of blazing fires, hearths laden with glittery ornamentsand ubiquitous twinkling candles. Well, that’s inside. But what about the great outdoors? This season, expand your horizons and include outdoor spaces in your holiday-decorating plans.

Wreaths are a seasonal front-door fixture. This year, shake up that formula. Consider a square or rectangular wreathversus the expected circular one. The effect is striking and modern. Be sure to place it high enough to be seen from the sidewalk, or, go even more daring and hang two or three wreaths in a pattern, or place your masterpiece just to the side of the...

Tips On Saving Energy And Reducing Your Monthly Utility Bill

(NC)—Canadians everywhere are concerned about the rising cost of energy. Though many are looking to cut this expense, they are also concerned about the effect making these changes will have on their lifestyle. According to Kathy Buckworth, mother of four and award winning writer, saving energy and reducing energy costs doesn’t have to be cumbersome – it can be as easy as making a few simple changes. Below, Buckworth provides tips on ways to save energy and money without changing your lifestyle.

1. Replace old appliances

You can reduce refrigerator energy use up...

Winter Power Failure Depending on its duration, a winter power failure can pose significant challenges. The possibility of your apartment’s temperature falling to colder temperatures is a risk to be considered, and planned for, well in advance. If the power fails in the winter, it should be possible to stay warm, for a while, in an apartment. Start by closing windows and doors tightly. Draw curtains and close blinds to help prevent heat loss (be aware that this may increase the amount of condensation that forms on your windows—be prepared to regularly wipe up the water as it pools at the base of the windows).

As well as turning off and unplugging all electronic equipment, tools and...

Maintaining Your Wood Heating System

Wood-heat system maintenance includes simple tasks such as ash removal and glass cleaning, as well as bigger jobs such as chimney cleaning, gasket replacement, repainting and major repairs Wood-heat system maintenance includes simple tasks such as ash removal and glass cleaning, as well as bigger jobs such as chimney cleaning, gasket replacement, repainting and major repairs.

Wood-burning systems operate under a variety of conditions during each heating season, and these different conditions create the need for various maintenance tasks. For example, the slower burning needed in fall and spring when heat demand is low, tends to result in more rapid creosote build-up in the flue pipe and chimney....

Purchasing & Preparing Your Fuel Supply

The quality of the fuel wood you burn can have a big effect on the efficiency and convenience of the system.

The quality of the fuel wood you burn can have a big effect on the efficiency and convenience of the system. The main factors that affect the burning characteristics of firewood are moisture content, tree species and piece size.

When people have trouble with their wood-burning systems, the problem is most often that their wood is not dry enough. When trees are cut, the wood moisture content ranges between 35 and 50 per cent by weight. If you...

Mortgage Choices

What to do? Should you go fixed or variable? Open or Closed? Coldwell Banker Vantage Realty has some tips for you for your mortgage.

Fixed vs. Variable Rate Mortgages

With a fixed-rate mortgage, the interest rate is set for the term of the mortgage so that the monthly payment of principal and interest remains the same throughout the term. Regardless of whether rates move up or down, you know exactly how much your payments will be and this simplifies your personal budgeting. In a low rate climate, it is a good idea to take a longer term, fixed-rate mortgage for protection...

Burning Wood Efficiently

The knowledge and skills needed to operate a wood-burning system properly must be learned and practised to get them right.

The knowledge and skills needed to operate a woodburning system properly must be learned and practised to get them right. By practising and mastering the techniques offered here, you will reduce the amount of wood you burn to heat your home, reduce smoke pollution outside and inside the house, and increase the convenience and pleasure of burning wood.

The Basics:What Happens When Wood Burns As firewood burns, it goes through three phases:

Evaporation of water: Up to half the weight of a freshly cut log is water. After proper seasoning the...

Reno Tips: Beware Paying on Credit

A renovation can be a costly endeavour and, if you don’t have the cash saved up to cover it, you’ll have to look at financing options to fund your project. You need to be very careful, or you may find yourself house poor.

Store Credit Card and Financing Programs

Most large stores have in-house financing available with features designed to entice you to use their credit. One popular option is delayed payment, often for up to one year, with no interest charged on your purchases during that time. But, take my advice – you must read the fine...