Interior design has inherent rules—paint small rooms light colors and don’t use more than one pattern in the same space. With homeowners taking a more hands-on approach to design (thanks Pinterest!) the guidelines have been somewhat blurred. Here are a few rules that are outdated. If you choose to break them, you can add a …
Homeowners often take on DIY project hoping to improve their properties while saving money. The results are sometimes disastrous and may actually end up costing more. A recent survey of 2,000 US homeowners who attempted a DIY project in November 2018 found that 63% regretted not getting professional help. About half of the respondents said …
It used to be that the number of bedrooms and bathrooms was what determined a home’s retail value. Times are changing and so have the demands of potential homeowners. Keeping on the cutting edge of market demands will help you to build homes that sell fast and renos that maintain your profit margins. With couples …
Light switches, light fittings and outlets can be a major source of heat loss in winter and cool air in the summer. A tiny 1/8-inch gap around six ceiling light fixtures adds up to a 2 square-inch hole in your ceiling. Putting gaskets behind switch plates is a good start, but these don’t provide a …
Many callbacks are the result of too much moisture in the home. Not only can this result in mold and mildew, but swelling of materials can cause buckling, cracking and other issues. Here are some common ways that water finds its way into a new home. Proper Drainage Intersecting roof planes can make for stunning …
The extreme cold affecting large swathes of the US and Canada has many crews working in life-threatening conditions. Hyperthermia can affect you even when the temperature is above freezing, so it’s important to know the signs and ensure your crew is properly prepared for cold weather. Get the Right Gear Start by dressing right. Layering …
As customers and building codes demand more sustainable homes, you will have to adapt to meet eco-conscious demands. Being more sustainable isn’t just something we can practice for our clients, creating more sustainable jobsites means safer workplaces with less waste. It means you can save money and time if you just work a little smarter. …
Buckling is mostly the result of moisture which causes wood sheathing panels to expand. While buckling does little to effect the structural integrity of the OSB panel, it can have a negative aesthetic effect which would result in expensive callbacks. Here are some ways in which you can mitigate the effects of buckling by accounting for normal moisture conditions and through moisture control.
Duct leaks are insidious and are one of the three biggest energy wasters in most homes. While leaks cost you through the loss of conditioned air, when these duct leaks cause negative indoor pressure, unconditioned air will be pulled in from outside and you will waste even more energy keeping your home comfortable.
If you took time over the holiday season to clean up, you know the satisfaction of having an organized home. Cleaning is only really manageable if its consistent, but who has time (or energy) to clean with our busy lifestyles? Here are some habits that will help you to a tidier home. Multitasking You don’t …
