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Tips and Tricks

Follow our different tips and tricks to save a lot of time and energy doing your home improvements projects!

No image available Eco-responsible home extension tips Needs change over a lifetime, and a family may find itself needing more space without necessarily wanting to move. Building an extension can be a good solution to this problem, but remember, extensions can cost tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars.+Having a bigger house means having a smaller yard, and it also increases energy consumption. The loss of green space can make thermal islands worse and reduce your quality of life, so it’s important to make some carefully considered eco-responsible choices. Adding an extension demands thorough planning based on real needs and a budget. Certain environmental objectives should also be considered, such as reducing resource use and waste production.

For a well-planned extension project, please see the “Before you get started” section.

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No image available Building and designing interior walls A home's interior is defined as much by the style and position of walls as by their colour and design. Walls are important not only as a structural feature but also for controlling heat and providing privacy. Regardless of their purpose or design, interior walls require a strong interior framework and adequate sheathing for the finished surface. This could be drywall, wood panelling and even stone or brickwork. Whether the framing is built with wood, metal or even plastic, wall construction involves different techniques. This article provides smart advice on how to quickly complete your project.
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No image available Tips for eco-responsible finishing products Using good finishing products should improve the quality of the air in your home. To choose the right products, you need to pay special attention to product composition, since some kinds of paint, stain, primer and varnish contain petroleum derivatives and emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when they are applied and as they dry. Painted surfaces may even continue to give off volatile organic compounds for several months. These substances are toxic. They can cause coughing, dizzy spells, headaches and eye irritations. Volatile organic compounds also contribute to smog, which erodes outdoor air quality and especially affects people who suffer from asthma, allergies and cardiovascular disease. As if that’s not enough, many volatile organic compounds contain carcinogens.
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No image available Tips for paint, moulding and wallpaper When the major construction and renovation work is over, it's time to decorate. Paint, mouldings and wallpaper put the finishing touches to your home and complete the look. Choose colours and textures to define a room’s size and character, and use trim to define the space, much like a frame projects a picture. The style of mouldings is also important; like the walls, these can be enhanced with colour.

Look for inspiration for colours and finishing techniques in the paint department of your home improvement store or in decorating magazines. Experimenting is not only fun but can produce stunning results!
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No image available Tips for ventilation and air conditioning Ventilation and air conditioning are two of the most important systems in the home. Poor ventilation can give rise to health problems such as asthma, bronchitis and chronic colds, and can also lead to the development of mould, which poses a health risk and can cause structural damage. Providing the right amount of ventilation and fresh air is therefore crucial.

Air conditioning not only provides comfort but also stabilizes the humidity. Both ventilation and air conditioning systems work hand in hand to make a healthier and more energy-efficient home.

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No image available Expert tips for indoor home maintenance While many homeowners devote considerable time to outdoor maintenance, often they do no more than light housework on the inside. Yet regular and thorough indoor maintenance not only keeps the home looking new but also prevents having to spend time and money on repairs or replacements a few years down the road.

Proper house cleaning goes beyond the weekly vacuuming, dusting and floor-washing. Some areas of the home are regularly overlooked, such as inside cupboards or under the range hood and large appliances, so it's worth making the effort to clean these areas properly. Disinfecting the places where germs are most likely to collect will also make your home healthier.
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No image available Eco-responsible insulation tips Poor insulation can result in major heat losses, besides reducing the comfort of your home. Improving the insulation and airtightness of your home are among the most effective ways to substantially reduce energy bills and your environmental footprint. The energy savings often end up paying for the cost of the renovation work over the short, medium or long term. And of course when you improve the energy efficiency of your home, you are also helping to reduce the production of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Insulation is often an issue that has to be treated on a case-by-case basis. It’s a good idea to call in a specialist to assess the different factors that can optimize the insulation effectiveness of a home. The insulation chart below summarizes the features of the most common insulation products and can help you make the right choice for your needs.
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No image available Expert tips for flooring and tiles A beautiful floor is the showpiece of a home’s interior. If installed and maintained properly, good-quality flooring will add value to your home and bring years of enjoyment. Whether you have carpet, tile or vinyl, there are tricks and tips you can follow to make these flooring materials last for years.

Flooring materials differ, and so do their maintenance techniques. More regular cleaning is required in high-traffic areas of the home. Ceramic tile, vinyl, laminate and hardwood require regular damp mopping, while the grout between ceramic tiles also needs to be cleaned and sealed.


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No image available Eco-responsible bedroom and home office tips Whether you’re setting up a snug refuge to welcome a new baby into the world or planning a bedroom update for a growing child, following a few simple principles to reduce resource waste and protect your health in the choice of materials and finishes can help make your renovation project more eco-responsible.

Likewise, to renovate a home office, choosing long-lasting materials to reduce the flow of waste to landfills and effective energy-saving appliances is a good way to reduce the impact on the environment and on your health.
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No image available Eco-responsible landscaping tips Landscaping extends the living space of your home, adding value to the property by creating spaces for relaxation and outdoor pleasure. But when you’re planning and maintaining your outdoor living space, remember to minimize the impact on resources, water quality and your health by using natural maintenance techniques, choosing the appropriate mix of plants and properly managing your rainwater. You can “green” your entire property and at the same time cut down on maintenance requirements, save time and save money.
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No image available Expert tips for outdoor maintenance Regularly maintaining the outside of your home keeps it looking good and functioning well and avoids costly renovations and repairs that can result from neglect. Just a few hours' work a month provides a great insurance policy against wear and tear, and keeps your investment growing with the housing market.

Small chores like cleaning the leaves from gutters or spending a couple of hours touching up the paint on a fence or deck can make all the difference. All it takes is a little organization and a checklist of what to do each season. Having the right tools will make the job go faster and provide professional-looking results.
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No image available Expert tips for interior finish and carpentry Many interior home finishing jobs – whether renovations or as part of a new build - can be accomplished by novice do-it-yourselfers. Simply follow a few tips from the professionals; many of these carpentry tricks are easy when carried out step by step and give impressive results. What's more, you do not require expensive tools to achieve the desired effects. Some of these tips are as simple as placing tape over a piece of wood before sawing to obtain a clean cut. The key to successful interior finishing jobs is to break the project down into small stages.
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No image available Expert tips for household plumbing The following plumbing tips and tricks are intended to help you solve some of the most common plumbing problems that can occur in the home.

Whether you need to repair a valve, solder a pipe, clean a gurgling water heater, get rid of a sewage smell, insulate pipes, prevent frozen pipes, or clean drains to prevent obstruction, this article gives you all the advice you need.

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No image available Expert tips for tools and materials The success of any home renovation, maintenance or building project depends on choosing and using the right tools and materials. Not only do good tools and materials make the job go faster and produce great results, but you are likely to save money in the long run in terms of less wastage and longer tool life. Learning how to use tools and materials safely is also crucial.
Another project time-saver is to learn the tricks of the trade. Simple techniques such as using magnetized drill bits will carve valuable time off your projects...


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No image available Eco-responsible Bathroom Tips Just yesterday, it seems, the main reason for renovating bathrooms and laundry rooms was to make them more attractive and more practical. Today, the goal is also to make them healthier and more environmentally friendly. With smart renovating principles and a judicious choice of products, you can give a serious boost to the environment by reducing your impact on water, saving energy and protecting your health.

Bathrooms and laundry rooms are big water consumers, and because of all the humidity they produce, it is especially important to consider the factor of indoor air quality. Choosing products that are wear and moisture resistant will also improve the durability of the finishes and reduce resource waste.
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No image available Tips and tricks for outdoor structures Outdoor structures on a home’s property provide storage, recreational value and, in the case of fences, protection. Just as the main house requires a sound foundation, so do the outbuildings and other structures like decks, sheds and garages; some small sheds, however, need only concrete blocks or a timber sleeper foundation. Garages are required by law to have traditional concrete foundations as their structures carry more weight. In many areas, building codes require decks over a certain height to have more than one beam. Homeowners can save money and material wastage by building decks to correspond with standard timber lengths.
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No image available Tips for excavation, foundations and framing The construction of every home starts with its foundation, an essential step before any walls or floors can be built. The type of foundation depends on both the style of home and its location. Basement and slab-on-grade foundations are the most common. Once the type of foundation has been determined, the excavation can begin. Digging through mainly soil will be much easier than excavating rocky areas. The water table is another important factor to consider.

Once the foundation is in place and well insulated, the exterior walls are built, either by framing with wood or steel studs, or using insulated concrete forms from the footing to the roofline.
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No image available Eco-Responsible Roofing tips Is your roof letting the weather in? Are the roofing shingles getting tattered? Is the exterior cladding of the house damaged or worn? Now is your opportunity to shop for durable products to improve the building envelope.

The best choices for exterior cladding and roofing lend themselves to different styles, require little maintenance and are sturdy and long-lasting, to reduce resource use. Renovating the building envelope also provides other solid benefits, like improving the thermal insulation and airtightness of the home and reducing the effects of thermal islands.

While this kind of renovation can add to the value of your home, it’s also a major investment. Careful planning based on a budget and well-defined needs is your key to success.
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No image available Expert tips for exterior siding and roofing Besides the basic structure, the roof and exterior siding are the most important parts of the home, because they protect the building from the elements. Since they are the first line of defence, both roofing and siding must be checked for signs of wear and maintained on a regular basis. This includes cleaning, as well as replacing pieces that may have fallen off or become worn. In the case of wood, it means repainting regularly. By following a few simple tips, the outside of your home will not only look beautiful for years but will also be protected from the elements and save you potentially expensive repairs and the premature replacement of materials.
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No image available Tips and tricks for home storage Organization is the key to creating useful storage space throughout the house, be it for the bedroom, the bathroom, the kitchen or the garage. Even the smallest corners of the home can be transformed into functional storage spaces that blend with the surrounding style and decor.

Begin the decluttering process by deciding which possessions belong in each room and what can be put into storage. Using a few tips from the decorating pros, the important items then can be incorporated into the room. The remainder can be stowed away until needed, for example sports gear and seasonal apparel.
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No image available Expert tips for home lighting Good lighting is not just practical – it's also a way to embellish your home’s decor and colour scheme. From the entryway to the kitchen, the lighting in your home welcomes guests in and creates ambience while providing adequate illumination where needed. Outdoor lighting can be used to great effect to enhance the landscaping at night.

Lighting methods have evolved significantly in recent years, with the introduction of energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs as well as low-voltage light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which are especially suitable for areas that need concentrated lighting or in portable lamps.

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