Contractor Advantage January / February 2015 by Espress Labs Inc.

COMPLIMENTARY

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

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Growing Business LEED v4 Insulation

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CA N A DA’ S M AG A Z I N E F O R P R O F E S S I O N A L C O N T R AC T O R S

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CONTENTS

Features

Perfecting expansion / 18 Expansion is never easy, nor is there a right time to pursue it, just a better one.

Advanced ceilings / 24 Ceiling options hardly need to be limited to a smooth sheet of drywall.

Counter point / 30

Inside

There are plenty of choices when looking to upgrade a kitchen’s working surface. Each has its own pros and cons.

Insulation evolution / 35

NEWS WATCH / 4 CIL colour predictions for 2015

New breakthroughs mean your clients will be comfortably warm in winter and refreshingly cool in summer.

PRODUCT SHOWCASE / 7 New and improved products

Engineered for strength / 40

ECONOMICS 101 / 10 Rethink employee retention

Engineered lumber is poised for a strong showing this year, which is why you need to know more about the ‘new wood.’

SMART MONEY / 12 Understanding estate freeze BUSINESS STRATEGIES / 15 21 ways to improve business today LEARNING CURVE / 17 Wood work advice

January/February 2015 Vol. 19 No. 1

Editorial Director Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. Jennifer Mercieca Managing Editor Paul Barker Art Director Mark Ryan

Castle Building Centres Group Ltd., with building supply outlets in every province, is Canada’s leading supplier of lumber and building materials to professional contractors, builders and renovators. Publications Mail Agreement #40006677 Return undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: 100 Milverton Drive, Suite 400 Mississauga, Ont. L5R 4H1

Contributors Nestor E. Arellano Danish Baig Ruth Crocker Lawrence Cummer Victoria Downing Stefan Dubowski David Chilton Saggers John G. Smith

LEED v4: new version, new rules / 45 The revised rating system asks some extremely tough questions. Advertising Enquiries Vendors whose products are carried in Castle Building Centres stores have the opportunity to advertise in

Contractor Advantage

For more information or to reserve space in the next issue, contact: Jennifer Mercieca Director of Communications Phone: 905-564-3307 Fax: 905-564-5875 E-mail: jmercieca@castle.ca

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NEWS WATCH

CIL predicts that ‘ocean blue’ will be 2015’s standout colour

ccording to paint manufacturer CIL , 2015 will be about self-expression and letting loose around the home. It will also be about mixing, not matching colours, according to Alison Goldman, brand manager for CIL, a dvision of PPG Architectural Coatings. “The home is a refuge and the one place where we can truly express ourselves,” she said. Goldman added that the 2015 colour palette can be, “likened to an artful collage dominated by rich, bright tones and supported by saturated, nature-infused neutrals, intended to be used together in creative ways according to people’s individual preferences.” Ocean blue is the standout colour this year, according to Goldman, who shared the following advice for décor styles: Blues: This year’s popular blues are neither too dark nor too light. Upbeat and fresh, they are best suited for those who have a classic or traditional décor taste, especially when paired with light and dark greys and tans. Reds: Berry red will continue to accent home décor through the year. Infused with energy, this year’s reds coordinate well with chocolate brown, cream and tan, and they are fitting for those seeking to create an opulent look. Oranges: Orange will tone down in 2015, taking on an easierto-live-with flair. Conjuring up images of autumn leaves, pumpkins and spice, the new oranges are ideal for bohemian-inclined tastes. Yellows: Moving away from the buttercream hue that was previously popular, yellows in 2015 will be strong and dramatic. Geared towards a modernist style, this year’s yellows work best as a pop colour, particularly when combined with grey, white and soft blue. Greens: Grey-toned pastel green will increasingly make their way into home décor this year. Goldman recommends pairing new greens with earth tones and wooden accents to bring comfort to living spaces. Violets: Lavender will take centre stage in the purple family over the coming year. Think soft pastels, delicate accents, silk fabric, floral patterns and vintage pieces. More information on CIL’s 2015 paint palette can be found at www.cil.ca. Meanwhile, according to a country-wide survey of Canadian painting habits conducted by CIL, living rooms and kitchens, 4

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CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

the most popular rooms for welcoming guests, are among the top of the list when it comes to most frequently painted rooms. The survey, which polled a sampling of managers across the country where CIL brand paints are sold, found that in the previous 18 months, 23% of customers gave their living room walls a fresh coat of paint while 22% painted their kitchens. “Based on the survey results, it seems Canadians want to put their best foot forward when entertaining in their home, and that includes decking their walls with paint,” said Goldman. Interestingly, only 2% of survey respondents said they recently painted their dining rooms, reflecting a growing trend towards entertaining in less formal spaces. “Guests often end up gathering in the kitchen, and living areas are being increasingly designed as open concept spaces connecting to the kitchen, so it is not surprising that this is where homeowners are focusing their paint efforts,” Goldman said.

NEWS WATCH

Inaccurate perceptions of trades among B.C. young adults A study commissioned by the Independent Contractors Business Associations (ICBA) has found that 59% of young adults are unaware of how to get into the trades because of inaccurate perceptions of construction. Conducted by NRG Research Group the poll of B.C. residents between 18 and 29 years of age found that when given a list of different types of trade job opportunities with approximate wages and salaries, the 12 traditional trade jobs were ranked at the bottom of the list. Highest interest was in office opportunities, such as business development managers, estimators and project managers. “Youth are interested in office jobs, but do not realize that those opportuni-

ties often start with trades training,” said Philip Hochstein, president of the ICBA. “The takeaway for me is that we need to start promoting careers in construction not a job in the trades.” Hochstein said that the construction industry needs to do a better job of showing youth that learning a trade can lead to coveted positions of estimators, project managers, business development managers and company owners. The poll also showed that: • Less than half of the respondents (48%) see a job in the trades as a long-term career with opportunity for advancement because they are in demand, they learn new skills and it pays well.

• Of those surveyed, 52% saw a job in the trades as either career limiting, too physically demanding, or lacking in room for promotion or career change. • The first thoughts that came to mind, when hearing about a “job in the trades” were the following: manual labour, good pay, training or certification required and hard work. • The top factors to seek a trades job: discovering they loved the work, more money, job security and career advancement. “As an industry, we have some work to do to change the way young people perceive skilled trades,” said Hochstein. “ICBA and the open shop construction industry are rolling up our sleeves to make sure we do.”

In the next issue of

CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE CA N A DA’ S M AG A Z I N E F O R P R O F E S S I O N A L C O N T R AC T O R S

• Chimney Restorations • Fence Design • Decks and Outdoor Structures • Exterior Tool Trends • Landscape Trends • Tax Tips

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Building Blocks

Innovative Products for Today’s Renovators DEWALT RECIPROCATING SAW DESIGNED FOR TIGHT SPACES

DeWalt’s new 20V MAX* Lithium Ion reciprocating saw, the DCS387, has a compact configuration that allows users to make controlled overhead cuts and cuts in tight spaces such as in between studs, under sinks and in corners. The DCS387 is 2.5” shorter than the company’s existing cordless reciprocating saw (the DCS380) to provide more control. It is ideal for remodelers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, HVAC/mechanical contractors and general contractors who cut through a variety of materials such as wood, PVC and various types of metal including studs, conduit, and steel pipe. The saw features DeWalt’s keyless four-position blade clamp so that users can orient it according to the type of cut being made, and a powerful four-pole motor and 1⅛” stroke length that allows for fast cutting (0-2,900 SPM) of a variety of materials. An ergonomic handle with a soft grip provides comfort while cutting. Other features include a variable speed switch and an LED light to illuminate the cutting surface and work area. Visit www.dewalt.com for more information.

MILWAUKEE HAND TOOLS VERSATILE AND COMPACT

Milwaukee Tool has expanded its hand tools line up with the release of two new compact 8-in-1 multi-bit drivers that deliver versatility and compact design, plus three new precision screwdrivers that deliver up to four times the durability, the company says. Available in non-ratcheting and ratcheting models, Milwaukee’s Compact 8-in-1 Multi-Bit Drivers are only 3½” to 4½” to allow for work in tight spaces. They feature in-handle storage, chrome-plated bits for marine-grade rust protection and power tool compatibility. The Precision Screwdriver sets feature all-metal core for increased durability and are heat treated for added strength. The tools are also impact resistant and include a 360º spinning back cap to provide more control in precision environments. Each cap is colour-coded for easy identification and features an anti-roll design. Visit www.milwaukeetool.com for more information. CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

CORDLESS JIG SAW OFFERS SAME OPERABILITY AS AC MODEL

Makita’s new cordless jig saws feature a high power-to-weight ratio cordless brushless DC motor that delivers the operability of corded AC jig saws. Available with a barrel grip (DJV181RME) or D-handle (DJV182RME), the brushless motor generates less heat buildup making it ideal for prolonged use. A push button lock-on and lock-off feature prevents accidental start up, while the jig saws’ soft start feature helps eliminate the shock when starting up by gradually increasing speed. Its soft no-load feature reduces blade stroke at high RPM to enable accurate and efficient cutting in fine applications, and variable speed dials enable optimal control and precision in a wide-range for applications and materials. The jig saws have three orbital settings to enable operators to make a more aggressive cut. Dual LED job light offer increased illumination of work areas and an electric blower keeps the cutting line free of saw dust. An electric brake stops the blade immediately for added safety. The jig saws are available in kits or in tool only options (DJV181Z and DJV182Z) without batteries and chargers. Visit www.makita.ca for more information.

DRYWALL SCREWDRIVER FEATURES PUSH-DRIVE TECHNOLOGY

A new ¼” cordless drywall screwdriver from Makita (DFS452Z) features push-drive technology that minimizes power consumption under no load for extended battery run time and reduced noise and vibration. Its brushless DC motor has a high power-to-weight ratio for efficiency comparable to AC screwdrivers. The screwdriver features eXtreme Protection Technology (XPT) which offers protection against dust, debris and liquids for optimal performance in extreme conditions. A battery fuel gauge indicates approximate remaining battery power, while a silent clutch offers a smoother engagement of gearing for higher durability and increased operational efficiency. The screwdriver’s battery protection system provides over-charge, temperature and circuit protection for improved performance, battery cycle life and overall battery life. Its variable speed trigger allows operators to adjust driving speed based on material or application. The screwdriver features an LED job light with afterglow feature and onetouch locator for quick and easy bit changes. Its ergonomic soft rubber grip is designed to absorb vibration for comfort. Visit www.makita.ca for more information.

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ECONOMICS 101

Rethink Employee Retention Below are seven guidelines for engaging and accommodating older staff. BY RUTH CROCKER

Ruth Crocker, Ph.D, is an author, writing consultant and expert on recovery from trauma and personal tragedy. She is Writer-In-Residence at Riverlight Wellness Center in Stonington, Conn. and available for workshops, readings and public speaking. Further information is available at www.ruthwcrocker.com. 10

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The previous tradition of older supervisors and younger workers has changed, especially where workers are opting to stay on the job longer.

healthier and can remain robust contributors to the workforce much longer than any previous generation. While age does not determine fitness, there are predictable changes that occur with age and can be accommodated. The following are guidelines for employers who want to maximize the working environment for their most valuable asset: the reliable, responsible, loyal, conscientious, co-operative, collaborative, wise older worker. 1. Maintaining an unmoving position for a long time is very tiring, especially standing which puts pressure on blood vessels. Repeated and prolonged static work can be harder on the body than dynamic work. Provide opportunities to change posture or position during the workday. Adjust work surfaces to encourage position changes. 2. Sitting is generally good if chairs are well designed and adjustable. To avoid the dangers of prolonged sitting (weak-

PHOTO: THINKSTOCK IMAGES

ary loved her job as a recreational therapist in a skilled nursing facility. Her co-workers marveled at her ability to assess the needs of residents and propose exactly the right activity for a patient recovering from a brain injury, stroke or other trauma. Her 30-plus years of experience in all manner of expressive arts therapies helped her serve her patients well. She worked efficiently and effectively with quiet compassion. And then came the inevitable hours of paperwork. For Mary, writing long, detailed notes in medical charts was a normal part of her day, but she was not as speedy as she had been in the past and documentation requirements were increasing. While a physiciansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; notes are usually transcribed from a dictated recording, medical support staff still strug- our older workforce in place longer and gle through pages of writing by hand in we need to help them stay healthy. Baby many facilities. Her immediate supervisor, boomers make up a significant amount 15 years her junior, pushed her to speed of the workforce and for the first time in up. Mary felt stressed and unable to cope several generations, there are not enough with the continuing pressure. After start- younger workers to replace them. Key ing to dread her job and feeling like she industries, especially those that rely on was getting worse instead of better, she workers with proven performance, knowlapplied for and received a medical leave edge, skills and self-confidence, will be of absence. Was this the best solution for forced by labour shortages to rethink emMary and her employer? Probably not. ployee retention and how best to ensure Mary is one of many valuable older health and safety by adjusting equipment workers who could have stayed produc- and the work environment. tive on the job with some modifications in There are many fears and myths about her work environment. Employers today â&#x20AC;&#x153;getting oldâ&#x20AC;? in our culture, but the realare facing the fact that we need to keep ity is that people are living longer and

ECONOMICS 101 ened abdominal muscles, digestion and breathing problems and damage to spinal discs), provide training and information on sitting properly and permit opportunities to walk about and stretch. 3. Provide appropriate equipment for assisting in any type of lifting. Workers of all ages are vulnerable to injury by improper lifting technique and lifting objects that are too heavy. Teach them to decrease the need to twist the trunk of the body during lifting, using leg strength rather than leaning over and placing the load as close to the body as possible. 4. Because hand grip strength gradually decreases as we get older, the right grip or handle becomes important. Smaller handles become more difficult to use. Provide tools and controls with userfriendly handles. 5. Light reaching the retina of the eye declines by as much as 75% from age

20 to 50. Improved lighting helps all workers. Problems with adjusting to lighting contrasts can be improved by ensuring that the level of lighting in the room is similar to the light level on computer screens in the environment. Reduce glare by using low- or non-glare computer screens. 6. Gradual, age-related hearing loss and decreased ability to hear high-pitched sounds can be addressed by installing sound-absorbing material (to neutralize sound) and minimizing air-conditioning noise. 7. Offer incentives to encourage people to take part in fitness classes and quitsmoking campaigns. Older workers are more vulnerable to the possibility of sudden-onset and lasting health problems, especially if they are unfit and overweight. The previous tradition of older supervisors and younger workers has changed,

especially where workers are opting to stay on the job longer. It is important that younger supervisors be aware of different generational values and attitudes and avoid adopting a â&#x20AC;&#x153;child-to-parentâ&#x20AC;? attitude towards an older worker. At the same time, treat older workers with the same requirements for performance and safety issues. Whether older or younger, each individual is different. In Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s case, her facility eventually adopted a voiceactivated recording system, which helped staff at all levels of the organization to get their notes written in a timely manner. Businesses can improve their employee practices by having supervisors attend workshops on aging and the workforce. Talk to other employers who have successful experiences with hiring older employees and encourage employee feedback on aging issues by surveying your employees and listening to their concerns and suggestions. Hiring and retaining older workers can help your business grow.

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SMART MONEY

Understanding Estate Freeze

You may want to leave ownership of your business to your family, but that can have heavy tax implications. An estate freeze may help. BY DANISH BAIG

or many business owners, growing the value of their businesses is a significant priority; however, when the topic of wealth management comes up, there is often a lack of consideration. Opportunities are available for business owners to manage and retain their wealth in a tax-efficient manner. Assume a business owner, 50-year-old Ontario resident Simon, is in the top tax bracket and the sole shareholder of 100 Common shares issued by ABC Construction Inc. The current value of the company is $10 million. He has three children: Shane, Sarah and Shauna. Shauna resides in the U.S., and has a strained relationship with her father. Simon is happily married to his wife Kiera. Simon intends to transition ownership of the company to his children. This may be problematic for a number of reasons, individually: • Simon may not be able to control the timing of the disposition. For example, if he dies unexpectedly, there will be a deemed disposition at that time, which may lead to the gain being taxed at the highest tax rates. • Furthermore, the tax liability will be based on the company’s value at the date of death, which is unknown and difficult to plan for. • Simon cannot plan to meet the Canadian Controlled Private Corporation (CCPC) conditions, which may jeopardize his ability to use the lifetime capi-

tal gains exemption ($800,000 for 2014) against the gains from disposition of the investment. • The estate may not have sufficient liquid assets to pay the liability. A strategy available to the business owner is the concept of an “estate freeze.” This allows Simon to defer the tax payable on future growth in value of the company to the next generation.

Simon

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Shane

Sarah

Shauna

Kiera

TRUST 100 PREFERRED SHARES REDEMPTION AMOUNT = $1M

100 COMMON SHARES

ABC CONSTRUCTION INC. I

mplementing such a tax structure requires complicated steps and elections under the income tax act, and must be personalized to meet the individual needs of the business owner. Therefore, it is essential that you consult your professional advisor when considering such a plan.

Danish Baig, CPA, CA is a senior staff accountant at Crowe Soberman LLP. His professional experience includes providing assurance and advisory services to clients in construction, real estate, automotive and information technology. He can be contacted at danish.baig@crowesoberman.com. 12

Through a series of steps, Simon can exchange his 100 common shares for 100 preferred shares of ABC Construction Inc. redeemable by him for $10 million (the value of the company at the date of the freeze). He can then create a family trust which subscribes for 100 common shares of ABC Construction Inc. for a nominal amount of $1 per share. Following these steps, the structure would be as follows:

CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

Benefits of an estate freeze

Benefits on an estate freeze may include the following, depending on how the freeze is structured: • After the freeze, Simon can retain control over the business, if the preferred shares are voting. • It is advantageous to redeem the preferred shares during Simon’s lifetime, which decreases the capital gain on death and may decrease the overall tax bill. In this case, it is important to issue a separate class of voting shares to Simon to ensure that, once the preferred shares

SMART MONEY

have all been redeemed, Simon retains control over ABC Construction Inc. • This strategy means Simon has certainty over the taxes payable by the estate at the time of death because the redemption value is fixed at a point in time. In this case, the projected taxes payable are $2.12 million ($10 million - $800,000 = $9.2 million x 50% = $4.6 million x 46%) at the time of preferred share redemption. Therefore, Simon can obtain life insurance to cover the tax liability and avoid his family having to fund the liability after his death. • B oth the business owner and the beneficiaries are better able to utilize their lifetime capital gains exemptions ($800,000) against the gains eventually realized from the growth in value of the company, which means the tax bill is minimized. This assumes that ABC Construction Inc. is a qualified CCPC.

• This allows for greater flexibility on splitting income with adult family members, by paying dividends to the family trust and allocating them to any of the beneficiaries at the trustee’s discretion. • Simon may be able to list himself as a capital beneficiary of the trust (“flexible freeze”), and list his family as capital and income beneficiaries. This allows him to distribute the capital property (the Shares of ABC Construction Inc.) to himself instead of the other beneficiaries of the trust. Note that this would preclude him from being a trustee. This is beneficial if, for example, he does not want to transfer ownership of the shares to his children. • Capital gains can be allocated to beneficiaries who are below the age of 18 without being attributed back to (that is, taxed in the hands of) Simon, resulting in further tax savings.

In certain situations, there may be drawbacks to an estate freeze. For instance, if Simon “freezes” his value at $10 million, but in the future the value decreases to $8 million by the time of death, Simon has essentially prepaid tax on the $2 million difference. A freeze can subsequently be thawed, but not without incurring costs. Also, income allocated to the beneficiaries of the trust is legally payable to them. If large capital gains are allocated, this may not be desirable. In making such a plan, it is important for you as the business owner to consider all of your circumstances and the goals you would like to achieve; an estate freeze may only be part of the solution. This article has been prepared for general information. Specific professional advice should be obtained prior to the implementation of any suggestion contained in this article.

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CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

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BUSINESS STRATEGIES

21 Ways To Improve Your Business In this her final column for Contractor Advantage, Victoria signs off with a list of valuable business tips designed specifically for contractors. BY VICTORIA DOWNING

unning a successful renovation company is not easy and trying to build one than can run without your day-to-day involvement is even harder. If you want to take your company to the upper levels of success, you must first acknowledge that it is a long road. It takes time. It takes commitment. If it were easy everyone would be great. Still, there are a few things you can do today that can make an impact in the short-term. Here are 21 of them:

1 | If it ain’t broke, break it. Sustainable success comes from continually looking for ways to improve your operations one small step at a time. 2 | Start your day by saying, “This is what I will accomplish today,” and do it. Whether it takes 15 minutes or six hours. 3 | Focus on the moment. Stay 100% mentally focused on what you are doing. Multitasking is your enemy. 4 | Map out the specific tasks you need to do to reach your daily goals and plot your progress throughout the day. Most contact-management systems allow for tracking and tallying daily performance. 5 | Know how to handle the rejection embedded in the “nos” you collect every day. 6 | Keep your mind off yourself and on your revenue-generating goals. 7 | Turn to your support group. Do not face business challenges alone. When-

ever you can, share your lessons with others in the safe environment of a support group of your peers. 8 | Keep a journal. It is not enough merely to track daily performance in a contact management system. Record lessons learned, shortcuts, attitude assessment and interpersonal behaviour. 9|C reate a process that forces you to systematically perform the grunt work aspect of sales and make sure it covers generating referrals and working leads already generated. 10 | Have a system of selling. If you do not, you will be a prisoner of the buyer’s system, one designed to keep you coughing up your expertise for free. 11 | Standard operating procedures minimize growing pains. From the way you prefer a cornice return to be built to the way a customer is contacted after the job, everything should have an SOP. 12 | Divide the anticipated gross profit for your backlog (work under contract but not yet produced) by your monthly overhead to determine how much overhead is “in stock.” It is your safety net. Shoot for no less than four months. 13 | You (and your employees) need the security of backlog. Do not destroy your backlog security by adding crews whenever work begins to build up. 14 | Do not count a job as backlog until it is under construction contract.

Victoria Downing is president of Remodelers Advantage Inc. and is a leading authority in the remodeling industry. She has authored and co-authored several industry books, including The Remodeler’s Marketing PowerPak. She can be reached at victoria@remodelersadvantage.com or by phone at 301 490-5620 ext. 105.

15 | Consider outsourcing office tasks. Hire a “virtual assistant” and benefit from getting more done without the additional payroll and worker’s compensation taxes. 16 | A gatekeeper will yield more sales. He or she will be the first point of contact with prospects, pre-qualify them and maintain contact after they sign contracts. You will save valuable time formerly spent on low-quality leads. 17 | Ask your employees for ideas about ways to improve the company, simplify procedures and increase productivity. Give a $50 reward for ideas that will be implemented. 18 | You must challenge employees. Give them as much responsibility as they are ready for and allow them to fail as well as succeed. 19 | Praise is the number one employee motivator. Do not forget to do it. An employee that feels appreciated is an employee for life. 20 | Purchase the best business and industry books for a “company library” and encourage employees to read and consult them. 21 | To have a superstar team, hire people who know more about their specialty than you do. This is how a company grows. There you have it, the 21 things that can positively impact your business in the short-term. If you are already doing most of these things (or you are ready for long-term success planning), drop us an email with where your company is at, growth-wise, and we will give you some suggestions on what the right next step is for you. Send your questions or comments to Info@RemodelersAdvantage. com or call us at (301) 490-5620.

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LEARNING CURVE

Wood Work Advice Two books cover lumber from a structural design and sustainability perspective.

SUSTAINABLE TIMBER DESIGN Routledge Historically there has been less information on structural timber design than more widespread familiar or traditional structural materials such as steel and concrete. Sustainable Timber Design From Routledge aims to help redress the balance by presenting the essential design principles involved in the creation of elegant, user-friendly timber buildings that are practical, economic, and thoroughly sustainable. This new resource book covers the material selection, structural design and connections detailing of truly sustainable timber buildings through: • Consideration of the nature of wood and the heritage of

timber construction, including the importance of forestry and conservation; • A review of modern techniques to improve the durability, fire resistance and predictability of structural timber elements and their vital connections; • Analysis of the many architectural and structural options, from roundwood shells through glulam arches and gridshells to long span hybrid structures; • Case studies from around the world illustrating the principles discussed and the true potential of timber construction. Designed to support specialist study into the benefits of 21st Century timber engineering, it also offers construction professionals practical advice on all aspects of modern timber architecture.

SOLID WOOD: CASE STUDIES IN MASS TIMBER ARCHITECTURE, TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN Routledge Over the past 10 to 15 years a renaissance in wood architecture has occurred with the development of new wood building systems and design strategies, elevating wood from a predominantly single-family residential idiom to a rival of concrete and steel construction for a variety of building types, including high rises. This new solid wood architecture offers environmental, construction and aesthetic benefits, and is growing in importance for green design. Solid Wood: Case Studies in Mass Timber Architecture, Technology and Design from Routledge gives readers an understanding of new mass timber/massive wood architecture. It provides: • Historical context in wood architecture from around the world; • A strong environmental rationale for the use of wood in buildings;

• Information on recent developments in contemporary fire safety and structural issues; • Insights into building code challenges; • Detailed case studies of new large-scale wood building systems on a country-by-country basis. Case studies from Canada, the U.S., U.K., Norway, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Italy, New Zealand and Australia highlight design strategies, construction details and unique cultural attitudes in wood design. The case studies include some of the most ambitious academic, hospitality, industrial, multi-family and wood office buildings in the world. Solid Wood includes discussions from leading architectural, engineering, and material manufacturing firms in Europe, North America and the South Pacific, to act as a guide to 21st Century wood architecture and its environmental and cultural benefits. Both books are currently available from www.amazon.ca and www.chapters.indigo.ca.

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FEATURE

Expans Perfecting

Expansion is never easy, nor is there a right time to pursue it, just a better one. BY DAVID CHILTON SAGGERS

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

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s there ever a right time for business expansion? Much depends on the business in question, but as a rule there are no right times just better ones. What constitutes a better time? Again, that depends on who is answering the question. Brad Poulos, an instructor at Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers School of Management in Toronto, says there are a number of assumptions a contractor considering expansion must make. First is that the contractor already has a scalable business model in place. There is no point in making something that is only marginally profitable into something bigger. “What you want to do first is fine-tune the business and the business model: how is it that this particular business makes money? You want to have that solid before you bother to expand it, of course,” Poulos says. If things can go wrong with a marginal business, with a bigger business things can go a lot more wrong. A second assumption is that the contractor is expanding because he believes that there is extra business available. Still, Poulos asks, is that extra business sustainable? Suppose, Poulos says, a business owner is thinking of expanding because he thinks he can get some more work from the Pan Am Games in Toronto in 2015. “Well, that’s great, but what do you do after that?” he asks. Another consideration about sustainability is whether there will be additional work during a downturn in the business cycle. Some sec-

tors are fortunately unaffected by cyclical declines, but construction is not among them, cautions Poulos. The numbers back him up. In a still so-so economy, seasonally adjusted building permits Canada-wide for September 2014 were valued at $7.5 billion, according to Statistics Canada. For the same period in 2013 the value was $10.8 billion. Rae Cowan, program co-ordinator at the Centre for Entrepreneurship at Toronto’s Centennial College, has some further ideas about expansion, including that contractors not spread themselves too thin. “One of the key things these days is it is not good to be a generalist. That applies to many businesses,” Cowen says. “It is necessary to have a specialty whether it is ‘teardowns’ and restarting from the ground up or specializing in kitchens, bathrooms and family rooms.” If these assumptions are met, then what comes next must be a question of finances. Specifically, who or what is going to finance expansion? In the second week of November 2014, Canada’s prime business rate (the average interest on corporate loans by commercial banks) was 3%; however, Poulos cautions that just because loans are in the low-single digits does not mean it is a borrower’s paradise. “I do not think you should borrow just because money is cheap,” he says. “The reason is that it might not be cheap for ever, and then what do you do? I would not let low rates drive the expansion decision.”

Design Talk Richard Luciani is the president of Cedar Point Real Estate Corp. based in Richmond Hill, Ont. Q: You can have a great product, a great service, but if people do not know about it, it will not fly. What are some of the things contractors needs to do to get their messages out? A: Word-of-mouth is tremendous in the renovation-contracting side of things, because there is still a bit of a stigma about bad renovators. If you are a good guy, you have got to let people know you can be trusted. What I see over and over is contractors not taking pictures of “before” and “after” work. This goes a huge way towards building a portfolio, building something you can have with you when you go to pitch for work. Take proper photographs. If they are only so-so, are they a reflection of the work you are doing? When contractors go to meet people they present business cards, but maybe they should offer a two or three-page brochure as well.

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What then should the contractor who is expanding his business do? Poulos advises a mixture of equity and debt, because debt alone is too risky. Cowan also suggests caution when it comes to financing an expansion. He says contractors may be expert at hiring and motivating skilled trades, but when it comes to money get an expert. “We certainly encourage entrepreneurs to have an accountant and a tax accountant.” Poulos says essentially the same thing. He recommends hiring a financial advisor for contractors who are concerned that they are not fully up to speed when it comes to money, theirs or the banks. Hire an advisor once or twice and pay attention to what he or she is doing, he says, because after that you will know what to do yourself. Expansion also means hiring more than a financial advisor. It means the employment of skilled trades, who expect to be paid on schedule. Cowan says the employees expansion-bound contractors should hire stand out from the crowd; they have a strong passion for their work. “They have got it written all over them.” Still, even the most passionate bricklayer or carpenter needs encouragement from time to time, so contractors should spend time motivating their hires. At the same time you must ensure your business is attractive enough to keep them, Cowan adds. Staff turnover, as any employer will attest, can be brutal and for an expanding company it may prove fatal. Poulos has some further advice about skilled labour. He says contractors in expansion mode should keep a keen eye on

the labour market and he recommends using information coming out of Ottawa, as the federal government provides reliable statistics on the state of the labour market. Careful financing, equally careful hiring, and the prospect of a steadily increasing flow of work may provide the necessary underpinning of a successful expansion, but without telling customers old and new about new services they may be beside the point. Cowan says make the expanded business visible; put it as close to “Main Street” as possible. Further, use social media, he says. Having a corporate online presence goes without saying, since websites are now so inexpensive to set up and maintain. Poulos says the construction-renovation sector, like others, is responsive to competitive bidding, so he suggests contractors initially pare their margins back a bit to win a few bids on cost with the newly expanded business. Consumers are familiar with such practices from trips to the supermarket, which always hold loss leader promotions. As for contractors who are expanding, he offers a further caution: “If you expand into new business areas than that is something you obviously want to keep a very sharp eye on, because your company is still in a learning mode. Be careful about going outside your core business capabilities; but, that said, that is how a lot of growth occurs.” Expansion, then, is never easy, nor is there a right time to pursue it, just a better one, a state contractors can create by paying attention to the business fundamentals.

Q: What might be good marketing tactics to use to say, “You can trust me?” A: Testimonials, for sure. It is best to say, “Here is a list of the work I have done over the past two to three years. Feel free to contact who you would like.” This way, the contractor is not qualifying who is being contacted. If you are doing some reno, put a sign on the front lawn. A good, clean, professional sign. Keep your vehicles clean. Put out information in the area where you are working. Websites are great, too, but they have to be up to date. Q: How can you persuade a contractor that marketing his company is not a frill? A: Some of those guys just are not wired that way. They are really good on the tools or they are really good running a jobsite. Marketing is on their list of things to do, but they don’t, because they are busy. If it is something you feel you just cannot handle, hire somebody. Reach out to some of the schools that have graphic design programs. It is not going to cost tens of thousands of dollars. Do not be afraid of spending money in the right spots. You want people to know that you are successful, that you do good work and that you are fair in your pricing and you are trustworthy. I would encourage every contractor to become members of their local homebuilders association. It will give them great networking and camaraderie opportunities, and they run a lot of seminars and courses on exactly what we are talking about. Also, if you are a member of a local homebuilders association you can then enter their awards contests. There is nothing better than winning and saying “we just won an award at the local level; we just won an award at the provincial level’. We just won a renovation award at the national level.” It is a huge marketing tool. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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FEATURE

Advanced

CEILINGS Want to upgrade a ceiling? Suspended panels or surface-mounted tiles could provide the answer, and not just in the basement. BY JOHN G. SMITH

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

PHOTO: ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES

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eiling options hardly need to be limited to a smooth sheet of drywall. Coffered looks, with recessed panels that are set between beams, have been around since ancient Greece. Any contractor who has worked on a home built between the 1960s and early ’80s will likely be familiar with the popcorn textures introduced to reduce noise, and perhaps more importantly, mask imperfections in less-than-ideal surfaces. Those looking to refine the look of a cottage or create an appearance that evokes thoughts of the seaside might opt for a sense of texture using tongue and groove planks. Gaze skyward in any modern office space, however, and there is a good chance that you will find a series of panels suspended in a grid. There is a good reason. This is one of the easiest and quickest ways to enclose the plenums which house ducts and cables. The advantage,

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of course, is that the panels can quickly be removed to access anything underneath. They were not always that easy to remove. The first dropped ceilings required tiles to be pulled out from the edge of the ceiling, or after starting with a key tile. Donald Brown of Westlake, Ohio is largely considered to be the father of panels that could be removed from any position. Those first became popular in the 1960s. In homes, suspended ceilings eventually emerged as a great way to enclose the wiring and pipes which need to be accessed above a basement rec room as well. Installing a home theatre during a renovation? The tiles suspended in grids mounted on hangers or wires offer an easy way to tuck cables and power cords out of view. Suspended ceilings can easily be installed by most contractors and renovators, says Naeem Malik, Armstrong’s national ceilings sales manager. “This is a product that is a great fit for interior fin-

CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

ish, particularly basements, or if you have an older property that you are finishing.” Indeed, there is no need to limit the option to a basement. “Time is money these days,” Malik adds. “This is a much easier product to work with than tearing out that old drywall or plaster and refinishing.” Repairing an aging lath and plaster ceiling is a rare skill. Sheets of drywall will also be heavier to lift than individual acoustical ceiling tiles and panels. The suspended panels can be used to cover unwanted textured popcorn ceilings, too. They will certainly be cleaner to install than spraying the textured ceiling with a Hudson sprayer, scraping away the “popcorn” with a purpose-made ceiling texture scraper or drywall knife, collecting the debris, and sanding the final surface. The products do not sacrifice ceiling heights in any significant way, either. The ceilings without light fixtures can be installed with as little as 3” clearance.

PHOTOS: ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES

Even if a light fixture needs to lay into the metal framework, the final result will be as little as 5” deep. The biggest challenge can involve educating homeowners about the available options. While contractors tend to focus on the functional benefits of these ceilings, homeowners will be more interested in the final appearance, Malik says. “Consumers will embrace this product if you offer them the nice, decorative options. The thing they care about is, ‘What is it going to look like?’” There is a broad array of textures, colours and looks to consider. Armstong’s product lines now offer a host of choices which minimize the traditional “commercial” look of soundmuffling acoustical panels, readily identified by the series of cuts and holes which help to control the noise. The company’s drop ceiling panels include looks such as the coffered Easy

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FEATURE

Elegance for formal rooms. Other options can mimic the floral and woven patterns of a Victorian tin ceiling framed by a coordinating cornice. The ceiling panels themselves can come in copper, brass, chrome, and white or paintable lacquered steel. The look of antique tin can offer a perfect fit for a home in a historic or country setting. Today’s designs can camouflage the frames which hold them in place, Malik says as another example. Like any other building material, there are differences between value-priced systems and their premium counterparts. Some panels are manufactured especially to resist sags, will more effectively retain their form in high-humidity settings such as basements and bathrooms, and resist 28

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mold and mildew. “A basement is inherently a damp space,” Malik says. The functional advantages are not limited to maintaining shapes. The same acoustic properties which control the sound in an open-concept office can also baffle the noise traveling through a home’s spaces. An acoustical ceiling will absorb about half the noise which hits the surface, Malik says. Reflective surfaces and the bright appearance will be particularly important when looking to lighten the otherwise dark caverns of a basement. Options with a high Light Reflectance Value (LRV) will perform best in this role. As white as most of the tiles and panels tend to be, they also have a decidedly “green” hue. They can be made from post-

CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

consumer and post-industrial products alike. Even the metal tiles contain up to 60% recycled steel and aluminum. Mineral fibre tiles are made with slag wool from steel production. Concerned about fire safety? Noncombustible mineral fibre board is a Class A building material that will even exceed many local building codes. Select options can even improve air quality. Armstrong’s Brightex ceiling panels will remove up to half of the formaldehyde in the air for up to a decade, while also reducing noise and brightening the room. As simple as all of these materials are to install, there are tricks of the trade to consider. “The most common mistake a contractor might make is not laying out the

PHOTOS: ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES

defined with a drywall border, helping to enhance the appearance, while an existing 2x4 grid can be converted to support 2x2’ panels by simply running cross tees between the primary runners. Another way dimensions can make a difference when looking to redefine a space is to consider the depths in coffered systems. Deeper coffers will offer a dramatic look on a high ceiling, but a shallower design will create a lighter feel. The latter feel will be particularly important when working with lower ceiling heights. The actual installation process differs when installing surface-mounted ceiling tiles which do not sit in channels. Traditionally this required wood furring strips on 12” centres, and hand stapling the tiles in place. Today they can be fixed in place using tracks, clips, nails or glue. Armstrong offers an alternative in the form of an Easy Up system which replaces the wood furring with a metal track, and a series of clips which hold the edges. The end result is stable and does not buckle. Tiles such as these are most often used in upper floors of a home, taking as little as an inch of depth including the space and metal track alike. “Some of our wood plank ceilings

are gaining in popularity because they provide a very classic wood finish look, but using more modern materials,” Malik adds. The company’s WoodHaven tongue and groove laminate ceilings are prefinished and matched at the ends, and installed with clips. “It installs in half the time it would take you to install a traditional wood ceiling because there is no nailing,” he says. Traditional planks require angled toe nails at the edges. In contrast, this option can be installed at a rate of 20 square foot per hour. Colours will make a difference of their own. A lighter ash or bamboo will help a room feel darker. A darker wood will offer a feeling of warmth, but will also make the ceiling look lower. Typically planks such as these are run parallel to the longest wall in the room, coinciding with the direction of any hardwood floors underneath. The idea is to lay the boards perpendicular to the view as someone enters the space. Bead board can add yet another texture, offering the tailored look usually associated with a more formal cottage setting. They are just a few examples of the upgrades that can be made.

room properly,” Malik says, referring to the need to “square” the room. The goal is to have an equal border of tiles around the perimeter of the space, rather than having a full panel on one wall and a sliver of a panel on the next. “You take the measurement of the room and you divide it by the product,” he explains. If the wall is not perfectly square, the tiles can easily be trimmed at the perimeter. The good news is that the panels themselves can be trimmed using nothing more than a sharp utility knife. “The product is a little fragile,” he warns, stressing that it should be handled with caution. Given the traditionally light colours, it is also important to keep hands clean so the surfaces are not covered in dirt or smudges. The perimeter itself can be further CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

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FEATURE

COUNTER

POINT There are plenty of choices when

looking to upgrade a kitchen’s working surface. Each has its own pros and cons.

BY JOHN G. SMITH

ew household surfaces face more ongoing abuse than a kitchen counter. Choose the related materials poorly and a renovated kitchen will appear to age before its time. Choose well and the surfaces will create a welcome focal point in the space for years to come. Laminate countertops continue to be the product of choice in many renovation projects, in part because of their affordable price points when compared to other options, says Jim Corrigan, president of Postform Products, which has been supplying Castle dealers with laminated products for decades. The appearances are also more refined than ever. “We are seeing the use of clean profiles, such as our Ora profile with pronounced wood grains or subtle stone patterns,” Corrigan says. “You would never know the difference from natural materials ... you cannot tell the difference if you put people in a room with them.” 30

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CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

PHOTO: BELANGER LAMINATES / LAMINÉS

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Like any other building product, there are differences in quality from one option to the next. Corrigan refers to the options available through Belanger Laminates as an example. A standard matte finish, available through options like Formica -58, Wilsonart-60 and Arborite-CA, will offer a good value-priced choice. Textured finishes such as the Arborite-BC and Wilsonart-22 build on that. The premium options such as Wilsonart’s -35, -45, and -55 Aeon textures introduce superior printing and finishing. While glossy finishes are stunning to look at, and will easily resist heat, there is a drawback, Corrigan says. “They are less resistant to scratching.” As important as the material choices may be, they also need to be properly installed. “It is a semi-skilled product. It is not something you go out and say, ‘I install countertops,’” he says. This can be enough to convince even experienced doit-yourselfers to ask for help from trained contractors. The secret to a proper installation will be to ensure that all the cabinets are level, Corrigan says. “We have seen countertops you could do a roller coaster on.” This is avoided by shimming from the bottom of the cabinets and scribing a toe kick to hide any sins. Next to the wall, the counters should be scribed to hug the 32

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wall as tightly as possible, rather than simply filling gaps with quarter round. Everything is then finished with a bead of silicone to ensure there is no path for water to flow underneath. Laminate countertops are typically available in 4’, 6’, 8’, 10’, and 12’ lengths, and any orders should be calculated up to the next foot, leaving some space for waste, he adds. Formatop, another supplier, refers to the need to measure the total length of each piece along the back where the countertop meets the wall, and then measuring the width, with both dimensions including the backsplash. A bit of careful planning will ensure that the opening in a sink does not end up in the middle of a butt joint or a miter. There may also need to add 11/16” wooden blocks underneath to ensure the doors or drawers can open. When the walls are nice and square, right angles can be quickly calculated using the Pythagorean theorem. If the two straight edges measure 3’ and 4’ from the same corner, the diagonal line between them should measure 5’. A template, however, will address more uneven shapes. Another option in a renovation, of course, is simply to measure the countertop being removed. As important as the flat surface and final fit will be, the profiles will make their

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own difference to the looks. The front and back edges of postform laminates, cemented to an underlying core made of particle board, can offer a seamless shape from the leading edge to the backsplash, eliminating leaks. Introduce a straight edge and the design takes on more of a contemporary appeal, while an S-shaped “ogee” edge will offer a more traditional look. The straight edges themselves can be finished with options such as wood edging, although in these cases it will also be important to ensure a tight seal to keep moisture out of the joints, Formatop adds.

Set in stone As popular as laminate may be, there are plenty of other options to consider, particularly if the countertop itself is to be used as a chopping surface rather than reaching for a cutting board. Each will come with its own pros and cons. Granite, for example, will need to be regularly sealed to protect against stains, and as a natural product the look can vary from one supply to the next. Active bakers, meanwhile, might opt for a cool marble surface, which is available in an array of colours and includes dominate veins. Unfortunately, this material can be stained by such things as lemon and oil, and can also be scratched. Sealers will help, but the surfaces can be damaged

PHOTO: BELANGER LAMINATES / LAMINÉS

if cleaned with an abrasive cleaner. There are several factors to consider before deciding if a stone needs to be sealed, according to the Marble Institute of America, referring to such things as the hardness, density, and how quickly the material will absorb a liquid. Polished surfaces will resist stains better than honed surfaces. Where food is prepared, stone may need to be protected with an impregnating sealer that penetrates the surface. While this will keep out contaminants, it will still allow moisture to escape. Of course, the choice will have to be safe for food. When the building materials include a resin, there is the question of how it will react. Sealers themselves have been known to react to some cleaning chemicals and components in the stone surface. As solid as they are, vein-covered granite or marble less than ¾” thick will require the support of subtops made of such material as an exterior plywood or waterproof MDF. For customers who request a more even appearance, limestone may offer the answer. The trade off is that it can be nicked and will stain even when sealed. Quartz, also known as engineered stone, combines natural quartz and a small amount of resin, and is known for resisting stains, heat and mold. An added advantage is that it does not need to be sealed. In addition to offering a specific look, a rounder edge on this material will also help to protect it against chipping. For its part, soapstone offers an elegant look but is easily damaged and needs to be treated with mineral oil on an ongoing basis. A darkly-shaded slate, traditionally found in laboratory settings, is less expensive than granite and will resist heat and water, while any damage can be sanded away. Custom kitchens might even include dyed concrete, which will need to be protected with a penetrating sealer to stand against heat, but this will still leave it prone to stains. In terms of measurements, the top of a stone cabinet should be within 1/8” of flat and level across a 10’ span, according to the Marble Institute. Shims should also be no more than 2’ apart unless the stone is first hard-packed with an epoxy or resin. Any stone surfaces should certainly be dry fit into place before applying an adhesive like a silicone sealant. Of course, natural products are not limited to ceramics or stone.

Butcher block typically comes in woods, such as maple or beech. Those covered in varnish and oil will best be able to protect against stains. The most even wear will require wood that is cut across the grain. Just ensure that customers are aware that these surfaces have been known to blacken near sinks, or take on rust stains under metal kitchen equipment. The most modern look of all will likely come in the form of stainless steel counters, some of which even come with builtin sinks. These surfaces can be in matte or polished finishes, or come in a pattern, and there is no denying how easily they can be cleaned. There is a reason that steel tables are found in operating room. Solid surfaces made from products such as acrylic and polyester are able to

offer the looks of natural stone and allow for easy sanding of any minor marks. Still, any stains will need to be cleaned with a purpose-made product before resealing. Otherwise, the stain will simply be sealed and protected in place. The solid counter options are not limited to any single sheet. Mosaic and clay tiles can offer a sense of texture which will find a home in any southwestern motif. The challenge here, of course, is that grout lines can present a challenge when cleaning. As important as a resulting appearance will always be, there are practical factors to consider when choosing a working surface. Customers will need to be informed about them. It is part of the job.

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FEATURE

INSULATION

EVOLUTION

New breakthroughs mean your clients will be comfortably warm in winter and refreshingly cool in summer. BY STEFAN DUBOWSKI

PHOTO: CERTAINTEED

il and gas prices may be down, but that does not mean your current and future clients plan to throw open the windows and blast the furnace all winter. News of a natural gas glut and over-abundant crude oil certainly are making the headlines, but a survey conducted by the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance found that 76% of building owners and 73% of business operators make energy efficiency a high priority. The not-for-profit group, with members such as the Canadian Construction Association and utility companies across the country, also found that 61% of businesses saw their energy costs increase over the last year. Energy efficiency is the name of the game these days and if oil and gas prices rebound, you can bet energy costs will become an even greater challenge for your customers down the road. The quality and quantity of insulation play important roles in a building’s energy performance. Insulation manufacturers know demand for their products is increasing (see “Demand for insulation improves” on page 39). As a smart contractor, you should learn about the latest insulation innovations, so when customers ask for advice, you will be ready to respond. Read on and learn about notable steps in spray-in fibreglass and rigid foam insulation, and for details about a new type of vapour barrier that really is a breath of fresh air. CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

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Insulating blanket solves pool problem

When building the pool facilities for the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, the companies involved had to keep energy efficiency top of mind. An innovative insulation product proved to be an important part of their plans. The CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Aquatics Centre and Field House (PAAC) is one of the main hubs for Canada’s largest multisport event. Billing the competition as carbon-neutral, the games’ organizers insisted that all facilities had to meet stringent environmental and energy requirements. In the case of the PAAC, the insulation would have to achieve an R-value of 20 to make the grade. Doing so in the facility’s training pool area was no leisurely dip in the lake. Architects had designed a slanted precast wall that incorporated a return situated just 1.5” away from the backup wall, leaving too little space for traditional insulation. Nonetheless, insulation was necessary for the building to operate energy-efficiently. For a solution, the project team turned to Dow Corning’s HPI-1000 Building Insulation Blanket, which is less than ½” thick. Installers put the material at the base of the wall and then used spray-foam insulation above the blanket to form a continuous building envelope. Thus the builders achieved R-20 without sacrificing the architects’ design.

PHOTO: CERTAINTEED

Smart vapour barrier lets walls breathe Good air circulation is critical for a healthy indoor environment, but in wall cavities stuffed with insulation, air rarely moves. That stasis can cause moisture problems, according to insulation maker CertainTeed. The company points out that even walls protected with strong plastic vapour barriers can harbour moisture. The dampness can lead to mold, which is not only hazardous to building occupants’ health, but also expensive for property owners to remove. For a solution, CertainTeed developed MemBrain, a vapour barrier that changes permeability depending on the season. During winter and when humidity is low, the product helps keep vapour from getting into wall cavities, similar to the way traditional vapour barriers work. During summer and periods of high humidity, though, MemBrain’s pores open up, providing an escape route for vapour that has worked its way into the wall. MemBrain looks just like a normal polyethylene vapour barrier and it is installed the same way. CertainTeed, though, used polyamide as the product’s base material. Unlike polyethylene, which is used to make traditional vapour barriers, polyamide enables MemBrain to breathe in summer and protect in winter. MemBrain costs $300 to $500 more for your average new-home project. Compare that to the $500 to $10,000 a property owner could face to remove mold in the future and the cost for the CertainTeed product seems a bargain. CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

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Spray-in fibreglass now suits 2x6 wall construction Good news for renovators of older buildings: Johns Manville earlier this year announced that its JM Spider Spray-in custom fibreglass insulation had received the Canadian Construction Materials Centre’s approval for thermal resistance of R-24 in a 2x6 wall cavity. This achievement means the product is now certified for construction projects that incorporate 2x6 studs. Like its insect namesake, Spider can get into tight spaces around pipes, wires and electrical boxes, but in the insulating product’s case, of course, the aim is to maximize thermal performance. The material is particularly handy for projects to enhance the insulation of existing walls and wall cavities, such as those in older or poorly insulated buildings. It can be used in wall and overhead applications in both wood and steel framing. Spider requires wall hoses of just 1” in interior diameter, which is smaller than the hoses needed to inject competing products, making installation less intrusive: smaller wall holes are required and there is less cleanup afterwards. The product consists of miniscule nodules that easily make their way around obstacles for uniformly filled wall cavities. The nodules also flow more easily through installation equipment, so clogs are less likely than they are with products that use bigger fibreglass pieces. Smaller is better for heat retention. Packed together, the finediameter nodules effectively hinder heat and airflow, resulting in excellent thermal resistance. Adding further to its R-value, Spider scatters and absorbs heat-producing infrared radiation. The product is rated at R-4.3 per inch, which calculates as R-15 in 3.5” cavities. Made of fibreglass, Spider is mold resistant and non-combustible. On the green front, it contains 25% recycled glass. It is made without formaldehyde, so it does not harm indoor air quality. Those are just some of the latest soft products available to help insulate buildings and reduce heating and air-conditioning expenses for property owners. Turning to rigid foam options, Roxul Inc. and Plasti-Fab Ltd. offer innovative products designed to further mitigate against rising energy costs.

PHOTO: CERTAINTEED

Apply a hard stop to heat leaks Roxul has introduced COMFORTBOARD Commercial Insulated Sheathing (CIS), a rigid stone-wool insulation board designed for use with commercial rainscreen wall systems. This vapourpermeable, water-repellant insulator lets the building breathe while keeping water away from wall cavities. It comes in thicknesses from 1” to 3”, with R-values from 4 to 12. “New energy codes are driving the need for high-performance wall systems and COMFORTBOARD CIS provides a true continuous insulation solution,” says Roxul vice-president of building envelope and specification sales Brian LeVoguer. He adds that the product is also sound absorbent for an additional level of peace and quiet. Plasti-Fab, meanwhile, has introduced its new EnerSpan M-24 EPS for slab, foundation-wall and exterior insulation. The product is manufactured using BASF’s Neopor insulating material. You might spot Neopor for its unusual silver-grey colour, which results from the high-purity graphite in the product’s polymer mix. Graphite reflects and absorbs heat, so

Neopor does an exceptional job of keeping the cold out and the warmth in when temperatures drop. In fact, Neopor increases its R-value as the thermometer dips. Plasti-Fab technical marketing manager James Whalen explains that Neopor’s cells are filled with air. The colder that air becomes, the less heat the air conducts. As well, the material’s graphite content is especially effective at reducing radiation heat transfer. Thus the R-value of the insulator ticks up as temperatures slide down. GreenGuard certified for indoor air quality, Neopor contains no ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbon. Neopor also ranks high on the vapour-permeability scale, which means walls and floors protected by this product are less likely to grow moldy. Specific to its EnerSpan M-24 panels, Plasti-Fab says contractors will find them easy to cut and install, and at the end of the day, the panels are recyclable, too. They come with a 100% long-term R-value warranty, which means the panels will never lose their insulating capabilities. All four edges of the boards are shiplapped for continuous insulation coverage. Plasti-Fab offers three thicknesses and R-values: 1.5”, R-6.8; 2”, R-9.1; 3”, R-13.6. With these new products, you can help customers improve building efficiency and reduce energy usage, which is just what clients want. Proof point: according to the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance’s survey, 68% of businesses favour more stringent energy building codes, even though such amendments could increase real estate costs. If business operators are willing to pay more up front for better energy efficiency in the long term, contractors who can offer advice about highperformance insulation could benefit.

Demand for insulation improves

Insulation manufacturers may smile to learn that the need for their product is on the upswing. In a report about the insulation industry, market researchers at the Freedonia Group Inc. predict that North American demand for residential-project insulation will grow by more than 5% each year through to 2018. These gains could help manufacturers make up for poor growth experienced from 2008 to 2013, the result of housing construction declines. Manufacturers of certain types of insulation will benefit most: Freedonia expects market share of foamed plastic insulation will grow fastest, stealing business away from fibreglass and mineral wool products. CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

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FEATURE

ENGINEERED FOR

STRENGT Engineered lumber is poised for a strong showing this year, which is why you need to know more about the “new wood.” BY NESTOR E. ARELLANO

ate last September, Ontario’s housing ministry quietly announced a new building code that will allow the use of wood-frames for buildings up to six storeys starting in 2015. Although it received scant notice among the general public, the news was considered by many in the country’s lumber and construction industries to be the year’s most significant development. Ontario only follows Quebec, which passed a similar building code in 2013 and British Columbia which had such a code back in 2009. For lumber manufacturers it means a boost to a struggling industry. In Ontario alone, 60 lumber mills have closed down and 45,000 jobs were lost during the last decade. For builders, especially those focus40

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ing on small-scale condos and office buildings, it means substantial savings because wood costs as much as 20% less than other construction materials such as steel and concrete.

Learning the language of engineered lumber According to industry experts, the expected growth in lumber use will come down to so-called engineered lumber, which has remained in the margins of the market for decades despite some excellent attributes. “Many six-storey structures that would have been built chiefly with steel and concrete will now incorporate more wood in the framework,” says Steven Street, technical director of the Ontario Wood Works. “This is a great opportu-

CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

nity for engineered lumber to exhibit its strengths.” If so, this means contractors long used to working with sawn or dimensional lumber will need to familiarize themselves with abbreviations such as LVL, LSL, Glulam and I-joist (see “Lexicon of the new lumber” on page 43). Equally as important, contractors will need to gain a new understanding of the force and load resistance, as well as limitations, of these materials that some call “the wood of the future.” The term engineered lumber is used to loosely describe structural components made of wood that has been fabricated, Street says. There are many different processes used to create a variety of engineered wood, but in general they involve bonding wood strands, veneers or lumber

FEATURE

PHOTO: TAIGA

TH to produce a composite unit stronger than the sum of its parts. “Engineered wood actually improves on the inherent advantages of wood,” he says. “For example, I-joist or Glulam can bear heavier loads than dimensional lumber.” I-joist is a structural, load-carrying product. The material got its name from its cross section, which looks like a capital letter I. It is made up of a top and bottom flange that is separated by a vertical piece. The flanges are made of sawn lumber or engineered wood, but the middle part is plywood or another form of engineered wood. I-joists are used for joists and rafters because they are lighter than sawn lumber and can span greater distances. Glulam, also known as glue-laminated timber, is made up of layers of lumber bonded together with moisture resistant glue.

Key advantages Foot for foot, I-joists will weigh 50% to 60% less than sawn lumber of similar dimensions, so it is easier to transport and handle in the jobsite. Consistency and dimensional stability are the key advantages of engineered wood, according to Dave McNeil, vicepresident of Taiga. “They are manufactured according to strict standards,” he says. “If a panel or beam of engineered wood is fabricated to withstand a specified load, have a specific stiffness and react in a certain way, you can be sure it will.” Shrinkage is minimal and engineered woods are resistant to warping, cupping and twisting. By contrast, the stiffness and strength of dimensional lumber is determined by specie, grade and lumber size. Contractors also know that the true size of dimensional wood varies from their stated dimensions. Dimensional wood sized 2”x4” is actually 1 ½”x3 ½” and a 2”x10” joist really measures 1 ½”x 9 ½”. With considerable drying, the height can be expected to shrink another ¼” or more a year or two after installation. Because of the consistent quality of engineered lumber; however, it becomes more important for contractors and builders to work closely with manufacturers and distributors to ensure they are using the right grade of engineered wood for the task at hand, Street says. Engineered wood allow builders and

architects greater design flexibility, because the material can generally be fabricated to cover longer spans, says Wayne Roznowsky, manager for public affairs at Weyerhaeuser. For example, his company’s Parallam brand of parallel strand lumber (PSL) is manufactured as a 12”x12” or 12”x18”, but the beams are “continuously formed.” The typical beam lengths are made to a maximum length of 60’. PSL is made from clipped veneer strands laid in parallel alignment and bonded with adhesive. The material can support heavy loads and is used for beams, headers, columns and posts. “Engineered lumber like laminated strand lumber (LSL) are ideal for vertical applications because you can build 20’ straight up with just one piece,” McNeil says. “This gives you to ability to design attractive structures in step with the current trend of higher ceilings and taller walls, but it also helps cut cost because you are using less lumber.” LSL is made of a mixture of Northern hardwoods, such as aspen and maple. The strands are coated with resin and bonded together with a steam injection press process that makes it stiffer and straighter than dimensional lumber. Taiga markets the LP SolidStart LSL and LP SolidStart I-joist. McNeil says I-joists also have an advantage over dimensional wood joists when it comes to floor span and spacing.

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Typical dimensional wood floor spans go up to 18’ feet and would require tight spacing from one joist to the next or the use of double joists; however, I-joist lengths can go up to 60’, making them ideal for open concept floor plans. Builders can also use wider spacing for I-joists, because the material is stronger. This can cut costs, since it means fewer joists need to be installed.

Sustainability Compared with steel, concrete and dimensional lumber, engineered wood are more environmentally friendly, according to Street. For instance, he says, the fabrication process of engineered wood releases less carbon and other toxins into the atmosphere compared to that of concrete and steel. Dimensional lumber is milled from cultivated forest and are a renewable and sustainable product, however, the processing of engineered lumber typically requires 30% to 60% less wood and it can be made from smaller and faster growing trees.

PHOTO: TAIGA

Limitations For all their good qualities, engineered wood does have some limitations. For example, water can damage engineered wood, so its use is limited to interior construction. Contractors and sub-contractors must know the properties of the new material and become familiar with the use of components that it requires such as ties and hangers. Special care should be taken when cutting engineered wood to install electrical and plumbing components because damage to the strand structure can compromise its strength. For example, when using I-joists, holes that are 1.5” in diameter are generally acceptable as long as they are not drilled on or into the flange. Damage to I-joists is typically associated with notching of the flanges or failure to follow manufacturer’s instructions regarding drilling holes on the web. There are also some concerns that I-joists are susceptible to fire damage because they lack mass compared to dimensional lumber and are reliant on glue or resin.

Market resistance Much of the resistance to engineered

wood can be traced to cost and lack of familiarity with how to work with the product, says Kelvin Johnston, senior buyer for commodity lumber and panels at Castle Building Centres. “Dimensional lumber is a commodity,” he says. “Builders and contractors will continue to use it as long as the material is able to meet their needs and help them save on cost.” For now, he says, dimensional lumber continues to command the largest share of the market and engineered wood

remains a small part of many distributors’ business. Manufacturers and distributors are hesitant to make price comparison between engineered wood and dimensional wood, but many agree that engineered lumber generally costs more than their sawn lumber counterparts. Proponents say engineered wood makes up for the price difference with its strength, the flexibility it affords builders, faster installation and the reduction in wood needed for projects.

Lexicon of the new lumber It still makes up a small margin of the wood market, but according to some studies, engineered wood production is growing at a rate of 20% a year. Contractors need to bone up on a new set of abbreviations as they become more prevalent in the jobsite. LVL – Laminated veneer lumber is made up of wood veneers (typically from polar, fir or pine) that have been laminated together under heat and pressure with moisture-resistant resin. Comparable in strength to solid wood and steel, this material first surfaced in the 1970s and can be used as beams and lintels. LSL – Laminated stand lumber is made of a mixture of strands of Northern hardwoods like aspen and maple that are coated with resin and bonded together with a steam injection press. This makes it stiffer and straighter than dimensional lumber. LSL is often used as floor and roof beams. PSL – Parallel strand lumber is made from clipped veneer strands laid in parallel align-

ment and bonded with adhesive. The material can be made to a maximum length of 60’ and is used for beams, headers, columns and posts. Glulam – Glue-laminated timber is made up of layers of lumber bonded together with moisture resistant glue. The grain of the lamination runs parallel to the member. It can be fabricated with a curve and is ideal for straight beam and curve beam projects. OSB – Oriented strand board is formed by adding adhesives to layers of wood strand laid out in a specific orientation or lying unevenly across each other and then compressing the layers. It is used for sheathing in walls, floors and roof decking as well as a component of I-joists. I-joist – The I-joist got its name from its cross section which looks like a capital letter I. It is made up of a top and bottom flange made of sawn lumber or engineered wood that is separated by a vertical piece called the web, which is made out of OSB or plywood.

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FEATURE

NEW VERSION,

NEW RULES The revised LEED rating system asks some extremely tough questions about material sourcing, ingredients, performance, and even how on-site waste is managed. BY LAWRENCE CUMMER

PHOTO: CSA GROUP

he latest version of the LEED rating system, which recognizes excellence in sustainable building, has been adopted around the world, ultimately resulting in some big changes for those hoping to certify their projects here in Canada. Short for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, the system is currently used in more than 150 countries as a mark of excellence around sustainable building practices. Last year, LEED v4 was approved to be adopted by the US Green Building Council, which updates the system, and extend it even further internationally. The new iteration can be used in Canada now, and will be the only version under which projects can be certified after October 2016. Not the same as a product mark like Energy Star, which highlights the efficiency of a single appliance or product, the LEED rating system was conceived in 1998 to help address, and promote solutions for some serious problems that existed around the environmental impact of buildings. Today, the operation of buildings and homes accounts for more than one-third (35%) of all greenhouse gas emissions and more than one-third (35%) of landfill waste comes from their construction and demolition. It is because of these facts that the industry continues to see ever-stricter national and provincial building codes around R-values and energy use, says Thomas Mueller, president and CEO of

the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC), which administers LEED in Canada. As these regulatory demands climb, programs like LEED must too raise the bar, prompting new iterations like LEED v4. Experts liken it to a continual game of “catch up” or “leapfrog” between the standards bodies and organizations that promote environmental best-practices. “Governments are getting more aggressive around regulation and what they expect from building projects,” Mueller says. “Code requirements are going up and will continue to go up, because overall energy prices are going up for Canadians and governments see buildings as a way to reduce carbon emissions.” It is not just the more than onethird of carbon emissions created by the lighting, heating and cooling of buildings and homes that are a concern to Mueller and regulators. “If you include the energy it takes to make the materials that go into constructing buildings and homes it becomes closer to 50%,” he adds. For that reason, Mueller is excited that among the biggest of LEED v4’s changes is how it looks at building materials. The materials section has been completely revised, he says, placing more emphasis on the complete life-cycle of materials. It looks more closely at a material’s environmental impact from the cradle-to-grave, from the sourcing of raw materials to its ultimate use and disposal. This, he suggests, will have the most impact on Canadian contractors.

New value from EPDs Where past versions of LEED paid attention to whether materials incorporated recycled product or gave off VOCs (volatile organic compounds), LEED v4 asks more questions about material sourcing, ingredients, performance over its lifetime, and even how on-site waste is managed. This is information typically disclosed in Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), documents voluntarily produced by manufacturers to demonstrate the environmental stewardship of their products and which will soon become more important to LEED certification.

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EPDs provide greater transparency, according to the CSA Group, which provides standards development, testing and certification services, including EPDs. The documents provide a standard way to disclose environmental impacts, giving a fuller picture of how “green” a building or home truly is. For contractors, EPDs better spell out the environmental impacts and benefits of a product or material, which can greatly assist with selection, but will also ultimately help with certification by environmental programs like LEED. “When a building construction company wants a project to apply for LEED status through CaGBC, having EPDs for the products used in construction will help them to gain extra points towards it,” says Tara Leitan, CSA project manager for environmental climate change. “EPDs demonstrate that the environmental impacts along the product’s various life-cycle stages have been considered, and that they are also being disclosed in a transparent manner. The more precise your EPDs are, the more points you can attain.” For manufacturers, they can be a powerful marketing tool that lets contractors, builders, architects and engineers know their products are third-party certified to, for example, use less virgin resources, eliminate toxins or have tested-and-proven performance improvements. “Basically EDPs are like a nutritional label on food,” Leitan says, except one for the environmental performance impacts of a building. Last June, the CaGBC and the CSA Group allied around the support of LEED v4 and the CSA’s own EPD program. As part of the alliance, the two organizations will be working together to cross-promote and raise education around their programs. CSA plays a two-part role in EPD development. First, the organization is responsible for creating product category rules (PCRs) that act as the framework on which testing and certification takes place. PCRs sometimes already exist in another market, often Europe, which act as a starting point for CSA to customize North American-specific ones. “In this particular space, in sustainability, Europe has been engaging in triple bottom line-focused activities (which account for social, environmental and financial performance) for 10 or 15 years, and North America is still a relative newcomer,” Leitan says. 46

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Armed with PCRs, manufacturers who want their products differentiated through an EPD then turn to consultants who conduct a life-cycle assessment based on the criteria set out in those rules. It is from this assessment that the EPD document is produced, but it does not end there. The document is then assessed by a third-party verifier and, only after that, brought to the CSA or other body to be registered.

Lessons from the globe With the adoption of LEED v4, the system extends its influence more globally, according to Mueller. “It is not just a U.S. and Canadian system anymore.” Globally, the Green Building Certification Institute, a subsidiary of the US Green Building Council will be respon-

Code requirements are going up and will continue to go up, because overall energy prices are going up for Canadians, and governments see buildings as a way to reduce carbon emissions. sible for reviewing and certifying LEED v4 projects, while the CaGBC will continue to perform those duties here in Canada. It is not business as usual in Canada; however, since, like the rest of the world, the CaGBC will be using online certification for LEED v4, only adapted for the Canadian market. The globalizing and harmonizing of LEED should ultimately be better for the environment too, Mueller suggests. There are reasons, after all, why LEED has picked up more heavily in North America than, for example, in Europe, and also why we often look overseas for insight into sustainable building best practices. “We look today to other countries, particularly in Europe, because they have higher standards,” he says. “In Europe the building standards are heavily regulated, according to European Union directives, and they are very focused on energy and carbon.

CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

“In Canada we tend to not regulate building consumption to the same degree. That is why LEED and the LEED standard have such an important role, because it sets a higher standard that is supported or encouraged by government policy. Still, it is a voluntary standard.” It is a voluntary standard; however, with a strong business case, Mueller adds. And that business case drives adoption. By the fall of 2014, the CaGBC registered its 5,000th LEED project in Canada, and by November the number of LEED certified projects in the country was fast approaching 2,000. In North America, the adoption of a “triple bottom line” incorporating social, ecological and financial performance has motivating builders and developers (and home owners) voluntarily moving to more sustainable building, design and products. After all, more energy efficient structures cost less to run in the long term; a penny saved is a penny earned. Still, beyond the operational cost savings that are reduced by sustainable building practices, Mueller points out that there can be no mistake anymore around the importance of curtailing the greenhouse gasses attributed to construction and buildings. “It is widely accepted that climate change is happening even as we speak, and I think there has clearly become more urgency around it,” he says. “We are saying, we need to move the quality of construction up and we need to build better and better buildings to reduce our carbon footprint and our energy use.” With the changing climate and rising fuel costs in mind, Mueller foresees even greater importance for programs like LEED and expects to continue achieving new milestones and breakthroughs in Canada. “Canada is now widely recognized globally when it comes to green building,” he says. “LEED has received so much support from the industry in Canada over the past 12 years, and I’m looking forward to it over the next 10.” The bar on sustainable building will continue to reach new heights over the next decade, he predicts. “It is a continuous journey. It is just like in life, it never stops. We fly to the moon and we want to go to the stars. It is just human nature to always want to do better and better.” It is one instance when human nature will benefit Mother Nature.

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