Contractor Advantage November / December 2013 by Espress Labs Inc.

COMPLIMENTARY

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013

CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

ALSO:

Climate Control Cabinets PT Lumber

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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

Moulding Magic

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UMBRA™ ROOF UNDERLAYMENT

T H E P R O V E N A LT E R N AT I V E T O # 1 5 & # 3 0 R O O F F E LT Umbra™ represents the future of synthetic roofing underlayment. Made from a completely waterproof construction of woven polypropylene and a nonwoven topcoat, Umbra™ forms a barrier in your roofing system that helps protect residential or light construction roofs in the most extreme weather conditions. Umbra™ Roof Underlayment delivers exceptional long-term weather barrier performance compared to traditional asphalt felt products. For use under asphalt shingles.

• Lightweight – shipping, staging, installing Significantly lighter than comparable asphalt felt products • Requires fewer fasteners than typical asphalt felt products • Requires fewer repairs than typical asphalt felt products

INSTALLER FRIENDLY • Horizontal marker for overlap • No special tools required • Nonwoven topcoat provides exceptional anti-slip properties • Lighter weight – reduces worker fatigue and reduces potential for for worker injury (10 square rolls only 21 lbs)

ADVANTAGES

COST REDUCTION

SUSTAINABILITY 10-Square Roll (40” x 300’)

One 10-square roll covers as much as FIVE rolls of traditional roofing felt!

• Recyclable where facilities exist • Lighter weight – reduces carbon footprint from transportation • Greater roof coverage per roll than traditional roofing felt

PROTECTION • Natural UV protection • Exceptional tear and puncture resistance

Please call or email for technical inquiries and a list of stocking dealers.

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CONTENTS

Features

Climate control /22 There is still a learning process for contractors who want to work on projects that involve a LEED designation.

Perfect cabinetry /26 With nearly unlimited options, homeowners need experienced contractors who can help them find that unique look.

The perfect finishing touch /36 When it comes to providing architectural dressing to the tall rooms of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homes, mouldings and trim soar to the top.

Inside

NEWS WATCH / 05 2014 colour choices PRODUCT SHOWCASE / 11 New and improved products BUSINESS STRATEGIES / 15 Take out the trash SMART MONEY / 16 How to pay yourself ECONOMICS 101 / 18 Preparedness planning LEARNING CURVE / 21 How to avoid a misstep November/December 2013 Vol. 17 No. 6

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 Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 Lucien Canton Alex Carswell Lawrence Cummer Victoria Downing Stefan Dubowski David Chilton Saggers John G. Smith

Bathroom bonanza /42 The remodel-instead-of-move trend is influencing everything from material choices to design features and layouts.

Interior paint tips /48 New paint products make it easier than ever to put the final touch on a project.

Competitive pressure /52 Think about pressure treated lumber this winter because as a product to build decks, fences and other extensions it is the least expensive to use. 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: 905-564-6592 E-mail: jmercieca@castle.ca

CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013

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Just another case of window envy. With good looks and available state-of-the-art features like our leak-free V-Weld technology, it’s no wonder our windows attract attention. A variety of styles and price points ensures that we have the right fit for any project. Next time you’re building, choose our Canadian-made windows and doors to take full advantage of our commitment to ontime delivery and after-sales support. Just don’t be surprised if the job site attracts some attention.

Visit allweatherwindows.com to learn more.

000362.09.07.13

NEWS WATCH

Yellow leads 2014 colour choices BY LAWRENCE CUMMER

right, sunny, warm and lively, yellow will be the colour of choice in home décor in 2014, according to CIL and Sico paints. The two PPG Architectural Coatings brands recently unveiled their colour palettes for 2014 and suggested that homeowners are turning to natural colours to help them escape their highlyconnected environments. “The spectrum of colours for the coming year continues to reflect people’s desire to disconnect from today’s complex world and return to the beauty of nature and art,” says Mylène Gévry, brand director for Sico paint. The company said colours from warm buttery yellows and saturated pastels to robust reds, retro blues, and energetic browns and greys will reflect this trend. CIL’s standout colour next year will be creamy, according to Alison Goldman, brand manager for CIL paint. She called the colour a butter cream yellow; a warm pastel shade with a fullness to it, but which is still light enough to act as a neutral. “It is a soft, buttery colour that emits a feeling of calm, tranquility and renewal,” she said, adding that people continue to look for new directions to retreat from their busy, connected lives, and mellow yellow creates a stable environment in which to pause and refresh. “It is a very easy-to-live-with colour, continuously delivering a ray of warmth no matter what the weather outside.” Because creamy yellow is versatile, it can be easily incorporated into any décor, says Goldman. She offers these suggestions on how to take advantage of next year’s yellow trend in any home: • Room to grow: Reminiscent of flowers, the sun and summer, butter cream yellows are said to positively impact our overall well-being and

calm minds. This makes warm yellows a good choice for any room from bedrooms and family rooms, to bathrooms, kitchens and dining areas, she

said. It can be highlighted both on the walls and through accessories such as pillows and throw rugs.

CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

Continued on page 7 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013

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Richness is:

Introducing the Scotia Momentum for business VISA* card ®

You work hard. And your money should, too. The Scotia Momentum® for business VISA* card gives Small Business owners 3% cash back1 at gas stations, restaurants, office supply stores and on recurring bill payments. Plus you get 1% cash back on everything else. It’s our way of saying job well done. scotiabank.com/cashbackforbusiness

Small Business Banking Registered trademarks of The Bank of Nova Scotia. * VISA Int/Lic. user The Bank of Nova Scotia. 1 You will earn 3% cash back on the first $50,000 you spend annually at gas stations, restaurants, office supply stores, and on recurring bill payments. 3% cash back applies at merchants which are classified in the Visa Inc. (VISA) network as Service Stations (with or without ancillary services) and Automated Fuel Dispensers; Restaurants, Fast Food Restaurants and Bars; Stationery and Office Supply Stores; and Recurring Payments (Merchant Codes: 5541 & 5542; 5812, 5813 & 5814; and 5111 & 5943). Recurring payments are defined as payments made on a monthly or regular basis automatically billed by the merchant. Not all merchants offer recurring payments. Some merchants may sell these products/services or are separate merchants who are located on the premises of these merchants, but are classified by VISA in another manner, in which case this added benefit would not apply. You will earn 1% cash back on purchases made after you have reached the 3% $50,000 annual spend maximum and on all other eligible purchases made with the card. Cash back is not awarded for cash advances, Scotia® Credit Card Cheques, credit vouchers, payments, purchase returns, card fees, interest charges or service / transaction charges.

NEWS WATCH

• Make a match: Since warm yellow is an adaptable, soft hue, it works extremely well when paired with other colours. Good combinations include brights of a similar saturation level as well as citrus colours, blues, purples and greens. • Stay Neutral: Being a warm neutral, creamy yellow also works well with other warm neutrals, such as taupes, soft browns and light greys. In fact, Goldman explains that warm neutrals from all colour families including CIL’s Chinchilla White taupe, Brown Study and West Coast Grey top the colour chart for 2014. For added richness and depth, she suggested painting neutrals in rooms accented with wood or leather furniture. International colour experts from Sico have identified three prevailing décor themes that will be popular in 2014: In Unison, Modern Mosaic and Logical Perspective. Each theme offers a range of optimistic colours, from earth-bound to luxurious tones. • In Unison: This theme reflects the harmony developing between organic nature, technology and man-made elements. It features a mix of beachinspired pastels combined with brighter hues to be both friendly and futuristic. Gentle pinks highlight this theme, accented by vibrant reds, cool teals and bright yellows. Warm neutrals like Sico’s Sahara Sands round out the palette. These colours partner well with natural wood, marble and steel finishes to add warmth, with a touch of retro coolness, to any room. • Modern Mosaic: Combining a lively mix of bold brights drawn from the full colour spectrum, this décor theme is characterized by geometric patterning, from zig-zag and diamond to checker and chevron designs. Modern Mosaic integrates multiple and pixilated shapes, arranged in sets of brilliant hues from different colour families, such as robust reds, sunshine yellows, bold blues, and free-spirited pinks and teals. This

multi-coloured theme pays tribute to handmade art and contains “retro glam” elements. • Logical Perspective: Logical Perspective features calming, rich colours of black, off-whites, greys, putty neutrals and deep reds, blues and greens to create a peaceful spot where homeowners can think clearly. The theme reflects a desire for complex hues that deliver minimal elegance in a logical way, highlighted by such co-

lours as Sico’s Volcanic Rocks black, Chanterelle Beige grey, Cupid’s Red burgundy, and Black Denim blue. “Overall, the 2014 colour palette demonstrates our growing desire for life balance,” says Gévry of Sico’s colour options. “As a result, we will see increased use of rich colour combinations, innovative patterns and distinct lines throughout the year.” See also p. 48

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Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. wishes to THANK our Vendor Partners for their generous contributions to our 50th Anniversary year!

castle.ca

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Life after 50 about to begin

ditor’s note: Castle Building Centres recently wrapped up its year-long 50th anniversary celebration with an open house at its head office in Mississauga, Ont. Below is an edited version of the speech given by company president Ken Jenkins at the event. Tonight is the culmination of our 50th Anniversary events as we now prepare Castle for “life after 50.” Having survived 50 years in any industry is a significant; however, Castle is not just surviving, it is thriving. In our 50th year of business, 2013 will be its largest year on record for volume though the group. Our model continues to gain momentum in an intensely competitive industry and the solidarity and fidelity of our members continues to grow. The business of Castle is predicated on a few core values that have, in essence, remained in effect throughout the past five decades. Of those values, being committed to the success of our members has and always will be the focus of our objective. In order to effectively achieve that goal, developing strong and meaningful relations throughout our member, supplier and employee base is the cornerstone to our success. Developing relationships requires a sincere commitment to another’s success. It’s that simple. Be it in your personal or professional life, make a commitment to creating success for another individual or business and watch where the relationship leads. Once that commitment is embedded, great opportunities follow. Our commitment to our members does not include becoming the largest buying group in the country, but rather having the highest fidelity and profit of members across any group. Our commitment does not revolve around corporate stores and working in conflict with our members, but rather seeking responsible growth with engaged and energetic entrepreneurs. 10

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When you become committed to empowering success in others, great opportunities arise. Tonight is simply our opportunity to thank those who have and who continue to pave our way to success. This past year has provided us with a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and thank all those who were involved in allowing us to arrive at our 50th year in business. To our suppliers, Castle would like to believe we are one of your best customers. This is not merely a wish or a request, but based on your view of this organization being truly committed to the core values of integrity, professionalism and respect.

Your support of our members is paramount to our success and as the industry continues to evolve and the current period of uncertainty for some our competitors unfolds, Castle is and will continue to be a source of consistent and reliable opportunity for our supplier network. To conclude, if I have learned anything from this industry, it is the value of developing strong relationships. It requires commitment and in order for them to develop there must be mutual respect. For Castle, life after 50 is about to begin and while we have achieved a wonderful milestone, we will never be content. We believe the best is still yet to come.

President Ken Jenkins (left) & Castle members and staff (right) pose with Her Worship Hazel McCallion, the Mayor of Mississauga.

VP of Finance Sarina Kaluzny highlights the achievements of the 2013 Castle Scholarship recipients.

Chair Vicki Hagel of Cook Street Castle in Victoria B.C. addresses the crowd.

CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

50K Giveaway Winners Sarah & George Klassen of Ingersoll, Ont. pose with their winning cheque and Jamie Adams owner of Allen Building Centre in Woodstock, Ont.; where the winning ballot was completed.

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Building Blocks

Innovative Products for Today’s Renovators JOHNS MANVILLE FOAM INSULATION BOOSTS R-VALUE

JM Corbond III closed-cell spray polyurethane foam insulation from Johns Manville contains an R-value of 5.9 per inch, a 13% increase in thermal performance. The upgrade earns it a Type 2 R-value, which designates the highest level of thermal resistance for spray foam under the National Building Code of Canada. Due to the improvement, contractors require less of the company’s gray sprayable insulating foam required to achieve the same desired R-value. For example, to achieve R-38, contractors now need 6.4” of foam compared to 7.5” required in the past. The insulating foam meets code required for R-20 in a 2x4 wall configuration and the material standards set by the Standard Code Council of Canada. JM Corbond III can be used alone or in combination with JM fibreglass insulation. As closed-cell foam, the company says , the insulation provides superior thermal, moisture and

cold-temperature performance and dimensional stability. It can be applied at temperatures as low as -4° C. The optimized formula that provides JM Corbond IIIwith its higher R-value is effective immediately. Visit www.specjm.com for more information.

NEW STANLEY 2X4 CLAMP LIGHT, EASY TO TRANSPORT

The new Stanley 2x4 Clamp from Stanley Black & Decker Inc. gives contractors a second pair of hands without creating nicks and gouges in expensive wood. The 2x4 Clamp is a versatile alternative to both bar or pipe clamps and includes non-mar pads that help protect work surfaces. It is light and easy to transport while providing 400 lbs. of clamping force and up to 1,000 lbs. when bolted to a 2x4. The clamp stands upright on two feet allowing projects to be lifted off work surfaces and providing balance. Both clamp heads can be easily inserted and positioned anywhere along the 2x4 and are easily accessible and modified to any length. It carries a suggested list price ofr $24.99. Visit www.stanleytools.com for more information. CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

OWL FLOORING QUICK TO INSTALL, ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

Owl Distribution Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Artisan Collection of 12.3 mm laminate flooring is quicker and easier to install as a result of a new innovation from the company. Part of the Flooring Essentials line, each plank of Artisan flooring has a 2 mm EVA underpad attached and locks together with the Unlin cli ck system licensed by Owl. The flooring has been produced with environmentally-friendly HDF panels and has a surface wear layer with an AC3 rating, making it ideal for heavy residential or light commercial applications. Aesthetically, the floors feature multiple-width, handscraped planks, dark accented bevel and synchronized embossing to highlight the character and detail of each board. The Artisan Collection is available now in Wiskey Gold or Dark Malt with more colours being released in 2014. The flooring has a 25-year limited warranty. Visit www.owldistribution.com for more information or to see the entire Flooring Essentials line.

MITTEN UNVEILS NEW STACKED STONE COLOURS

GenStone replica stone, distributed by Mitten, is now available in seven stacked stone colours. The company recently added Kensai to its stacked stone lineup, which features rusty undertones with contrasting grey and black accents. Previous available colours were Coffee, Coronado, Iron Ore, Keystone, Mojave and Stratford. Designed to affordably create the look of real stacked stone or stone pillars, but without the need for complicated masonry, GenStone moulds are cast from actual stone to capture

every detail and create a natural appearance. Each box of GenStone includes different profile patterns to ensure a more genuine finish. The product is appropriate for a variety of applications including: retail or office exteriors, residential accents, retaining walls, garages, foundations or deck pillars. Colour matched caulking adds a seamless finish, and cleanup is minimal. GenStone is waterproof, impact resistant and protected against fading, peeling or blistering. It comes with a 25-year limited warranty. Visit www.mittenbp.com for more information.

CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

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Choose Once, Choose Well.

www.mouldingandmillwork.com

Turn any room from conventional to sensational with the West End™ Collection of contemporary doors and mouldings. West End™ interior doors feature an embossed linear design, and paired with our contemporary trim and mouldings create a modern, clean and sophisticated look. Select from three interior door styles, a range of modern French door models, and contemporary finishing elements including door and window trim. Moulding & Millwork’s high quality doors and finishings give your home a look you’ll love. Let us help you get started.

BUSINESS STRATEGIES

Take Out The Trash

A lot of negative ideas, thoughts and emotions may be keeping you from achieving your goals. Dump those bad ideas. BY VICTORIA DOWNING

ust as garbage accumulates when unchecked, so too does “head trash” that prevents us (and our remodeling businesses) from achieving optimal success. Here are just a few to watch out for and how to empty yourself of head trash:

Head Trash #1 Many carpenters started their business because they thought, “My boss is obviously making a ton of money. If he can run a remodeling business, heck, I know how to remodel anything and I love it. Therefore, I can run a remodeling business too!” This belief, which got lots of remodelers into the business, has been clearly debunked. Grab a copy of The E Myth by Michael Gerber if you are unconvinced. It is good you are in the business you love, but now you have a whole new boatload of learning to do. As the owner of a company, you are much like a pilot making decisions based on his or her instrument panel readings. Many of those readouts for you will be financial and will come from having good accounting software run by someone who is knowledgeable; however, the real financial management of the company cannot be delegated.

Head Trash #2

Have you ever said to another remodeler, “You may be able to get that markup in your area, but I cannot get it in mine?” If so, you are not alone; however, I work

with remodelers in every major city and I can tell you that is simply not true. Let us see why this thinking has kept many remodelers acting as indentured servants in their businesses before they finally changed or went out of business. No expert would ask you to just pick a markup out of thin air. Your markup sets your projected gross profit (whoever put that word “profit” in gross profit did not know their finances, because that is the pot of money that we have to pay our overhead from, and probably your salary, before we ever know if there will be a profit.). Only you can and should decide how much you will pay yourself, whether you will work from home or have an outside office, what vehicle you will drive. Most businesses try to get a 10% net profit, but every business decides how it will go to market, its prime clientele and what products or services it will sell to appeal to them. If you are Kmart, you have and want a low-overhead, low-rent look. If you are Nordstrom or Brooks Brothers, you have and want a luxurious location, ambiance, product lines and service. You need the markup that will give you the gross profit that will cover your overhead (including salary) and a net profit of 5-10% for the risks you take as a business person. How can you find out what you need? By producing an annual budget for running your business. Here is a link to a quick, easy tool that

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.

will help you create a quick budget for your business: http://bit.ly/CastleBld

Head Trash #3 In the “good ole days” of just a few years ago, it was common for remodelers to proudly boast, “I do not need marketing, I get all my referrals from my past clients.” Indeed they should be proud that their reputation and that the loyalty of their customers is that solid, but a new day has dawned. This is a new day when protecting your lead pipeline is critical. No one in your company can work without leads. Your company cannot survive without leads. Why do most of us spend so little time and attention ensuring that we will have a consistent flow of leads that result in a consistent flow of sales? The steady flow of leads is the oil that keeps the company machine going. I cannot tell you how often I have seen remodeling company owners sell a job and then turn their attention to production, completely ignoring sales until the current job is nearly done. Then they lift up their head and panic ensues because there is no more work on the horizon. Suddenly it is an anxiety-filled hustle to get the next job and often you are so fearful of not getting more work that it is sold at a margin that is unsustainable. Your goal: Have a marketing program in place that consistently delivers high quality leads, allowing you to pick and choose the best projects for your company as you build a backlog. This is just some of the head trash that we run across as we talk to small business owners. So much of the friction you feel as you work to build a strong company is in your head. Clear out the head trash and you will be soaring to new heights in no time.

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SMART MONEY

How To Pay Yourself

With record low corporate tax rates, it can be difficult to determine just how much you should take as salary and dividends. BY ALEX CARSWELL

The real answer to what the “right” amount of

he Canadian Income Tax Act affords small business owners many advantages, but the question: “how much should I pay myself?” is always at the forefront of their minds. There are many variables that should be considered in this decision and the answer is dependent on specific, individual circumstances. For this reason there is no one “right answer.” Over the last few years corporate tax rates have been decreasing all across Canada to the point that they are the lowest that most people have ever experienced. These low rates have created a significant rate earnings are not withdrawn by the opportunity for tax deferral for the incor- business owner. Personal tax rates will porated Canadian small business owner. apply on all income taken out of the busiAn incorporated business that is ness by the owner. This is where business considered a Canadian-Controlled Pri- owners struggle in determining what the vate Corporation qualifies for a reduced “right” amount is to take as income on an federal corporate tax rate on the first annual basis. In order to make the deter$500,000 of its active business income. mination, it helps to first understand the For the year ended December 31, 2013, the two options for withdrawing income and first $500,000 of taxable active business their implications from a tax perspective. income is taxed at 11% with income in Salary is the most conventional form of excess of that amount taxed at 15%. These compensating a business owner. All income rates assume that the corporation has less taken as salary becomes a tax deduction than $10 million of taxable capital and to the corporation and is then taxed in therefore that the federal clawback does the hands of the business owner at their not apply. Contrasting the corporate tax own marginal personal income tax rate. rate with the highest marginal personal Salary compensation is straight forward tax rates (ranging from 39%-54.75% for and results in only one level of taxation. 2013 depending on the province), it quickly Dividends, on the other hand, are paid becomes apparent how beneficial the tax out of after-tax corporate earnings and thus are subject to two levels of income deferral can be. The advantage of tax deferral; how- tax: once at the corporate level and again ever, only exists to the extent that corpo- in the hands of the business owner. The

compensation should be is based upon the cash flow needs of the company, the business owner and their family. This may require a thorough analysis of personal spending and some budgeting for the business, which is a necessary evil of proper tax planning.

Alex Carswell is a Senior Manager at Crowe Soberman LLP. His professional experience includes providing assurance and advisory counsel to a number of clients in construction, manufacturing, real estate and internal audit engagements. Crowe Soberman is a member of the Toronto Construction Association. 16

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CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

Canadian Income Tax Act employs a dividend tax credit mechanism that is designed to integrate corporate and personal tax rates so that the small business owner would pay the same overall tax bill for income earned as dividends or salary. The system is imperfect; however, and depending on the business owner’s marginal tax rate, there may exist tax savings from one compensation method compared to the other. This opportunity depends on the combined federal and provincial tax rates, which is not considered here. As an illustrative example, consider $100,000 of business income earned by a corporation resident in Ontario that qualifies as a Canadian-Controlled Private Corporation in 2013. The corporation will incur combined federal and provincial income tax at 15.5%, or $15,500 and be left with $84,500 in after tax profits to re-invest. The same income if earned personally by the business owner would result in combined federal and provincial tax of approximately $46,400, assuming that the business owner is in the highest marginal tax bracket and is resident in Ontario. This leaves the business owner with only $53,600 to re-invest, a difference of $30,900.

SMART MONEY

If the business owner is able to reinvest those after tax corporate profits in the business instead of withdrawing them to support their personal lifestyle, the tax deferral of $30,900 will grow at a compounded rate and after a few years the difference will have grown even larger. Given the analysis above, the goal for the business owner should be to leave as much of their after tax corporate profits in the company to re-invest in order to maximize the benefit associated with the tax deferral. This is why any conversation about how much the business owner should pay themselves needs to start with an honest look at what is necessary to fund the desired lifestyle. The real answer to what the “right” amount of compensation should be is based upon the cash flow needs of the company, the business owner and their family. This may require a thorough

analysis of personal spending and some budgeting for the business, which is a necessary evil of proper tax planning. Once it is determined how much cash needs to come out of a company on an annual basis it becomes much easier to manage the income that is left behind to be taxed a lower rate. Proper planning involves consideration of both salary and dividends in the overall compensation of the business owner. The correct mix of both will depend on a wide array of variables including, but not limited to age, retirement planning and the personal income of the business owner from other sources. Another factor that impacts the decision is that salary generates RRSP contribution room whereas dividends do not. Salary also attracts Canada Pension Plan contributions, which may factor into the business owner’s retirement planning.

Although not discussed in detail, provincial tax rates must also be considered at both the corporate and personal level as they vary from province to province. Business owners would be well advised to consider their own situation and question whether they are truly taking advantage of the preferential corporate income tax rates. Without forethought and proper planning, it is unlikely that a business owner would be operating under the optimal scenario. It is important to remember that for a business owner, although there may be a legal separation between the business and the individual, the two are inseparable from a financial and tax planning perspective. This article has been prepared for general information. Specific professional advice should be obtained prior to the implementation of any suggestion contained.

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

• Entry doors and hardware • Kitchen renovations • Insulation and ventilation • Lumber trends 2014 • Staffing and subcontracting • Closing in the building envelope

CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

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ECONOMICS 101

Preparedness Planning

Three vital steps can help you develop an effective plan for business during a disaster or crisis. BY LUCIEN G. CANTON

he single biggest mistake organizations make in preparedness planning is to treat disasters as something outside normal business operations. There is a tendency to see disasters as a class by themselves, one that requires specialized plans and procedures. The truth is that disasters are part of a continuum that begins with day-to-day problems. The processes we use to resolve these problems can be expanded and adapted for use in disasters.

Understand your risk

What is a crisis for one organization can be a routine occurrence for another. The difference lies in the vulnerability of the organization to the event. cally retrofitting a plant in an earthquake zone increases the chance of it surviving an earthquake and thus reduces your vulnerability to earthquakes.

Lucien G. Canton is a consultant specializing in preparing managers to lead better in crisis by understanding the human factors often overlooked in crisis planning. He is the author of the best-selling Emergency Management: Concepts and Strategies for Effective Programs. For more information, visit www.luciencanton.com or email Info@luciencanton.com. 18

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CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

Know your organization Once you understand the potential impacts facing your company, you can consider what these impacts would do to your business. If you are forced to close for a period of time, what will it cost you in lost business, lost discounts, late payment fees, or contractual penalties? In business continuity, we refer to this as a business impact analysis and we use the results to perform a cost-benefit analysis

PHOTO: THINKSTOCK IMAGES

The first step in preparedness planning is to understand the risks that your organization faces. We usually think about risk as a specific event such as an earthquake or a flood and focus our attention on the frequency and magnitude of the event. You really cannot do much about these two factors. The secret to successful preparedness planning is to understand that it is your vulnerability to the event that is important and you can do something about this. Note that we are considering impacts not the cause of the emergency. Risk is relative. What is a crisis for one organization can be a routine occurrence for another. The difference lies in the vulnerability of the organization to the event. We can change this vulnerability through mitigation. Mitigation reduces the potential impact of the event by reducing or eliminating the harm caused by those impacts. For example, seismi-

ECONOMICS 101

on proposed preparedness costs. It is not rocket science, as a good business person, you should know what it costs you to be out of business for a day. There are other potential impacts that are not quite as quantifiable. Would a disaster result in a decreased demand for your services because your clients are affected or will it result in an increase in business because new clients need your services either permanently or short term? How likely are your clients to remain in business after a disaster? This is the type of market forecasting we do every day; we are just looking at it in the context of a disaster. Knowing your organization extends to knowing how your staff is likely to perform in a crisis. You already know which of your employees are reliable in crisis. Like most managers, you probably have a “brain trust” of key employees on whose judgement and advice you rely for daily operations. Consider these employees as the nucleus of your crisis management team. Remember that it is not about job titles but about trust and expertise. By using the same team in varying levels of crisis, you train them and build a rapport that will pay dividends in a large crisis.

Think systematically It is common to develop a disaster management plan that is distinct from all your daily plans and procedures with the expectation that this plan will only be used in a disaster. Disasters are not always big events and plans must be scalable. Instead of focusing solely on big events, think systematically. How do you approach a routine emergency? Your first thought is usually, “Is everyone okay?” Your next thought is, “What do I need to do to fix this and get back to business?” You try to figure out what is happened, you gather together the people who can fix the problem, and you get on with it. While there are some differences, this is the same thing you do in a larger event. There are six basic steps you want to take:

Like most managers, you probably have a “brain trust” of key employees on whose judgement and advice you rely for daily operations. Consider these employees as the nucleus of your crisis management team. 1. Take immediate life safety measures to protect your staff and limit damage. This might include evacuation, using fire extinguishers, etc. 2. Assemble your crisis management team. 3. A ssess the damage. In a large event, this includes information about what is happening within your community. One of the problems with disasters as opposed to local emergencies is that the resources you rely on daily may also be affected. 4. Develop an action plan. Identify those things that need to be done immediately. There are short-term issues that must be addressed at once but there are also long-term issues that may need to be decided upon and addressed as soon as possible. 5. P lan for personnel support. Your em-

ployees will be anxious, some may be injured, and some may not be able to get home. You will need to make provisions for taking care of them. 6. Implement a crisis communications plan. At minimum, you will want to communicate with your employees, but remember that your customers will also be concerned. Keeping them in the loop may be the key to keeping their business. Whatever way you approach preparedness planning, remember that to be effective, your plans must be an outgrowth of how you do business. You cannot just switch off your daily routine in a crisis. Instead, the trust and relationships that you have built and the procedures you have in place before the crisis will ultimately determine whether your organization stays in business.

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How To Avoid A Misstep Two go-to guides provide contractors with advice and know-how to avoid missteps whether it is remodeling kitchens or promoting their business. FOR PROS BY PROS: KITCHEN REMODELING The Taunton Press In the ever-changing world of remodeling it is important to keep up with current issues. The Taunton Press’s latest edition of Kitchen Remodeling is designed to help professional remodelers do just that. The new edition focuses on the latest ideas and what it takes to renovate a kitchen of any size or shape on any budget. Part of the For Pros by Pros series, the book is aimed at professionals and designed to be a go-to resource for builders, remodelers and the building trades, but also serious amateurs and covers everything that will help to plan and complete a remodel without costly missteps. Kitchen Remodeling includes sound advice on every aspect of a makeover from opening up a small kitchen to getting appliances to fit, to building an island, a corner nook

or the perfect pantry. While every aspect of a remodel is critical, from countertops, to flooring, to ventilation, the guide does contain an in-depth look at cabinets, which draw a majority of attention during many remodels, through information covering: • Quick cabinet upgrades • A buyer’s guide to kitchen cabinets • Installing stock cabinets • Installing cabinets in tight spaces • A faster, easier approach to custom cabinets • How to install inset cabinet doors How much does a new kitchen cost these days? What are the pros and cons of stock versus custom cabinets? How can a pantry space be maximized? What is the best technique for tiling a backsplash? Kitchen Remodeling answers these and other questions with practical, up-to-date information.

FEED THE STARTUP BEAST McGraw-Hill There has never been a better time than now to be a growth-oriented entrepreneur, according to the authors of Feed the Startup Beast: A Step Guide to Big, Hairy, Outrageous Sales Growth. Written by Canadian entrepreneurs Drew Williams and Jonathan Verney, the book shows readers how small marketing efforts can produce outsized sales results, when focused on the right things. It provides the seven steps to apply limited resources more effectively, substituting finesse (the right tactics) for brute force (big budgets):

1. Ask: How a single question can reveal your business’s future 2. Listen: Why your best customers have the answers 3. Focus: The path to engaging your best prospects 4. Attract: The secret to being found by your best prospects 5. Pursue: The secret to finding your best prospects 6. Nurture: Test, convert, measure and deliver to turn prospects into lifelong fans 7. Grow: How to unleash your beast and grow big. Unlike inspirational marketing books or marketing textbooks, Feed the Startup Beast is a practical guide that is immediately usable, proven and measurable. Both books are currently available from www.amazon.ca and www. chapters.indigo.ca.

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CLIMATE FEATURE

CONTROL

There is still a learning process for contractors who want to work on building projects that involve a LEED designation. BY JOHN G. SMITH

s its name implies, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program has played a leading role in promoting greener construction techniques. This May, the Canada Green Building Council certified the 1,000th LEED project since launching the program in 2005, and the structures have made a lasting difference in terms of sustainability. By following guidelines in one of LEED’s six rating systems, builders have saved enough energy to power 54,307 homes; lowered greenhouse gas emissions equal to taking 58,980 cars off the road for a year; saved 1,336 Olympic-sized pools of water; and recycled the equivalent of 639,642 garbage trucks of construction or demolition waste. The program defined what a green building actually is, says Thomas Mueller, president and CEO of the Canada Green Building Council. “It structured the right balance between having to stretch and being possible to do.” Without question, it offers architects, builders and contractors a clearly defined menu of options in the pursuit of a recognized stamp of approval. 22

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The program also continues to grow. Government institutions embraced most of the early LEED projects, but customers in the private sector have followed. “The financial sectors in downtown cores and cities across Canada are being transformed,” Mueller says, stressing that the trend reflects evolving building products and the desire to control rising utility bills. “They are not doing it because of altruism.” Of course, LEED is not the only program steering contractors toward greener techniques. The Building Owners and Managers Association of Canada (BOMA) offers the BESt (Building Environmental Standards) program for existing shopping centres and office towers, and its 14 practices track everything from the preventive maintenance for HVAC systems to the treating of water in cooling towers. The end result has led to buildings that consume 16% less energy than a typical structure. BOMA BESt certified office buildings consume an average of 30.76 kilowatt hours per square foot each year. The national average is 36.65. “What works so well with BOMA BESt is it is a really, really efficient program,”

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says Benjamin Shinewald, president of BOMA Canada. “It is cost-efficient. It is environmentally effective and it is not a program designed to get consultants rich.” The related checklists can be completed in a few hours, although building managers need to have at least a year of energy data before participating. “Going through the certification process is a net environmental gain, but it is also a net financial gain as well,” he says. “The building managers, the building operators love the program because they use it as a management tool.” Realtors are also beginning to promote the certification as a way to attract tenants and institutional investors, particularly when reaching out to companies that have made formal commitments to be more sustainable. The Net Zero Energy Home Coalition, meanwhile, is looking to promote buildings that generate as much energy as they consume. Landmark projects like the University of British Columbia’s Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability even share a goal of being “carbon positive” by generating surplus energy and treating waste water on site. These are clearly showpieces, but an increasing focus on energy-related improvements is also reflected in building codes used by contractors on every job site. Look no further than a typical 2x6 wall, where R-20 insulation is now commonplace. “The fact that energy efficiency has made it into the National Building Code, which historically only addressed health and safety, is pretty phenomenal,” says Duncan Hill, manager of sustainable housing at

PHOTO: THINKSTOCK IMAGES

FEATURE

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Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), referring to 2012 amendments. It is quite the shift from the 1990s, when a similar effort failed to gain traction. “It is difficult to pick up any one thing that would have changed,” Hill says, although rising energy costs were likely one influence. Nova Scotia, Ontario and British Columbia were the first to make changes, and now the national code has caught up to them. The tougher standards have not ended there. The baseline scores needed to earn an EnerGuide for Houses (EGH) designation has pushed up to five points higher than earlier benchmarks. To put that in perspective the rating is just a couple points short of what would be seen with an R-2000 home, complete with R-20 insulation for walls, Energy Star-rated windows, and R-40 insulation in the ceiling. “R-2000 has done a great job over the last 25 years of pushing the envelope without being ridiculous,” Hill says, noting how that program demonstrated gains that can be made without massive shifts in construction techniques. “They salt the industry with ideas and demonstrate they can be done.” Even that program is evolving, and is beginning to look beyond 2x6 frames at options such as insulated panels and Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF).

Greener renovations As important as gains in new construction will be, the widest opportunities still come through renovations to existing homes. Those built in the 1960s, for example, are prime candidates for everything from new windows to extra attic insulation. “From a public policy perspective, you better address the housing stock that is already here,” Hill agrees. A new tool to support work like that will come in the form of CMHC’s Green Renovators Guide, which will be released early next year and quantify energy savings that come from such improvements. “The interest among homeowners is always, ‘What do I get out of it?’” Hill says. These answers could help contractors promote a long list of options, and set any customer’s mind at ease. With the government-promoted proof, suggestions are less likely to be dismissed as empty marketing claims or “green washing”. In the meantime, other programs have helped to push the performance of building envelopes to new heights.

By following guidelines in one of LEED’s six rating systems, builders have saved enough energy to power 54,307 homes; lowered greenhouse gas emissions equal to taking 58,980 cars off the road for a year; saved 1,336 Olympic-sized pools of water; and recycled the equivalent of 639,642 garbage trucks of construction or demolition waste. While the CMHC EQuilibrium Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative ends next year, its eight-year run drew attention to several ways to build “net zero” homes. Hill even admits to being surprised at the level of success. “We had no ideas how many builders would take us up on it,” he says, noting that there were hundreds of applications despite the lack of funds to offset costs. When first launched, solar panels were also only beginning to be commercially viable. It will hardly be the last effort to promote net zero construction. The Canadian Passive House Institute has followed the lead of a program developed in Europe, focusing on making buildings air tight. Even LEED continues to evolve. An update to be released in January 2014 will increase targets for everything from water conservation to energy efficiency, reflecting gains in available products. The lifecycle of individual building products, or specific environmentally friendly product declarations, will also play a role in credits.

Financial factors As the interest in greener construction grows, many grant programs have withered away. Unlike the R-2000 projects that were heavily financed in the 1980s, consumers are now expected to pay for the greener gains on their own. “There is not a lot of incentive money floating around,” Hill says, noting how the few programs that exist tend to be offered by local utility providers. Then again, the costs are not always prohibitive. In an urban area, builders can earn LEED’s Certified or Silver ratings without increasing prices. It is simply a matter of changing construction approaches and materials. Even a Gold rating tends to add little more than 3% to capital costs.

“The paybacks are very quick,” Mueller says, referring to benefits that can be marketed to customers, particularly in the form of energy savings. “You make your money back many times.” Buyers are increasingly equating greener building techniques with quality, he adds. After all, an air-tight structure is only realized if contractors pay close attention to the details. As the demands on building envelopes become ever tougher, Hill expects a growing interest in modular designs, where walls are built in factories to better address heat, air and moisture. “It could have a big impact on the construction industry,” he says. Some contractors may scoff at the idea, but it was not long ago that trusses, windows and cabinets were always built at the job site. “Why would one builder want to be a laboratory for an energy-efficient process when a factory has engineered and optimized the process?” he asks. In the meantime, there is still a learning process for contractors who want to work on projects that hope to be recognized by programs like LEED. The focus even extends beyond environmentalfocused skills like creating the drainage for a green roof, installing photovoltaic panels, or reaching for low VOC paints and adhesives. “They really need to familiarize themselves on how to document their requirements under the LEED program,” Mueller says, noting how training through local construction associations show how to track factors like the type and quantity of paint used on a job site. “This is a lot more straightforward than people think.” To remain competitive, contractors simply need to be aware of the changing climate.

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FEATURE

Perfect Cabinetry With unlimited options, homeowners need experienced contractors to help them find that unique look. BY LAWRENCE CUMMER

rom big-ticket overhauls to low-budget upgrades, the right moulding and trim, choices of paint or stains and use of space can make huge differences when renovating any room, and provide homeowners with a unique look they can be proud to showcase. “Definitely we are seeing resurgence in people wanting to put their own stamp on kitchen and bathroom projects and new cabinet mouldings are, of course, a wonderful way to do that,” says Jan Rutgers, director of product development for Moulding and Millwork Inc. “For example, it would be more economical to bring in new moulding treatments than putting in an all new stone countertop.” Stephanie Brown, sales manager for kitchen and bath at CanSave agrees. She says new cabinets or cabinet moulding can cost-effectively spruce up any kitchen remodel or renovation. “Mouldings on kitchen cabinetry will take a B+ kitchen and turn it into an A++ kitchen for a fairly small investment,” she says. Brown says it behooves contractors to suggest cabinet mouldings during a renovation, since they are finishing touches that homeowners tend to overlook and frequently have little knowledge about. 26

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PHOTO: CANSAVE

FEATURE

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Sandra Justice “At Mount Douglas Secondary, I was in the Community Leadership Program, acted as Environmental Director, and was Deputy Minister on Student Council. In addition, I was in the Music program and the Challenge program. My community volunteer activities included coaching volleyball and facilitating anti-bullying presentations. I am now entering University of Victoria, BC in the faculty of Social Sciences.” Sponsored by Lumberworld in BC

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The trend most often seen today is for homeowners to want moulding added to existing cabinets to create a fresher look, rather than undergo a complete cabinet replacement, says Marianne Thompson, vice-president of sales and marketing at Alexandria Moulding. “People will want new trim added to the top and bottom of the cabinets, trim to the door and usually at the same time replace the countertops and sinks,” she says. “It is more of an upgrade than a facelift.” This “upgrade” is made easier thanks to style trends of past decades toward modern or contemporary styles that resulted in flat, flush or simple cabinetry with little or no moulding. While there are still consumers desiring that simple look, there is a growing number looking for something more decorative that combines traditional elements and modern sensibilities. 30

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PHOTO: CANSAVE

FEATURE

Design: Where old meets new “There are really three main design paths you can take with cabinetry,” Brown points out. Today’s contemporary designs are ultra-sleek and simple and currently feature a lot of horizontal lines and use of texture. Traditional designs feature a rich, heavy look with wood tones that create a kind of “country kitchen” feel. Balancing between the two are elements of transitional style such as shaker doors. Contemporary designs can create visual “tension” and as a result many find transitional designs easier on the eye and more comforting, Brown says. These new takes on old classics are, in fact, where she says most homeowners are comfortable today largely because they have less risk of becoming dated. “If the homeowner goes super-contemporary CONTRACTOR ADVANTAGE

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they are going to get a shorter fashion lifespan out of their investment,” she says. “The same is true with really traditional styles unless they are going to do the whole house in a really heavy oldEnglish-library kind of look.” Brown likens transitional cabinet styles to tried-and-true standards in men’s fashion. “Everyone has a black or navy blue suit that is going to last forever. By wearing a different shirt or tie you get a fresh new look,” she says. “Transitional style cabinets are like that. You can play with other things in the kitchen such as backsplash tiles or countertops to really personalize it, but you are keeping a set of bones in your kitchen that are going to give it lots of longevity.”

PHOTO: CANSAVE

Cabinet creativity The best contractors bring more than just skill to cabinet moulding installations. Homeowners need them for their familiarity with different creative options. While a homeowner with DIY initiative might be limited to only the options offered in a showroom or catalogue, an experienced contractor can demonstrate how mixing and matching mouldings can result in truly original designs.

“You cannot teach experience,” Brown notes; however, she adds there are a few things contractors can do to improve their ability to serve up outside-the-box creativity to their customers. First, they should always be on the lookout for interesting moulding treatments and take a photo whenever they see one they like. “That is what the real good ones do,” says Brown. Of course, thanks to the ubiquity of smartphones with cameras contractors have a far easier time than ever before; which means they can build a portfolio of options to inspire clients and prospects. She says CanSave increasingly receives photos of existing moulding treatments with requests from contractors or homeowners to recreate them. At the same time, contractors should never miss an opportunity to photograph their own creative cabinet treatments. “Today’s contractor should have pictures of everything they have done, especially since it is so easy now,” Rutgers says. “With so many people walking around with smartphones, be smart about it. If you are at a tradeshow or a show home and see something great, photograph it. Figure out how it was done. There is so

much inspiration out there to be found.” Mock-ups can easily be developed without much added cost. They help homeowners to even better visualize the treatment, which showcase a contractor’s creativity and ensure the job is on the right track. In this case, the relatively small size of cabinet doors is an advantage.

Pay attention to the details A little detail can go a long way. Moulding experts say it does not need to be extensive and, in fact, subtlety is sometimes best. “Even taking a flush door and adding a contemporary crown moulding to it and a contemporary moulding underneath the cabinet can really start to give it an individual look,” Rutgers says. When adding crown to existing cabinets, Thompson says the same stain will give the cabinets “punch,” while at the same time visually anchor the moulding to the door. This is an alternative to the traditional practice of adding moulding to a room in which the crown is the same colour as trim and baseboards. While mixing and matching of moulding can be done to create numerous effects, contractors should also consider crown moulding with profiles designed specifically for cabinetry.

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“We have crown moulding designed specifically for cabinets in which the bottom of the profile is elongated so that there is room to attach the crown moulding to the top of the cabinet,” Thompson says. Other techniques can bring a high-end appearance to cabinetry without exhausting a client’s budgets. Thompson says she sees contractors frequently applying different sizes of panel mould to the front of flat-panel cabinet doors in order to give the appearance of a raised-panel door, but at lower cost. As far as materials go, she adds that Alexandria sells a lot of cabinet crown moulding in both paint-grade and staingrade with continued strong sales in different hardwoods, which suggests consumers are still buying or upgrading stained hardwood kitchens.

PHOTO: CANSAVE

Space matters One driver for adding crown moulding to kitchen and bath cabinets is a move over the past several years to remove the bulkhead above cabinets. “What do you do with that space above the cabinets once you have eliminated the bulkhead?” Brown asks. “People do not like the air left over their wall cabinet so what they are doing is filling that six free inches of design space with moulding.” Rutgers, whose background is as a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBD), suggests contractors consider the functional space of cabinets. “The best storage in a kitchen or bath is shallow-depth storage. I loved to line walls with a 12” pantry because it opened the space up,” she says. “Ergonomically a person’s reach is only so long.” A shallow depth also allows cabinets to be built into areas that might otherwise be overlooked “You could take two 12”-deep, 30”-wide pantry units and install them behind a breakfast nook, and add crown moulding and maybe mouldings down the side for a columned look,” says Rutgers. “All of a sudden you have designed a furniture piece in their breakfast nook that is the perfect storage for everything.” Shallow depth cabinetry is especially appropriate in a bathroom, she adds, where most of the toiletries and items stored are small. “Another perfect idea in the bathroom is to consider recessing the cabinets 3” deep and then trimming it out with

beautiful moulding for then you start to get something that is very unique.” It is that type of unique perspective contractors can bring to homeowners and which Rutgers says can be something of a lost art. Contractors with strong ideas and expertise about the detail work of moulding should wear it like a badge of honour. Of course, keeping up with all the available options is a challenge for anyone, even the best contractors. Because of

this, and since many decisions are made at the worksite, Thompson says Alexandria has recently launched a mobile app version of its catalogue for smartphones and tablets. It is designed to help contractors better serve and inspire homeowners with ideas. “The challenge with moulding is there is such a broad selection, a consumer can get really overwhelmed,” she says. “That is why they must rely on the contractor to try to guide them.”

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FEATURE

Perfect Finishing The

Touch

When it comes to providing architectural dressing to the tall rooms of today’s homes, mouldings and trim soar to the top. BY NESTOR E. ARELLANO

ore than a decade ago, 8’ ceilings were the norm for majority of homes in Canada and the U.S.; however, in recent years interior style has been soaring to lofty heights more frequently featuring ceilings 9’ and higher. Apart from the high-style quotient, taller ceilings create a certain predicament for the homeowner in that they need to determine what to do with the additional space. Many are turning to

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moulding and millwork contractors for help on the matter, which in turn is good for business, according to industry experts and designers. When it comes to providing architectural dressing to today’s tall rooms, mouldings and trim are hard to beat, says Elizabeth Metcalfe, owner and principal designer of Toronto-based Elizabeth Metcalfe Interiors and Design. “Mouldings create depth and inter-

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est and add a feeling of luxury; it is the perfect finishing touch to a room,” she says. “We focus on creating homes with an understated elegance. Adding mouldings and trim gives presence to a room and emphasizes its architectural elements.” Mouldings can also quickly spice up older homes making them perfect for makeovers for people looking to sell their property or simply seeking a new look, says Marianne Thompson, vice-president

FEATURE

as much as 66% of that cost upon the sale of their property. Gone are the days of ornately-carved heavy plaster crown mouldings. “The trend is toward cleaner, less fussy trim with a strong architectural look,” Metcalfe says. “Instead of traditional bullnose edge profiles, we are installing more angled trims with a more defined profile.” She says this is a response to the move towards “transitional design.” Also known as “updated classic,” “classic with a contemporary twist” or “new takes on the old classic,” the style balances the old and the new in a look that focuses on simplicity and sophistication. “More customers are specifying moulding with profiles that are linear and simpler as opposed to those with flourishes and rounded corners,” says Thompson. Alexandria Moulding’s Urban M Collection of MDF trim comes with the structured yet simple lines that can be found in many new condo installations, she says. “Our hottest products today are flat stock moulding,” says Roger Lemieux, key account manager for Calgary-based Vipco Industries Inc., makers of prefinished panels and primed mouldings. Coined and down-to-earth Craftsman styles are also popular these days, says Deasy. The look can be found in Moulding and Millwork’s polyurethane moulding line, which also includes more intricate and traditionally styled trim and ceiling medallions.

PHOTO: ALEXANDRIA MOULDING

Drama on a budget

of sales and marketing at Alexandria Moulding. “Many homebuyers like that crisp, clean look that you get when you install mouldings that are well-suited for a room.” You can freshen up a room with a $25 can of paint or “you can invest a few more dollars and create an even bigger ‘wow’ factor with a well-selected baseboard and crown moulding,” she adds.

“For the fraction of the price of laying down a new floor or adding a new room, homeowners can increase the value of their property with the proper use of mouldings and trim,” says Mike Deasy, project manager at Moulding and Millwork Inc., makers of MDF, solid wood and polyurethane moulding. Moulding makeovers can cost only $1.40 per square foot or less. In some instances homeowners are able to recoup

Using elements of form and proportion, mouldings are able to direct the human eye in a way that alters our perception of space. In this way they can be used to make a room appear larger or smaller. “Designers and architects are well aware of how mouldings and trim work can manipulate the size of a room,” Metcalfe says. “For example, using long, vertical panels in a room is an easy trick to make your ceiling higher.” Other tips include: • A long linear chair rail can help elongate the appearance of a wall.

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• Mouldings installed in the upper portion of a cathedral ceiling draw attention upwards and emphasize height. • Trim and mouldings do not necessarily need to be painted white. “Consider painting mouldings in the same colour as the wall,” Metcalfe suggests. “This will actually trick the eye into seeing the ceiling as being higher than it really is.” The designer also offers one of her favourite methods for making a room pop. “We often wallpaper the inside of panels to create interest,” she says. “It is a simple technique that adds colour, texture and pattern at a nominal cost.” In lieu of wallpaper, mirrors can also be inserted into panel mouldings. To create a high-end, custom look, homeowners can also go for sectioned mirrors that are available at many glass and mirror stores If you are not sure which moulding elements go together, many manufacturers offer trim, casings, baseboards and other products designed to be used together to create a certain look or period style; however, there is no need to be afraid of mixing things up, says Herb Menna, owner of Capital Columns and Trim.

For instance, a flat moulding favoured in modern interiors can also be used to create a Craftsman look. Employing the same moulding with a coved cornice can evoke a Victorianinspired theme. “Layering two or more types of moulding in an installation also helps to create volume and texture,” Menna says. This is called a build-up and it is great for increasing the size of moulding fixtures so that they stand out even in a large room or high ceiling. Mouldings made from cherry, maple or oak are sought after for their high-end, solid wood look that exudes quality craftsmanship, Lemieux says. “When varnished or stained, the natural grains of solid wood shows off beautifully, but they come at a premium,” he says. Homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from $3 per foot to more than $6 per foot for solid wood. Those looking to cut cost can use MDF counterparts which sell for around $0.60

per foot. Some MDF products come prefinished, such as Moulding and Millwork’s FinTek line. Polyurethane and PVC mouldings are another alternative. They come in a variety of styles, can be painted and are mildew-resistant, so they are ideal for installation in areas such as bathrooms.

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Installation best practices Perhaps the most frequent question about trim is: what size should it be? Homeowners are always advised to go with what they feel is best for the room, but there are also some general guidelines used by many contractors. For example, some installers prefer to use “the 7% rule” with baseboards. In this case, an 8’ high ceiling would typically require a baseboard that is about 7” tall. Vertical trim elements such as window and door casings should have less bulk than the baseboard. Some contractors prefer using casings that are half the height of the baseboard.

Sizing crown moulding is not as straightforward because variables such as ceiling height and the choice of concave or convex moulding come into play. For 8’ ceilings, Menna prefers 5½”- high mouldings. A 9’ ceiling, he says, look best with 7” mouldings. For ceilings 12’ and higher, contractors can use a build-up or 12” crown mouldings. Other styling and installation tips include: • For baseboards, use door stop pieces rather than quarter rounds to connect recessed areas such as inside corners. The profile of a door stop looks much more finished and expensive than a tra-

ditional quarter round at the same cost. • Add elements such as back band to door and window trim, a base cap to top off the baseboard and a base shoe to go under the baseboard. These additional pieces conceal surface imperfections and provide a more finished look. • Allow mouldings to acclimatize to room temperature for 24 to 48 hours before installing to avoid warping. • When cutting inside corners, cut the back part of the moulding with a sharp Exacto-type knife. This makes making adjustments easier since most walls are rarely a perfect 30° angle. When working with hardwood, predrill the moulding before nailing to prevent splitting. “When in doubt, go larger,” Metcalfe boldly advises. “Using a larger scale moulding almost always works, but opting for something smaller just ends up looking cheap.”

PHOTO: ALEXANDRIA MOULDING

Creating mood with light and shadows

While proportion plays a critical part in the ability of mouldings to alter the size of the room, its ability to infuse ambiance into any setting can be attributed to a “play of light and shadows,” according to Jan Rutgers, director of product development at Moulding and Millworks. Different shapes of mouldings cause ambient light to create varying shadows. For example, a concave moulding or cavetto produces a horizontal shadow that is darker at the top and lighter at the bottom. A convex moulding or ovolo produces a shadow that is lighter at the top and darker at the bottom. Placing an ovolo above a cavetto creates an “S” profile with vertical ends called an ogee. An ogee will have a band of light area at the top and bottom and a shadow in the middle. Installing a cavetto above an ovolo forms an “S” with horizontal ends. This moulding is called a cyma and it will typically have two bands of shadows with a light area in the middle. “It is the interplay of light and dark areas when different mouldings are combined together that creates texture and transforms the room from the ordinary to the extraordinary,” Rutgers says.

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FEATURE

Bathroom Bonanza The remodel-instead-of-move trend is influencing everything from material choices to design features and layouts. BY JOHN G. SMITH

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PHOTO: MAXX

FEATURE

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PHOTO: MAAX

ew renovations promise a higher rate of return than a focus on bathrooms, and home appraisers continue to report that those who tackle the projects can expect to recover 75-100% of their costs when it is time to sell. Maybe there should be no surprise that 16% of surveyed Canadian homeowners told Moen they plan to update bathrooms within six months. As important as the financial returns may be, the strong interest involves more than dreams of a realtor’s sign on the front lawn. “People were choosing remodelling over moving,” says Garry Scott, Moen’s vice-president of wholesale marketing and brand development, referring to the results of the company’s Remodelling Sentiment survey. “Primarily it was to make their home fit their lifestyle.” It is a long-term focus that is influencing everything from material choices to design features and layouts. Look no

further than the trend to include timeless finishes and features like white toilets, sinks and tubs. Against a backdrop like that, the choice of fixtures can be particularly dramatic. “We often describe the faucet as the jewelry of the bathroom,” Scott says, referring to finishing touches such as towel rings, mirrors, lights and grab bars. “It is a simple way of making a real statement.” While some of the company’s faucets come in as many as 16 different finishes, chrome remains the dominant choice. That is good news for contractors who are helping customers find other matching fixtures for the room. There will still be other options for more adventurous buyers even though the gleaming metals dominate the choices, says Maax product director Aude Simard. On top of the popular chrome and brushed metals like nickel or stainless steel, dark bronze has replaced white as the top alternative.

Looking at the overall appearance of a bathroom, Simard says more buyers are embracing industrial styles, reflecting a similar trend seen in kitchens. Shower doors are now highlighted with large rollers, and have handles that are as much as 36” high. This sounds massive, but the larger pieces complement a related shift towards larger pieces of glass for shower enclosures. “That glass is transparent, so you need this piece of jewelry that is going to communicate the style,” she says. There are other advantages in projects that include more glass. In smaller bathrooms, particularly those found in condominiums, the resulting space looks bigger and draws more attention to featured fixtures. There are still practical considerations for installers who are asked to incorporate more glass. A frameless enclosure will tend to be about 8 mm thick. While thicker than the panels in a framed shower door, the premium option is still light enough to be handled by a single installer. As the

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panels grow taller; however, some projects will require thicker glass and the added manpower to put them in place. To finish off the premium looks, the larger panels will also need to be matched with larger fixtures such as taps and showerheads. The biggest potential challenge for installers will involve the need for plumb lines. “The door is the last thing that goes in before you give customers the room back,” Simard says. A tight fit will require a level floor, even wall and a straight base. It is why Maax includes hinges that can be adjusted by as much as 3” to compensate for differences. While the shower doors and walls are becoming larger, the bases below them have become shallower. “All the new bases that we do are 3” and lower,” Simard says as an example, stressing that they still offer the drainage required to earn a UL or CSA approval. In addition to being more aesthetically pleasing than earlier designs that were as much as 7” deep, there is another advantage. “As people get older, 46

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PHOTO: MAAX

we are looking at bases that are easier to get in and out,” she says. It shows that homeowners do not need to settle for an institutional look in the name of safety. “We tried to think about what we would like to be when we grew up, and the walkin tub did not make the list,” Simard says. “How can we make a product that is not going to stigmatize the user? Nobody wants the people who visit the house to say, ‘Oh, you need a grab bar.’” Low thresholds, sturdy shower seats and secure grab bars that match other fixtures can still be incorporated into a designer look. Of course, the added support involves more than screwing a bar into surrounding drywall. Simard stresses that grab bars should be anchored into studs with 4” screws, and be located where they are always within reach. There are other choices. Moen’s SecureMount system allows a grab bar to be mounted at any spot around a shower, whether studs are available or not. Simply drill a hole, install the anchor system and mount the grab bar. Towel bars and corner shelves, when properly integrated, can hold up to 400 lb., Scott adds. “It does not look out of place in the washroom, but they are becoming essential for many people.” New vanities play another supporting role for bathrooms used by several generations of a family. Wall-mounted units can be installed at any height, says Jennifer Earl, vice-president of marketing and product development at Foremost Groups. As with the showers, features such as grab bars, stools and other supports can be included without sacrificing the overall design. While a built-in stool can double as a child’s step, the higher vanity can leave room for a wheelchair underneath. “Not every family can rework the home just to suit one individual,” Earl says. “We think it is something consumers will be looking for.” It is not the only practical need affecting today’s vanity choices. Earl suggests more customers are removing pedestal sinks and replacing them with cabinets. “You need a place to put all your things, and the things you do not want people to see,” she says. This is also one of the areas where contractors will be able to suggest several premium features. Fully extending drawer glides will make it easy to reach items in the back of a drawer, and other drawers can be tucked into cabinets for a designer look. Even the traditional false

While the shower doors and walls are becoming larger, the bases below them have become shallower as witnessed by the above photo of a half-completed shower base.

fronts are being transformed into useful storage space thanks to U-shaped drawers which fit around the base of the sink. The selected surface will play its own role in the designer appearance while offering some practical benefits. A top made of quartz or engineered stone will not need ongoing maintenance, and there is no worry about damage from a dropped hair dryer. “Engineered stone has started to come about because it is so durable. It resists heat and scratches and we can also get a very consistent look,” Earl says. The latter feature can avoid disappointments sometimes voiced over the variations in natural stone. Of course, customers looking for a premium bathroom tend to be creating a spalike experience, and that will involve building in rain showerheads or body sprays. One option from Moen will even support future maintenance without requiring a wall to be ripped apart. It incorporates a decorative face plate that can be removed to expose the inner workings.

Greener designs Bathrooms offer a particular opportunity for customers who want to embrace environmentally friendly construction material, as long as choices are made with care. “Not all faucets offer energy savings,” Scott says as an example. A showerhead may typically deliver 2.5 US gallons a minute, but Moen has units that deliver as little as 2 US gallons a minute without sacrificing the way it feels. One of the most dramatic differences in the name of the environment may not include water at all. Composting toilets offer an option that is unmistakably green while still meeting practical needs, making it possible to add a working toilet

anywhere from a cottage to a workshop or even the middle of a golf course, without the cost of the related infrastructure. They also have nothing in common with the image of a traditional port-a-potty, and contractors can help to convey the message when describing options. “A lot of people do not really understand how waste treatment works in general,” says Fraser Sneddon, sales manager of Sun-Mar. While bacteria plays a role in breaking down the waste in every system, composting toilets rely on the aerobic bacteria that quickly breaks down waste and is free of odor because it does not produce methane, ammonia or hydrogen sulfide. There are other practical advantages to including a composting toilet. The models will certainly extend the life of a septic system, which will be left to deal with nothing but grey water, and the approach can help to maintain the quality of water in surrounding lakes and wells. Installers simply need to ensure that they build in a 110-volt power outlet for a low-powered heating element and a 2” vent when installing a Sun-Mar design. In contrast, a non-powered unit will require a 4” vent. Customers will be dealing with a limited amount of compost once everything is installed, but it can take up to three months to fill a chamber in the company’s centralized Centrex 3000, and after that it generates about 1 cubic foot of compost for a bag-lined chamber that is emptied just once a month. “The solid waste component of it is reduced down to 3% of what you started with,” he says. It is simply another example of an option that can help to create a bathroom in a class of its own.

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FEATURE

Interior

PAINT Tips New paint products make it easier than ever to put the final touch on a project. BY STEFAN DUBOWSKI

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ainting may be one of the last things a contractor does before calling the job done, but paint should not be the last item on the project priority list. Colour choice, texture and finish all play important roles in making clients happy with interior renovations. New paint products make it easier than ever to put the final touch on a project.

PHOTO: PARA PAINT

No Oil? Slick alternatives Paint has changed. Consider, for instance, that contractors now have a tough time finding interior oil- or alkyd-based paint. “Consumer solvent-borne or alkyd products are clearly a dying market,” says Lysanne Lavoie, director of regulatory affairs and management at the Canadian Paint and Coatings Association. She explains that in response to concerns about volatile organic compounds (VOCs, which are suspected carcinogens) the federal government has cut permitted VOC levels significantly. Most oil-based paints do not meet these new restrictions, so the product is largely unavailable for interior projects. “In a few categories it would still be allowed,” such as for sealers, special primers and rust-prevention coatings, Lavoie says. What should a contractor do if he or she needs a paint that provides a crisp, thick coating similar to the finish that oil-based paint provides? Modern waterbased paints (also known as latex, which is a misnomer; see “Riddle…” on page 50 to learn why) pick up where oil left off. “Today’s water-based paints mimic the look of oil-based paints, but perform much better,” says Debbie Zietlow, prod-

uct manager with paint maker Pratt & Lambert. She notes that her company’s Accolade Interior Paint + Primer Acrylic Semi-Gloss offers a rich application and a smooth finish. The product “is extremely durable and never yellows,” she says. Canada’s own PARA Paints offers contractors another oil alternative: the company’s Ultra Hybrid paint combines latex with low amounts of alkyds. This formula results in a substance that is as durable as oil yet emits few VOCs to meet government standards. According to PARA senior brand manager Garry Belfall, Ultra Hybrid suits practically any interior surface, from walls and doors to trim and furniture. Oil-based paint used to be the contractor’s choice for kitchen cupboards and trim. Now that it is no longer available, few builders will miss the heavy odour it produced and the foul-smelling solvents required for cleanup. Water-based paint cleanup is much easier and less acrid.

Primers and “one coat” options Until recently, any professional contractor would say a primer coat is a must for most projects, especially when the renovation involves new drywall or a light colour covering a dark colour. Now that “one-coat” paint is on the market, contractors may well wonder if this wisdom still holds true. Also known as two-in-one and paintplus-primer, one-coat paint combines a top coat and a primer undercoat. It enables a contractor to eliminate the separate primer step, which means quicker project completion. One-coat paint has become popular since it hit store shelves about five years

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Riddle: When is latex not latex?

Many people in the design and construction industries use the word “latex” to describe water-based paint, as distinguished from oil-based paint. Yet so-called latex paint contains no latex. It contains vinyl or acrylic. Why do people call this paint latex? The answer: water-based paint creates a rubber-like coating similar to latex, and latex derives from rubber trees. Over time, the industry latched on to “latex” as an adequate way to describe water-based paint’s elastic-like behaviour. Given that it contains no latex, latex paint is better defined as “water-borne” paint, says Dan Passinault, a senior product manager at PPG.

ago, according to PPG marketing manager Joanne Currie. She points out that PPG subsidiary Sico offers a low-VOC, washable two-in-one paint called Evolution, which hides surface imperfections. Evolution employs Sico’s “DurabiliT” technology, a special molecular formula that makes the paint particularly resistant to stains. Pratt & Lambert’s Accolade Interior Paint + Primer is another one-coat option. It is 100% acrylic, so it is durable and provides a rich, luxurious coating, according to the manufacturer. Do these one-coat coverings mean that contractors can skip the primer step on every project? No. Currie makes clear, “there are some situations that absolutely require a true primer to ensure proper adhesion and even sheen-development in the final finish.” For example, bare wood requires a primer coat to guarantee that the top coat will adhere properly. New drywall usually calls for primer, too. Without primer, “you risk ending up with flashing on the wall, 50

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which means the painted surfaces show flashes or patches of sheen interspersed with dull patches,” Currie says. Is this to say one-coat paint should never be used on bare drywall? Not necessarily. Paint experts indicate that one-coat paint might do the job, but contractors should use at least two coats. Since one-coat paint tends to be more expensive than primer, contractors risk exceeding the project budget if they take this route.

Noise-reducing paint: a sound investment? Silence is golden for some customers. Contractors can apply a special noise-reducing paint to help clients achieve quiet comfort. This type of paint is designed to keep noise from travelling between walls and ceilings. Many contractors; however, are skeptical. Does this sound-insulating option really work? Yes and no. According to comments

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and assessment from contractors online, noise-reducing paint does help cut sound levels to a small extent. The material does not completely isolate a room from a noisy household, though. As one paint manufacturer says on its webpage, “One can only expect so much from an application that is 30- to 40-thousandths of an inch thick.” Contractors tasked with soundproofing should build walls with thick cavities and sound-stopping insulation if their clients really want some peace and quiet. For customers who want something a bit different than traditional paint, consider textured paint. Mind the math, though: contractors should expect to use 15 to 25% more textured paint compared to flat paint. Why? Textured paint contains numerous tiny peaks and valleys. These undulations increase the surface area by about a quarter. Before finalizing the materials list for a project that includes textured paint, do a quick additional calculation to account for the extra surface area.

Colour trends Consult colour-trend experts to learn about the latest palettes and help clients choose the right hues. Many paint manufacturers have specialists who monitor design and fashion to identify modern colour themes. Sico has spotted three trends including two that seem at odds with each other: : C ollective Passion—This combination “reflects people’s increasingly spontaneous behaviours brought on by social networks and online forums,” Sico says. The palette includes intense shades such as Clementine orange and Fantasia violet. • Switching Off—Where Collective Passion taps people’s interest in technology, Switching Off plays up the opposite

PHOTO: PARA PAINT

idea. “As people look for a quiet space to disconnect from technology and daily challenges, homes will increasingly include rooms that feature a switchingoff theme,” Sico says. Colours such as Powdered Iron grey and Whispery White provide a calming atmosphere. • Visual Solace—This combination offers a “feminine” ambiance “designed with the notion that art and nature restore the soul.” The theme includes Discreet Brown pink, Rice Flour white and Overcast Sky mauve. Pratt & Lambert pinpoints four colour trends: • Phenomena—“An exciting experiment with hyper-reality and wild imaginings,” this combination employs Azalea red, Snapdragon Yellow and Light Chartreuse. • Vestiges—This palette uses words such as “distressed” and “industrial” to describe its theme. It employs Chalk Grey, French Blue and Leek Green to create a modern atmosphere. • Dialects—This trend celebrates people’s differences and, at the same time, “what brings us together” by combining contrasting colours such as Cranberry red, Oat Grass blue and Timeless Gray. • Curated—“Where yesterday, today and tomorrow meet,” this combination incorporates Blueberry blue, Tarragon brown and Tripoli Sand beige. Meanwhile, at PARA, trend watchers

note a shift toward bold colours. “It is all psychological,” says brand manager Belfall. He explains that the stronger the economy, the stronger the colours that people choose. That said, sometimes homeowners are timid about choosing bright, brassy colours because finding complementary colours is not always easy. What goes with a hot pink such as Jazzleberry Jam or the warm orange of Roar? To help contractors and homeowners choose complete colour palettes, PARA offers ColourSquare, an online tool that

enables users to visualize colour combinations. “It gives customers the confidence to choose colours they might otherwise shy away from,” Belfall says. To access the tool, visit www.para. com and click “PARA Paints New Colour Forecast Palette.” With so many types and colours of paint on the market, clients might find the options overwhelming. Contractors can help by identifying textures, finishes and complementary hues that take projects from “finished” to “perfect.”

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FEATURE

COMPETITIVE

PRESSURE With low cost and a broad range of applications, pressure treated lumber continues to be a material of choice for fencing and decking. BY DAVID CHILTON SAGGERS

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hink about pressure treated lumber this winter because as a product to build decks, fences and other extensions it is the least expensive to use when compared with red cedar, wood-plastic composites and synthetics. “It is the lowest priced product on the market,” says Jeff Morrison, national accounts manager at Goodfellow Inc. in Campbellville, Ont. about the typical spruce, pine and fir lumber used. Yet it is not just low price that keeps PTL at the top of the heap. Dave McNeil, vice-president, Eastern Canada, for Taiga Building Products in Milton, Ont., says PTL is holding its own against its competitors and continues to sell millions of board feet every year. The utilization of PTL across a broad range of applications has long been recognized. For example, Canada’s National Building Code and the Ontario Building Code require PTL be used in certain cir-

PHOTO: TAIGA

cumstances: wood in direct contact with the ground or framed into concrete below ground; structural wood elements within 150 mm of the ground; and, wood framing timbers that do not have a damp proof membrane separating that timber from concrete in contact with the ground. In areas with termites, PTL is required for structural wood elements unless there is more than a 450 mm clearance from the ground. In parts of the country where there is high rainfall, PTL must be used where a buildup of moisture can be expected, and it is also required for retaining walls more than 1.2 m high or when it is used to stabilize earth-supporting foundations. In addition, PTL is the first choice for some commercial uses, for example highway or farm fencing, animal enclosures, and hydro poles, which are considered to have a lifespan of 60 years. Still, it is decks and fences for which PTL is most widely used, McNeil says. “Tremendous volumes of PTL are used

in decks and fences,” he says. “That is the vast majority of where our products go. Fence products, of course, include fence posts, rails and boards. We have got substructure type products for beams, girders and the decking itself.” On the competition side, McNeil says when it comes to fences and decking the PTL industry is competing against woodplastic composites (WPC) and synthetics, and it is a case of steady as she goes, although there is a minor erosion of share for the familiar green wood every year. “I have talked about wood composites as far as decking goes, but we are also losing to non-wood products like stone, poured concrete, stamped concrete, textured and coloured concrete.” The reason, McNeil continues, is their lower maintenance requirements. Despite these rivals taking small bites out of the market, there is no chance they will eat PTL’s entire lunch. The reason is colour. Where PTL was once uniformly green because of the copper used in the treatment process, producers are now providing lumber that has been tinted and has a brown hue. Two other products that are not the familiar green are blue wood and pink wood. However, McNeil cautions that blue and pink wood are coatings; they are not pressure treated. “If you asked for a chocolate dipped ice cream cone, they take your vanilla ice cream and dip it in chocolate. You have something that only looks like chocolate,” he says. “Of course, you poke a hole in that coating and you find your vanilla. That could also be viewed as the envelope on a piece of wood.” Both of these products have different performance characteristics, McNeil says, and are durable. Blue wood’s claim to fame is mold prevention followed by some other qualities. As for pink wood, its chief selling feature is fire resistance with some other advantages, he says. Blue wood has been oriented more towards basement renovations where dampness and mold can become issues, although he notes green wood has always been available to address those problems. “Blue wood really kind of chased after that market on the heels of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.” Tiaga distributes pink wood on the Prairies, and McNeil thinks the product will gain more widespread application in the next 12 months after which the

Design Talk Henry Walthert is the executive director of Wood Preservation Canada, based in Ottawa. He shared with Contractor Advantage his insights on using pressure treated lumber. What are the risks, if there are risks, of using pressure treated lumber for any purpose in the construction business? Risk relates to the actual construction. Whenever you saw or plane or sand a piece of treated wood you want to make sure you have the proper apparel, such as dust mask and goggles. The normal things you would use with wood anyway, but because it has a pesticide element, you need to make sure you are not exposed to it. The other concern would be, generally speaking, the disposal of bits and pieces of construction waste. We tell people that regardless of whatever type of wood preservative is used, do not burn it. I s there any science behind the potential long-term effects if less dangerous-sounding chemicals are used as a preservative? When a wood preservative is registered, and because they are pesticides they are registered, they go through rigorous reviews by regulatory agencies that are part of Health Canada. They look at it from a number of perspectives. They look at it, obviously, from the point of view of human health; sometimes they call it “bystander exposure,” people who use the product in a deck or something like that. They look at it from an environmental perspective too. What they do is balance the risk of a preservative with its benefits. Does pressure treated lumber come with the promise that it will last for a certain period? It would vary depending on the type of preservative, the type of wood and to the level that it has been treated. If you or I were to go to the retail lumber yard to buy some decking or some 2x6s, they are treated to a certain level to give the average homeowner 15 or 20 years of service life, which is what most people ask of wood products. If you look at an above ground application where the treated wood is not in contact with the soil, obviously you are going to have a service life there, but the most crucial place for treated wood is where it comes in contact with

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When it comes to hardware, what should anyone using PTL be aware of? Let us go back to 2004 when we transitioned from CCA to ACQ and CA. The new preservatives were less acidic and more alkaline, so there were issues with the fasteners that were being used at the time. There was a bit of a catchup to do. The retail market had gotten used to this type of hanger, this type of fastener, but when the ACQ- and CAtreated wood came in there was not the connection made that there had to be the right hardware. That has been pretty much taken care of. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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market will confirm it performs as the manufacturer says. Whether green or not, whether tinted or not, all treated wood gets a bath of chemicals under pressure and in a vacuum at the same time. For a long time lumber treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) was most common in construction. The wood treatment industry began a move away from CCA in 2004, although for permanent wood foundations, which are common enough in Alberta and in limited other regions of Canada, and some other uses such as utility poles, it is still used. Generally taking over from CCA are amine copper quat (ACQ) and copper azole (CA). With CCA, the primary fungicide is copper, arsenic is the secondary fungicide and an insecticide, and the chromium is a fixative providing UV resistance. ACQ contains copper as its primary fungicide and a quaternary ammonium compound or â&#x20AC;&#x153;quatâ&#x20AC;? as its secondary fungicide. CA is a copper-based preservative with an organic secondary fungicide. Irrespective of the treatment used, PTL should have an application of

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a water-repellent sealer to all exposed wood surfaces when construction is finished, and in time reapplying a sealer is recommended. Building with PTL requires care, not so much for the wood itself, but for the hardware used. There is a high risk of a galvanic reaction (essentially an electric shock) when the copper-treated lumber meets dissimilar metals so using copper and stainless steel hardware whenever possible is necessary. Aluminum hardware should also be avoided since that alloy quickly corrodes in contact with high copper concentrations. As for the dangers posed by PTL, irrespective of the treatment used, Henry Walthert, executive director of Wood Preservation Canada, says a branch of Health Canada conducts rigorous tests before any product is allowed on the market. In fact, says Walthert, the real risks are at the construction level, and he says safety equipment such as masks should be used. The disposal of scrap PTL can also be a hazard, and Walthert says it should never be burnt.

PHOTO: TAIGA

the ground. That is the highest hazard: right at the ground line. I cannot speak for the present, but in the past I know preservative manufacturers have given 60 years for a wood foundation. What we have found is that whenever there is some type of an issue with a wood foundation it tends to be not because the wood failed, but because of improper construction or things like that.

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