Building Excellence - Fall 2021 by NextHome

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FALL 2021 VOL.4 ISSUE 3

BE Your Best 6

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

CEO’S LETTER

Larry Clay Kevin Lee

MEMBER PROFILE

Solar Homes Inc., Calgary, Alta.

12 BY THE NUMBERS

The Housing Market Index

Features CLAXTON + MARSH DESIGN-BUILD ABERFOYLE, ONT. PHOTO BY GILLIAN JACKSON JACKSON PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN

15 INNER BEAUTY

Our latest collection of interior finishing products By Blair Eveleigh

26 GETTING TO ZERO

CHBA’s Net Zero Reno Pilot Project By Natasha Rombough

32 TOP UP YOUR TOOLKIT Part 1 of 2 By Allan Britnell

Insider Info 36 MARKET READY?

Analyzing the financial fitness of first-time homebuyers By Susan Carter, Sagen

42 BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

38 BUILDER’S CORNER

Merging Sustainability and Innovation Presented by Owens Corning

42 THE GIVING BACK PAGE Caring for our Communities

FALL 2021

T H E O F F I C I A L M AG A Z I N E O F T H E C A N A D I A N H O M E B U I L D E R S ’ A S S O C I AT I O N

VOLU M E 04, N U M BER 03 CEO Kevin Lee

EDITOR Allan Britnell

DIGITAL CONSULTANT Dave Gray

ART DIRECTOR/ PRODUCTION MANAGER Darrell Leighton

VP MARKETING – GTA Leanne Speers

DIRECTOR, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Natasha Rombough

SENIOR CLIENT RELATIONS SPECIALIST – GTA Sonia Presotto

CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER Jacky Hill jacky.hill@nexthome.ca

MANAGER CUSTOMER SALES/SERVICE Marilyn Watling

EXECUTIVE MEDIA CONSULTANT Michael Rosset

SALES & MARKETING COORDINATORS Gary Chilvers, Vi Nguyen

NEXTHOME EDITORS Wayne Karl, Rise Levy

HOME SHOW MANAGER & NEWSPAPER CIRCULATION – GTA Josh Rosset

SENIOR VP, SALES NEXTHOME Hope McLarnon 416.708.7987 hope.mclarnon@nexthome.ca

DISTRIBUTION distributionteam@nexthome.ca ACCOUNTING INQUIRIES accountingteam@nexthome.ca

SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANTS Amanda Bell 416.830.2911 amanda.bell@nexthome.ca

DIRECTOR OF PRINT MEDIA Lauren Reid–Sachs

Natalie Chin 416.881.4288, natalie.chin@nexthome.ca

VP PRODUCTION – GTA Lisa Kelly

VP SALES – DIGITAL MEDIA Virginia Knott

FALL 2021

PRODUCTION MANAGER – GTA Yvonne Poon

COMMUNICATIONS AND SOCIAL MEDIA OFFICER Emily Fielden

Published 4 times a year by NextHome, on behalf of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA), all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission. Building Excellence, NextHome, and the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) are not responsible for any claims or promises in any advertisement, nor for any unsolicited material sent to the magazine. Canadian Publications Mail Agreement # 40065416 Published by nexthome.ca

Advertising Call 1.866.532.2588 for rates and information. Fax: 1.888.861.5038 Copyright 2021 All rights reserved. All copyright and other intellectual property rights in the contents hereof are the property of NextHome, and not that of the individual client. The customer has purchased the right of reproduction in NextHome and does not have the right to reproduce the ad or photo in any other place or publication without the previous written consent of NextHome. Terms Advertisers, the publisher is not responsible for typographical errors, mistakes or misprints. All prices are correct as of press time. Editorial Submissions from interested parties will be considered. Please submit to editorial@nexthome.ca.

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P R E S I D E N T ’S m e s s a g e

Larry Clay

GETTING YOUR VOICE HEARD CHBA HAS THE RESEARCH AND REACH TO SHARE YOUR CONCERNS BY LARRY CLAY, CHBA PRESIDENT

individuals who own and operate businesses in residential construction – and all of us who work within the industry and are passionate about its future – CHBA is our voice with government. And the newest product coming out of the national level of the association is another great example of that voice being put directly to work. The new CHBA Housing Market Index (HMI) is an industry sentiments indicator and the most recent tool in the association’s advocacy arsenal. Every three month a panel of builders made up of CHBA members from across the country answer questions about how they’re feeling about the current and future health of the residential construction industry in Canada. CHBA’s HMI is the only economic product of its kind in the country. It’s modelled on the influential American version produced by the National Association of Home Builders’, which is used regularly by financial analytics, the U.S. Federal Reserve, policymakers, economic analysts, and the news media. CHBA is looking to do the same for Canada, and is already seeing very good media and stakeholder take-up with its initial

FALL 2021

launch. (See also this issue’s By the Numbers column on page 12.) And the story that the HMI is telling for the first half of 2021 is very positive, a nod to the resilience of the residential construction industry in the face of the pandemic. The 2021 Q2 HMI for single-family builders is 82.9 and the multi-family HMI is 83.9. Given the HMI uses a 100-point scale, this is a high sentiment number, reflecting strong builder confidence in the coming months, likely a result of a rebounding economy and the rollout of the vaccines this year. In addition to the core sentiment questions, builders were also asked about how the volatility of various supply chains were affecting their business. Lumber resulted in 84% of builders increasing the price of their homes and 72% of respondents ordering/ securing prices as far in advance as possible. The timely information from those questions enabled the association to engage with media with tangible numbers, informing Canadians about the real impact that lumber prices were having on new home construction, and showing government the extent of the problem and why measures to stabilize the supply chain long-term would be beneficial. While lumber prices are starting to cool down, many of us are still grappling with delays due to material shortages thanks to a number of global and domestic causes. In the first few months of 2020 the average overall construction delay nationally was six weeks due to material shortages, and current indications are that the delays have increased. Other special questions also bit into common concerns of the industry: skilled

trades shortages (40% of builders are experiencing this), and lag time between a sales contract being signed and a building permit being issued (a problem for 46% of respondents). This data will help the association continue to advocate for your business using direct feedback from members. The more members participate regularly in the HMI, the stronger our collective voice with government, and the more the association is seen as a go-to source for information about the health of Canada’s residential construction industry. In the wake of the election, the association’s ability to communicate with new and returning MPs about the issues that matter to members will be of renewed importance. The larger our association, the stronger our voice, so talk to your industry connections about joining the association that is the most powerful voice for the residential construction industry. Together, we are stronger.

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

C EO ’S m e s s a g e

CAMPAIGN CORNER HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IS A KEY CONCERN FOR CHBA MEMBERS AND ALL CANADIANS BY KEVIN LEE, CHBA CEO

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

I write this, the federal government has called an election, and Canadians will be going to the polls right around the time this edition of the magazine lands in your mailbox. Although the election period was set for a mere 36 days, CHBA had been preparing for it since the last election in 2019, when a strong push from the association’s advocacy resulted in housing affordability being a key voter issue, and several of CHBA’s recommendations materialized in party platforms. This time around, we have the driving force of the pandemic at play, which affected housing substantially. Housing affordability issues have taken centre-stage even more so during the past 18 months as Canadians spending increased time at home reassessed their day-to-day housing needs and goals. On top of that global shift, lumber and building materials, including everything from appliances to mechanicals, experienced surging prices and supply chain challenges, creating uncertainty and frustration among builders, renovators, and homeowners. And amid all that, the housing supply shortage

demand-side measures. CHBA is also calling for support to address the skilled worker shortage, and cautioning against building code changes coming too quickly and eroding affordability further. CHBA’s affordability.ca website is a great place for members and the public to get familiar with what impacts housing affordability. It includes a breakdown of each party’s platform and how well they respond to CHBA’s recommendations. While the election timeline is short, the association has maintained a consistent dialogue with parliamentarians about all things related to housing, which informed the party platforms that launched almost immediately with the election call, and are driving important discussions right up until Canadians go to the polls. No matter which party leads the country this fall, CHBA will remain actively engaged with political stakeholders to advance recommendations that will widen and diversify the pathway to homeownership, stabilize prices, and support the residential construction industry. Advocating for you and your business happens at all three levels of the association throughout the year; election time puts this front and centre, but we are hard at it all the time for our members, election time or not.

that the Association had been highlighting for years really came to bear, as demand skyrocketed and so did prices. Now, with house prices causing many Canadians in small towns as well as large urban areas to worry they’ll never achieve owning their own home, housing affordability is once again a key issue in this federal election. Throughout the pandemic CHBA has been very active in the media and with government discussing how the federal government can help address the challenge of housing affordability. Tools like CHBA’s Municipal Benchmarking Report, and our compendium Municipal Factsheets that were recently released that show how municipal policies, processes, and fees affect affordability, help illustrate the challenges that the residential construction industry faces (and how they can be addressed) – to the benefit of industry, municipalities, and homeowners alike. These and other activities also point to where the federal government can help out in a much-needed way. All major political parties will need to address housing supply and affordability meaningfully in their platforms, and we’ve already seen that in the party platforms and announcements that have been released. CHBA’s recommendations include an emphasis on the way the federal government can help address the supply shortage. They also call for a thorough review of the existing mortgage system through a lens of fairness and access for first-time homebuyers – with 30-year amortizations at the top of the list, plus recommendations to adjust the stress test. In addition to adding measures to help with housing affordability, it’s equally important that governments not try to artificially suppress the market through

ELECTION

FALL 2021

M E M B E R p ro f i l e

Peter Darlington, founder and president of Calgary-based Solar Homes Inc.

SOLAR HOMES INC.

THIS CALGARY-BASED COMPANY SPECIALIZES IN HIGH-PERFORMANCE NET ZERO HOMES BY NATASHA ROMBOUGH, CHBA’S DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

eter Darlington, founder and president of Solar Homes Inc. in Calgary, Alta., was working an office job when he responded to an ad in the paper hiring for a paper-wire crew. “I hated being stuck in an office, looking out the window and seeing the beautiful weather. I would never go back to that. I love being outside and working with tools,” he says emphatically. These days, he spends more time in his truck than swinging a hammer. After that first foray into construction on the paper-wire crew, Darlington eventually spent 20 years

FALL 2021

working as a building envelope consultant and exterior contractor, which gave him the background needed to excel at highperformance homes. He started Solar Homes Inc. in 2015, motivated by a desire to reduce emissions. The company specializes in Net Zero Renovations. “I’m really passionate about emissions reduction and I’ve been lucky to have had customers that share that point of view,” Darlington explains. “It’s also a nice benefit that they save money on their utilities and live in a more comfortable home when we complete the renovation.” He can attest to that, as his first net zero renovation was his own home, which he and his family still live in.

FA S T FA C T S Company Name: Solar Homes Inc. Head office: Calgary, AB Full-Time Employees: 3-5 Approx. Gross Revenue: $500,000–1 million Projects per year: 10-12 phased renovations per year

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

STARTING AT HOME While he has plenty of experience renovating homes to net zero now, the first one that Darlington completed was on his own home. At the time, he hadn’t heard of any other homes renovated to net zero in Canada. “I knew that I could make a very highperformance home,” he says about his decision to try to achieve net zero on an existing home in 2015. “It was at the time very leading-edge work, and we wanted to make sure we got the expected results. My wife was very forgiving letting me take a pretty big risk,” he ruefully remembers. The home, which was originally built in 1985, did of course reach net zero. It even went on to become officially the first renovation labelled until CHBA’s Net Zero Home Labelling Program Renovation Pilot in the summer of 2020. The renovation focused on retrofitting the exterior of the home, a great option on a

home that already needs to replace the siding and windows – the bulk of the cost. An exterior renovation also doesn’t displace the home’s occupants like an interior approach does. Darlington also made the decision to switch to all electric. “I can’t make natural gas,” he explains, “but if I design my property well, I can make my own electricity – enough to cover what my home needs as well as a car, and eventually a truck.” As an energy exporter he gets preferential rates through the Alberta electric grid. He makes 26 cents per KwH in the summer for the energy he’s exporting. In the winter, he gets charged 7 cents for whatever energy he imports. The final

tally means annually he pays nothing for electricity, not even distribution charges. That financial perk resonates well with clients, and Darlington can also back up the fact that net zero homes are more comfortable thanks to his first-hand experience living in one. “It’s the most comfortable space you can imagine,” he says. “It’s 21 degrees in every room, all the time, with no cold spots in front of windows. And from an air-quality perspective, it’s phenomenal. Wildfire smoke, scents from cooking…all of that is filtered out. The one downside? “Now when we go camping my kids aren’t used to trying to sleep in 24 degrees!” he laughs.

Coming CHBA Events FALL 2021

OCTOBER 2021

NOVEMBER 22-26, 2021

MAY 9-13, 2022

Call for Entries, CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence

CHBA Fall Meetings

Net Zero Leadership Summit

2022 Home Building Week in Canada (Saint John, NB)

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

FALL 2021

M E M B E R p ro f i l e

APPROACHING A NEW PROJECT Solar Homes Inc. connects with seven to 10 new clients each year, and most of them end up doing phased renovations to reach net zero over two or more years, which means that Darlington and his crews work on 10 to 12 homes in any given year. “There’s a lot of creative thinking involved. Every home we build has a different challenge and a different value proposition for the homeowner,” he says. When Darlington visits a home, he does an initial look around and then begins working GHG Emissions=

TONNES /YR Before TONNES /YR After

AFTER RENOVATIONS

on a plan to retrofit the home. For most homeowners, multi-year phased plans are common and help to spread out the financial investment. And while not every home is a candidate for a net zero renovation, he says that for many – especially around Calgary – it is a viable option.

“I know know the solutions are out there. There are on-the-shelf items – we just need to employ them”

FALL 2021

CHANGING PRIORITIES Making the transition to a new line of business can be daunting. But Darlington believes in the future of net zero renovations, and he has been dedicated to ensuring that the industry does it right and is successful. It’s what convinced him to join CHBA’s Net Zero Council. “I wanted to make sure that as an industry we had quality control measures in place – things like training on the building envelope, knowing where the dew point is, how to manage condensation, moisture, and bulk water intrusion. These things are critical, and I felt that I could contribute,” Darlington explains. And contribute he has, sharing lessons learned with others and meeting likeminded professionals while doing it, which he says has given him exposure to some

extraordinarily unique builders and talented, knowledgeable individuals. Darlington is convinced that the growing conversation around climate change, combined with government incentives that help get people thinking about renovating their home to be more energy efficient, will fuel changing priorities for Canadians. He’s seen a growth in public awareness about the term net zero in the last few years and has no doubt that net zero renovations will be a huge market in the next few years — his own business has already seen substantial grown in just the last few months. And as a parent to two young children, Darlington says he sleeps better at night knowing that he’s doing what he can to help reduce emissions in housing. “When my daughter was born six years ago, I was in a state of worry about the planet she was going to grow up on. And now I know the solutions are out there. There are on-the-shelf items – we just need to employ them.”

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

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BY T H E n u m b e rs

THE HOUSING MARKET INDEX BREAKING DOWN THE RESULTS OF THE HMI SURVEY BY VIKTORIA HALIM, CHBA ECONOMIST

In early August, CHBA released a ground-breaking Canadian research and economics product. CHBA’s Housing Market Index (HMI) is a residential construction industry sentiments indicator for both the single-family and multi-family markets in Canada. This informative product provides a much-needed leading indicator about the current and future health of the residential construction industry in Canada. It is the only sentiments indicator for the sector in the country and has been modelled on the very successful and influential American version

Q2 Single-Family HMI

delivered by the National Association of Home Builders’, which is used regularly by financial analysts, the U.S. Federal Reserve, policymakers, economic analysts, and the news media. Through this new CHBA Housing Market Index, CHBA is looking to do the same for Canada. The CHBA HMI will be released on a quarterly basis, providing a regular litmus test for the residential construction industry, which is one of Canada’s largest employers and whose health is critical to the overall Canadian economy. To deliver the HMI, CHBA surveys an exclusive expert panel made up of builders from across Canada that reflect market conditions across the country. The 2021 Q2 HMI for single-family builders is 82.9 and the multi-family HMI is 83.9. Given the HMI uses a 100-point scale, this is a high sentiment number, reflecting strong builder confidence in the coming months, likely a result of a rebounding economy and the rollout of the vaccines this year. As a comparator, NAHB’s single-family HMI (which is similar to CHBA’s) hit 90, a record high, in November 2020. It came down to 83 on average in Q1 as lumber and other supply issues.

Q2 Multi-Family HMI

(Includes single detached homes, semi-detached homes, and row [townhouse] homes)

(Includes stacked townhouses, duplexes, triplexes, double and row duplexes, and low- and high-rise apartment buildings)

82.9

83.9

The majority of single-family builders rated current and future conditions as Good (80% and 70%, respectively). Comparing Q1 and Q2 data, in Q2 about 3% more builders rated current conditions as Good, indicating strong current sales as predicted for future sales in Q1; also, in Q2, about 3% fewer builders rated future conditions as Good, reflecting the uncertainty around potential interest rate changes and the impact of the stress test on the market.

The majority of multi-family builders rated both current and future conditions as Good (79% and 70%, respectively). As with the single-family builders, about 3% fewer multi-family builders rated future conditions as Good in Q2 2021, which reflects the uncertainty around certain aspects of the housing market. However, 54% of multi-family builders indicated that traffic of prospective homebuyers was High to Very High.

Single-Family Builders:

Multi-Family Builders:

Rating Current and Future Conditions for New Home Sales Present Future

100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0

80%

70%

15% GOOD

Rating Current and Future Conditions for New Home Sales Present Future

FALL 2021

24% 5% FAIR

POOR

100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0

79%

70% 29% 15%

GOOD

1% FAIR

POOR

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

December 1 - 3, 2021 Metro Toronto Convention Centre

THE POWER OF TOGETHER

www.thebuildingsshow.com

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INTERIOR finishing

AS WE MOVE INTO FALL AND WINTER, YOU’LL WANT TO CLOSE UP YOUR BUILDINGS AND START FOCUSING ON THE INTERIOR FINISHING SIDE OF YOUR PROJECTS. HERE’S OUR LATEST COLLECTION OF MATERIALS AND FIXTURES TO HELP YOU GET THE JOB DONE BY BLAIR EVELEIGH

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

FALL 2021

INTERIOR finishing

WALLS AND CEILINGS Cirque

Graham & Brown Wallpapers

Spruce up your walls with these fun wallpapers by Graham & Brown, which feature bold geometric shapes with warm colours and inviting textures woven throughout. Try the repeating sunset motif of the Tramonto design or the quirky diamond shapes of the Cirque pattern. Both come in several colours with available complementary paints. GrahamBrown.com

Tramonto

Owens Corning PINK Next Gen Fiberglas Insulation

Using what it calls “advanced fiber technology,” Owens Corning has introduced an upgrade on its signature insulation that has a smoother texture, is softer (it feels like cotton!), and is easier to cut and work with – it installs 23 percent faster and creates less dust. Next Gen has improved soundproofing, to boot. OwensCorning.com

FALL 2021

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

Simpson Monster Doors

Rustic or sleekly contemporary, sliding doors are in. They take up less space, they look good, and the way they roll is...cool. These Monsters come oversized – up to 12 feet tall and 10 feet across – and in a variety of woods, with or without glass panels. If you have lots of room, they’ll even work with pivot hardware. SimpsonDoor.com

Trusscore Wall Panels

Drywall is great, but some rooms could benefit from something more durable. Trusscore makes these two alternatives from sturdy PVC, easy to clean and resistant to scratches and dents. The Wall&CeilingBoard is an all-purpose option for laundry rooms, rec rooms, and other high-traffic areas. The SlatWall is ready-made for hooks, perfect for organizing a home office, workshop, or garage. Trusscore.com

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

Bisaten Thermal Paint and Primer

Created by an Italian company, Bisaten is kind of super-paint: not only does it have anti-mould, anti-microbial, and anticondensation qualities, it’s also an insulator. Manufacturer GDM claims that its patented formula, developed with 3M technology, can lower heating and cooling costs by 26 percent. Bisaten is water-based, VOC-free, and washable. Bisaten.us

FALL 2021

INTERIOR finishing

ELECTRICAL Nokia Smart Lighting

Smartlabs teamed up with Nokia, the Finnish IT and telecommunications company, to create this smart lighting system, a design award winner. It comes with keypad, dial, or paddle controls and works with an app so you can even make lighting adjustments while out on the road. Lights on, nobody’s home. Nokia.SmartLabsInc.com

Orro Smart Switch

It’s like having a smartphone on your wall (well, without the phone). Control speakers, lights, security, and whatever else you connect to the Orro switch, including smart systems such as Alexa. The switch has integrated AI that learns to adjust ambient lighting to your patterns: soft light for morning and evening, bright for tasks. Neat. GetOrro.com

The OUTlet

We could all use an extra outlet or three. This nifty option will double your outlets in the same standard receptacle space. Pop the basic version open and you can plug two more electrical devices in. Bonus: go for the deluxe and you get two additional USB ports. OpenTheOutlet.com

Legrand Radiant GFCI + USB

So you’re in the kitchen and your tablet’s about to die. How will you read that recipe? Now, you can plug that device into this first-ever, according to manufacturer Legrand, combination GFCI outlet with USB ports (both Type-A and Type-C). Available in seven colours, including Dark Bronze and Light Almond. Legrand.ca

FALL 2021

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

INTERIOR finishing

LIGHTING Richard Clarkson Studio Cloud Line

It’s a cloud. It’s a Bluetooth speaker. It’s a thunderstorm in your living room. Oh, and it’s a nifty LED light, too. Cloud lights have motion sensors that react to give unique lightning and thunder simulacra. There’s also a mobile version and one that floats (magnetically levitated and in high demand – because floating). RClarkson.com

USAI LittleOnes Recessed Lights

You know what they say: small packages, big output. These tiny (1" or 1¼ " ) LED recessed lights from USAI Lighting deliver up to 975 lumens of brightness. Dimmable low-glare spots, wall washers, and adjustable round or square lights are available and are installable and serviceable from below. USAILighting.com

Accord Lighting’s Organic Line

Light brings warmth, and what’s warmer than natural wood? Accord, a Brazilian company, makes these stunning LED pendant and ceiling lights in amorphous shapes and veneers such as teak, walnut, and maple. Or go for something brighter: Ferrari red, satin blue, and pale gold are among the options. AccordIluminacao.com

FALL 2021

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

Hinkley Argo Pendant

Vintage industrial style (think brass strapping and rivets) is still popular. Hinkley has updated its Argo pendant lights with new finishes. You can still get them in satin black, polished white, or heritage brass, or you can spiff up your decor with sage green, pale blue, or light taupe versions. Cheeky! Hinkley.com

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

FALL 2021

INTERIOR finishing

KIDS’ ROOMS 3DLightFX Superhero Lights

It’s Marvel’s world; we just live in it. These easy-to-install lights will delight the super-obsessed. Designs include Captain America’s shield crashing through the wall, Thor’s hammer crashing through the wall, Hulk’s fist crashing... (No walls are actually harmed.) Available in large sizes, nightlights, and Star Wars, DC, and other characters. 3DLightFX.com

Artori Superhero Bookshelf

What kid – five years old or pushing 50 – wouldn’t want a superhero (or -heroine) holding up some books on the wall, seemingly without any obvious means of support? The book on the bottom of the stack hides the invisible shelf, and the metallic hero attaches via a magnet. But don’t tell anyone; it’s a secret. ArtoriDesign.com

Umbra Buddy Wall Hooks If picking up jackets, hats, and other items has you climbing the walls, know you’re not alone. Umbra offers these playful wall hooks for a fun way to suggest hanging stuff up. You can use the arms, legs, and head as hooks, and each Buddy can hold up to 5 lbs. Umbra.com

FALL 2021

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

FLOORS Daltile Porcelain Tiles

Get the luxurious look of natural marble, but with the durability of porcelain with Daltile’s Marble Attaché Lavish tiles. They come in large sizes (12 x 24, 24 x 24, and 24 x 48) and several shape variations, with a polished, matte, or satin finish. Doing a bathroom reno? These tiles even work as a shower floor. Daltile.com

Aimée Wilder Retro Tiles

Bold, playful, whimsical, eclectic: all words that come to mind when looking at New York designer Aimée Wilder’s new line of tiles. With modular, mix-and-match patterns, these cement, ceramic, and terrazzo pieces lend themselves to unique, striking layouts. Create something retro and new at the same time. AimeeWilder.com

SONOpanX Flooring Acoustic Panels

Keep those booming soundtracks contained in the home theatre. (Or any other pesky noises – did someone say, “drum practice?”) These four-by-four-foot fibreboard panels are made in Canada from recycled wood and are easy to install under flooring to dampen impact noise. Larger SONOpan panels are available for installation behind drywall on ceilings and walls. Sonopan.com

Tarkett FiberFloor Vinyl Sheets

Tarkett has introduced 28 new designs – including encaustic, wood, marble, and stone looks – for its vinyl sheet flooring across three of its lines, from an entry-level collection for low-traffic areas to a more durable wear- and indent-resistant set. All are certified asthma and allergy friendly by the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America. TarkettNA.com

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

FALL 2021

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WORLD-CLASS REAL ESTATE SALES SOFTWARE LEADER LAUNCHES

NEW & IMPROVED SALEFISH 2

s one of the world’s leading cloud-based sales solution providers in the pre-construction real estate industry, SaleFish Software has announced the launch of SaleFish 2, the company’s latest culmination of upgrades to streamline the real estate buying process. Building on the proven platform’s success completing more than 150,000 transactions valued at over $60 billion USD in the last 15 years, this new release will feature the most up-to-date web standards and introduces a new, fluid design system named “Sail.” Simultaneously, SaleFish 2 will maintain competitive differentiators such as seamless integrations, smooth processes that make sales 75% more efficient, and the highest standards for cybersecurity. SaleFish 2’s interface will offer a sleek, modern feel with an intuitive and familiar user experience. The software can also easily integrate into third-party solutions and will further streamline sales with a new modular buying functionality. At the base level, this is a simple window that will appear when a buyer is ready to purchase. This visually complies with the rest of the platform’s set-up to confidently take the user through their transaction. Whether developers or agents want SaleFish to build their entire sales platform or simply activate an add-on with a signature “Buy Now” button, this will ultimately ease the process for both the seller and purchaser. The security of SaleFish Software’s transactions remains unmatched in the real estate industry. SaleFish 2 improves on digital document e-signatures, ID scanning, and identity verification (FINTRAC compliant). Not only can SaleFish 2 auto-populate documents by scanning driver’s licenses and securing that data, but it can also innately verify that it’s scanning a live person (rather than a bot) and compare the person’s face with the ID provided. This has become an imperative feature as remote buying is becoming more commonplace. Processing a sale in as little as four minutes, developers and agents can promise unparalleled security by meeting the only standard in the country through Cyber Essentials Canada.

Filling in digital worksheets for pre-construction homes and condominiums has never been easier. The new plug-andplay “Submit Worksheet” modular workflow takes existing broker portals and websites to the next level. Easily accept worksheets and harness the power to sort through them and allocate units from the SaleFish admin portal.

“SaleFish 2 optimizes the user experience for safe and seamless transactions with a visually stimulating interface,” explains Rick Haws, Co-Founder and President of SaleFish Software. “Buying or selling a pre-construction home is completely frictionless with our latest innovation. This remains true from the beginning of any transaction with a simple entryway to the portal until the final signature where users can adopt a signature immediately generated based on various font options.” SaleFish 2 will also continue to integrate with any developer or sales teams’ ERP, 3D rendering and marketing partner, accounting platform, CRM, and even their own website, ensuring a smooth process on both the front and back-end. The new software will be available in North America and across international markets, including those that SaleFish recently expanded to such as Australia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Rick Haws is President & Co-Founder of SaleFish, a cloud-based sales solution provider in the real estate industry. SaleFish’s proven platform improves real estate sales efficiency by 75% and has completed over $60 billion in transactions in the last 15 years. Based in Toronto as the only real estate company to be certified by Cyber Essentials Canada, SaleFish is a trusted global solution with presence across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. To learn more, contact info@salefishsoftware.com

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GETTING TO 26

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CHBA’S NET ZERO RENO PILOT PROJECT SOARS BY NATASHA ROMBOUGH, CHBA’S DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION

eder Madsen had been thinking about delving into high-performance homes for several years before taking the leap in 2019. Madsen started his career working as a labourer with CCR Build + Remodel Inc., the company his father started more than 30 years ago in London, Ont. He’s since worked his way up and joined his father as co-owner. Today, they specialize in design/build for extensive renovations, including energy efficiency upgrades. “I wanted to push the boundaries on construction,” Madsen says about what drew him to high-performance homes. “It’s something you can measure – it’s science, and you can really assess what you’re doing. It’s taking it to the next level, not only for climate and overall performance but for comfort.” He first heard about CHBA’s Net Zero Home Labelling Program’s Renovation Pilot while doing energy modelling in preparation to renovate his own home, a two-storey house in Climate Zone 5 that was built in 2000. The timing was perfect, and Madsen decided to participate, using his own home to learn on – a common approach among renovators. “I wanted to take the plunge on a net zero retrofit so I could learn the process and understand the design challenges,” he explains. “It was also a great opportunity to train our team, tackle the budget, and give us a showpiece for clients to see what is possible. Beyond all of that, I wanted to go the extra mile and get to feel the comfort benefits of a net zero renovation for ourselves.”

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STARTING A LEGACY CHBA established the Net Zero Energy Housing Council in 2014 to guide the association’s efforts in high-performance housing. It was a time when net zero housing – homes that produce at least as much energy as they consume each year – was just starting to pick up steam with leaders in the industry, and CHBA wanted to secure a foothold in the space during the early years. “One of CHBA’s strategic priorities is to advance innovation. Our leading members identified net zero as a game-changing advancement in housing, and the association was quick to take steps to ensure that our membership was taking a leading direction in the space while advocating to keep industry efforts voluntary until affordable solutions can guarantee that high-performance homes don’t negatively impact housing affordability,” says CHBA CEO Kevin Lee, who has been at the helm since the Council was formed. Today, more than sixty volunteer members sit on the Net Zero Council from various industry organizations across Canada. The Council also serves to inform government on net zero challenges like affordability, capacity building, and innovation requirements,

FALL 2021

including members like Natural Resources Canada, the National Research Council of Canada, and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The mandate of this self-funding Council is to deliver services that will support members’ voluntary adoption of net zero homes. Supporting the CHBA Strategic Priority to advance innovation in our industry, the goal is to create a market advantage for CHBA members. Under the Council, the Net Zero Home Labelling Program was born. The program was piloted from 2015 to 2016 to hammer out a clearly defined and rigorous two-tiered technical requirement that recognizes both net zero and net zero ready homes. Using the Canadian EnerGuide Rating System to verify the energy performance of the homes (which has been used on more than 1 million homes across Canada), the program was designed so that even if it was determined the home wouldn’t go all the way to net zero and net zero ready, it could still qualify for R-2000 or ENERGY STAR®. In that way, it still supports the initiative to make homes as energy efficient as possible. Since the pilot, over 650 homes have been labelled through CHBA’s Program – a growth

that far outpaces other energy efficient home programs that have tried to gain a foothold in Canada in recent years. “The clear pathways that have been detailed to achieve net zero, combined with the industry support that our builders have received, has really contributed to the growth of the program,” says Sonja Winkelmann, CHBA’s Director of Net Zero Energy who has been leading the initiative since its inception. “The real benchmark of the program’s adoption is that builders are labelling more than one home. They’re trying it and realizing that it’s very feasible to repeat with subsequent builds. We now have production builders that are labelling entire communities, which is very exciting and great to see.”

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RENOVATING FOR THE FUTURE Canada has committed to significantly reducing its greenhouse gases (GHGs) by 2050. While innovation for new construction is important for the future of housing, improving new homes alone won’t achieve the national target to lower GHGs by 30% in housing. There are more than 14 million homes in Canada and about half of those were built before 1983. Given their age, many of these older homes are very inefficient compared to today’s code-built homes. Energy retrofits are crucial to making a dent in our housing GHGs, and CHBA is helping members overcome barriers to get there voluntarily. Two years ago, the association embarked on a pilot project to adapt its existing Net Zero Home Labelling Program for renovations. The objective included developing information and tools to support renovators as they work with homeowners to carry out renovations either all at once or in stages until the home can reach 0 GJ/year with onsite renewables. The working group that kicked things off was made up entirely of volunteers from the industry who brought their up-to-date knowledge of key barriers and new initiatives to the program’s development. Shawna Henderson, CEO of Blue House Energy, a leading online construction training company in Nova Scotia, was chair of the working group. Having worked in the energy efficiency field since the early 1990s, with a focus on deep energy retrofits since 2008, she was enthusiastic about being part of the team,

Morley Mountains Homes Inc., Nelson, British Columbia

a wide range of housing types and vintages, fuel options, and contributing market drivers that mean that what might be feasible here in Nova Scotia with our old houses and high energy costs wouldn’t work in Calgary or Vancouver,” Henderson explains. “The group was well balanced in terms of areas of expertise as well – we were able to have

“ I wanted to take the plunge on a net zero retrofit so I could learn the process and understand the design challenges,” says Peder Madsen of CCR Build + Remodel Inc. which included renovators, energy advisors, and utility representatives that had technical expertise in high-performance homes and major home renovations, and who represented Canada’s geographical distribution. “Each region and subregion in Canada has

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discussions that moved from the building envelope to mechanical systems to taxes to policy to appraisals to financing, and everything in between.” One of the first notable determinations coming out of the working group was that Net

Zero Energy labels are not currently a viable option on all renovations due to the high energy performance requirements, costs, and disruption to homeowners. To help renovators, energy advisors, and homeowners identify which homes are good candidates for net zero renovations, a description of the ideal home and circumstances for a net zero renovation were developed. Other tools that were developed include an exterior renovation checklist, solar PV estimator, and occupant comfort questionnaire to assist renovators in identifying home comfort issues to be addressed, and success tips for managing trades during a net zero renovation. The first edition of the CHBA Renovators’ Manual, which is in the final stages of publication, will also be utilised in the Net Zero Renovator Training post-pilot. A total of six home renovations were labelled through the pilot, with several more pending, in progress, or planned when the pilot wrapped up in March 2021.

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EXPLORING PRECONCEPTIONS There had been concerns from the industry initially about the airtightness target in the Net Zero Renovation Technical Requirements being too stringent at 1.5 air changes per hour (ACH). The Working Group discussed this and ultimately decided that a net zero home, whether new or renovated, should have the same final performance results for energy efficiency and comfort. Feedback from the renovators and energy advisors in the Net Zero Renovation Pilot reinforced that this airtightness target is achievable in a variety of home renovations. There were two approaches to get to this ambitious target depending on the renovation style, with exterior renovations requiring attention to detail throughout and excellent

Hasler Homes Ltd., North Vancouver, British Columbia

FALL 2021

communication with trades on project goals, while the renovations undergoing full guts from the interior sometimes took advantage of a newer solution: an aerosol air barrier that can be administered after the installation of drywall but before finishes. Of the projects that pursued a label, only one was not able to achieve the necessary ACH, but they hit the alternate metric of Nominal Leakage Rate (NLR). The others had final results ranging from 0.42 to 1.5 ACH. These pilot results support keeping the existing technical requirements as-is so that new or renovated net zero homes remain the ultimate in home energy efficiency and comfort. Peder Madsen’s home reached 0.42 ACH after the renovation, which he said requires strict attention to all facets of the renovation. “Detail, detail, detail. You have to triple check everything to get to those kinds of levels,” he shares. His team was able to reach 1.0 ACH before using AeroBarrier, which sealed the building envelope better than a crew could have feasibly done and improved their metrics even further.

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RND Conctruction Ltd., Ottawa, Ontario

NEXT STEPS With the renovation pilot completed, the Net Zero Technical Committee refined the final program requirements based on what was validated during the pilot. The focus now is on getting more professionals aware of the program, including some further opportunities and challenges that were identified in the pilot. One of the challenges already flagged is the cost for homeowners. While deep energy retrofits result in savings over time, the upfront investment can be prohibitive. The CHBA Net Zero Renovation Program is working to provide pathways to net zero/net zero ready through several smaller-scale sequential renovations, allowing homeowners to undertake the renos in stages as their budget permits. Each home and homeowner has different needs, so while there’s no one-size fits all solution, there are standard approaches that renovators and energy advisors can select from or combine to suit the situation. What’s key in a staged renovation is to plan with the end goal in mind, focusing on the house-as-a-system approach that follows building science principals. This way the renos are done in the correct order so occupant health and safety are ensured. An opportunity that was identified to combat the upfront cost of a deep energy retrofit is providing homeowners with financial assistance. Recently announced federal government incentives are a good start to the

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types of support needed. The Canada Greener Homes Grant initiative will provide up to $5,000 in grants for energy retrofits using the EnerGuide Rating System, and which can be stacked on top of municipal and utility incentives, are the types of support needed. A federal interest-free loan program expected to be available this year will provide homeowners up to $40,000 to help complete

worked with key stakeholders to produce a guide to developing successful PACE programs. Renovating existing homes for improved energy efficiency is a key component of reaching Canada’s GHG reduction targets for housing and will provide many opportunities for renovators. CHBA developed its Net Zero Home Labelling Program for long-term adoption and has positioned its

“ Builders are trying it and realizing that it’s very feasible to repeat with subsequent builds. We now have production builders that are labelling entire communities, which is very exciting and great to see,” says CHBA’s Sonja Winkelmann. deep energy home retrofits. This loan program will help make initiatives like the Canada Greener Homes Grant accessible to more homeowners. At the municipal level, PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) is a tool that allows property owners to borrow money to finance measures such as energy efficiency and renewable energy systems and repay the loan via a surcharge on their property tax bills. Currently Edmonton, Toronto, Saskatoon, and Halifax all have active programs, and many more municipalities are investigating or in the process of implementing PACE across Canada. CHBA

members for success in the field should they choose to pursue it, including helping to market its benefits. “Customers have to see how beautiful net zero renovations can be and they have to feel it,” says Madsen. When people start to hear more about those comfort benefits, the emissions potential, and the energy savings, they’re going to gravitate more towards it.” For more information about CHBA’s Net Zero Home Labelling Program, visit CHBA.ca/nze. For more information on the pilot and developing a successful PACE financing program visit NetZeroRenos.com.

FALL 2021

TO P to o l s

Tool Kit

HERE ARE THE LATEST AND GREATEST TOOLS TO ADD TO YOUR COLLECTION SO THAT YOU CAN GET THE JOB DONE FASTER AND SAFER BY ALLAN BRITNELL, BUILDING EXCELLENCE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

After a year when the most frequently used tools on the jobsite were face masks and hand sanitizer, with Canada’s slowly but steadily climbing vaccine rates, it feels like we’re tentatively turning a corner. (Knocks on a 2x4.) For most readers, visiting the local hardware store or building centre is a bit like being a kid in a candy store. Luckily, at time of writing, we’re able to saunter into our local retailers and pick up the items we need in person. Just don’t forget to wear your mask!

1 MILWAUKEE RECHARGEABLE PEN LIGHT 2010R One of the things we miss about attending Milwaukee’s annual New Products Symposium is seeing some of the ingenious secondary tools they come up with. Like this 250-lumen rechargeable pen light. With an 8-hour runtime, it includes a laser pointer, can withstand two-metre drops, and has a rubber bite zone for hands-free use. MilwaukeeTool.com

FALL 2021

HELP WANTED

One of the side effects of COVID-19 lockdowns was that it meant we were again shut out of the trade shows and media events where, in the “before times,” we were able to get our hands on the latest products on the market. Did you find a favourite new tool this year that you think should be on our list? Let our editor, Allan Britnell, know about it and he’ll add your suggestions to Part 2 of our collection coming up in the next issue. You can reach him at allan.britnell@nexthome.ca.

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2 DEWALT TOUGHSERIES 22-OUNCE DEMOLITION HAMMER DWHT51008 While the name DeWalt usually conjures up images of bright yellow power tools, the company also has an extensive and growing lineup of hand tools. Included as part of their new ToughSeries of hand tools is this 22-ounce demolition hammer. It features an anti-slip grip, magnetic nail starter, long handle, oversized strike face, and three prying options. DeWalt.ca

3 BOSCH HEATED HOODIE GHH12V-20 When it comes to our tools, we tend to be brand loyal, particularly when it means we can mix-and-match batteries from multiple power tools on the same platform. If you’re a Bosch loyalist and want something to take the edge off the fall breezes, pick up the company’s heated hoodie. It has three warming areas and includes a cellphone quick charge attachment. BoschTools.com

4 DEWALT COMPACT 20-VOLT CORDLESS BANDSAW DCS377 Of course, DeWalt has also been busy releasing a slew of new power tools that live up to their tagline, “The power of corded, without the cord.” This brushless, cordless 1¾" bandsaw, part of the company’s Atomic Compact series, is designed for one-handed operation. It has a variable-speed trigger, a built-in hang hook, and an LED light. DeWalt.ca

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TO P to o l s

Tool Storage 5 FESTOOL SYSTAINER 3

Various models Festool has upgraded its line of portable, easily accessible, stacking tool storage containers. The M-series cases are the same width and depth as early versions – and quickly connect to previous Systainer systems – but now come in a variety of heights, from 112 mm-high to 437-mm. The XXL, no surprise, is the company’s largest storage box with a 16.9-gallon (64-litre) capacity. FestoolCanada.com

6 KNAACK CART ARMOUR CA-01, CA-02, CA-03, CA-04, and CA-05 These 16-guage steel panels attach to a standard jobsite cart to provide secure storage. The manufacturer says there’s no need to drill into or otherwise modify the cart and you can assemble one in 15 minutes. Knaack.com

7 STANLEY METAL STORAGE UNITS STST24161BK and STST24171BK This stacking set of upper chest and lower cabinet have soft-close drawers, key-locking cabinets, and integrated power bars with USB ports. The upper unit includes a built-in peg board while the cabinet is mounted on locking wheels. StanleyTools.ca

FALL 2021

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I N S I D E R i n fo

MARKET READY? ANALYZING THE FINANCIAL FITNESS OF FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS IN 2021 BY SUSAN CARTER, VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS, SAGEN

t’s no secret that COVID-19 has impacted Canada’s housing market, especially for first-time buyers and those who intend to buy their first home in the next few years. At the beginning of 2020, social isolation, job loss, and remote work raised concerns for many Canadians’ quest toward homeownership, and the challenges to their financial fitness in achieving homeownership. However, a year later, first-time homebuyers (FTHB), first-time intenders (FTI) (i.e., those who intend to enter the market in the next two years), and Canadian homeowners are now showing their strongest financial fitness to-date, consistently outpacing Canadians year-over-year. The 2021 First-Time Homebuyer Survey and Financial Fitness Study conducted

by Environics Research for Sagen, in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Credit Counselling Services and Royal LePage, provides a snapshot of Canadians’ homeownership attitudes and financial fitness a year into the pandemic. This year, the study found that COVID-19 helped some first-time homebuyers and first-time intenders save for and/or buy their home sooner than expected – nearly 4 in 10 Canadians saw their savings increase during

Shifting preference to less expensive homes, further from work A: Prefer less expensive home further from work

FTHB consistently outpace all Canadians on Financial Fitness

While the financial fitness of first-time buyers and first-time intenders reached record highs, both groups expect significantly higher home prices in the coming years. 68% of first-time homebuyers and 74% of first-time intenders expect home prices to quickly rise, up from 62% in 2019.

Buyers and especially intenders expect significantly higher home prices to come 36

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20%

36%

2021 FTB 2019 FTB

B: Prefer more expensive home closer to work

49%

2021 FTI 72% of FTHB and 65% of FTI feel they are in good shape

the pandemic, making the dream of homeownership an achievable reality for many. In fact, 53% of first-time homebuyers bought in the last 12 months during the pandemic, while 38% of intenders plan to buy their first home within the next 12 months. Some reasons for the uptick in savings include lower interest rates, while first-time buyers and intenders saw less employment impact (such as reduced hours or layoffs) than the general population.

20%

32%

43%

18%

Less expensive home, further from work More expensive home, closer to work

29%

48% An equal compromise between A and B Don’t know/not sure

74%

2021 FTI

12% 6% 8%

68%

2021 FTB

8% 6%

18%

2019

62%

18%

7% 12%

2017

63%

19%

6% 12%

Increase

Stay same

Decrease

Don’t know

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This may indicate why 25% of first-time buyers and 28% of first-time intenders view their first home as their permanent home which they plan to renovate. Further, those who saw their savings rise over the last year plan to spend more on home-related expenditures including renovations. For buyers who want to make improvements

to their home immediately after taking possession, programs like Sagen’s Purchase Plus Improvements Program offer an easy, affordable, and efficient way to incorporate renovation costs into one manageable mortgage. All in all, although average home prices continue to advance, the pandemic has helped improve the financial fitness of many

Starter vs. permanent homes First-time Buyers

First-time Intenders

48%

first-time buyers and first-time intenders and aided their journey toward homeownership. For more information Sagen’s annual First-Time Homebuyer Survey and Financial Fitness Study, conducted by Environics Research in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Credit Counselling Services and Royal LePage, visit sagen.ca/industry-insights.

Four in ten who saw savings rise plan to make home related expenditures Home related: 41%

38%

Take a major vacation when travel becomes available Contribute to your investments (e.g. RRSPs/TFSAs, etc.) Increase spending on entertainment (e.g. local tourism, travel, hospitality, restaurants, etc.) Make home renovations/invest in home improvements including appliances, décor, etc. Pay down mortage balances

28% 25%

24% 17%

A: A starter home B: Your permanent home that you plan to renovate and stay in C: Your permanent home that needs no renovation D: A fixer-upper that you plan to renovate and sell E: An investment property/rental that you do not intend to live in

32% 30% 22% 20% 12%

Purchase a new/used vehicle

11%

Increase consumer spending (e.g. clothing, electronics, other consumer goods) Pay down non-mortage consumer debt (e.g. credit cards, auto loans, etc.) Buy a new home (first home, resale home) Buy an investment property (e.g. to rent out) Buy a vacation property (second home) Other Nothing, I plan to maintain my higher savings

11% 9% 9% 4% 2% 4% 17%

SOURCE: 2021 First-Time Homebuyer Survey & Financial Fitness Study: A snapshot of Canadians’ Homeownership Attitudes and Financial Fitness. Methodology: A total of 1,856 interviews with Canadians aged 25-40 who either purchased their first home within the prior two years or plan to in the next two years. Online interviewing was completed between February 17 and March 16, 2021. Quotas were set to oversample in urban regions with weighting to bring them into overall national representative distributions. Study completed by Environics Research on behalf of Sagen and in association with the Canadian Association of Credit Counselling Services. First-time homebuyer study findings in collaboration with Royal LePage.

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FALL 2021

B U I L D E R ’S Co r n e r

TAKING STEPS TO REDUCE OUR FOOTPR NT MERGING SUSTAINABILITY AND INNOVATION BY OWENS CORNING CANADA

here is an urgent need for innovation in the residential construction industry to address climate change. Building highperformance, energy efficient homes and retrofitting existing homes to higher levels of energy performance are designed to contribute to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and help provide a better world for future generations. Building codes are rapidly changing from coast to coast. Some provinces are slower to adopt them, however, nationally the codes are targeting Net Zero Energy Ready performance by 2030. This is something all builders and renovators should be thinking about.

GETTING STARTED If you’re a builder or renovator who’s wondering how to start offering high performance homes, you might want to consider connecting with other members in your local home builders’ association who are already experienced in the space and can offer insight on how they got started and what’s working well for their business.

It’s one of the reasons members who are passionate about energy efficiency get involved in CHBA’s Net Zero Energy Housing Council, which Owens Corning became a proud founding member of in 2014. Being part of the Council gives companies like Owens Corning the opportunity to connect with builders and renovators to hear about their pain points and where they need solutions. It lines up with the company’s objectives around footprint reduction and overall operations sustainability excellence.

CONSIDERING SOLUTIONS Along with learning how to build and renovate high-performance homes, professionals also need to consider the types of products that go into those homes, as well as how to market their value to customers. Implementing innovative building products and building enclosure solutions to help reduce operational carbon emissions and choosing sustainable products with low embodied carbon content is a good recipe for successfully achieving a high-performance home, and for showing Canadian homeowners that your company is committed to change.

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There are options out there for builders who are looking at sustainable solutions that offer high-performance capabilities, like the Owens Corning next generation of fiberglass insulation. PINK NEXT GEN™ FIBERGLAS® INSULATION, which is setting a new standard for insulation, focuses on solving problems in safety, precision, comfort, and sustainability, including being made with 100 percent wind-powered electricity 1 and setting a new industry standard for recycled content. It also saves 12 times the energy required to make it in the first year of use 2, and is low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), both of which are great talking points with homeowners. CHBA has many resources to help your company make a shift to building or renovating to higher levels of energy efficiency. And being able to improve comfort and safety for homeowners while using products and solutions that reduce climate change impacts and help reduce our environmental footprint will undoubtably be part of your goals as well. 1 Via Renewable Energy Credits in accordance with SCS Global Services’ certification protocol. www.scsglobalservices.com 2 Based on savings per pound of fiberglass insulation in the first year of installation.

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VISIBLY DIFFERENT

SAFETY

99% SAFER FIRE PERFORMANCE* No added fire retardants

PRECISION

FASTER INSTALL AND PASSES INSPECTION

COMFORT

FEELS SOFT AS COTTON

SUSTAINABILITY

MADE WITH 100% WIND-POWERED ELECTRICITY

Introducing the Next Generation of PINK® FIBERGLAS®. Owens Corning® PINK NEXT GEN™ FIBERGLAS® insulation is made for a new generation. For people who consider their options carefully when choosing the products they want to build, work and live with every day. For people who insist on safe, proven materials, demand clean, precise results and work to create comfortable indoor environments while respecting the natural environment we all share. It’s not just the next generation of PINK® insulation — it’s the new standard. And the right choice for safety, precision, comfort and sustainability. www.owenscorning.ca/PinkNextGen *99% less smoke generation potential under controlled fire test conditions vs. a competitive combustible insulation material. See owenscorning.com for details (live March 2021). THE PINK PANTHER™ & © 1964-2021 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved. The colour PINK is a registered trademark of Owens Corning. © 2021 Owens Corning. All Rights Reserved.

D CONTENT RE CYCLE

AVERAGE 73% RECYCLED CONTENT 61% POST-CONSUMER 12% PRE-CONSUMER

73 | PINK® FIBERGLAS® Insulation

HEX DRAIN BY SERENITY

In a world where you can be anything, why settle for ordinary? Serenity presents a geometrical game-changer, beautifully crafted and undeniably unique, the all-new Hex drain. Available in four trending finishes, including brushed gold and matte black, the perfect symmetry of this centre drain is not only aesthetically pleasing, it also boasts superior craftsmanship that can be relied upon for years to come. SERENITY LUXURY Serenity.Luxury

PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS

RENENEWABLE NATURAL GAS Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) can help buildings reduce emissions. RNG is made by capturing and purifying methane emitted from organic waste. It’s injected into FortisBC’s natural gas system and delivered to customers to use just like conventional natural gas. FORTIS BC FortisBC.com

Federated Insurance is one of Canada’s leading direct commercial insurers. With a dedicated agent and risk management team on your side, they can help protect your business so you can focus on what matters most – your opportunities. Learn more at Federated.ca. FEDERATED INSURANCE Federated.ca

PRETTY IN PINK Introducing the next generation of PINK FIBERGLAS. Owens Corning PINK Next Gen FIBERGLAS insulation is made for a new generation. For people who insist on safe, proven materials, demand clean, precise results, and work to create comfortable indoor environments while respecting the natural environment we all share. It’s not just the next generation of PINK insulation – it’s the new standard. OWENS CORNING OwensCorning.ca/PinkNextGen

FALL 2021

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T H E O F F I C I A L M A G A Z I N E O F T H E C A N A D I A N H O M E B U I L D E R S ’ A S S O C I AT I O N BUILDINGEXCELLENCE .CA

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Getting

Net Zero Ready

PL US

Hot N

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Building Excellence

The “must read” journal and online portal covering the homebuilding, renovation, and residential development industry in Canada

Got a story to tell? Email our editor Allan Britnell allan.britnell@nexthome.ca

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t h e G I V I N G BAC K p a g e

CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITIES C

anadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) members have been building, developing, and renovating Canadian homes for generations. We are sharing the extraordinary contributions CHBA members make in their communities every day through our ongoing #CdnBuilt for Generations campaign. Here are a few recent stories. To read more stories follow our hashtag or visit blog.chba.ca/category/giving-back.

BILD Calgary Region Foundation Gives Back to the Community

LHBA Member South Side Group Donates $27,000 In Support of Kids Kicking Cancer London Home Builders’ Association (LHBA) member South Side Group recently contributed $27,500 in support of Kids Kicking Cancer’s Heroes Circle Program. The Heroes Circle Program is a global healing and wellness initiative that teaches martial arts-based techniques, breath work, visualization, and meditation to empower children facing illness throughout hospitals, medical facilities, outpatient centres, home visits, and schools across Canada and globally. Delivered in-person and virtually by specially trained black belt martial artists, the goal of the program is to provide sick children with a sense of power, peace, and purpose. Last year, amidst a global pandemic, the program worked with nearly 3,000 pediatric patients within 58 hospitals.

Established in 1986, the BILD Calgary Region Foundation has been helping their community by supporting shelter-related charitable initiatives, education opportunities, and research. Since its inception, it has provided more than 7,000 safe living spaces, and given $7.5M back to communities in Calgary. In 2020/2021, the Foundation supported six initiatives from local non-profits and small community associations, including the Oakridge Community Association’s community garden and seating – a safe gathering space for area seniors during the pandemic, Arbour Lake Residents’ Association gazebo – a year-round structure for families and seniors participating in outdoor activities, and a new roof and exterior for Legacy Place Society’s new property to be used for support programs, outdoor mental wellness activities, and memorial gardens.

Fraser Valley Building Supplies Donates Bed Frame Materials for Displaced Wildfire Staff

This summer, as wildfires ravaged through the province, 26 wildfire staff in Lytton, BC, lost their homes and belongings to the Lytton Creek Fire. The community of Hope, including Canadian Home Builders’ Association Fraser Valley (CHBA-Fraser Valley) member Fraser Valley Building Supplies, came together to set up beds for when the Lytton BCWS crews returned to the base from fire camps for their rest days. Fraser Valley Building Supplies showed their support by donating materials to build the bed frames. A GoFundMe page, which aimed to raised $100,000, was also set up to help crews get back on their feet.

FALL 2021

BUILDINGEXCELLENCE.CA

NOVEMBER 30TH 2021

1:00 - 3:30PM EST

Join us online to celebrate the ground breaking impact our family of builders and industry professionals are making.

AWARD SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN AND CLOSE OCTOBER 8TH, 2021. SUBMIT NOMINATIONS AND REGISTER AT ENERQUALITY.CA/EQ-AWARDS.

The Innovation Gauntlet returns and your vote counts!

Be sure to visit enerquality.ca/eq-awards to see all 25 award categories.

Watch our Dragons Den style event where 5 products or services compete for YOUR VOTE to be recognized as the most innovative solution to current performance-related building issues in residential new construction.

• *NEW* Rising Star Award • Champion of the Year • Builder Achievement • Energy Advisor of the Year • Best Green Marketing Campaign • Licensed Professional of the Year • HBA of the Year • Building Innovation • Low and High Rise categories And MORE!

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