www.mapleridgenews.com - THE NEWS -- Wednesday, May 18, 2011 -- B1 Patio doors have come a long ‘Sliders’ way from the aluminum sliders that once did little high on more than gain access to outside. reno list By Maggie Calloway Once you have decided to invest in making your outdoor space more inviting, there is one item that should be right up there on your list. To make the transition from your interior to your new out- door room, the choice of doors can make all the diff erence. Loewen is a well respected lead- ›› more page.4
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renOVATION Awards presented
By Kerry Vital Th e Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association has announced the winners of its second annual renOVATION Awards. At the awards dinner held on April 15, the GVHBA handed out awards honouring excellence in home-renovation design and construction. Th e program featured 65 fi nalists in 26 categories, and was present- ed by FortisBC. “Th e quality of the work done by our renovators was superb,” says GVHBA President and CEO Peter Simpson. “It was a Kyle Exner of B.C. Greenhouse Builders suggests an 8’ by 8’ greenhouse for the starter gardener, but warns if you plan to add on in the future, you have to keep night of celebration.” that in mind when placing your greenhouse. Burnaby-based TQ Construc- Martin Knowles photo tion and Kenorah Construction & Design of Delta were the big winners of the night, coming Garden room no longer a pipe dream out with six awards each. Th ey were followed by Surrey-based My House Design/Build Team putter around even on those grey, drizzly days. Now that you have thought through why you with four awards, and Best Greenhouses are great yard Considering buying a greenhouse entails want a greenhouse, you need to be realistic about Builders of Delta, North Van- additions, perfect for growing much the same decision-making process as your climate. Do you live in a spot subject to couver’s CCI Renovations and home renovations. Just how are you going to use high winds or heavy snow? Let’s face it, life is New Westminster’s Intermind vegetables and other plants this new addition: are you really planning on be- not all sunshine and roses but sometimes long Design with two awards each. year-round. coming self-sustaining in the veggie department, periods of ice and snow, which means your Single awards were won by are you dreaming of turning the back 40 into greenhouse needs to be able to withstand such Build-Pros Construction of By Maggie Calloway a mini botanical garden, or do you just enjoy extremes. North Vancouver, Klondike growing your own vegetables and fl owers from One needs to consider these pesky details Contracting, Level One Mainte- Lurking deep in the heart of most gardeners is seed and want a place to protect delicate plants before taking the plunge. nance and Maison d’etre design- the dream of installing a beautiful greenhouse in and shrubs though the winter? Kyle Exner, of B.C. Greenhouse Builders, is build, all of Vancouver. the back garden. Th ese are all important questions which need an expert who has very defi nite ideas on what Intermind Design was also Many have visions of growing vegetables well-considered answers to avoid investing in it takes to pair the perfect greenhouse with the year-round, volumes of spring fl owers and plants a building which turns into an expensive white ›› more page.13 ready for planting, and a place to just generally elephant. ›› more page.15 SAVE THE HST ON WINDOWS & DOORS*
• Full Lifetime Warranty • ENERGY STAR® • Trusted Installers • Established for over 30 years 604.697.5700 No Interest & No Payments for 6 Months** homeworks.ca/promotions Burnaby, Port Moody, Victoria * Offer ends May 31st, 2011. Some conditions apply. Please quote HW2011-001 to take advantage of this offer. **O.A.C. Minimum contract value of $5,000 B2 -- Wednesday, May 18, 2011 -- THE NEWS - www.mapleridgenews.com Thinking of enjoying the benefi ts of natural gas? Quadra Homes offers high effi ciency and lower homeowner expense at Yorkson Creek townhomes in Langley
Something exciting is Quadra Homes and Fortis BC. These For the homeowner this means the gas powered hot water heaters. These happening in Langley two British Columbia-based companies monthly cost of running the home is on-demand water heaters eliminate the have collaborated to make the greatly reduced. An added bonus for need for a standard hot water tank and the energy needed to maintain water Quadra Homes has been building townhouse section of Quadra’s Yorkson the fi rst time buyers is that they can temperature. The Navien, powered quality homes in British Columbia for Creek project hit a high environmental obtain a credit from CMHC because by natural gas, boasts the industry’s more than forty years and has earned standard EnerGuide 80. this is an EnerGuide 80 project. highest effi ciency rating at 98% which their reputation as a company with “We collaborated with FortisBC on a Quadra Homes worked with a Certifi ed means low operating costs. This water integrity. natural gas pilot program for a number Energy Advisor to determine the least heater also provides hot water at a The Townhomes at Quadra’s Yorkson of reasons, including cost savings, cost path to a more energy effi cient very high gallon-per-minute (GPM) Creek are built to high standard and unlimited hot water supply, the comfort home using natural gas appliances for fl ow rate, which is very convenient for are offered at a good price. Features, of a high-end Carrier multi-speed space heat and domestic hot water. homeowners. which would normally be upgrades, are furnace plus the tremendous advantages This study was an important fi rst step The safety of the natural gas powered included in the competitive price. of gas dryers, stoves, barbecues and in ensuring that the project would fi replaces. After reviewing all these achieve EnerGuide 80 rating even Navien system is enhanced by dual Wonderful kitchens include granite considerations and the EnerGuide 80 before construction. microprocessors that continually countertops and deluxe wood cabinets. rating for the home, we knew this cross monitor performance to assure A stainless steel appliance package package was a winner” said Quadra Once the studies were complete, proper operation at all times. These consisting of a side-by-side fridge, Homes Vice President, Paul DaDalt. decisions were made to install Navien microprocessors also maintain the dishwasher and microwave is included steady hot water temperature. in each home. A gas range, which is the The second recommendation of the dream of home chefs, is also included. Shawn Bouchard of Quadra Homes shows the small space used to FortisBC study was the installation of “A gas dryer is a very compelling produce all the heating and hot a high-effi ciency gas furnace. Quadra component of our townhome package water needs for each townhome. installed the Carrier Performance because in the Lower Mainland, using 96 Gas furnace. This furnace is aptly a gas dryer costs about 11 cents to dry named as 96 cents of every dollar spent a load of clothes. This compares to is going toward supplying usable heat between 14 cents and 20 cents when to the home. using an electric clothes dryer” says The care taken to include high- Shawn Bouchard of Quadra Homes. effi ciency natural gas powered This exceptional quality continues mechanics and appliances, coupled throughout the rest of the home with with high insulation, means the new genuine hardwood fl oors, nine-foot owner will have a home which is ceilings, natural gas fi replace; all in warm and comfortable for the family, a central Langley setting with good respectful to the environment, and access to public transit. costs less to run.
Now, homebuyers will realize even Be sure to visit Yorkson Creek located more value as a result of a very at 208 Street and 82 Avenue in Langley. interesting collaboration between It is a winner all-around. www.mapleridgenews.com - THE NEWS -- Wednesday, May 18, 2011 -- B3
Hiring a BCSA licensed contractor Energy Saving Rebates to perform gas renovations is a from FortisBC good way to protect your family TLC furnace or fi replace service Receive a $25 Save-On-Foods™ gift card. and your home Available from May 1 - October 31, 2011
Install an EnerChoice fi replace and receive $150 Everyone could use a little ambience with their energy effi ciency.
Upgrade to an effi cient water storage tank and get $50 Upgrade to an effi cient storage tank and we’ll give you $50
Switch ‘n’ Shrink and get a $1000 rebate Renovations done without permits can seriously For peace of mind we recommend you hire a hurt the resale value of your home . . . or worse, licensed contractor. Use this checklist for to make Switch from oil or propane to natural gas, your family’s safety. The best way to protect sure they: install an ENERGY STAR® heating system and your family and your home is to hire a BC get a $1000 rebate. • Hold a valid BC Safety Authority Licence Safety Authority licensed contractor with the appropriate permit. • Provide references A licensed contractor not only ensures safety • Have liability insurance $75 rebate on select ENERGY practices are adhered to, they can help make • Are covered through WorkSafeBC STAR® clothes washers sure the job runs smoothly. The contractor can • Provide warranties on all work and materials obtain the permit on your behalf and manages Available from May 1 - December 31, 2011 the inspection process plus they can correct any • Submit the written quote with: defi ciencies. - Total cost of work A good contractor has the training and expertise - Timeline: start and end date of work required to do the job well and safely. And they - List of permits and the costs Energy Saving Kits reduce employ people who are qualifi ed and bonded. If (i.e. electrical, gas, building) energy costs you wish to “do-it-yourself” and have suffi cient knowledge and ability to do the work, you may After hiring a contractor they must provide a: If you’re on a low-income budget, you may be eligible for a free Energy Saving Kit. apply for a permit, provided that the work will be • Copy of each permit before beginning work done on a single-family fully detached dwelling • Copy of the fi nal declaration that is, or is intended to be, your permanent dwelling. It must not include one or more self- LiveSmart BC: Effi ciency contained suites and no person is being paid to do the work. Incentive Program If it’s a “do-it-yourself” job, an inspection is Make your home energy effi cient and save For more information please contact: required and will be done by a BC Safety Authority money. Incentives from April 1, 2011 - March Safety Offi cer to ensure that it’s safe. If the work is BC Safety Authority 31, 2013 to be done by a licensed contractor, the inspection 1-866-566-7233 (SAFE) is arranged by them. [email protected]
See how much energy your home uses…
For more information:
Q 55.8% - heating the house - Visit fortisbc.com/offers Q 21.5% - heating water Q 16.3% - power for computers, video games, - Email [email protected] DVD players, TVs, fridge and stove - Call 1-800-663-8400 Q 6.0% - turning on lights Q 0.4% - running air conditioner NRCan Residential Sector, British Columbia
FortisBC Energy Inc., FortisBC Energy (Vancouver Island) Inc., FortisBC Energy (Whistler) Inc., do business as FortisBC. The companies are indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of FortisInc. FortisBC uses the FortisBC name and logo under license from Fortis Inc.
The environment. We’ve got our best people on it. B4 -- Wednesday, May 18, 2011 -- THE NEWS - www.mapleridgenews.com Patio doors add ambiance ›› from page.1 door, make sure you decide in advance which way you want the door to swing: inside or outside. er in the well-defi ned area of windows and doors. Sliding patio doors are still around, but wooden With over 100 years of experience in production doors that function like large moving windows are and design, they have come a long way from church more popular than the traditional aluminum ver- pews and bee-keeping equipment. Th e decision to sion. Th ese striking doors are a huge improvement specialize in windows and doors has allowed them on the shuddering aluminum doors of yore. to embrace new technologies while staying true to a Th ose of us who are dedicated viewers of all long tradition specialization. things related to home design have seen the bifold Loewen’s Matt Penner says, “We have some beau- terrace doors which, when folded back on them- tiful choices available selves, virtually disap- today to fi t both the style pear. of your home and add Th e bifold allows you to the ambiance of your to create a feeling of spa- outdoor space. ciousness by joining the “At Loewen, we strive interior and exterior liv- to provide our custom- ing space. When closed, ers with the world’s most bifold doors provide inspiring windows and privacy and protection doors – but as we inspire, while allowing unob- we must also build reli- structed views. ability into everything we A fairly new system on make.” the scene is the Loewen We are all familiar Lift Slide. Th is system with the classic French allows expansive glass doors, sometimes re- panels, some weighing ferred to as terrace doors; up to 850 lbs., to roll traditional terrace doors smoothly and easily. hinge in the middle so Th e Lift Slide doors that one panel is fi xed glide, with just the touch and the other operates. of a hand, on almost By contrast, French invisible stainless steel Patio doors from terrace doors are hinged tracks, again allowing a Loewen are available in on the outside to allow blurring of the division several styles, including both doors to operate between the interior and French terrace, bifold from the middle. exterior space. and LiftSlide. If this is your choice of Submitted photos
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