Insulation and the R-Factor, What Does it Mean?

Text by Reena Nerbas

All of us pay to heat and cool our homes, all the while wishing that we could pay less than we do. In many homes, space conditioning and comfort bills can account for up to one-half of a home’s energy bills with the remaining portion due primarily to water, heating, lighting and appliances.

“R” factor- the measurement of the resistance of a given material in place. The higher the “R” factor the better.

Fibreglass comes in a variety of sizes and thicknesses. The thickness is called the R-factor. The R-designation is meant to tell the consumer how well the substance keeps in radon gas (the higher the R-factor, the thicker the insulation). Each area of the house requires a different R-factor. Exterior walls are usually R-13, floors and crawl spaces R-19 and attics and ceilings R-30.

The R-factor is the insulation’s ability to keep heat in during the winter, and heat out during the summer. It is listed directly on the insulation, the higher the number, the better it works as a barrier.

To keep the R-factor at its most efficient there are a few things that can be done:

-Fill in any gaps within the insulation.

-Avoid packing the insulation too tightly. Doing this can actually lower the R-factor.

-Before choosing insulation, consult a professional if you are unsure as to which insulation to purchase.

The Language of Insulation

When dealing with insulation ratings in addition to the R-factor there are a few other factors to consider, the “K” factor, “U” value and the “C” factor.

“K” factor- is a measurement of the value of any one material 1-inch thick. The lower the “K” factor, the better.

“U” value- the value of a structure, such as the drywall ceiling plus insulation plus air films, plus air spaces (if any). The lower the “U” value the better.

“C” factor- the measurement of the value of any one material in the given thickness. The lower the “C” the better.

In addition to insulation there are additional ways to make wise choices that will affect the R-factor of a home: building materials, drywall, window coverings, windows and doors. It is not just about insulation, whether you are dealing with mounds of attic insulation or thin liners on your draperies, the higher the overall “R” factor, the better the insulation will perform.

Materials and labour to install insulation cost money, therefore, depending on the size and location of your home determine the R-factor that is the most cost efficient for your home.

Tip: When insulating a floor, use batts that are the same thickness as the depth of the floor joists. They cost a bit more, but there’s less chance for compression or gaps, so the insulation will pay for itself over time.

Sources: insulation.org, homehumor.com, hgtv.com, illinsulation.com.

Brushing Up on the Best Paint

Text by Reena Nerbas

Picture a world without colour…a very different image, right? Paint is one of the least expensive ways to dramatize, stylize or personalize your home. However there are some important points to consider in making the best paint choices.

Not all paints are created equal. Paints recommended for exterior use have been formulated and tested for exteriors. Paints recommended for interior use have been formulated and tested for interior use. Recent research and development have brought about many changes and some paints are now made for both exterior and interior uses. Reading the label on the can will help you make the best choice.

People often wonder whether primer is required to provide a proper base for specific topcoats. Primer is essential when painting surfaces such as raw wood, new drywall and various extremely hard surfaces such as plastic and ceramic tile. If necessary, primers may be tinted to provide better hide for topcoats. The Golden Rule for tinting (contrary to popular belief) is that the primer should be tinted darker than the topcoat.

Before selecting a particular paint, one must also decide between oil based and latex. With recent developments in water based latex and acrylic paints there is hardly an occasion to use oil based paint. One of the reasons to use oil-based primers is to seal in tannin bleeding in woods like cedar and pine that have high tannin content. Tannins in these woods are water soluble and may bleed through coat after coat of water based products.

A frequently asked question: Is it okay to apply latex paint over oil paint and visa versa? Yes, it is. However some latex or acrylic paints provide much better adhesion when applied over existing oil paints than others. The proper selection of paint products is one key to good inter coat adhesion. The other key is a thorough scuff sanding of the existing paint. When a thorough sanding is not an option a super adherent primer may be a good alternative. Whenever possible begin by sanding the wall and cleaning it with a product such as T.S.P. (tri sodium phosphate).Your paint will last longer if applied to clean surface.

A good preparation of the surface to be painted is your key to success. Exterior surfaces should be free of dirt and mildew. Use a mixture of 4 parts water to 1 part household bleach to clean walls. Follow this with a rinse of clean water. Remove peeling paint, seal cracks and holes and paint according to manufacturers’ instructions.

When choosing between oil based (alkyd paint) and latex here are a few additional points to consider: Latex paints are fast drying, easy to clean up and generally low in odour. Alkyd paints are slow drying, require mineral spirits for thinning and clean up and often have a strong odour. The breathing properties of latex house paints make them superior to oil based paints because water vapours can escape more easily than through oil based paints.

Selecting the proper grade and sheen for the job are also factors to consider. Paints are rated for hardness and scrubability. Most major paint suppliers offer different grades and price ranges. Premium grades are worth the additional investment and provide longer lasting and a more durable finish.

Lastly, choose the right sheen for the particular application; Flat paints for low contact areas such as ceilings. Eggshell and semi gloss paints are for high wear areas such as kitchen and bathroom walls. Higher gloss levels generally result in higher ratings for hardness. They are scrubbable and therefore are better for high wear areas such as woodwork and furniture.

Choosing the best paint for the job will result in a quality job that you can be proud of for years to come.

Ensure a warm welcome – add a Fireplace

Text by Pat Gerbrandt

Even though the New Year has begun, and several winter months are already behind us, the appeal of a fireplace beckons warmly.

A fireplace can be incorporated into renovation plans almost as easily as those for a new house.

If you are considering a wood burning fireplace, remember to plan also for wood storage. If an indoor wood box with easy access to the storage area is feasible, you’ll save many steps. Not all plans will allow for that, but perhaps there can still be thoughtful placement to minimize the distance you’ll be carrying the fuel. You’ll need about 18” clearance from the face of the fireplace.

Fireplaces are vented to the outside through 4” corrugated ventilation pipe that is led behind the chimney chase through to the exterior. The chase will be framed out with wood then sheeted with whatever material you choose – drywall or cement board or plywood that requires a scratch coat.

Fireplace location is not restricted to living or family rooms. You might also like to have your fireplace in a dining area, eat-in kitchen, office/den, or in the master bedroom. A two-sided fireplace can enhance adjacent rooms. A fireplace can even be part of a spa package, tucked into the same room as a jetted tub or Jacuzzi. Usually though, fireplaces are used in great rooms because the added heat is so welcome in larger spaces. Generally, a wood burning fireplace should be in a room no smaller than 10’ x 12’. A gas fireplace takes less space than a wood burning one – three square feet is adequate.

Those who have any experience relying upon firewood for heating fuel know that there is some work involved. If you don’t want to pay for firewood, you’ll have to cut it yourself, stack it, and carry out the ashes. Fire building skills are a distinct asset, and being able to judge the quality of firewood can prevent disappointment. On the other hand, with a gas fireplace, you get heat at the flick of a switch. John Klassen of JEK says that natural gas fireplaces offer another distinct advantage because, “Gas is cleaner,” but concedes that a wood burning fireplace has its own appeal. “I still think there should be an air freshener that smells like a wood fire.”

Cultured stone, a popular choice for fireplaces these days, is applied right to the wall and it doesn’t add weight to house. This manmade stone is most popular because it is so versatile. A wide range of colors allows building owners to have free reign in design, and to use it in various applications so that the fireplace look can carry through a theme.

The most popular colors are the neutral earth tones – creams, beiges, browns and taupes, which work well with hardwood floors and darker paint colors. The cleaner lines of cultured stone are a little more elegant than fieldstone, and less angular than traditional brick. The wide range of choices available for fireplace construction enhances the appeal of this feature for your home.

Garage Door Options

Text by Blair Korchinski

Most garage doors today are sectional and run on tracks that allow the door to roll up just under the ceiling. This style works best with automatic garage door openers and offers low-maintenance service for years.

A less-popular design, especially on the Canadian prairies because of our winter weather, is the double carriage door. These doors swing out away from the garage, requiring that snow be removed and grass be trimmed short. They do offer design options not available with overhead doors though, and can be an excellent choice in the right circumstances.

There are many choices to be made when choosing a garage door. There are a variety of materials and styles. Some doors have windows while others are solid. While steel and aluminium are now the most common materials, manufacturers offer doors in wood, wood composites, fibreglass and even in some plastic and metal combinations. Varying amounts of insulation and different insulation materials are also available. Styles range from an industrial look to a variety of raised panels. As part of both style and function, doors may span an entire garage, or two or more smaller doors may be chosen.

When deciding which door is suitable for your purposes, you need to take all of the available options into consideration. If you simply want a door for an unheated garage that nobody ever sees but you, an inexpensive industrial style may be for you. For most of us though, a garage door is a large part of the front of homes. Most modern garages are either heated or are adjacent to heated areas, making energy efficiency a factor.

Lifestyle also plays a role. If you have kids that will be banging into the door with balls and bicycles, a heavy-gauge metal is a good choice. If you repaint your house often, wood is a better option than plastic. If noise from the door opening is an issue, you will want to choose a model that is insulated and quiet. If you don’t plan on installing a garage door opener, you will want a door that is as light as possible.

Steel is the most common material used in making garage doors because it is durable and paintable. Many manufacturers offer vinyl coatings over the metal to reduce maintenance and give it a neat, modern appearance. Steel doors can be insulated easily to improve energy efficiency and reduce noise. Dents, dings, and scratches can generally be repaired using automotive bodywork materials and techniques.

Should you choose a steel door, it is important to remember that when considering gauges of metal, the lower the number the thicker the material. While heavier gauge of metal offers more durability, it is also much heavier.

Aluminium offers the same advantages as steel, although it is lighter weight and some consider it to be more prone to damage.

Wood composite doors have several features that consumers find attractive. They are cost efficient, energy efficient and made from recycled materials. Because they are made in moulds, they are available in a wide variety of designs and styles. They accept finishes in much the same way as other wood products. While not as durable as steel, wood composites are durable enough to last decades.

Fibreglass doors are also becoming increasingly popular. Long-lasting, relatively lightweight and low maintenance make fibreglass another excellent choice.

Finally, a few manufacturers are beginning to make garage door panels from recycled plastics. The panels are held in place with metal hardware. While these products are new, there is no reason why they shouldn’t be at least as durable as products made from more traditional materials and they have performed well in accelerated ageing tests.

Wood is still a common material in the manufacture of carriage-style doors though, and some manufacturers are making insulated versions that include steel fittings to reduce wear. If you are considering carriage doors as part of your design, solid wood is an option worth considering.

Most garage door manufacturers, installers and retailers will have a variety of brochures and a knowledgeable staff available to help you. When making your choice, it is recommended that you consider all your options and see what is available, and what suits your needs and tastes.

Adding Value with Renovations

Text by Blair Korchinski
When considering a renovation, most people consider the value that the renovation will add to their home. While some renovations do add significant value to a home, others add little value but make a property more saleable.

The value a renovation will add to your house should be compared with the cost of the renovation and that should be taken into account when planning a renovation. Although increasing the value of your home is only one factor; comfort, lifestyle, environmental concerns, and living space are some others; if you plan on selling your home, increased value of equity should be a major consideration.

When it comes to evaluating how much value a renovation will add to your home, there are no hard and fast rules. Certain renovations add value in certain markets and changes in social values and neighbourhood demographics can turn what would be a money-maker a few miles away into a loss. It is important that you evaluate your individual property, your neighbourhood, and coming trends if you are planning a renovation mainly to increase the value of a property.

It is also important that the work be done properly. We’ve all seen those shows about “flipping” a house. We’ve also seen Holmes on Homes. Buyers have become much more discerning because of such shows and shoddy workmanship, code violations, and questionable design are less likely to pass muster as a result. It is a good idea that you consult with professionals at all stages, get the proper permits and inspections, and ensure that renovations are solving problems, not just covering them up.

Kitchen and bathroom makeovers are often considered to be great for increasing value, but that is dependent on the specific situation. In smaller houses or houses where the kitchen and bathrooms are too small or poorly situated, a simple make-over will have minimal effect on the value of the house. This is exacerbated by the relatively high cost of renovating kitchens and bathrooms when compared to the cost of renovating other rooms.

If hoping to add value to your house by renovating a kitchen or bath, it is recommended that you first appraise the situation carefully. It could well be that you are better off creating a new kitchen or relocating a bathroom than simply renovating the existing room.

Attention should also be paid to the cost of the renovation. Adding a $20,000 kitchen to a small starter home will probably not add $20,000 to the resale value of the house. The same renovation on a large house in an upscale neighbourhood may add that much or more to the value of the home.

If you are renovating a house with limited value, it is best to stay with mid-level products and designs common to other houses in the area.

The most profitable renovation, in terms of adding value to your home, is an addition or second level. This type of major renovation is expensive, but by adding living space to your home, as well as updating the style, you can build equity quickly and appeal to a set of buyers who are looking for a larger, more costly home.

Adding a second storey to a one-storey house will allow you to move the sleeping area upstairs and install at least one more bathroom. That will leave the main floor open for the kitchen to be enlarged, a family room or great area to be put in, and effectively double the square footage of your house. Since you are building on top of an existing structure, the cost of excavating and placing a foundation or piles is avoided.

Other additions are usually added to the back of the house. Common reasons for additions are family or great rooms, kitchens and breakfast nooks, or additional bedrooms or a home office, and sunrooms.

When having this type of renovation done, it is necessary to appraise your property and the neighbourhood. There is little chance of building value in, if your house is already in the upper range of houses in the area.

You should consider working with professionals from the very beginning, starting with an architect. While you can act as your own general contractor and hire sub-contractors to do the actual work, it often best to hire a general contractor who specializes in renovations. A good general contractor will have contacts among the sub-trades and will know how to join an addition to an existing structure seamlessly, so it looks like part of the original floor plan instead of an add on. Working with professionals will save you time and money in the end.