HRG has had a great time at the 2010 National. It was the first year that we had a booth and it was great to get feedback from the attendants as well as other exhibitors about how our site HomeRenovationGuide.com is a great resource for people looking to renovate their homes. HRG is the official online sponsor of MarketPlace Events, which holds this annual trade show and HRG provides a little welcome gift for all of the exhibitors. The spring flowers by local florist Cool, Green, and Shady were lovely and really brightened up the show room with a breath of spring.

As well, it was the first time I had the opportunity to live blog from the National for spotlight.rogers.com, a Rogers Communications Inc. lifestyle site where you can catch up on the latest pop culture news.

Here are my articles, with a look at the show and lots of green tips:

http://www.spotlight.rogers.com/life/green/8289/live-national-home-show

http://www.spotlight.rogers.com/life/green/8411/dream-green

http://www.spotlight.rogers.com/life/green/8436/green-house

Now I leave with some pics of the cool Challenger Cube house as well as this year’s fab Dream Home - enjoy!

by Robert Wright

There are many, many products, services and gadgets that can make the running and maintaining of your home easier. However, many of these are expensive, complicated, and may not live up to the billing.

The best “stuff” is usually comparatively inexpensive and easy to install when your home is being built or renovated.

Some of this stuff could also be the thought process that goes into your home’s design and/or selection of materials. It can also be the care taken during the installation.

If you install wood exterior trim, it is inexpensive to install and paint, but it can become an annual painting chore.  When this maintenance is neglected, then you have to replace it at a cost.

If a pre-painted metal and/or a “plastic” material is selected, it may be more expensive to supply and install, but you no longer have to paint it on a regular basis.  In addition, it will outlast the wood. This is why most homes today have metal soffits and fascia, PVC windows and door brick moulds.

Another example is your roof.  If you select a basic 25yr 3 tab asphalt shingle for your home it will work. However metal, stone, or composite roofing will last 2, 3 or more times longer than the asphalt roofing. In addition, these types will resist weather, vegetation, and wildlife damage to a greater degree. The metal and composite roofing will also be recyclable when replaced instead of being buried in a landfill site.

The heating and air conditioning equipment installed in your home can also make your life easier and less expensive. Many of the HVAC and HRV installations today are of the least expensive products and materials, and use the easiest installation method or route for the installer. This results in a home that has heat and a/c but is still uncomfortable due to drafts, cold and hot spots, and inaccessible maintenance points. With a little more thought, you can have equipment and an installation that will last longer, run cheaper, and make you more comfortable.

Today, many trades rely on caulking to keep your home warm and dry. The problem with caulking is that it will fail — there’s no if. The vast majority of leaks and drafts are a result of failed caulking. These failures are usually the result of an incorrect installation method or the incorrect caulking was used in the location. If the various parts of your home are assembled correctly, caulking isn’t actually necessary in most places that it is still being used in today. Besides, who wants to climb a ladder to caulk a gap at the window and brick joint on the second floor?

So where do these problems come from? Some of them come from the desire to keep the construction budget low when building. There are smarter places to save money than others; this should be discussed fully with your contractor.  Another one is the designer of the building.  Many, but not all designers are more concerned with the “look” of the project instead of what would perform better and suit the owner. The designer may also be unaware of some of the potential maintenance problems some selections can create. The contractor would know these issues, as he has had to deal with the warranty or repair issue in the past.

Only a couple of examples are discussed here, but most parts of your home will have similar trade offs and choices. You should understand the cause and affects of any decisions you make when building, renovating, or repairing your home. An added benefit of this process is that you are contributing to a greener environment, a greener wallet, and a smaller carbon footprint.

About the Author

Rob Wright has grown up around construction and in the mid 1990’s, Rob joined and took over Citadel Renovations in Ottawa. Rob has presented seminars at the local home shows on various renovations subjects and is a contributor to the Home Renovation Guide. Rob has been active in the Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association for many years and previously served as the Renovation Council Chair. For more information, visit CitadelRenovations.com.

Looking for a local contractor? Visit the Home Renovation Guide’s Complete Directory or Get a Free Quote.

by Julia Ritzenthaler

The shopping public is a very fickle monster that retailers work hard to carefully understand and serve. What is popular one month will be out of vogue the next month. Popular styles will differ even in different parts of the country. Environmentally sustainable furniture is a fairly new concept to the buying public. Many people believe that it sounds like a good idea but they do not really know what sustainable furniture is. The key is to not take more from the environment then can be replenished naturally. This includes the materials that the furniture is made from to the toxic chemicals that are emitted from the manufacturing plant where the furniture is created.

One of the first rules of eco friendly furniture is to lessen your impact on the environment as much as possible. Reduce, reuse, and recycle is one of the best things to keep in mind. Do what ever you can to keep your pieces of furniture out of your local landfill. For instance, when you finally manage to replace your husband’s beat up arm chair, consider giving it to someone who will continue to love that monstrosity of a chair.

The definition of sustainable furniture includes using materials that have been recycled or re-purposed or are made from a renewable resource. These furnishings will also use materials and manufacturing processes that are safer for the environment. Transportation of goods also adds to the economic impact that furniture will have on the environment. Online retailers are also an interesting environmentally friendly shopping option. You don’t have to drive to get to and from the store and because there is no brick and mortar store, the retailer has a smaller environmental footprint. Plus they have the ability to bring you an amazing selection and ease of comparison shopping.

Eco furniture can also be made from reclaimed materials. These materials may include wood, iron and glass. Buildings that are no longer being used can be stripped of these materials and then re-purposed to make a chair for your living room. Wood that has been reclaimed has become extremely popular because of the unique markings that it will usually have.

No matter what direction you choose to go with your sustainable furniture choices, be sure to consider an environmentally friendly disposal option for your old items. Pass down to a family member or friend who is just starting out on their own, or consider donating to a women’s shelter or somewhere like Goodwill.

This article has been provided by Julia Ritzenthaler, owner and founder of several online boutique home furnishing stores including http://www.UniqueEcoFurniture.com/ visit or call 1-866-526-1843 for more information.

by Guest

Lennox Industries, a leading provider of customized home heating, cooling and indoor air quality products,  introduced the patent pending SunSource™ Home Energy System – a new solar-powered central heating and cooling system that reduces overall household electricity consumption without the costs associated with traditional solar installations – at the International Builder’s Show in Las Vegas this week.

The new SunSource Home Energy System not only harnesses solar energy from the sun to reduce the electricity consumed by a residential heat pump or air conditioner, but also is able to use that solar power to operate other devices in the home that consume electricity, such as lighting and appliances, when the heating and cooling system is not running. In addition, if the SunSource system generates more power than is used by the home, that power will be sent back to the utility company, which may entitle the homeowner to a credit on their utility bill.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the typical U.S. household pays $2,200 a year on utility bills, and the bulk of those energy costs – between 50 and 60 percent – comes from heating and cooling the home.

The SunSource Home Energy System is composed of:

• A solar-ready, high efficiency Lennox air conditioner or heat pump that has been specially enhanced to serve as the platform for this new home energy system.

• A Lennox solar subpanel that provides the connection between utility- interactive solar power system and the HVAC unit.

• One to 15 roof-mounted solar modules that harness clean, sustainable energy from the sun and use it to run the home’s central heating and cooling system as well as other appliances – the more modules, the more homeowners can reduce their utility costs.

• A communications system that allows homeowners to monitor each solar module’s operation and energy production online, as well as other environmental benefits such as the amount of carbon offset.

Energy Savings and Tax Credits Equal Real Cost Savings for Homeowners

As an example, a consumer who lives in a typical 2,000-square-foot home in Corpus Christi, Texas, can reduce the electricity usage associated with heating and cooling his or her home by approximately 12 percent annually by installing a Lennox high-efficiency air conditioner(1) with two solar modules and by 86 percent by installing the air conditioner with 15 modules. In Tulsa, Okla., the homeowner would see around a 25 percent reduction in air conditioner electricity usage with two solar modules, and about a 180 percent reduction (meaning more energy production than air conditioner consumption) with 15 modules. The savings increase even more in sunnier areas of the country.

In addition to the costs savings and incentives offered by many local utility companies for using high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment and/or renewable energy sources, the new SunSource system makes homeowners eligible for federal and some state solar tax credits. In fact, these benefits, when combined, can cover up to 94 percent of the cost of the solar modules, including installation(2).

The new Lennox SunSource Home Energy System will be available with several products from the Dave Lennox Signature® Collection, which is the company’s line of premium heating and cooling products, offering the quietest, most efficient operation and a premier level of performance. The Lennox SunSource Home Energy System may be paired with Dave Lennox Signature Collection air conditioners and heat pumps beginning in May 2010.

About Lennox Industries

Lennox Industries is a leading provider of customized home heating, cooling and indoor air quality products that are designed to deliver customized comfort, efficiency and functionality, with the most innovative and reliable features available. Lennox is also the first heating and air conditioning manufacturer to harness solar energy for central heating and cooling – and beyond. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy have selected Lennox as an ENERGY STAR Manufacturer of the Year four out of six years for its outstanding contribution to developing and promoting energy-efficient products. For more information about Lennox home comfort products, visit www.Lennox.com or call 1-800-9-LENNOX.

# # #

(1) Energy savings calculations are based on a Lennox XC21-036 air conditioner, which has a 20 SEER (seasonal energy efficiency rating).

(2) Depends on local and state incentives in homeowner’s area. Typical incentives range between 30 percent and 94 percent of the cost of the solar modules, including installation.

by Guest

Dealing with mold can be a scary thing, but it doesn’t have to be.  Follow the five steps below to eliminate and prevent mold problems, so you and your family can move on to enjoying a healthy home:

Keep it Dry! Maintain indoor relative humidity between 30 and 50 percent, using dehumidifiers as required.  New houses require constant dehumidification, according to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Monitor humidity levels with a hygrometer: an inexpensive device found at many hardware stores.

Circulate, Circulate, Circulate! Nothing helps moisture breed quicker than stale, dead air.  Ensure ventilation of humid areas such as bathrooms and attics, and of moisture-producing appliances, such as clothes dryers. Encourage air exchange by opening doors and windows when possible; indoor mold spore counts are typically higher than outdoor counts.  Consider ceiling fans in several areas of your home (and keep them on as much as possible).  Air conditioning also helps circulate air in the home.

Seal it Properly. Avoid condensation-related moisture by properly sealing windows and insulating cold water pipes and air conditioning vents.

Investigate Monthly. Monitor mold hotspots such as bathrooms, kitchens, basements and attics for evidence of mold. It might be a good idea to take a look around these areas once a month.  Look for surface discoloration and ‘follow your nose’ – that musty, earthy smell could be hidden mold.

Treat it Right Away! If you find mold treat it immediately. However, there are more friendly products than bleach that are available. Treating mold can be something that homeowners can do easily themselves but beware if you have mold that makes up more than a 10ft x 3ft space — you should call in a professional to take a look.

This article has been provided by Concrobium®, makers of an earth friendly method to kill and prevent mold that is approved by Health Canada called Concrobium Mold Control®.

For all your home improvement needs, search North America’s largest online directory Home Renovation Guide. Looking for a home improvement professional? Get a free quote? Submit your project here and have local contractors find you.

by Guest

Being eco friendly and living a more sustainable lifestyle is a hot topic these days. As a result eco friendly furniture is hitting the online shopping market with full force. There is a variety of choice already available; so if you are looking to live greener, read on for how to find the hottest eco friendly styles.

You might be asking yourself; just what is eco friendly furniture exactly? Eco means that the furniture is produced in a way that it has the least negative impact on the environment possible. This includes things like when wood is utilized, it is derived from renewable sources, protected lands are not involved, and any chemicals employed in the process do not contaminate or damage the environment. Eco can also mean that a minimalist approach is used for manufacturing—for instance, delivery and mileage are kept to a minimum and the manufacturer is recycling energy and product wherever possible.

Another form of eco friendly furniture can be defined as furniture that has been made—in part or whole—from recycled materials. Furniture created from recycled items helps keep waste materials out of landfills and minimizes the need to consume precious resources.

Many retailers are now offering various environmentally friendly products. Many furniture retailers are actually now selling more environmentally friendly furniture pieces along with their other products due to customer wants, so don’t hesitate to ask staff if eco friendly furniture pieces are available. For this type of product, shopping online is ideal; you can compare and contrast designs, costs, and level of eco friendly materials faster and in the convenience of your own home; it’s also the perfect place for environmentally sustainable furniture because most online retailers are using less energy due to not having a brick and mortar store, thereby making them greener too! Also be sure to use the internet for finding tips on how to buy and find environmentally friendly products.

When you decide to purchase new furniture, be sure to dispose of your old items in the most eco friendly way possible. You have several options available to you. You can donate the items to places like Goodwill or your local women’s shelter. You can hand it down to a family member that is just getting started with their first apartment. Or you can even sell it at a furniture resale shop. Your items will surely find new life with a new owner because there are several ways of giving furniture a new look; reupholstering, a new coat of paint, a slipcover, a few throws and new pillows. So, please consider recycling before you put your items out at the curb.

Environmentally friendly furniture is stylish and readily available, so get shopping.

This article has been provided by Julia Ritzenthaler, owner and founder of several online boutique home furnishing stores including http://www.UniqueEcoFurniture.com/ visit or call 1-866-526-1843 for more information.

Education is your best friend when it comes to building a greener life. It’s not the easiest way to live for most of us in a hectic 9 -5, but it’s good to know there are doable steps that will bring you closer to making an impact (versus being a pseudo green washer with a head full of half-truths and slogans). There are many simple and cheap steps we can take to increase energy efficiency, reduce waste and toxicity.

Using less electricity is the easiest way to conserve energy. In the home, bringing in sunlight keeps the light switches off and in winter, your home will absorb its heat (remember to cover windows at night). Installing a skylight can cut down on heating, cooling and lighting costs and conserve energy and they are durable, long-lasting and trouble free. Drips and drabs of wasted energy can be prevented by unplugging unused appliances. “Phantom load” is energy that is that in use/wasted via plugged in appliances although they are shut off. Plugging everything into a power bar makes it easy to turn everything off with a single switch.

If replacing your furnaces, appliances, or toilets use Energy Star models as these versions can use 15% less than standard types. Switch to fluorescent bulbs, take military showers (water on only to wet and rinse, off while sudsing) and use a programmable thermostat (turn up a degree in the summer and down one degree in the winter); these changes will make a difference on your heating bill.

Do an energy audit by yourself, or bring an expert for an all over inspection. Small air leaks via windows, insulation, doorways can easily be sealed with caulk, etc., - - how many you have may surprise you. Add more insulation to plug in the leaks in your attic or to further retain heat in the home. Look for new types of insulation made of recycled newspapers and denim.

And speaking of other recycled materials, consider reusing as much as you can of what you already have especially in a renovation. Ask you contractor about what existing materials can be converted to other use, or can be refinished. Refacing kitchen cabinets is less wasteful than a complete renovation. Consider using old lumber/reclaimed wood instead of buying new. Visit your nearest Habitat for Humanity ReStore for unexpected finds or make a donation of your extra unused material. And when it comes to material finishes and paints, look for VOC (volatile organic compounds) and formaldehyde-free products.

Do you have other helpful green tips? Please let us know!

Find more energy efficiency tips in The Home Renovation Guide’s Article Library.

Want to renovate your home but don’t feel you can afford it? Well, many homeowners are turning to “phased remodelling”. The National American Remodeling Industry (NARI) recently published a press release that showed homeowners are completing their dream homes step by step. That is, instead of one intensive single project renovation, they are redoing perhaps one room at a time over a longer period. It’s a less intrusive way of remodeling your home and more friendly for the wallet because renos always tend to bring up unexpected costs. A smaller project would be more predictable in terms of following the projected estimate.

So great, if you’ve decided start with redoing either the  kitchen or bathroom first, make sure that any new plumbing is installed correctly.  The City of Toronto has recently put out a new ad campaign blitz regarding water sanitation in renos (well, recent as it’s a month delayed due to the strike). Interested in Green building and energy efficiency? Well, imagine the impact of a “cross connection”. That’s right, it’s integral to make sure not to mix any pipes and you might require certain building permits.  “Sanitary pipes” should be directing any household waste water to the treatment plant and not into stormwater pipes that channel rain water back into the lakes or rivers. For more information, visit the Toronto Website. On a side note, please don’t litter in our local sewer drains because that goes back into Lake Ontario! Not a Toronto resident? Check out your local city regulations.

Serious about eco-building or seriously interested? What about going so far as to make a “solar ventilator” for a doghouse?  In a recent Treehugger.com interview, Steve Thomas, former host of This Old House and now on Planet Green’s Renovation Nation, talks about his kookiest project and other green build topics. Recaps of previous Renovation Nation episodes here.

Ever wonder what interior design work garners the laurels? Here’s a look at the fabulous winners of the Canadian Decorator’s Association (CDECA) awards. According to the judges, entrants for 2009 were of an impressively high caliber all around — as evidenced by the tie in one category, an unexpected occurrence for this event. Very contemporary styles with modern clean lines were dominant this year. If you happen to be a fan of home magazines, the overall themes may look familiar to you - updated, yet classic and enduring. However, the judges weren’t merely scoring on looks alone as eco-friendly and sustainability factors of the projects were equally important considerations.

A small warning before you proceed — these before and afters may inspire the urge to update your decor, or even more so, make one desirous of hiring professional talent. Much appreciation to Tobi Brockway, CDECA Director of Marketing, for providing the details and images.

Awards Ceremony (and winners) images by Dana St. Louis Photography.

Category: Renovation

1st Valerie Rowley Schomberg, Ontario (pictured with presenter Tim Craik)

Bedroom Before

Bedroom After

Bedroom Before

Bedroom After

Ensuite Bathroom Before

Ensuite Bathroom After

2nd (Tie) Sharyn Kastelic North York, Ontario

Kitchen Before

Kitchen After

2nd (Tie) Camille Savage Vancouver, BC

Dining Room Before

Dining Room after

Category: New Construction

1st Lisa Geisler North Bay, Ontario (with presenter Marianne Fenniger)

The Winning Loft

2nd Christina Mogk Etobicoke, Ontario

Studio Before

Studio After

Category: Interior Decoration < $25,000

1st Victoria McKenney Vancouver, BC (pictured with presenters Laila Radage at left, and Sara Nadeau)

bedroom before

Bedroom After

2nd Elizabeth Metcalfe Caledon, Ontario

Living Room Before

Living Room After

Category: Interior Decoration > $25,000

1st Lisa Geisler, North Bay

hobby room before                                                               hobby room after

2nd Christina Mogk Etobicoke, Ontario

bar before                                                                    bar after

About CDECA

The Canadian Decorators’ Association (CDECA) is a professional not-for-profit association representing both Student and Accredited decorators and designers, and Affiliate businesses across Canada. Its goal is to foster the growth of the decorating industry in Canada; provide advocacy respecting policy matters; promote a positive image of the industry through proactive activities and events; and offer its members continuous upgrading of skills and knowledge. Visit www.cdeca.com.

I have to admit that since working for HIG and HRG, I do often get the urge to redecorate my home. However, it can be challenging when you are 1. working with a budget and 2. do not any decorating experience. So, of course I’m always looking for pretty ideas that are both affordable and beginner’s level type of DIY.

Here are a few such ideas I recently received from the Home Depot (all following content and images provided by):

Create your own vintage-inspired kitchen

What’s old is new again with the return of vintage flair. Incorporating this trend into your kitchen doesn’t have to include a complete overhaul. To infuse your kitchen with a vintage vibe, install easy to use peel and stick backsplashes like the Pewter Motif Smart Tiles.

Step 1: Measure your backsplash and determine how many tiles you will need.
Step 2: Wipe down the area, removing all dirt from the surface.
Step 3: Peel the backing from the tile exposing the sticky surface.
Step 4: Stick the tile in the appropriate position and rub down all corners of the tile to secure it.
Step 5: Repeat until the desired area is covered.

Cost of product: $11.99 for 10 In. by 10 In. tile (Pewter Motif Smart Tile)
Time: three to four hours
Tools required: a clean cloth and capable hands

The finishing touch

Painted finishes are back on trend and especially hot for kitchen cabinets - from antiqued and weathered to glossy and glazed! Frank Turco, Manager of Colour, Trend and Design, The Home Depot, suggests experimenting with yellow, cream, sage, green, red or black for spring ‘09. It’s easy to give your kitchen an instant facelift by painting those old cabinets!

Step 1: Remove the cabinet doors from the framework (to make them easier to work with) and smooth out your doors and cabinet framework by filling in any dents with filler and sanding away rough areas.
Step 2: Prepare any areas you don’t want painted with painters tape and lay a drop cloth on the floor.
Step 3: Paint the entire surface with primer.
Step 4: Tackle the edges and corners first by painting them with a paintbrush.
Step 5: Fill in the remaining area with a roller (once dry, repeat with an additional coat).

Cost of product: $32.97 for Premium Plus Interior Semi-Gloss Enamel Paint – Deep Base, 3.43L
Time: one weekend (may vary depending on the size and number of cabinets in your kitchen)
Tools required: sand paper, painters tape, drop cloth, primer, paint roller, paint, roller pan and 2 or 3 In. paint brush.

Redesign your closet

For those of us not so lucky to open the door to a new 10 x 10 Ft. closet; decorating, updating and organizing your closet will make it feel brand new, and perhaps even reveal some hidden treasures you had forgotten about!

Step 1: Remove everything from your closet and sort by things to give away, store and keep.
Step 2: Take the opportunity to clean your closet. Wipe down shelves, remove dust bunnies – make it sparkle!
Step 2: Freshen it up by painting the back wall in a colour you love or better yet, why not use a bold wallpaper to create some drama (closets need excitement too).
Step 4: Take advantage of unused space by setting up a set of drawers or easy-to-install closet organizer to provide even more storage.
Step 5: Maintain, maintain, maintain – it is up to you to keep it clean all year round!

Cost of product: $44.98/20.5 In. Black and White Large Scale Dramatic Floral Outline wallpaper; $89.99 Vaughan Woods Laminate Closet Organizer or $169.00 South Shore Furniture Five Drawer Chest (available only on homedepot.ca)
Time: one weekend
Tools required: damp cloth, eco friendly cleaner, hangers, shoe rack, sandpaper, primer, paint brush or roller, drill, hammer, screws, nails

Put it on display!

Don’t hide treasured pieces in a cupboard stuffed with endless items – put them on display. Here’s how to create your very own stylish hanging display piece using Rubbermaid’s Triple Cube Wood Shelf Kit. Each pre-assembled cube shelving unit is easy-to-install and can hold up to 11 Lbs. of weight. It’s as simple as these five steps:

Step 1: Before putting any screws in the wall, first determine how you want all three cubes to be displayed.
Step 2: Use a level to ensure the cube is straight on the wall. With a pencil, mark two points on the wall for the location of the anchors and screws.
Step 3: Hammer the anchors into the marked pencil spots, place the brackets over the anchors and secure the brackets to the wall with screws.
Step 4: Place the cube on top of the brackets so it is securely fastened to the wall.
Step 5: Repeat steps 1-4 for remaining two cubes.

Cost of product: $38.99 (kit includes three cubes, anchors, screws and brackets)
Time: one to two hours
Tools required: level, hammer, screwdriver and pencil

Conserve it

The desire to move to a more eco-friendly household has everyone working to “green” their home. An eco-friendly low-flow shower head is a great option to conserve water while still maintaining a powerful shower!

Step 1: Tighten an adjustable wrench to the flat spots on the base of the shower head, and turn it counter-clockwise to loosen and remove the old shower head.
Step 2: If there is a rubber washer, place it on the shower. Otherwise, don’t worry about it.
Step 3: Screw the shower head onto the exposed shower arm and tighten it with your hand.
Step 4: Turn the water back on at the faucet and check for leaks.
Step 5: If the shower head leaks at the connection to the shower arm, you need to tighten the connection more and may need to use a wrench to finish it off.

Cost of product: $44.99/WaterPik Aquascape shower head (Eco Options approved)
Time: one afternoon
Tools required: wrench, elbow grease

I for one am keen on the backsplash tile and perhaps repainting the kitchen cabinets –perhaps a fun indoors activity if it proves to be a rainy weekend.