The home as a system

Wake Up Buyers!!! Forget the wall colour and focus on the systems in a home!

Many buyers in the Toronto market are getting too wrapped up in the aesthetics of a home and not taking the time to consider the internal systems and how these systems affect the physical and financial health of the occupants. Most buyers and owners do not realize that often builders are putting materials and systems into new and renovated homes that are to their detriment. Eurodale Developments, winners of BILD Renovator of the Year refuse to do so as exemplified in their latest home renovation at 33 Kelso Avenue.

Brendan Charters and Jim Cunningham co-founders of Eurodale Development chose to take a holistic approach to renovating this house in the Avenue and Lawrence community. They treated moisture and air management through waterproofing and an air/vapour barrier, they created air sealing and insulation upgrades to existing non insulated masonry walls with high density spray foam (to avoid potential mould issues with cellulose based insulation) and also increased efficiencies with a high efficiency boiler to heat floors and domestic hot water. This allows for reduced dependency on the forced air heating system and the elimination of a wasteful traditional hot water tank. Complete air sealing with foam and caulking and tape in areas of air and vapour barriers, as well as new energy star window and door installations were a sizeable replacement to the old leaky units. Once they had a tight home, they addressed air quality with material selections such as formaldehyde free cabinetry and low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints to reduce off gassing. The ventilation systems in the home were also improved to ensure proper exchange of air inside the living space.

Due to these upgrades it will now cost the owners substantially less to run the home. It will also be more comfortable as there will be less of the exterior forces of nature able to affect the humidity levels and temperatures inside the space.

 In a hot real estate market like this, location, most commonly referred to as the most important factor in any real-estate deal, may not prove to be everything – you need to start looking at how the house works as a system. The house at 33 Kelso Avenue has both a great location and great system design, making it the perfect combination.

For more details on this listed property check out: www.33kelsoavenue.ca

Home renovation tips -The first step is the most important

Building an addition on your home, replacing windows, a bathroom upgrade or even  just painting your home usually begins as a positive experience. The successful and happy home owners always have one thing in common. They took the first step carefully. They interviewed at least three  prospective contractors or tradespeople, actually checked their references, compared all aspects of the quote and usually did not accept the cheapest one.

 Perhaps my dad's advice,"Don't pay the full balance of the bill until every part of the work is complete no matter how small," will save you lots of emails and phone calls begging your installer to return!!

 Another  one of my clients shares a great tip. She resists pressure to leave a cheque, always coming home and inspecting all of the completed work and also always waits until her partner inspects it also before writing the cheque. She's a happy renovator.

See Get it in Writing  for great tips. Send us yours.