Friday, December 30, 2005

Selling your Property – How to Present to Potential Purchasers...

When you are deciding to sell your property it is always an idea to make the property a potential purchase too as many buyers as possible. One of the best ways of doing this would be to present the property as if it were a blank canvas on to which a potential buyer can stamp their own individual tastes. Below are provided a few simple rules which should help you when to obtain that potential sale of your property without too much effort or cost to yourself...
http://www.luxury-home.ca/Articles/SellingYourProperty-HowToPresent.htm

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

A New Type of Luxury Home that Leaves Your Wallet Fatter and Your Life Easier to Manage...

http:luxury-home.ca
A home for the 21st Century is not about the latest in gadgets and wireless alarms, internet connections or top of the line intercom system. It is about strength, comfort and energy efficiency.

Baby Boomers are buying their last home and they know what they want.

Enter a new type of home. A home that stands up to fire, noise, sun, wind, rain, snow, bugs, mould and inevitable acts of God like, earthquakes and hurricanes; a home that gives you unprecedented comfort and a breath of fresh air 24 hours a day; a home that can resist hurricanes in Florida as well as sub artic temperatures in the Canadian North.

Imagine an airtight, steel reinforced concrete cube with about 3 inches of styrofoam insulation on both sides of the wall and body temperature heated floors.

Fresh air from the outside enters the house through a series of pipes buried 5 feet below the ground where there is always a constant temperature – 8 Degrees Celsius.

If you really wanted you could open high efficiency Low-E Argon filled windows, but why would you want to?

During the summer the incoming air is pre-cooled; during the winter it is pre-warmed. The flow is strictly controlled, pre-conditioned and filtered for a breath of fresh air - 24 hours a day.

Computer modeling of this type of air pre-conditioning shows that just this one idea saves 11% on heating and cooling costs comparable to conventional venting system.

This new type of luxury home is built as a combination of some of the newest technologies in modern home building: Insulated Concrete Form (ICFs), radiant floor heating, a tank-less water heater and a low energy consumption air conditioning system (that that you may need to use but very rarely).

The outside walls, which are built out of steel reinforced concrete make this home wind and fire resistant, bug and mould resistant and provide excellent protection from hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes.

Outside voices, traffic noises and police sirens are muffled by the walls thickness which allows you to sleep soundly every night. Gone are floor squeaks, drafts and the rattling of glass in your china cabinet.

Because of the exceptional insulation of insulated concrete forms, there is significant ongoing savings in energy costs and greatly increased comfort levels for the homeowner. The savings are anywhere from 35% to 60% depending mostly on the style of home and the size and type of windows.

Features, such as a high (92%) efficiency tank-less water heater heats the whole home, while providing an endless supply of potable hot water.

It turns itself on when you turn your hot water tap, therefore there are no standby losses as with a conventional hot water heater. This equals approximately 25% of energy savings just to heat your hot water.

It is also easy to incorporate a full solar heating, so you can achieve a complete independence from the grid.

This type of home costs only about 10% more than a comparable wood framed home and considering a long term savings, comfort and security why would anyone build homes differently is a merited question.

If you are thinking of building, or simply want to see for yourself what all the fuss is about, the model home can be viewed on Jan 15, and every Saturday after that until the month of April. It is located on 252 Pearson St. by the golf course in Meaford, Ontario.

Monday, December 26, 2005

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

To our clients, friends and all of you that may read this blog:
May your christmas be rich in love and friendship, and may the year ahead be filled with lasting joy and peace.
Harvey and Family.

Monday, December 19, 2005

How do we determine the budget for our new home?

One of the first steps in building a home is determining your budget.

For many new home owners the choice comes down to the lowest cost per sq/ft.

There are several problems with this approach.

First no two builders work alike or use identical materials, so the calculation is not always an apples to apples comparison.

Buyers who know something about material costs will factor this in. For example, if Builder A’s standard kitchen cabinets are vinyl- wrapped raised panel doors and Builder B has oak cabinets with flat panel doors, Builder B’s costs are higher.

Costs may also be higher in less obvious ways. One builder may use a 90% efficient gas furnace instead of 78% efficient one; or plastic pipes instead of copper ones.

Even when builders in the same market are consistent in their measurements, their notion of sq. ft. may be different from each others and the buyers.

Most buyers think that this means “useable space”, while builders calculate in terms of the total area occupied by the building. This can make a substantial difference.

Two builders may not calculate cost per sq/ft in the same way when calculating your total price.

Some include only what you can walk on, excluding closets, but counting walk-ins.

Others count two story spaces twice because the entire volume is finished space that must be heated or cooled. On most building plans, square footage is electronically generated by the computer program.

Some take in consideration outside wall dimensions, some inside wall dimensions. Some include garage while some don’t.

Also, sometimes the useable area is measured at the floor level, so that the two-storey spaces such as entry foyers and family rooms can only be included in the calculation once.

Pricing a home per sq/ft is never a guarantee that you will end up in home you expect.

The homebuyer should be very clear on the differences in the materials to be used in their home, and the method of calculation. An experienced builder will be an enormous help.



http://luxury-home.ca/

Sunday, December 18, 2005

Home Repair Improvement Advice-by: Tom Laing

Our homes are our precious possessions – to own a home for oneself is a goal many people aim for in life, even from childhood. After making a home for oneself and the family, it needs to be kept clean and well maintained. Home repair improvement plays a big role in the duties of owning a home. Home repair improvement is something that should be handled with care and planning. If not, the whole effort is going to be counter productive and it will require another phase of home repair to set everything right. More at:
http://luxury-home.ca/Articles/HomeRepairImprovementAdvice.htm

Thursday, December 15, 2005

The 10 Most Important Rules of Choosing and Dealing With a Contractor

Building your dream home can quickly turn into a nightmare of unmet schedules, cost over runs, shabby workmanship and endless arguments.
I have been originating and closing construction loans for a good number of years now and I have experienced clients dumping contractors and even contractors dumping clients. By that time in most cases the job is running behind schedule and over budget. Choosing a new contractor at this stage is difficult and further delays are inevitable... More at: http://luxury-home.ca/Articles/10MostImportantRules.htm
Also, check our new site: Luxury-Home.ca
or our old site: ontario-home-builder.com

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

The Four Essential Tips to Consider Before Choosing Flooring for Your Home

When building your home or redecorating, choosing your flooring is going to be one of the most important elements in giving your home its unique character, look and feel. Selecting the right flooring fore your home though, is not just as simple as choosing the look you want. There is so much more to take into consideration before you find the right floor for you. more: http://luxury-home.ca/Articles/TheFourEssentialTips.htm

Friday, December 09, 2005

Should We Build a New Home or Buy an Existing One?

When building, everything is new. You pick out the materials, floor plan, decorating etc. Repairs and maintenance will less likely be needed plus there is usually a warrantee. You can take advantage of newer technology, newer materials, and modern floor plans. Energy bills can be saved on by creating a more energy efficient home. Property taxes will probably be less during the first year. New subdivisions have better streets and utilities and are less prone to outages from storms. New homes have newer materials and conform to newer building codes. Some insurance companies offer lower insurance rates for newer homes. Finally there is the “Pride of Ownership” which occurs from a home that you “helped create”. There are disadvantages. It may be hard to find a good or convenient location to build. It is becoming harder to find land to build a custom home. It may cost more to build a new home, and extra fees may be incurred such as building permits, utility tap fees, survey costs and construction loan fees. Sometimes, it may take longer to build than what you expected (weather delays, supply delays). You will need to make more decisions and it will take more of your free time.
An existing home is ready to move in sooner. You know exactly what the home will look like and feel like. It usually costs less to buy then to build a new home. You may need to do less work to finish the home (landscaping, decorating, window coverings). You’ll have fewer decisions to make, but you will have less control over what the home is like. An older home may have more repair and maintenance expenses. You may not know the quality of materials and workmanship that went into the home (Insulation? Windows? Efficient furnace and A/C?). Changes may have to be made to suit your tastes, such as redecorating or remodeling. Insurance rates may be higher. Older homes may be less convenient for modern lifestyles (fewer bathrooms, not wired for technology, inconvenient floor plans, lack of closets). Cost of utilities may be higher for an older home. More at :
http://www.luxury-home.ca/Articles/Building-vs-buying.htm

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

When Does It Pay-Off To Obtain a Home Mortgage

If you are in dire need of money and don't have the financial means for a large cash transaction to buy a house, then opting for a home mortgage is worth consideration. more at

http://www.luxury-home.ca/Articles/Home-Mortgage.htm

Check our old web; Ontario Home Builder
or our new one: Luxury Home

Monday, December 05, 2005

Living With Radiant Heat is One of Life's Simple Pleasures...

Invisible, clean, quiet, efficient and dependable;

In Canada and in North America in general, forced air heat is still the most popular because of its low installation costs. However it is the most expensive type of heat to operate and the least comfortable.

When a forced air furnace comes on, a blast of warm air blows into the room for a short time, spreads through the room, carrying dust, pollen, and other air-born pollutants with it. It continues until the thermostat is satisfied.

The warmer air rises to the ceiling, leaving cooler air below. As the room cools, the thermostat calls for the cycle to repeat. more at: Radiant Floor Heat

You can also comment on our new web site Luxury Home

Friday, December 02, 2005

13Things You Need To Know Before You Buy a Lot..

Avoid Costly Mistakes & Unnecessary Aggravation - Home Building Tips! Many things should be considered before you choose the desired location to build your new home – type of soil, useable area, water tables, slope, grading and more. Be informed, so that you do not regret your decisions later on. more...
You can also check and comment on our new web site Luxury Home

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Once Upon a Time in Malengo.....almost a true story.

Once there was a beautiful little country named Malengo. On one side of Malengo, the sea spread out, providing white sandy beaches for children to run on and white-capped blue waves for children to laugh in and a wide expanse of ever-moving blue that quieted restlessness more...
Also: Take a look at: Luxury Home our new web concept.

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Wind Power:

Stand Alone Wind Energy System Buyers Guide. It will Help you Decide if the Wind Energy is a viable option for you. By National Resources Canada. You can download it here: Homes Ontario

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Info On Heat Pumps

Residential Earth Energy Systems Buyers Guide Provides Homeowners with the information they need to plan for the purchase of an earth energy heat pump system in new or existing home... By: National Resources Canada. You can download it here: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/new-home.htm

Saturday, November 12, 2005

Cost Of a Custom Home...

If you are considering have a custom home built, the following information will help you get an idea of the cost of building (exclusive of land). more... at http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/home-building-cost%20.htm

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Thursday, November 03, 2005

Monday, October 31, 2005

"13Things You Need To Know Before You Buy a Lot?"

Ontario Home Builder
Rule #1:
Don’t Build on Fill:

Your foundation needs to rest on solid, undisturbed ground. It can take hundreds of years for ground to settle.
Sometimes, a steep ravine may have been filled in and/or the land may have previously been a dump.
If you cannot dig down far enough to rest the footings on solid and undisturbed ground, then you run the risk of having the ground settle after you home is built. More: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/Normal-House-Builder.htm

Sunday, October 30, 2005

Appraisers Judge Renovation Paybacks - Renovation Trends:

The Appraisal Institute of Canada has released their annual survey of which home renovation projects represent the best `payback' for dollars spent .
Several hundred members of the Institute were surveyed. As well, the appraisers gave details on what home renovation trends were becoming popular in their own market areas.
The results? Payback is highest for a range of projects, including painting inside and out as well as more expensive projects such as kitchen and bathroom renovation... More: Repairing-Building-Contractor

Friday, October 28, 2005

Feng Shui Cures

Feng Shui Cures
by: Batsheva Vaknin

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art used in the home to create balance and harmony. Feng Shui Practitioners have many tricks of the trade used to get rid of negative energy and promote happiness, stability, affluence, tranquility and peace. With the help of this guide, now you, too, can use Feng Shui to enhance your surroundings. Read More @ http://www.build-with-you.com/Feng-Shui2.html

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Sunday, October 23, 2005

Saturday, October 22, 2005

7 Tips To Lower Home Construction Costs…

Dreaming of building a new home, but worried about the expense? Long before you draw up the final plans, it pays to do some "guesstimating." Knowing how much the project might cost will help you modify your plans to meet your budget. Here are 7 handy tips from Harvey Juric president of ICFhome.ca to lower your home construction cost... more...
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/building-cost.htm

Thursday, October 20, 2005

19 Things You Must Know When Choosing a House Plan

When building a custom home, choosing the right plan for you is the most important thing. Here are19 things you must know when choosing a house plan. From the shape and layout of rooms to exterior views and sound; it can all affect how much you enjoy your new home. more... http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/House-Plans.htm

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Dreaming of building a new home, but worried about the expense? What you need to know...

If you are considering having a custom home built, the following information will help you get an idea of the cost of building exclusive of land.
However, you will first need at least a preliminary plan of the proposed house. You should also carefully consider how much you can, or want to, spend.
There are many variables to consider in developing a rough estimate of construction cost due to the wide range in materials and options that might be used. For example, marble and hardwood floors are more expensive than vinyl and carpet (which themselves can have a wide variance in quality and price). If your goal is building a home at low cost – the finishing often makes the difference. More:
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/home-building-cost%20.htm

Monday, October 17, 2005

Dilemmas with Pricing the House per Square Foot…

After sorting through the issues of location, price, floor plan and features, do we go with Builder A or Builder B?
or many new home buyers, the choice comes down to which one offers a lowest cost-per-square foot price.

Unfortunately, It has been said that estimating a home on a per square foot bases was like estimating the cost of building a house by counting the number of electrical power points in the building plan.
There are several problems with this approach. First, no two builders work alike or use identical materials, so the calculation will not be an apples to apples comparison... More: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/price-per-sq.ft.htm

Sunday, October 16, 2005

"Why should you build with Insulated Concrete Forms? A better question would be: Why would you consider building with anything else?..."

Imagine If You Will?...

It’s a Sunday morning in January in Ontario. You stretch under your comforter, ready for your morning coffee. Your eyes are drawn to your icy bedroom window by the sound of the howling wind and blowing snow outside. The thought of having to make your way to the cold kitchen floor, sends shivers down your spine. As you start to make your way, it almost seems as if the wind is blowing “inside” the house. The constant noise of the furnace coming from the basement makes you shiver even more, just thinking about next month’s heating bill…

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, your brother-in-law wakes and stretches on his king size bed. The automatic coffee maker is brewing – and the smell of fresh brewed coffee fills the air. As he walks into the kitchen he smiles, feeling the warmth of his floors – thank goodness for radiant floor heat! Through his kitchen window he notices that the huge birch tree at the side of the house has bent almost to the ground. What a storm – it must be really cold outside! He smiles again, complimenting himself on making the right decision to build with Insulated Concrete Form - the weather outside will never disturb his families comfort inside... More: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/concrete-block-form.htm

"Why should you build with Insulated Concrete Forms? A better question would be: Why would you consider building with anything else?..."

Imagine If You Will?...

It’s a Sunday morning in January in Ontario. You stretch under your comforter, ready for your morning coffee. Your eyes are drawn to your icy bedroom window by the sound of the howling wind and blowing snow outside. The thought of having to make your way to the cold kitchen floor, sends shivers down your spine. As you start to make your way, it almost seems as if the wind is blowing “inside” the house. The constant noise of the furnace coming from the basement makes you shiver even more, just thinking about next month’s heating bill…

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, your brother-in-law wakes and stretches on his king size bed. The automatic coffee maker is brewing – and the smell of fresh brewed coffee fills the air. As he walks into the kitchen he smiles, feeling the warmth of his floors – thank goodness for radiant floor heat! Through his kitchen window he notices that the huge birch tree at the side of the house has bent almost to the ground. What a storm – it must be really cold outside! He smiles again, complimenting himself on making the right decision to build with Insulated Concrete Form - the weather outside will never disturb his families comfort inside... More: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/concrete-block-form.htm

Thursday, October 13, 2005

A Warm House From the Floor Up...

Comfortable and efficient form of heating where warm water circulates through flexible, specially designed tubing installed under the floor.http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/new-underfloor-heating-system.htm

Building Energy Efficient Homes...

While design costs, options, and styles vary, most energy-efficient homes have some basic elements in common: a well-constructed and tightly sealed thermal envelope; controlled ventilation; properly sized, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems; and energy-efficient doors, windows, and appliances. more...
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/energy-efficient-home.htm

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Building Energy Efficient Homes...

While design costs, options, and styles vary, most energy-efficient homes have some basic elements in common: a well-constructed and tightly sealed thermal envelope; controlled ventilation; properly sized, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems; and energy-efficient doors, windows, and appliances. more...
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/energy-efficient-home.htm

Monday, October 10, 2005

"49 Things Your Real Estate Agent Does Not Want You to Know When Buying a Building Lot"...

The toughest part of any building home program can be choosing the right lot. Use this as your building checklist for your new home – new information.
Read More: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/Narrow-Lot-House-Plan.htm

Sunday, October 09, 2005

HEALTHY HOMES - A Must For Our Children's Futures!

According to the National Association of Home Builders Research Center, our concern for the environment is beginning to have an impact on the entire home-building industry.
Home may be where the heart is but it's also where you'll find dust mites, paint, asbestos, mould and mildew, off-gassing synthetic carpeting, plywood with heavy formaldehyde concentration, radon gas and mould spores -- indoor air pollutants that can cause problems ranging from sneezing and skin rashes to severe breathing problems, cancer, and even death. Read More: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/healthy-homes.htm

Friday, October 07, 2005

Is Your Home Built For the Future?

Thinking of Building? – Don’t Start Until You Read What The “Must Haves” are in Today’s Custom Building.

Over the past few years there have been many new trends introduced into the home building industry. The buyer wants a more energy efficient home, lots of custom features and a home that can keep up with future technology.

Most of these trends are being lead by the baby boomer generation. They have discovered that with some extra planning when they build their home, they can eliminate the need to move or renovate in the future. It is much cheaper and simpler to incorporate these features into the home during construction than after the house has been built. They also know that if they do decide to sell down the road, this is a great way to increase the home’s resale value.
Read more:
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/custom-home.htm

Thursday, October 06, 2005

Floor Heating Radiant System - Residential Underfloor Heating...

Living With Radiant Heat is One of Life's Simple Pleasures...
When a forced air furnace comes on, a blast of warm air blows into the room for a short time, spreads through the room, carrying dust, pollen, and other air-born pollutants with it. It continues until the thermostat is satisfied. The warmer air rises to the ceiling, leaving cooler air below. As the room cools, the thermostat calls for the cycle to repeat.

Living in a house with radiant-floor heating can almost make you forget that it's winter outside. There is no other heating system that is as comfortable. Heated floors deliver warmth to the skin and clothing without overheating and drying out the surrounding air.
Read More:
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/floor-heating-radiant-system.htm

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

"If Rome Was Built Today It Would Be Built Using Insulated Concrete Forms!"

Imagine . . .

What would you think if we said that a home could have:


Heating bills 35%-60% less.

Weather resistance that will stand up to hurricane force winds, and is rated to withstand earthquakes.

The ultimate fire resistance insofar that some insurance companies decide to give a 20% (or more) discount on a homeowners' policy.

Healthy indoor air quality, essentially free from dust and pollen.

A guarantee to never get dry-rot, or be infested by termites or carpenter ants.

Recycled material components that save in average 15 trees per home when constructed.

Reduced exterior wall sound transmission by more than 65% so barking dogs, lawn mowers, and even airplanes are reduced to a whisper.

The most amazing thing of all, is that this technology is available right here, right now and it costs only a little more than a conventional wood built house.



http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/styrofoam-concrete-form.htm

"If Rome Was Built Today It Would Be Built Using Insulated Concrete Forms!"

Imagine . . .

What would you think if we said that a home could have:


Heating bills 35%-60% less.

Weather resistance that will stand up to hurricane force winds, and is rated to withstand earthquakes.

The ultimate fire resistance insofar that some insurance companies decide to give a 20% (or more) discount on a homeowners' policy.

Healthy indoor air quality, essentially free from dust and pollen.

A guarantee to never get dry-rot, or be infested by termites or carpenter ants.

Recycled material components that save in average 15 trees per home when constructed.

Reduced exterior wall sound transmission by more than 65% so barking dogs, lawn mowers, and even airplanes are reduced to a whisper.

The most amazing thing of all, is that this technology is available right here, right now and it costs only a little more than a conventional wood built house.



http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/styrofoam-concrete-form.htm

13Things You Need To Know Before You Buy a Lot

Avoid Costly Mistakes & Unnecessary Aggravation - Home Building Tips! Many things should be considered before you choose the desired location to build your new home – type of soil, useable area, water tables, slope, grading and more. Be informed, so that you do not regret your decisions later on. more...
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/new-home.htm

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

A whole New Way To Build:

Insulated Concrete Forms Building is the new-generation of Integrated Building Technology that is vastly superior to traditional stick framing methods.
ICFs are rigid Styrofoam forms that hold concrete in place during curing and remain in place afterwards to serve as thermal insulation for concrete walls.
The foam blocks, or planks are lightweight and result in energy-efficient, durable construction. It is more efficient ways to build homes that are stronger, more comfortable and energy-efficient, while allowing for flexibility of design and lower future maintenance costs.
With ICFs, you can save time and money and get a stronger, more comfortable and more energy-efficient home.
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/custom-home-builder-insulated-concrete-forms.htm

19 Things You Must Know When Choosing a House Plan

19 Things You Must Know When Choosing House Plans...
Finding the ideal house plan to meet your lifestyle and needs may seem time consuming or overwhelming, but knowing what to look for can help lead you to success when building your new home. Read More At: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/House-Plans.htm

Monday, October 03, 2005

A builder may pour the foundation and raise the roof, but only you can make your new house a home.
When the building of a new house or a major remodeling project comes in over budget, many homeowners conclude that they can get the bottom line back to where they want it if they purchase some of the big ticket items themselves and avoid paying the builder's mark-up.
From the owners' perspective, this looks like a sound strategy. They won't have to make some hard choices and reconsider those longed for but pricey features such as the skylights that open and close by remote control. Read more at: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/new-home.htm


Sunday, October 02, 2005

Estimating Home Building Costs

7 Tips To Lower Home Construction Costs…
Dreaming of building a new home, but worried about the expense? Long before you draw up the final plans, it pays to do some "guesstimating." Knowing how much the project might cost will help you modify your plans to meet your budget. Here are 7 handy tips from Harvey Juric president of ICFhome.ca to lower your home construction cost... Read More:
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/building-cost.htm
Dreaming of building a new home, but worried about the expense? What you need to know...
If you are considering having a custom home built, the following information will help you get an idea of the cost of building exclusive of land.
However, you will first need at least a preliminary plan of the proposed house. You should also carefully consider how much you can, or want to, spend.

There are many variables to consider in developing a rough estimate of construction cost due to the wide range in materials and options that might be used. For example, marble and hardwood floors are more expensive than vinyl and carpet (which themselves can have a wide variance in quality and price). If your goal is building a home at low cost – the finishing often makes the difference.
Read More: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/home-building-cost%20.htm

Saturday, October 01, 2005

New Home Builder Ontario: Your New Home...
You finally see your chance to build that dream home. With a heart full of promise and a stomach full of butterflies. So how do you go from your vision to living in your magic castle, without falling in the moat? Relax, we’ve been there. Just take your time. And take strength from these inspirations, guidelines and cautions.
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/new-home.htm

Friday, September 30, 2005

Healthy Homes

According to the National Association of Home Builders Research Center, our concern for the environment is beginning to have an impact on the entire home-building industry.
Home may be where the heart is but it's also where you'll find dust mites, paint, asbestos, mould and mildew, off-gassing synthetic carpeting, plywood with heavy formaldehyde concentration, radon gas and mould spores -- indoor air pollutants that can cause problems ranging from sneezing and skin rashes to severe breathing problems, cancer, and even death.
Read More:
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/healthy-homes.htm

Thursday, September 29, 2005

Radiant Floor Heating

Turn cold floors into luxurious, heated surfaces with radiant floor heating...
People love the look of ceramic tile and natural stone flooring. But nobody wants to walk on it barefoot during colder seasons. Imagine a bathroom or kitchen with stunning stone or exotic tile flooring that gives off not just foot-warming, but total body enveloping, luxurious warmth. Wouldn't that enhance the usual cold tile floors?
Most homeowners would prefer to step out of a shower or bath onto a soothing, pre-warmed tile or stone floor first thing in the morning. Very popular in bathrooms, where no one likes to walk barefoot on cold tiles, radiant floor heating also enhances the rest of the home.
Read more at:
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/radiant-heat-luxury-home%20-builder.htm

Insulated Concrete Forms

Insulated Concrete Forms Building is the new-generation of Integrated Building Technology that is vastly superior to traditional stick framing methods.
ICFs are rigid Styrofoam forms that hold concrete in place during curing and remain in place afterwards to serve as thermal insulation for concrete walls.
The foam blocks, or planks are lightweight and result in energy-efficient, durable construction. It is more efficient ways to build homes that are stronger, more comfortable and energy-efficient, while allowing for flexibility of design and lower future maintenance costs.
Read More at: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/custom-home-builder-insulated-concrete-forms.htm

Cost of Building Per Square Foot

One of the first steps in building a home is determining your budget.

Contractors often try to avoid firm and exact prices, preferring to "leave the door open".

You should not allow this to happen.
Continue Reading @
http://www.ontario-home-builder.com/price-per-sq.ft.htm