Author: Robin

Smoothing

The first step in achieving polished concrete floors is initial placement, also known as smoothing. When the concrete is poured, the cement-maker levels the surface of the slab using a mechanical trowel, commonly known as a « helicopter ». This method differs from conventional concrete placing, which is done by hand, using a concrete trowel. This method of placing concrete can be obtained for as little as $1.00 per sq. ft.

PVC windows

All-PVC windows offer the best energy performance, since PVC is a material that does not conduct heat. What’s more, they’re the least expensive on the market. All-PVC windows are maintenance-free and highly durable. We’ve used them on many of our buildings. As PVC is white in color, you need to think about color matching with the house’s exterior cladding. On the interior side, white PVC windows lend themselves equally well to installation
more modern without framing around the perimeter than the more conventional installation with framing. It is possible to buy colored PVC windows, and manufacturers offer certain warranties. The fact remains that PVC painted with color is sensitive to scratches and less resistant than aluminum to fading and color change.

Aluminium/wood hybrid windows

This type of window is made of aluminum on the outside and PVC on the inside. This is the type of window we’ve installed most regularly on our projects over the past ten years. Hybrid windows are slightly more expensive than their all-PVC counterparts. Aluminum is available in a multitude of colors, offering a wide range of color combinations with the house’s exterior cladding. The main advantage s that the exterior color is highly durable.

Les fenêtres hybrides aluminium/bois

Aluminum/wood windows are made with aluminum cladding on the outside and all-wood on the inside. The wood used is often clear pine, but this type of window is also available in other species. Wood is a noble material that insuffle always a lot of cachet and character to a home. It comes in a multitude of colors and grain patterns. As you may have guessed, wood windows require maintenance and remain quite sensitive to scratches and color changes caused by the sun. Although manufacturers offer very good warranties, once installed in a well-ventilated and insulated home, they may need to be refinished. As for price, it’s comparable to all-aluminum products.

Aluminum windows

All-aluminium windows are very popular with architects and designers. Aluminum is a strong, rigid material that allows large glass surfaces to be contained in a relatively slim structure. Black windows on the inside are also popular, and all-aluminum windows are the durable, maintenance-free choice for integrating a modern look into a project. On average, all-aluminum windows cost twice as much as hybrid aluminum/PVC windows, so you’ll need to budget more. They are undoubtedly the most expensive windows on the market. What’s more, as aluminum is a conductive material, their energy performance will be lower.

Triple-glazed windows

To increase a home’s energy performance, triple-glazed windows can be installed. However, triple-glazed windows cost more than double-glazed windows, and they have to be reconciled with certain manufacturing limitations, as triple-glazed windows are heavier than double-glazed windows.

The opening system

Crank, awning and casement windows are our favorites. They are ergonomic to use, easy to maintain and offer good value for money. Sash windows offer a beautiful ancestral look, but it’s very difficult to achieve good energy performance with this type of sash. As for sliding windows, we use them most often for windows in basement rooms, when these are located in coping stones. Finally, tilt-and-turn systems are available on higher-end products, and this type of opening is appreciated because it combines the two possibilities of awning and casement.

Discover some of our achievements!

To reduce your pollutant emissions, it’s essential to choose a high-performance product – For wood-burning fireplaces, there’s the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) standard. Coming from the USA, EPA certification guarantees that the appliance limits the threshold of fine particle emissions to 4.5 g/h. In 2020, the EPA standard will even drop to 2.0 g/h! In Quebec, compliance with the CSA B 415 standard also ensures good performance for gas fireplaces. Finally, the fireplace must be designed and installed with an outside air intake to ensure the oxygen supply required for combustion. This will avoid the need to draw the oxygen required for combustion from the ambient air in the house. These are essential prerequisites for any fireplace installed in a LEED- or Novoclimat-certified home.

And how do you install it? – It’s often advisable to set the height of the firebox at least 20″ above the floor. This is more ergonomic for lighting the fireplace. You can also raise the height of the combustion chamber to 30 inches from the floor, and install log storage underneath. You should also consider using non-combustible materials around the fireplace: slate, ceramic, steel or concrete slabs, for example. Installation standards vary from model to model. Most gas fireplaces have no such requirements. Finally, a wooden shelf at the top of the fireplace is also appreciated for its added aesthetic appeal, and as a place to put a few decorative objects.

Back-up and emergency heating – In the event of a power failure in winter, the fireplace becomes a vital source of heat. It ensures the safety of the building even in the event of high costs or prolonged blackouts. Some fireplaces offer blowing systems that allow heat to be distributed via ducts to other rooms in the house. This also helps regulate the temperature in the living space where the fireplace is located, and sends excess heat to secondary spaces, notably the home’s basement. On several of our homes, we’ve connected the fireplace’s blowing system to an auxiliary electrical panel. This way, in the event of a prolonged power outage, even the basement of the house could be maintained at adequate temperatures. A low-powered generator will be sufficient to run the blower.

What about gas fireplaces? Easy to use, it switches on and off with a simple click using a remote control or the thermostat. It can also be programmed to switch on at a specific time or when the ambient temperature reaches a certain level, and to regulate the heat to maintain a comfortable temperature. In the event of a power failure, the electronic ignition system can be powered by a battery back-up, or the fireplace can be lit by a simple match. What’s more, no more messy house with ash, shavings, bark, smoke and other residues produced by a wood fire. No more wood to split, store and transport, or frequent chimney sweeping. And, unlike a traditional wood-burning fireplace, it produces continuous heat, as combustion is constant. On the other hand, gas fireplaces don’t offer the smell of burning wood or the crackle of burning logs. In addition, the price of gas and propane is higher than that of wood. Burners also need to be cleaned from time to time. (Source: CAA-Quebec)