RASING THE ROOF
As homeowners across Canada weather various storms and changes in climate, is roof performance becoming more top of mind? The short answer is yes, according to manufacturers with their finger on the…
On Top of Front (& Back) Door Trends
First impressions matter, they leave people with lasting opinions for better or worse. For homes and homeowners that impression is generally made at the front door. Because of this, the front door…
Rooms with a View
Homeowners are seeking more natural light as they spend more time indoors, making windows a more significant part of their home’s design and style. “It’s tied into consumers wanting more expansive views,”…
GYPSUM BOARD, NEVER BORING
Gypsum may not get the attention of many other building products, but manufacturers are always looking for ways to evolve their boards and related products. While not always the top focus of…
LUMBER 2020 OUTLOOK
They say hindsight is 2020, and there is speculation that the lumber and panel market may see a repeat of past unpredictability in the year ahead. Entering into the new year, the…
KEEPING WARM: WHAT’S HOT IN INDOOR HEATING
High-efficiency furnaces, smart home innovations, more realistic electric fireplaces and other home heating options may be warming up this winter. Home heating is, of course, a broad space across Canada, making national…
MOULDINGS: ADDING A SENSE OF ZEN THROUGH SMALL (AND BIG) DETAILS
A little bit of design can go a long way, and one of the details that can make a huge difference is, of course, trim and mouldings. “While there was a time…
OPEN THE DOOR ON A FRESH STYLE
Interior doors rarely get the attention from householders as the front door or windows, but lately the affect they can have on décor and design is getting more respect. “They are becoming…
DECKING 2019 TITLE MATCH: COMPOSITE VS. WOOD
The adoption of composite and other alternative decking materials continues to grow every year, and the fierce contender in the decking category is making inroads into new territory in Canada. Still, for…
THE CONCRETE OPPORTUNITIES WAITING OUT BACK
As outdoor living continues to explode, many see hardscaping — the use of man-made products in landscape architecture — picking up, and with it the use of concrete and stone. Brad Thomson,…
COOL TOOLS 2019
Many tools that grace a contractor’s kit have been in use for decades, but that doesn’t mean tool manufacturers aren’t in a constant state of upgrading and improving what goes into the…
Tap Into a New Kitchen
Homeowners spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and for many it’s the home’s centerpiece. Maybe that’s why study after study suggests a kitchen remodel recoups the greatest return on investment…
ANOTHER DOOR OPENS
Even as homeowners look for a simpler, more contemporary design throughout their home’s interiors and exteriors, there is still an opportunity to make a bold statement with their entranceways. It’s also a…
A WINDOW OF A DIFFERENT COLOUR
Design and elements of style continue to be on the uptick in the windows market, as homeowners balance between form and function, style and utility. “Now windows are more part of the…
NEW YEAR, NEW HOME: RENO TRENDS FOR 2019
Canadian contractors are coming off a busy year in the home renovation and remodeling market, and it’s expected to con- tinue into 2019. Castle members and designers across the country are optimistic…
WHAT’S IN STORE FOR LUMBER IN 2019?
After a year of supply shortages, production curtailments, logistics and environmental concerns wreaking havoc on lumber prices, 2019 appears to be set for greater stability. “Twenty-eighteen was the most volatile year in…