Lawrence (“Law”) Cummer is a freelance writer and editor and has been a frequent contributor to Contractor Advantage, Ideas and Rough Construction for nearly a decade. Over his more than 20-year career, Law has written about contracting and construction, general business, information technology, health and safety, personal finance and almost every topic in between. He has a passion for storytelling and sharing how people can work better, easier — and “smarter” — from contractors to technologists to business executives.
Contractors specializing in composite decking products may be in just the right place at just the right time this summer. A combination of homeowners staying home to fight the coronavirus, product innovations…
At one time, adding stone to a home meant heavy expense or a major renovation project; leaving it close to impossible if the home lacked the right foundation or a brick ledge…
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…
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…
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
