Showing posts with label construction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label construction. Show all posts
Monday, May 31, 2010
2010 Gold Winners
Last Friday, in Vancouver, the GVHBA Renovation Council presented its inaugural renOVATION Awards. The awards honour excellence in home-renovation design and construction. Terasen Gas was the presenting sponsor. Kenorah Construction & Design led all winners with five awards, followed by Kerr Construction with four, and Intermind Design with three. Renovators of the Year are CCI Renovations (large volume) and Intermind Design (small volume). Visit www.gvhba.org to view winners and sponsors. Congratulations to all winners and finalists.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Parade of Renovated Homes
Professionally Renovated Homes Open to Public
Renovations Magazine June 2009
The Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association (GVHBA) Renovation council invites the public to tour 17 professionally renovated homes in Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Mission, New Westmister, North Vancouver, Surrey and Vancouver on Sunday, June 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The 16th Annual Parade of Renovated Homes – with the most participating homes ever – showcase leading-edge design, advanced construction techniques, and innovative building products.
Projects include a complete transformation of a Mission rancher, restoration of a 1906 Kitsilano craftsman-style bungalow (Kerr Construction), and extreme facelifts of homes built in the ‘20’s right up to the ’80’s.
GVHBA Renovation Council Chair Daine Halley says B.C. homeowners will spend a record $7 billion sprucing up their homes this year, and this popular one-day event offers exceptional sample renovations.
“Professional renovators, many of them award-winners, will be on site to offer expert advice and discuss their craftsmanship. Projects range from $70,000 to more than $700,000, offering people an abundance of ideas they can possibly incorporate into their own renovations,” says Halley.
Admission is by passport, available at each home for $10 per person. Children 17 and under are free. Passports can be purchased at any home, and then used for entry to the remaining 16 homes. Part proceeds will help fund the purchase of tools, building materials and safety gear for a carpentry training program offered by Guildford Park and Frank Hurt secondary schools in Surrey.
The event is limited to six hours, so visit www.gvhba.org to review the selection of homes, then plan your route to ensure you have sufficient time to visit specific homes that capture your interest.
2834 West 6 Avenue, Vancouver
(From Broadway, turn north on MacDonald St., turn left on West 6 Ave.)
When restoring this 1906 craftsman-style bungalow, the owners wanted the home to blend flawlessly with the turn-of-the-century homes in this Kitsilano neighbourhood. Kerr Construction surveyed the surrounding homes originally built in the early 1900s to meticulously re-create the home’s interior dimensions. The back deck and pergola were built to preserve the 60-year old grapevines. There were many sustainable practices incorporated throughout the home, such as using solid wood to reduce toxic formaldehyde resin and recovering old-growth fir from an abandoned Vancouver Island mill. Beautiful second-hand fixtures and hardware were also sourced. This attractive renovation captured a 2008 Georgie Award.
Kerr Construction, 604.263.0343, www.kerrconstruction.ca
Renovations Magazine June 2009
The Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association (GVHBA) Renovation council invites the public to tour 17 professionally renovated homes in Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Mission, New Westmister, North Vancouver, Surrey and Vancouver on Sunday, June 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The 16th Annual Parade of Renovated Homes – with the most participating homes ever – showcase leading-edge design, advanced construction techniques, and innovative building products.
Projects include a complete transformation of a Mission rancher, restoration of a 1906 Kitsilano craftsman-style bungalow (Kerr Construction), and extreme facelifts of homes built in the ‘20’s right up to the ’80’s.
GVHBA Renovation Council Chair Daine Halley says B.C. homeowners will spend a record $7 billion sprucing up their homes this year, and this popular one-day event offers exceptional sample renovations.
“Professional renovators, many of them award-winners, will be on site to offer expert advice and discuss their craftsmanship. Projects range from $70,000 to more than $700,000, offering people an abundance of ideas they can possibly incorporate into their own renovations,” says Halley.
Admission is by passport, available at each home for $10 per person. Children 17 and under are free. Passports can be purchased at any home, and then used for entry to the remaining 16 homes. Part proceeds will help fund the purchase of tools, building materials and safety gear for a carpentry training program offered by Guildford Park and Frank Hurt secondary schools in Surrey.
The event is limited to six hours, so visit www.gvhba.org to review the selection of homes, then plan your route to ensure you have sufficient time to visit specific homes that capture your interest.
2834 West 6 Avenue, Vancouver
(From Broadway, turn north on MacDonald St., turn left on West 6 Ave.)
When restoring this 1906 craftsman-style bungalow, the owners wanted the home to blend flawlessly with the turn-of-the-century homes in this Kitsilano neighbourhood. Kerr Construction surveyed the surrounding homes originally built in the early 1900s to meticulously re-create the home’s interior dimensions. The back deck and pergola were built to preserve the 60-year old grapevines. There were many sustainable practices incorporated throughout the home, such as using solid wood to reduce toxic formaldehyde resin and recovering old-growth fir from an abandoned Vancouver Island mill. Beautiful second-hand fixtures and hardware were also sourced. This attractive renovation captured a 2008 Georgie Award.
Kerr Construction, 604.263.0343, www.kerrconstruction.ca
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Firm Foundation
A Firm Foundation
By Janet Collins
The perfect home, in one of the most desirable beachside neighbourhoods of South Surrey, came in an unexpected package for one particular family of four. Their search for a comfortable home on a large, treed lot located within walking distance of the beach ultimately led them to a ‘50s-style bungalow with a basement at the rear – a house they knew they could shape into the home of their dreams.
One of the outstanding features of the home, and one of the key selling points for the homeowners, was its superb foundation – an asset that held the potential to save them thousands of dollars on their renovation costs.
“It was, without a doubt, the nicest foundation I’ve seen in all my years in this business,” says Douglas Willoughby, who manages design services for Kerr Construction – the company that undertook the renovation. “It was well beyond what anyone would expect. It was 10 inches thick – a full two inches more than code.
“Being able to keep the foundation was huge in terms of keeping costs down,” he adds. “The cost of demolishing the concrete, and then re-pouring new concrete and new drainage would have added a lot to the final figure.”
As it was, the 2,500-plus-square-foot project came in under $400,000.
The redevelopment of the home literally began from the ground up. “Only the foundation, exterior hard surfaces like the driveway, the main floor framing, and the carport were kept,” says Willoughby. “The rest was built new.” The result is a functional two-storey home with a basement to accommodate a growing family of four, plus room for guest accommodations.
The bungalow’s existing basement proved to be another valuable asset in light of the fact that the City of Surrey no longer allows basements in the area; the space was grandfathered into the renovation. Another plus was the stand of large cedars at the back of the property, which lessened the feeling that the house sat in the middle of a subdivision.
BUDGET-CONSCIOUS CHOICES
The search for ways to save money on the renovation did not begin and end with constructing the new home on the existing foundation. It extended into the interior design of the house as well.
“We looked for economies everywhere,” says Donna Chong. “We purposely simplified some areas so we could do more in others.”
“I think this project shows that you don’t need a huge budget to get a good result.”
In the kitchen, economical pre-finished birch plywood cabinets were installed, providing plenty of storage space. The decision to use a laminate rather than stone on the countertop also reduced costs – the homeowners can easily upgrade later, if they wish, without replacing the entire cabinet system. Clear glass was installed behind the cooktop for easy clean-ups, a choice that also proved more economical than tile. “It also made for a cleaner look,” says Chong, who was aiming for a modern esthetic that would reflect the family’s lifestyle.
The oven and microwave were built in to enhance the streamlined look and to ensure as much room as possible was available for the family to gather around the central island, which doubles as a dining area.
The bright living room combines with the dining room to create a large, open area that is well suited to the activities of young children. The metal fireplace forms the focal point of the room and, like the metal staircase railings, adds an industrial edge to the home’s modern design. The unusual fireplace features a steel grid that slides along a C-channel mounted in front of the hearth.
The homeowners had wanted slab concrete floors in the living room, but that would have necessitated extensive structural upgrading to accommodate the weight of the concrete. A compromise was achieved through the application of a skim coat over plywood. Bamboo was used on the floors throughout the second storey, with the exception of the bathrooms.
“The challenge in the master bath was to make it interesting without making it expensive,” says Chong. “We put money where it counted – the sink, drop-in tub, oversized shower and faucets. We used nice materials, but not overly expensive ones.” For example, inexpensive tiles were used for the most part, with a bit more spent on the glass accent tiles.
In the children’s bath, savings were gained by no having cabinets under the sinks. This created the perfect place for storing a step stool to help give the youngsters a boost when using the sink.
The simple, uncluttered entry area was purposely kept clear to se the tone for the clean, modern esthetic the homeowners wanted to achieve throughout the entire home.
“Eventually I’ll likely put in some sort of floating shelf and some artwork in the entry area,” says one of the homeowners, “jut like I’ll add more colour throughout the house when I find the right pieces of artwork. And I love mid-century furniture, so I will add that later, too.
“What I have right now is a house that will be able to change as my family grows and our needs change.”
By Janet Collins
The perfect home, in one of the most desirable beachside neighbourhoods of South Surrey, came in an unexpected package for one particular family of four. Their search for a comfortable home on a large, treed lot located within walking distance of the beach ultimately led them to a ‘50s-style bungalow with a basement at the rear – a house they knew they could shape into the home of their dreams.
One of the outstanding features of the home, and one of the key selling points for the homeowners, was its superb foundation – an asset that held the potential to save them thousands of dollars on their renovation costs.
“It was, without a doubt, the nicest foundation I’ve seen in all my years in this business,” says Douglas Willoughby, who manages design services for Kerr Construction – the company that undertook the renovation. “It was well beyond what anyone would expect. It was 10 inches thick – a full two inches more than code.
“Being able to keep the foundation was huge in terms of keeping costs down,” he adds. “The cost of demolishing the concrete, and then re-pouring new concrete and new drainage would have added a lot to the final figure.”
As it was, the 2,500-plus-square-foot project came in under $400,000.
The redevelopment of the home literally began from the ground up. “Only the foundation, exterior hard surfaces like the driveway, the main floor framing, and the carport were kept,” says Willoughby. “The rest was built new.” The result is a functional two-storey home with a basement to accommodate a growing family of four, plus room for guest accommodations.
The bungalow’s existing basement proved to be another valuable asset in light of the fact that the City of Surrey no longer allows basements in the area; the space was grandfathered into the renovation. Another plus was the stand of large cedars at the back of the property, which lessened the feeling that the house sat in the middle of a subdivision.
BUDGET-CONSCIOUS CHOICES
The search for ways to save money on the renovation did not begin and end with constructing the new home on the existing foundation. It extended into the interior design of the house as well.
“We looked for economies everywhere,” says Donna Chong. “We purposely simplified some areas so we could do more in others.”
“I think this project shows that you don’t need a huge budget to get a good result.”
In the kitchen, economical pre-finished birch plywood cabinets were installed, providing plenty of storage space. The decision to use a laminate rather than stone on the countertop also reduced costs – the homeowners can easily upgrade later, if they wish, without replacing the entire cabinet system. Clear glass was installed behind the cooktop for easy clean-ups, a choice that also proved more economical than tile. “It also made for a cleaner look,” says Chong, who was aiming for a modern esthetic that would reflect the family’s lifestyle.
The oven and microwave were built in to enhance the streamlined look and to ensure as much room as possible was available for the family to gather around the central island, which doubles as a dining area.
The bright living room combines with the dining room to create a large, open area that is well suited to the activities of young children. The metal fireplace forms the focal point of the room and, like the metal staircase railings, adds an industrial edge to the home’s modern design. The unusual fireplace features a steel grid that slides along a C-channel mounted in front of the hearth.
The homeowners had wanted slab concrete floors in the living room, but that would have necessitated extensive structural upgrading to accommodate the weight of the concrete. A compromise was achieved through the application of a skim coat over plywood. Bamboo was used on the floors throughout the second storey, with the exception of the bathrooms.
“The challenge in the master bath was to make it interesting without making it expensive,” says Chong. “We put money where it counted – the sink, drop-in tub, oversized shower and faucets. We used nice materials, but not overly expensive ones.” For example, inexpensive tiles were used for the most part, with a bit more spent on the glass accent tiles.
In the children’s bath, savings were gained by no having cabinets under the sinks. This created the perfect place for storing a step stool to help give the youngsters a boost when using the sink.
The simple, uncluttered entry area was purposely kept clear to se the tone for the clean, modern esthetic the homeowners wanted to achieve throughout the entire home.
“Eventually I’ll likely put in some sort of floating shelf and some artwork in the entry area,” says one of the homeowners, “jut like I’ll add more colour throughout the house when I find the right pieces of artwork. And I love mid-century furniture, so I will add that later, too.
“What I have right now is a house that will be able to change as my family grows and our needs change.”
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Roofs Feeling Weight
Jan 7/09 from 24hours
Heavy rains are wreaking
havoc on roofs around the
region.
A warehouse in Burnaby
collapsed on itself yesterday
and a townhouse complex in
Port Moody was evacuated
because of a partial roof collapse.
Kerr Roofing operations
manager Keith Kinvig said
snow on rooftops would
increase in weight as it sops
up a steady supply of rain
over the next couple of days.
A roof covered with 25 cm
of snow can weigh upwards
of 300 kilograms per cubic
metre.
“If people have a lot of
snow on their roof and it continues
to rain, they should be
concerned,” he said of homes
30 years in age or older.
Environment Canada predicts
up to 50 mm of rain
today followed by another 10
mm of rain tomorrow.
On the bright side, temperatures
could climb as high as
7 C over the next two days,
causing snow to melt rather
than stick around and pose a
risk.
- Dharm Makwana, 24 hours
Heavy rains are wreaking
havoc on roofs around the
region.
A warehouse in Burnaby
collapsed on itself yesterday
and a townhouse complex in
Port Moody was evacuated
because of a partial roof collapse.
Kerr Roofing operations
manager Keith Kinvig said
snow on rooftops would
increase in weight as it sops
up a steady supply of rain
over the next couple of days.
A roof covered with 25 cm
of snow can weigh upwards
of 300 kilograms per cubic
metre.
“If people have a lot of
snow on their roof and it continues
to rain, they should be
concerned,” he said of homes
30 years in age or older.
Environment Canada predicts
up to 50 mm of rain
today followed by another 10
mm of rain tomorrow.
On the bright side, temperatures
could climb as high as
7 C over the next two days,
causing snow to melt rather
than stick around and pose a
risk.
- Dharm Makwana, 24 hours
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