If your home was built before the 1980s, and you’re thinking about renovating, you and your contractor will have to take special precautions to protect workers from harmful substances that could be present in the house during demolition.  Read more in the latest issue of “Ottawa Renovates” magazine!

What hazards are lurking in your home?

A dollar doesn’t go very far these days.  But for home buyers considering a Lindal Cedar Home, just a dollar per square foot buys a professional 3D sketch of their project!  The 3D sketch is a quick and easy tool.  Ready within two weeks, it allows clients to visualise their custom home and get a handle on the total cost of their project.

Lindal Cedar Homes offers regular live and interactive webinars at no charge to participants.  The next webinar is this coming Tuesday, April 14 at 8:00 p.m.  Join us to explore Lindal’s stunning suite of modern designs!  The link below will take you to the registration page.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/5803897836734365698

Sierra Gate Homes represents Turkel Designs in Eastern Ontario.  Joel Turkel of Turkel Designs is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, April 1st at 8 p.m.  He will be profiling Turkel’s Axiom series, a portfolio of sleek modern designs.  Turkel moderns are absolutely stunning!  You can register at the link below.  And then please do contact us for more information!

http://www.turkeldesign.com/contact/webinar.html

Frank Lloyd Wright, the most influential architect of all time, is quoted as saying: “An architect’s most useful tools are an eraser at the drawing board, and a wrecking bar at the site.”

Modern architecture is a rapidly growing trend in today’s building industry. Residential construction is increasingly breaking away from more traditional and cookie cutter designs. Here in Ottawa, modern homes are popping up in neighbourhoods throughout the city. Sierra Gate Homes works with some of North America’s most renowned modern architects. As the authorized Lindal Cedar Homes representative for Eastern Ontario, we offer clients a portfolio of post and beam homes designed by architects such as Toronto’s Altius Architecture and Taliesen in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Modern architecture strives to create home designs that go beyond mainstream ideas by pursuing projects inspired by layout, location and function. These designs are typically free of clutter and unnecessary elements.

The architecture of a modern home focuses on the space itself – clean, functional and simple. Materials are shown in their natural form. Nothing is hidden or altered to look like something else. Floor plans feature open interiors with fewer walls, expansive living, dining and kitchen areas, often accented with a fireplace. Structural elements such as exposed beams are revealed to show the structure and supports. Strong linear elements and bold horizontal and vertical features are found in many modern designs. Beams, posts, cutouts, windows, staircases, fireplaces, rooflines and other structural elements assist the architect in creating linear-inspired space. Modern boasts straight and angled rather than curved lines.

Modern architecture pushes the envelope on roof design. Homes are designed with multiple roof lines and different levels showing off the complexity of the overall design. Elongated vaulted ceilings, interesting overhangs and unusual  linear elements are mixed to create a more unique statement. The house exists as more than simply a home – it is an artistic and sculptural statement.
We invite you to visit our website to view some of the modern designs in our portfolio!

In support of Fraud Prevention Month, Tarion Warranty Corporation has launched an excellent new video aimed at raising awareness about illegal building.  Illegal building impacts the reputation of the industry, and it can have profoundly negative consequences for new homeowners.  Please do distribute the video at the link below to your contacts.  Everyone should be educated about the pitfalls of illegal building!

 

Wondering what’s trending in the new home market in 2015?  Here are the top six things home buyers are seeking:

1.  House Size
The average house size in 2015 is expected to be 2,300 to 2,500 square feet.  Today, most homeowners want homes that are big enough for their lifestyles, easier to maintain and energy efficient.

2.  Open Floor Plans
Home buyers are embracing floor plans with limited or no walls separating rooms.  Families want flexibility to use space to suit their styles and needs.

3.  Energy Efficient and Green
With rising energy costs and an increased awareness of climate change, there is greater interest in building homes that are energy efficient and environmentally responsible.  Look for better insulation, natural materials for exteriors/interiors and décor, and solar panels.

4.  Home Automation
As people become more familiar with technologies, they expect more home automation (e.g., centralised audio/video throughout the home, wireless telecommunications and automated electrical systems).

5.  Larger Kitchens with Islands
People want more space to move around and entertain family and friends.  Popular kitchen features include wood cabinets, glass backsplashes, pull-out faucets and soft colour schemes.

6.  Extra Bathrooms with Contemporary Appeal
The average home in 2015 will have 2.5 to 3.5 bathrooms.  Bathrooms will be more modern and feature clean lines.  Rain showers continue to be popular but soaker tubs will be in great demand.

A home is one of the biggest investments most people will make.  If you are building your own home, it is critical that you research your builder before entering into a contract.

Did you know that every new home builder in Ontario must be a licensed builder with the Tarion Warranty Corporation?  It is a good idea to search the Ontario Builder Directory at tarion.com to verify that your builder is registered.  If your builder is not listed in this directory, they are building illegally.  Illegal building is on the rise in Ontario.  It has led to the construction of sub-standard homes and potential liability issues for home buyers.

According to the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act, there are the following two types of illegal building:

1.  A builder who is not licensed with Tarion builds and sells a new home; and
2.  A builder builds and sells a new home without enrolling that home with Tarion.

The bottom line is this.  Do not be fooled by builders who say they have special circumstances that exempt them from registering with Tarion, or that they offer their own warranty.  Being licensed with Tarion and providing the Tarion warranty is not optional.  It’s the law!