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76 Things You Should Know About Accessible Design

76 Things You Should Know About Accessible Design

Building Homes With Accessible Design One of the significant demographic trends in the North America during the past two decades has been the increase in the percentage of individuals with disabilities. It is projected that by 2030, 25 percent of all North Americans will be over the […]

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Choosing a Custom Home Builder in Ontario

Choosing a Custom Home Builder in Ontario

If you’re in the market for a new home, you should shop for your builder as carefully as you shop for your home. Whether you are buying a condo, a townhouse, a house in a subdivision, or a custom built home, you want to know that you […]

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What Does A Home Builder Do?

What Does A Home Builder Do?

What all does it take to build a house? Today’s homes resemble multifaceted machines and the successful home builder has the knowledge, organizational skills and drive to build them. So, What does a home builder do? A home builder must understand how the home’s complex systems work, […]

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19 Questions to Ask Your Custom Home Builder

19 Questions to Ask Your Custom Home Builder

Picking the right home builder is a critical step in the quest that points to your dream home. Asking builders the 19 questions underneath will assist you in choosing the right builder to construct your home — and give you trust in your choice. These questions will […]

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Should You Stage Your Home To Sell Quickly?

Should You Stage Your Home To Sell Quickly?

When selling your home, you want it seen by as many potential buyers as possible. First and foremost, you’ll want to find an agent that specializes in your geographical area and has a strong internet presence; ninety percent of all buyers begin their property search online. When […]

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Six Benefits To Building a New Home

Six Benefits To Building a New Home

1. Get it your way. When you buy new, you get to call many of the shots. From choosing the lot, the colors, the materials, the amenities and the fixtures, you’ll end up with a new home that reflects your personality and tastes. Benefits To Building a […]

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New Homes – Builders Ontario

New Homes – Builders Ontario

Fresh Standards Being Instituted in New Homes – Builders Ontario The home building industry has been through significant changes and advancements in the last couple of years. Just a few years back, we at ICFhome.ca –  new homes builders in Ontario were bent upon erecting as many […]

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The Ultimate Solution To The Seat Down vs. Seat Up Argument

The Ultimate Solution To The Seat Down vs. Seat Up Argument

The folding toilet that saves water and space in the bathroom: Gareth Humphreys and Elliott Whiteley, who are students at the University of Huddersfield, may have invented the toilet of the future or solved one of the age-old debates: Seat Down vs. Seat Up Argument They call it […]

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Why We Love Steel Frame Homes – And You Should, Too!

Why We Love Steel Frame Homes – And You Should, Too!

Why You Should Spend More Time Thinking About Steel Frame Homes Lightweight steel framing is a practical, code approved solution to a few of the challenges that builders face today when using wood in framing homes. Although the idea of steel creates a picture of heavy material, the […]

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Do I really need a home security system?

Do I really need a home security system?

Yes, you do! There is always the risk of fire, theft, or home intrusion. Whether at home during the day, asleep at night, or away, you will feel safer knowing that you, your family, and your home are protected. A security system is your personal electronic sentry, […]

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Home Price Versus Lifetime Cost

Home Price Versus Lifetime Cost

You’re buying a new house. You’re thrilled and relieved. But if you’re like most new-home buyers, you’re also confused. What, precisely, do you need to know — and how hard is it to find out? First on your need-to-know list is the price. That is easy enough […]

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How to Lower Home Insurance Costs When Building a New Home

How to Lower Home Insurance Costs When Building a New Home

There are several ways to reduce your homeowners insurance cost and premiums when in the process of building a new home. In fact, it is easier to do this when building a home rather than buying a completed home. The text below is taken from “New Built Home […]

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ICF R-Value – We Call This The ICF Effect

ICF R-Value – We Call This The ICF Effect

 R-value Explained Energy efficient construction is booming, driven by higher fuel prices, record-setting temperatures, and more stringent energy codes. Contractors are pushed to find better solutions for the building envelope. While R-values have been the traditional measure of energy effectiveness, evidence now points to other factors that […]

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How to wire your home for the future:

How to wire your home for the future:

If you are building a home, you probably want to plan it for home electronics now, and in the future. Here are some simple things to consider: Will you want music around the house? Will you have a computer or more than one computer? Will you have […]

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The Ultimate Checklist for Buying Front Entry Doors

The Ultimate Checklist for Buying Front Entry Doors

Everyone likes making an entrance, and your front door is one of the first design elements that guests see when first arriving at your home. You want your door to be inviting and aesthetically pleasing to match your home’s exterior. The front door is also meant to protect […]

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Kitchen Trends in 2014 You Must See

Kitchen Trends in 2014 You Must See

The kitchen industry is seeing a shift away from the almighty all white kitchen trend which has swept the industry over the past couple of years and is now seeing a move towards natural materials, brass accessories, monochrome minimalism and patterned splash backs. 1.  Warmer Metal Accents […]

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The Intermediate Guide to Solar Water Heating Systems

The Intermediate Guide to  Solar Water Heating Systems

Solar water heater is a device that is designed for heating water directly by using the energy from the sun. The solar water heating system consists of the following pieces of equipment: A solar collector. An insulated storage tank. Electric pumps. A cold water supply tank. A […]

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Is your home sucking cash right out of your pocket? Energy Efficient Home in Ontario

Is your home sucking cash right out of your pocket? Energy Efficient Home in Ontario

As North American households face heating bills averaging at least 30 % higher than last year; the connection between household energy use and energy prices is evident to everyone. Energy efficiency remains the quickest, cheapest, cleanest way to help you lower your home energy bills, extend the […]

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Pricing New Homes Per Square Foot: What No One Is Talking About

Pricing New Homes Per Square Foot: What No One Is Talking About

How Price Per Square Foot influences your decisions when building or buying a new home What is a price per square foot for new homes these days? In one form or another, this question is one of the most asked from our visitors. Unfortunately, it is also […]

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The Worst Year For Ice Damming – Now What?

The Worst Year For Ice Damming – Now What?

Ice and icicles on your roof may be cute, but they can tear off gutters, loosen shingles, and cause water to back up into your house. As snow continues to pile up on people’s roofs this winter, homeowners are up against more than cold morning commutes. The snow […]

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Flooring What You Need To Know – Your home décor starts on the floor

Flooring What You Need To Know – Your home décor starts on the floor

First, a few basic statements: 1. Medium brown hardwood has a long aesthetic life. 2. Highly detailed oak and exotic woods can steal the room’s focus. 3. Red — cherry wood, red oak and chestnuts — can be difficult to work with. 4. Engineered hardwood better withstands […]

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Solar Water Heating

Solar Water Heating

Solar water heaters can reduce annual water heating bills by 50% to 80%  Water heating can constitute 15% to 25%, or more, of the energy use of a home. The approximate annual cost to operate water heaters ranges from $300 for a minimum efficiency gas-fired unit to […]

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10 Steps to Building A New Home

10 Steps to Building A New Home

By Christine Cooney, Direct from the Designers Staff Writer Many of us dream of one day owning our home. We may purchase an existing home, select a new home in a development or build a new home. Direct from the Designers understands that building a new home […]

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A Step By Step Guide To Formaldehyde in Your Home

A Step By Step Guide To Formaldehyde in Your Home

  What is formaldehyde? Formaldehyde is a colourless gas. At elevated concentrations, it has a strong, pungent odour and can be irritating to the eyes, nose, and lungs. Formaldehyde is released into the home from a variety of indoor sources. Some resins, or glues, used to bind […]

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Dream Home Plans: A Hilarious Blueprint for Disaster:

Dream Home Plans: A Hilarious Blueprint for Disaster:

What 10,000 Pinterest Boards Have Taught Me About Human Delusion After 45 years of building custom homes, I’ve developed what my wife calls a “special kind of patience” and what my therapist calls “occupational PTSD.” I’ve built everything from modest starter homes to mansions that have their […]

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