Q
What are some things I
should consider when
selecting an LED fixture?
A
There are a few things that many
homeowners are not aware of that
make a big difference to the long term
enjoyment of your lighting.
Lighting color is one key aspect that
should be considered. LEDs come in a
wide range of color in warmer and cooler
tones. The lower the number of lighting
kelvins, the warmer the color tone is and
the higher the kelvins, the cooler the color.
The best color for your space will depend
on the use of the space itself. Generally,
warmer colors such as 3000 kelvins are
best for comfort areas like the living and
dining room while cooler colors such as
4000 kelvins are better suited to work
Q
What do I need to consider
before building a rooftop
garden for my condo?
A
A rooftop garden can be a great
place to escape at the end of a
busy day. Because your rooftop garden
will be exposed to weather conditions,
plant roots and increased traffic, you need
to start by waterproofing the rooftop.
Waterproofing can be accomplished
through sheet systems or using a liquid
treatment like Flexstone. There are a few
benefits to using a liquid treatment; it is
spaces, bathrooms and other task areas.
Another aspect to consider is the lifetime
of the fixture. LED has opened up the
doorway to some amazing design
possibilities but there are many fixtures
coming to the market that have integrated
LED modules that cannot be changed.
While these will last a very long time,
they will eventually die and you will need
to replace the entire fixture. This can be
costly and inconvenient, not to mention
the environmental impact. If the light isn’t
integrated LED, all lights can still be LED as
there are a variety of LED bulbs that can
be used. When selecting a fixture with
integrated LED, be sure to ask if the LED
module is replaceable! There are some
out there but more of this kind need to be
available. - Rob Kilgour, www.thelightingshoppe.ca
seamless and can adjust to tolerate some
degree of surface imperfection. The
Flexstone treatment can be finished in a
selection of colors or stone finishes which
leaves the surface looking gorgeous and
saves you from having to add additional
decking or materials for a completed look.
With a 25-35 year life span, Flexstone is
both UV-stable and fade resistant, making
it the perfect choice for rooftop gardens,
sundecks, flat roofs, pathways and more.
- Walter Deveau, www.flexstoneontario.com
Q
Can I use the equity in my existing
home to help with expenses
during the process of building a new
home?
A
A home equity loan can be used for
virtually anything, including helping cover
costs while you prepare to move into a new
home. Using the equity in your existing home,
you can secure a down payment, cover costs of
improvements to prepare your current house for
resale or cover costs involved in planning and
preparing for a new build.
Home equity loans, especially those secured
through non-bank lending services, can range in
length and terms and can be fairly flexible. For
example, if you are planning to sell your existing
home once your new home is ready, you could
secure a home equity loan with a zero payment
term and use those funds to cover extra expenses
so that you don’t have to list the home until your
new home is ready to move in - and then pay the
principal with interest once the home has been
sold.
Sit down with your lending professional to
go over your assets, financial needs during the
building process, your long term goals and to
determine what terms are the most suitable for
you. - Amit Anand, www.tribecca.ca
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