Renovations 2017 | Page 70

I'm looking to renovate my home to make it more energy efficient. What are some things that I should consider? ask an I have an older home and I want to turn it into a smart home with automation. Is this possible? An older home can be upgraded with new technology at any time, given that you are aware that there will be holes that need to be made to rewire your home. Since automation is very client specific, we will require a meeting with you to assess your personal needs to determine what we’re automating (lights, cameras, temperature, music, etc.) Once confirmed, a plan to prewire for locations and make switching, data runs and feeds is created. Equipment such as switches, dimmers, cameras, speakers are then selected and installed. - Hanna Taylor, Hotwire Electric, www.hotwire- electric.com 70 CANADIANHOMETRENDS.COM Professionals answer your renovation and design questions. 80% of your home’s energy is lost through openings in your “envelope” or exterior of your home. Preforming a Blow Door Test can help identify unwanted air leakage that can be repaired to maximize energy efficiency. Here are a few tips to consider: 1. Upgrade or replace older windows with triple-paned windows. 2. Heat rises. Having a well-insulated, properly ventilated attic is important. 3. By replacing an older furnace with a high- efficiency system and HRV unit, you can maximize the amount of energy absorption your home produces. 4. When re-cladding the exterior, ensure your envelope is air tight by sealing, caulking and/or taping all seams and cracks. - Nino Giangrande, Grande Pacific Homes, www.grandepacifichomes.com We just bought our first home and the exterior, while in great shape, is very outdated. The brick accents, vinyl siding, doors and windows are all in need of an update. Where should we start in order to give the house a fresh look without replacing everything? Consider a more cost-effective option of painting with the right product! If you were initially thinking of replacing, that means you’re looking for a maintenance-free renovation and a beautiful factory finish that will last. Spray-Net’s on-site factory painting solution delivers exactly that, but at a fraction of the cost and in a fraction of the time. Since your brick, siding, doors and windows all require different final paint properties, we formulate a specific coating for each surface. All Spray-Net coatings are also weather- adjustable. That means we can adjust paint formulation on-site before spray application to stand up to real-time weather conditions for an optimal, streak-free finish. With every project, the result is a permanent factory finish that won’t peel and looks just like new and not repainted! We provide a 15-year warranty and take care of everything from prep to clean-up. Most of our projects are completed in just a day, so busy families like yourself can enjoy the new look of their homes in no time! - Kimberly Sevilleja, Spray- Net, www.spray-net.com