 |
Master
Designer
When the Greater Toronto
Home Builders' Association bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award upon Ken
Viljoen this summer, it recognized the influential stamp the prolific South
Africa-born architect and designer has forged in his adopted city.
The economy
is performing well
Canada's economy is performing well. Economic growth has picked
up and is estimated to have actually been stronger here in the second quarter
than in the United States. Exports show widespread gains. The latest Business
Conditions Survey carried out by Statistics Canada shows an improvement in
business confidence. The composite index of 10 leading indicators is showing
its strongest increases in two years.
Kitchens
& Baths Today
The 2003 surveys collected
data on materials purchased, including flooring, plumbing fixtures, appliances,
cabinets, countertops, etc. The data polled 75,000 professionals and 80,000
consumers in the United States. These surveys show a general trend among consumers
purchasing kitchen and bath materials for remodeling as more likely to spend
more money to upgrade from original materials with some concern of price,
durability, and style...
Tough
Tool Testers Found Nailer Wanting
By Jon Eakes
When tool companies set out to innovate, sometimes they do really well on
part of the new tool and not so well on the rest. Our tough group of Canadian
builder tool testers were thoroughly impressed with the ability of the new
Stanley N88 (RH-2MCN) framing nailer to do a superior job of nailing in hangers.
Hydronics:
Troubleshooting & Training
The number-one challenge for radiant heating during the 1970s was dealing
with failed steel and copper tubing installed following WWII. Between 1980
and 1990, the difficulties were boiler, pump and expansion tank failures resulting
from corrosion and improper tube installation
Dry
Wallboard
While gypsum wallboard
- or "drywall" - has been standard in homes for years, there was
always the danger of moisture. Getting the gypsum wet during construction
often meant throwing it out and, if it got wet after installation it could
lead to the latest horror: mould.
Computers Replace These
Chips
Even the most techno-spooked renovators or new home builders can look like
design geniuses and add some spice to their client meetings with new design
software from the major paint companies. The software takes the place of looking
over hundreds of paint...
