
What happened to BluWood?
At one time, it seemed as though BluWood was everywhere. It was featured on popular home improvement and renovation shows. And then, it disappeared. What happened to BluWood? And why did I tear out the BluWood framing in my basement?
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The perfect contract? (and why I DIY)
Anatomy of a perfect contract (and why we didn't sign).
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Basement waterproofing: solutions for wet basements
Solving wet basement problems. Information about exterior membrane and interior French drain waterproofing systems.
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Cost of Wood versus Metal Stud Framing
Comparing the cost of framing with steel studs versus wood.
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The DIY Shuffle
A look back at our first year in this house as we shuffled from one home improvement project to another.
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The sweet siren song of DIY
The addition project may be delayed but there is no way I am going to sit on my hands for another year without making some sawdust of my own.
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Hope fades fast for financing the renovation in 2015
Between the first ball-park estimate for the addition and bad news about our septic system, it looks like the addition has to wait until next year.
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Locating our septic drain field: more questions than answers
Our septic filter bed may need to be moved if we rebuild the addition. So do we relocate the leach field or the entire system?
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New plans, new problems: Egress confusion and septic skepticism
Record search failed to locate our septic drain field. And Ontario Building Code and National Building Code seem to disagree on egress windows.
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Our garage plan: attached or detached?
Sometimes an architect knows what you want more than you do. I want a detached garage, but after discussions with the architect, I have reconsidered.
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Addition and Garage: The beginning
Working with an architect for our addition from initial consultation to the first set of drawings,
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A strange source for design inspiration
My wife and I started talking about some design ideas for the family room addition. You'll never believe what sparked the conversation.
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