in this issue: celebrating builder excellence in alberta ... green...top 10 “must haves” as...
TRANSCRIPT
In this Issue:• CelebratingBuilderExcellenceinAlberta:SustainableBuildingwithoutCompromise
• BUILTGREEN®TechnicalWorkshop:RigidExteriorCladding• GrowthTrendContinues• DemandforSustainableBuildingIncreases:Consumers’“MustHaves”
Celebrating Builder Excellence in Alberta: Sustainable Building without CompromiseEffect Home Builders takes Provincial Green Home Award
TheresidentialbuildingindustryrecentlygatheredatCanadianHomeBuilders’Association-AlbertaBUILD2015annualconferencetofocusonthepast,present,andfuture—andtoacknowledge
volunteers,builders,andrenovators.NestledinJasperNationalPark,theconferenceincludestheAwardsofExcellence,wheresuccesseswithintheindustryarecelebratedandthosewhomadeithappenarerecognized.Whilethisrecognitionisimportantwithintheindustry,itisequallyimportanttorecognizeboththebuilder—whogoesaboveandbeyond—andthosewhowillenjoythebenefitsofthesequalityhomes:inparticular,homebuyerswhowanttomakeinformedpurchasingdecisions.Thisyear,CHBAreceivedover400entriesfor25housingawards—finalistsandwinnersalike,fromacrosstheprovince,werecommended.Awardcategoriesrangefromsafetytocustomersatisfaction,fromsinglefamilytomulti-family,fromestatehomestobuilderoftheyearawards,andfinally,forthosewhoarebuildingsustainably.WhilemanyofthefinalistsareBUILTGREEN®members,thoseintheGreenHomeAwardcategoryincludedEffectHomeBuilders,GreenerHomes,andHabitatStudio.Theformer,EffectHomeBuilders,wonthiscategoryforaprivateresidenceproject.Theircommitmenttosustainabilityiscommendableandsetsastandardforotherstoaspire:tobuildanultra-efficient,aestheticallypleasingretirementhomewithinbudgetrestraints—EffectHomesmanagedthisandthensome.Readmore
BUILT GREEN® Technical Workshop: Rigid Exterior CladdingOnsite Workshops allow for Live Demonstrations
OnSeptember22,BuiltGreenCanadahelditsfirsttechnicalworkshopfocusedonexteriorrigidinsulationandwelcomedbuilders,EnergyAdvisors,andmunicipalrepresentativesfromacrosstheLowerMainland.BuiltGreenCanadapartneredwithOwensCorningtofeaturesomeoftheirproductsandincludedapresentationbyChrisHigginsfromtheCityofVancouverontheirnewwallassemblythermalresistancebylaw.ThankstoDavidAdair,PartneratBlackfishHomes’andBoardViceChairmanatBuiltGreenCanada,theworkshopoccurredattheirbuildinprogressandallowedforonsitedemonstrations.Keyareasoffocusinclude:• Insulation&airtightnessrequirementsinnewbuildingcode• Materialreviewofdifferentinsulationmaterialstomeetnewcode—exteriorinsulation:XPSfoam,EPSfoam,&Polyiso
Theworkshopwelcomedcloseto70attendeesandcreatedtheopportunityforface-to-facelearningopportunitieswithotherlike-mindedindustryfolks.** More workshops are being planned. Those builders interested in providing an onsite location at build in progress for a future BUILT GREEN® Technical Workshop are asked to contact the Built Green Canada office.
• BuiltGreenintheNews• AllWeatherWindows:NewAtticHatchWinsProductoftheYear• BuiltGreeninYourCommunity• ProgramUpdates• EnergyAdvised:YourEA• ProductCatalogueConnection
PhotocourtesyofEffectHomeBuilders
LEFT:ChrisHiggins,GreenBuildingPlannerattheCityofVancouver,speakingtonewbuildingcoderequirements.RIGHT:OwensCorningandWesteckWindowsdemonstratinginstallpracticesliveataBlackfishHomes’buildinprogress.
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Growth Trend ContinuesBuildingoffofthefirstandsecondquartersof2015,thirdquarternumbersinBritishColumbiacontinuedagrowthtrendof32percent.ConsistentwiththehousingstartsinAlberta,thecontractedeconomysawenrolmentsintheprovincedipinthirdquarter.
Demand for Sustainable Building Increases: Consumers’ “Must Haves” Asbuildersarefacedwithincreasedcodesrequirementsaroundenvelopeandenergysystemsintheirbuilds,consumersareratingsustainablefeaturesas“musthaves”whenmakingahomepurchase.Meanwhile,Canadianhomebuyersratethreeoftheirtop10“musthaves”asrelatedtoenergyefficiency,49%citehomecertificationasamusthave,whilewaterconservationalsorankshigh—45.2%ratelow-flowtoiletsasamusthavefeature.ThoseparticipatinginBUILTGREEN®areaheadandhaveacompetitiveadvantage—ourprogramsaddressenergyefficiency,integratingtheEnerGuidelabelthroughNaturalResourcesCanada,andincludethepreservationofnaturalresources,reductionofpollution,ventilation&airquality,andimprovementofhomedurability.2015 Canadian Home Buyer Preference National Study, conducted and produced by Avid Ratings Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association.
Built Green in the News Overthethirdquarterof2015,mediacoveragefocusedonbuilders(includingPerrySignatureHomes,BedrockHomes,HabitatforHumanity,Maskeen,Landmark,DakineHomeBuilders,andBlackfishHomes),updatesatBuiltGreenCanada,aswellasthosecompaniesinvolvedintheBUILTGREEN®ecosystem,includingsponsorAllWeatherWindows.Someoutletsincludethefollowing:VancouverSun,VancouverProvince,VancouverShawTV,NorthShoreNews,CalgaryHerald,NEWHomes&CondosEdmontonmagazine,NewHome&CondoLiving(x3),Kijiji,Craigslist,BCBuildingInfoAlertNotice,KelownaCapitalNews,andmore.“BuiltGreen”isincreasinglybeingseenasakeysellingfeatureinrealestatelistings(referencedabovewithKijijiandCraigslist).SeveralcomplementaryorganizationshavepostedBuiltGreen-suppliedcontentontotheirwebsite,including:ReginaHomeBuilders’AssociationandBritishColumbiaConstructionAssociation,aswellastheCityofAbbotsfordwebsiteandtheCityofSurrey,whoprofiledMaskeen’s86-unitBUILTGREEN®projectontheirFacebookblog.Moreandmoremediaareretweetingourtweets,includingGreenBuilderMedia,CalgaryHerald,FenestrationReview,VancouverObserver,RedHotHomes,SustainableBuilding&DesignMagazine,BuildCanadaMagazine,andCanadianBusinessJournal.Thankyoutoallforyourcontinuedsupportinspreadingtheword.IntegratingkeymessagesonthebenefitsofaBUILTGREEN®certifiedhomeintoyoursalesandmarketingeffortsgoesalongwayinraisingtheprofileforyourbuilds,forsustainablebuilding,andfortheindustry.
All Weather Windows: Innovative, Award-Winning, & Community Minded
New Attic Hatch Wins Product of the Year
BUILTGREEN®Sponsor,AllWeatherWindows,isCanada’slargestprivatelyownedwindowanddoormanufacturer.Strivingtoproduceinnovative,costeffectiveproductsfortheircustomers,thisisanawardwinningcompanymanytimesover.TheAllWeatherWindowsAtticHatchwasawardedthe2015ProductoftheYearbyDurhamRegionHomeBuilders’Association—thecompanyitselfwasrecognizedasOutstandingSupplierforthesecondyearinarow.TheAtticHatchgoesbeyondbuildingcodetoofferR36andR60installationvaluestoincreaseoverallenergyefficiencyandmeetsnetzerorequirements.UsingathermallybrokenPVCframetoreducetheflowofairandrecycledoorcutoutsforapre-finished,energyefficientsolutionwithautomotive-gradeweatherstripping,theAtticHatchenhancesenergyperformance.WithAllWeatherWindowsattichatchthebuilderisabletosavetimeandmoneywithaready-madesolutionthatiseasytoinstall.AhugesupporterofHabitatforHumanity,AllWeatherWindowsmobilizedtheirstaffforthefourthconsecutiveyeartovolunteer,buildingwindowsinHabitathomes.Staffattwoplants—oneinEdmontonandoneinMississauga—providedwindowsfor40Habitathomes:20inWesternCanadaand20inCentralandEasternCanada.“AllWeatherWindowsisaplatinumnationalsupporterofHabitatforHumanityandweareproudofourpartnership,”saidHenryBanman,SeniorVicePresident,AllWeatherWindows.“Ourvisionistoimprovethelivesoffamilies,onefamilyatatime.”
Are you utilizing the Full Benefit of Belonging to the BUILT GREEN® Community? Whetheryou’vebeenanactiveBUILTGREEN®memberforawhileorarenewandstilllearningaboutBuiltGreen,andhowitsetsyouapartfromothers,weencourageyoutocompletetheMemberEngagementChecklistincludedinyour2015MembershipPackage.ThiswillassistusinstrengtheningthebenefitsyoureceiveforbuildingtoBUILTGREEN®certificationandforbeingapartofasustainablebuildingcommunity.Additionally,weencourageyoutofamiliarizeyourselfwiththe2015MembershipPackagewhichincludestips,suggestions,andtoolsforyoutointegrateintoyourmarketingactivityaswellasconsumer-facingtools.
2015ProductoftheYear(DurhamRegionHomeBuilders’Association):AllWeatherWindowsAtticHatch.
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Built Green in Your CommunityA BUILT GREEN® First—Carstairs Heritage Centre & Visitor Information Centre goes BUILT GREEN® Platinum
TheCarstairsHeritageCentre&VisitorInformationCentre’senrolmentintotheBUILTGREEN®programmarksthisasthefirstprojecttypewithBuiltGreenCanada,anditcomesoutatPlatinum!CarstairsHeritageCentreCurator,MikeDougherty,saystheSocietyknewtheywanted
thisprojecttoworkwithinasustainabilityframework,andtheirbuilder’spassionforBuiltGreenmadetheirdecisionaneasyone—thankstoGoldSealPresident,MurrayPound,forhiscommitmenttosustainablebuildingpracticesandforbeinganambassadorforBuiltGreenCanada.Poundputtogetheradesignandbudget,whiledonatinghisowntimeandequipmenttothisproject.StyledafterScarlett’sStoppingHouse—atypicallate1800sranchhouse—theCentrefunctionsastheTownofCarstairsVisitorInformationCentre,MuseumAdministrationbuilding,andarchivalstorage.Scarlett’swasaprominentstopontheCalgary&EdmontonWagonTrail,andassuch,isofinteresttotheTownofCarstairsandCarstairsandtheDistrictHistoricalSociety,whoprovided50/50fundingfortheproject.FortheSociety’sportion,fundraisingwasleadbySocietyPresident,JamesLore.AndtohonourJim’spassion,leadership,anddedicationtothemuseum,thenewbuildinghasbeennamedLoreHouse.Thebuildhashadarelativelysmallfootprint,thoughhashadahugeimpactforthemuseum,allowingforroughly800squarefeetofnewgalleryspacetobedevelopedinthemainmuseumbuilding.Itsitsasafocalpointofthefacility,whichspansthreetownlots.Poundendeavouredtomaximizeenergyandspaceefficiencywiththeleastmoneyspent,andtheresultwasthattheprojectcameinaheadofscheduleandunderbudget.MikeextendsahugethankyoutoMurrayPoundandGoldSealMasterBuilders.Theproject’sGrandOpeningtookplaceattheendofSeptember,highlightingtheTownofCarstairs’annualAlbertaCultureDaysandTownPumpkinFest.
Cirrus Homes Open HouseCirrusHomesheldanOpenHouseonSeptember5fortheirBUILTGREEN®GoldcertifiedcustomhomeinKerrisdale.ThisstunninghomewasmeticulouslybuiltincompliancewithrecentB.C.buildingcode
PhotocourtesyofCirrusHomes
AttheirEvoqueGrandOpening,MaskeenHomesdonatestotheCityofSurreyFoodBank.ShownherewithMayorHepnerandCouncillorGill.
PhotocourtesyofCarstairsHeritageCentre
updatesinplace.Director,GregHanberry,gaveabriefoverviewofthegreeninitiativesintegraltotheproject,whichwasfollowedbyaninformaldiscussionperiod.Someofthelatestproventechnologiesusedforthishomeapplytobuildingenvelope&energysystems,materials&methods,indoorairquality&ventilation,andwaterconservation—keyfeaturesinclude:triple-panedwindows,low-VOCmaterialswithrecycledcontent,dual-flushtoilets+more.
Maskeen’s “Evoque” Grand OpeningSeptember6markedtheofficialgrandopeningof86-unitBUILTGREEN®certifiedproject,Evoque,locatedat15177–60thAvenue,Surrey.MayorHepnerandCouncillorGilltouredtheshowhomewheretherewasdiscussionaboutBUILTGREEN®andgeothermalinenergygeneration.MaskeenalsodonatedtotheSurreyFoodBankgivenarecentpoweroutage.Afewprojecthighlightsinclude:100%LED,high-energyelectriccarchargerforresidentsandvisitorstothecomplex,VOCforallinteriorcoatings,strictrecyclingandreuseprogramonsiteandhavedesignatedrecyclingandseparationbins,andleadRealEstateSalesdrivesanelectricGMVolt.TargetingaSilverlevelcertification,thefirsttwounitsreachedaBUILTGREEN®Gold!
Ellenwood at Green Home & Energy ShowKudostoEllenwoodHomesfortheirleadershipparticipatingintheNelsonGreenHome&EnergyShowonSeptember22atPrestigeLakesideResort.ThanksfortalkingBUILTGREEN®benefitsandfortheirsupport.
Victoria Residential Builders Association at Union of BC Municipalities ConventionTheVictoriaResidentialBuildersAssociation(VRBA)participatedatthisconventionSeptember23–September24integratingtheBUILTGREEN®messageandsupportmaterialsforBritishColumbia’selectedofficialsattendingtheevent.Thankyoufortheongoingsupportandleadershipinencouragingsustainablebuildingpractices.Have an upcoming event? Letusknow—letushelpspreadtheword.
BUILT GREEN® Find a BuilderTothosebuildersactivelycertifyingBUILTGREEN®,pleaseletusknowifyouwouldlikeupdatestoyourfeatureonFindaBuilder.
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PROGRAM UPDATES NEW BUILT GREEN® Portal – Coming SoonOvertheyears,therehavebeenanumberofincreasedrequirementsfortheBUILTGREEN®Portal/CanadaGreenHomesdatabase,duetotheriseofsustainablebuildingpracticesandthegrowthofourprograms.Becauseoftheseincreaseddemandsandtheageoftheoperatingsystems,wehadimplementedanumberofworkarounds.However,wehavebegunworkonanewsystemthatwillbesimplerandeasiertonavigatethrough.Thisisscheduledforasoftlaunchneartheendoftheyear.Wewillkeepyouposted.
Single Family Verifications: Site Inspections ThisyearmarksthesecondyeartheSingleFamilyVerificationshavebeeninplace.AsatSeptember30,justunder25percentofthoserequiredfor2015havebeencompleted.Afollow-upreminderwasissuedinattheendofthisquarter,anditisanticipatedtheremainderwillbeinthelastquarteroftheyear,consistentwith2014.Pleasegetyourverificationsin.Thisadditionalverificationstepwasintroducedlastyearasacomponentofourqualityassuranceprocess;itsimplementationhasincreasedtherigouroftheBUILTGREEN®certificationprocessandaddsanotherlevelofcredibilitytotheprogram.Asarefresherofthisprocess:theverificationisappliedtofivepercentofourtotalprojects(basedonpreviousyears’numbers),onaprovince-by-provincebasis.Forthosefivepercentofprojectschosentoundergotheverification,itisarequirementforcertification.TheEnergyAdvisorsassociatedwiththeseprojectswerealsonotifiedandaretoconducttheverificationatthetimeoftheblowerdoortesting—theirfeeforthisisbilledtoBuiltGreenCanada.Asthebuilder’sprojectsareenrolledthroughout2015,theEAwillbenotifiedwhichhavebeenearmarkedforverificationpriortotheblowerdoortesting.Shouldyourequireanyfurtherinformationpleaseletusknow.
BUILT GREEN® Represented in Post Secondary CurriculumMedicineHatCollegewillbeutilizingtheBUILTGREEN®SingleFamilyChecklistandBUILTGREEN®SingleFamilyGuidetoolsaspartoftheircurriculumintheCADD185ResidentialDesigncoursethiswinter,partoftheComputerAidedDraftingandDesignprogram.
BUILT GREEN® off to BrandonDuringthisperiod,BuiltGreenCanadabeganworkingwiththeCityofBrandon,inpreparationforanupcomingworkshopoccurringonNovember3.BuiltGreenCanadawillbepresenting“BuildingaSustainableCity–StartingWithYourHome:AnIntroductionbyBuiltGreenCanada”ataBrandonDesignStudioworkshop,aswellastoCityCouncil.
Energy Advised: Your EA
Withbuildingcodechangesandtheincreasedemphasisonenergyefficiency,theroleofanEnergyAdvisor(EA)hasbecomeevermoreimperative.Expertsinenergyefficiency,they’recertifiedbyNaturalResourcesCanadatodelivertheEnerGuideRatingServicefornewhomes.Thesefolkshavehonedstrongenergyadvisingskillsthroughyearsofrelatedpractice,andtheirroleisinvaluableinsustainablebuildingpractices.BuiltGreenCanada,andbuildersinvolvedinourprograms,areluckytoworkwithveryknowledgeable,experiencedEnergyAdvisors.Weencourageyoutofullyutilizethesefolks;theyhavesomuchtoofferyouandyourcustomers.NielsAnthonsen,P.Eng.,ownerofEnerlyticsEngineeringLtdandPerformanceEnergyAdvisors,isaProfessionalEngineerandEnergyAdvisorwithover30yearsofengineeringexperience.WhenNielsmovedtoVictoriain2005,hesethimselfthegoalofrealigninghiscareerwithworkthatsupportsahealthierenvironment.Assuch,Nielsbecameaspecialistinbuilding-energymodelingandanalysis,andbringstohisclients’projectsexperienceas:• Anenergymodellerandenergyconsumptionana-lyst,forBCBCPart9andPart3buildings
• AreviewerofBCBCnon-compliantenvelopedesignsforMunicipalalternativecomplianceapproval
• AnauditorforserviceorganizationsaspartoftheirenergymodellingEAQualityAssuranceprograms
• BUILTGREEN®HighDensityVerifier• Aninstructorteaching:• Buildingsciencecoursesforbuilders,developers,andarchitects
• HOT2000EAcertificationcoursesforbothnewandexisting
• SFHsandMURBs.NielshastakenovermanyoftheclientsfromPerformanceEnergyAdvisors,whorecentlyretired.**WendySmithandArleneSkagfeldhaveworkedtirelesslyformanyBUILTGREEN®builders,andBuiltGreenCanadaowesthemtremendousgratitude—thesebuildersareonceagainingoodhandswithNiels.
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Product Catalogue Connection
TheBUILTGREEN®ProductCatalogueisanonlineresourceforbuildersandrenovatorsforuseinsustainableconstruction.ProductshavebeenapprovedbyBuiltGreenCanada,givingbuilderspeaceofmindandsavingthemtimesourcingmaterials.OurprogramsarebasedoncheckliststhatguideourbuilderstoachievingBUILTGREEN®certification,andthosematerialsinourcataloguearetiedtospecificchecklistitems.Below,ourfeaturedProductCataloguecontributorsarelistedwiththeirBUILTGREEN®approvedproducts.IfusedinyourBUILTGREEN®project,theseproductsearnchecklistpoints.
K2 Stone QuarriesEarning points in Materials & Methods and Business Practices• OceanPearlNaturalStoneisadurableandnaturalproduct.It’squarriedandprocessedlocallyinPortRenfrewandNanaimo,respectively.Buildingproductsconsistofthinstoneveneer,fullbedledgestone,andcapping.Landscapeproductsconsistofflagstone,cobbles,wallstone,andothers.(2-30,2-48,2-52,7-6)
Tremco Barrier SolutionsEarning points in Materials & Methods• WatchdogWaterproofingisacoldapplied,polymermodified,asphaltemulsion(water-based).It’ssprayappliedbycertifiedcontractorstoprovideanelastomericwaterproofingmembranetotheexterioroffoundationwalls.Watchdogcanbesuccessfullyappliedyearround.(2-45)
Johns ManvilleEarning checklist points in Materials & Methods, Indoor Air Quality, & Business Practices• JohnsManvilleformaldehyde-freethermalandacousticalinsulationforwood,engineeredwood,andsteelframingismadeoflong,resilientglassfibresbondedwithourbio-basedbinder.Awiderangeofthermalresistanceisavailabletoprovidethermalcontrolforbothverticalandhorizontalapplications.(2-21,3-9,7-1)
• Ventchutesallowinstallationofatticfloorinsulationclosetothesoffit,enablingunobstructedairpassagebetweenthesoffitventsandtheatticwithoutcloggingthesoffitatticventilationportswithinsulation.(7-1)
• JMSound-SHIELD®battsprovidemaximumsoundcontroleffectivenessbycompletelyfillingthecavitywall.Thesesoundcontrolbattsarecompatiblewithwoodorsteelstudsinwallsandarealsousedinfloor/ceilingassemblies.JMsoundcontrolbattscaneffectivelyincreaseSTCratingsby8to10pointsincertainassemblies.Useofresilientchannelscanmakewallassembliesevenmoreefficient.(7-1)
BuiltGreenCanadaPhone:780.485.0920Toll-Free:1.855.485.0920www.builtgreencanada.caTwitter:@BuiltGreenCan
BuiltGreenCanadahasrepresentationinBritishColumbia,Alberta,Saskatchewan,andOntario,withover24,450BUILTGREEN®homescertified–includingunitsinmulti-storeyprojects,thetotalisover26,990.
100%Committedtoprotectingourenvironment
Canadian Stone Industries: Boral Cultured Stone®Earning checklist points in Materials & Methods• BoralCulturedStone®byBoralStoneProductsisalight-weightmanufacturedstoneveneersuitableforresidentialandcommercial,exterior,andinteriorapplications.Containing54%recycledcontent,CulturedStone®providesanauthenticandeco-friendlyalternativetootherformsofexteriorcladdingofferingspecifiersamultitudeofoptionswithitsvastarrayofprofilesandcolours.(2-48)
EPS Molders Inc.: Polycore Foundation Wall System Earning checklist points in Energy & Envelope, Materials & Methods, and Waste Management• InventedanddevelopedinEdmonton,thePolycoreBuildingSystemisaninsulatedandstructuralcomponentbuildingproductrevolutionizingthebuildingindustry.Sectionsaremadefromtwomaterials:EPS(expandedpolystyrene)astheinsulatingwallcore,andintegratedgalvanizedsteelconstructionstudsforstrength.Simpleproductseriesareeasilyadaptabletomostcommercialorresidentialbuildingusesincludingwalls,foundationwalls,foundationfloors,androofs.Thesystemhasmanyadvantages,significantcostsavings,anditseaseofinstallationmakestheproductlessdependentoncostlyandhard-to-findskilledtradeworkers.(1-6,1-10,1-11,2-2,2-3,2-13,5-3)
Desert Spring Eco-Products Ltd.Earning checklist points in Ventilation• TheCanadian-madePulseHumidifiersystemisatruewater-efficient,flow-throughhumidifier.WaterconsumptioniscarefullymonitoredandcontrolledbyitspatentedPulsecontrolunit,whichsensestheby-passairtemperatureandmeterswaterflowtoavoidpotentialstandingwaterissuesand/orreductioninoutput.(4-6)
Ultimate Vent: Furnace Air Intake Vent Pre-Filter SystemEarning checklist points in Indoor Air Quality• UltimateVent,apre-filteringfurnacefreshairintakeventthatenhancesthefurnacesystemandprovidesthebuilderwithamoreeconomicalandeffectivewayforlessmaintenance,lesscomplaints,lessfurnaceproblems,betterefficiency,andanotheropportunitytoaffectlong-term,betterindoorairqualityforyourcustomer.
BoralCulturedStone®