How should I choose a laminate floor? They’re much less expensive than solid wood, and laminates are looking less artificial than they used to. What should I make of the big difference in laminate prices that I see? It’s true…
What do you think about slicing brick so it’s 1-inch thick, then gluing it to the outside walls of a garage I’m planning to build myself? I’d like this garage to match the brick on our house. What are the…
Do I need to heat the basement in my seasonal cottage near Parry Sound, Ontario? The basement is partially below ground, built with concrete blocks, well insulated and finished. We have always heated the basement in other years, but with…
Can I install ceramic tiles over a subfloor product called Tyroc? The manufacturer says I can, but others say no since it’s a floating system. What are your thoughts? It didn’t strike me as reasonable to use a floating substrate…
Refacing cabinets is an excellent way to get a completely new look with minimal cost and lowest possible environmental impact. It involves changing the doors, doorframes and all other visible sides and surfaces of the cabinets. The way you go…
Is there an economical alternative to spray foam applied by a professional? The verbal quote I have for 400 sq. ft. of foam at R40 seems so expensive. Spray foam insulation is substantially more costly than fiberglass or mineral wool…
How smooth does a plywood subfloor have to be to accept a new floor on top? We have a 1970’s vintage ceramic tile floor laid over a thick layer of mortar that I want to remove, and I expect mortar…
How can I figure out how much energy my washing machine uses with each load? I’ve already asked the manufacturer, and they suggested I ask EnerGuide Canada. I never did receive an answer from them. All I know is that…
How important is it that wood siding be installed over strapping to provide ventilation? My husband and I built a home that we’re now selling, but the prospective buyer is concerned that we installed clapboard directly to the outside face…
Is there any kind of plaster that can be applied over old drywall that’s getting damaged as we try to remove old wallpaper? Our house was built in the 1950s, and even though we’ve tried saturating the surface with a…
How should I choose a contractor to replace a residential heating boiler? The boiler in place is working fine, but it’s 60-years-old and not very efficient. Many homeowners assume that installing a more efficient furnace makes economic sense, but that’s not…
Is it necessary to apply a vapour barrier to the 3”-thick foam installed on the insides of concrete basement walls? My step daughter and husband had a new house built, and are planning to finish the basement. The short answer…