3 hot remodeling trends: garages, laundry rooms, kitchens

If you're thinking of building or you're planning a remodel -- either for yourself or to make things more attractive for a potential buyer -- the latest home trends can offer some valuable insights to help with your planning.

Architects and other home design experts gathered at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference this summer -- which is always full of new products and ideas -- to discuss what's new and hot in home design trends. Some of the ideas are a bit of a departure from past years:

Garages are doing a lot more

Many home designers are looking at ways to design smaller homes with spaces that serve multiple uses, and that's now including the garage. With space in many homes at a premium, it's not too much of a stretch to consider cleaning up that vast cold expanse of concrete and making it more than a place to park the car. Garages are now sharing space with exercise areas, hobby rooms and other uses.

One of the most important uses for the garage is storage, but not just shelves tacked to the wall. Built-in storage cabinets with doors achieve a clean and uncluttered look that also protects the contents. There are a number of companies now offering sleek and sturdy garage cabinets, workbenches, and wall-mounted storage systems that are versatile and quite attractive. There are also ceiling-mounted storage lifts to create even more space.

Walls should be drywalled, textured and painted with a washable paint. Use ample lighting, especially in work areas. Consider an epoxy coating for the floor, or even a garage mat surface, which creates a brighter, more attractive area that's easier to clean.

Ditto for the laundry room

Another space in the house that's doing double and even triple duty is the laundry room. Rather than having a single room that's used solely for laundry, many of today's designers are looking at making this room larger and allowing it to handle multiple chores, which lets other rooms be smaller or even be eliminated.

Once again, storage is emphasized, with lots of cabinet storage for everything from cleaning supplies to extra toilet paper. Space can be provided for just about any part-time use that doesn't require a large amount of square footage elsewhere, such as crafts or even a small home office.

For most situations, unless the bulk of the living space is on the second floor, the design pros felt that a first-floor laundry room was preferable. One designer adds a doggie door in her laundry room designs that goes through the wall to the backyard. "The laundry room is a great area for the dog during the day, and the doggie door provides direct access to the yard," she said. "It's been one of our most popular options!"

The designers also emphasized the importance of a transition area between the garage and the house: "The garage wants in," was the way one architect put it.

This transition area might be the laundry room, or it might be another intermediate space such as a mud room area, with a sink for washing up. The transition area should contain a bench or other seating for removing shoes, as well as storage for hats, coats, gloves and other outdoor essentials. It should also include convenient storage for things like keys, and perhaps a charging station for phones and other electronics.

Some thoughts on kitchens

Kitchens, of course, are one of the biggest sellers in home design. Some designers are getting away from traditional "work triangle" design, and are looking more at designs that work for specific users.

But one thing that all the designers agreed on was a growing emphasis on kitchen islands. Islands are very popular, and may incorporate a cooktop, prep sink or some other element that makes it easier for two cooks to operate at the same time.

Eat-in kitchens remain popular, with space at the island or at a peninsula for eating. But what's definitely changed is the arrangement of the seating. Designers are getting away from the "picnic bench" seating arrangement, with all the stools or chairs in a row, which is not conducive to conversation. That's being replaced by 90-degree seating, with stools along two or even three perpendicular edges of the island, the way they would be at a conventional table.

http://homes.yahoo.com/news/3-hot-remodeling-trends--garages--laundry-rooms--kitchens.html

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

New study finds scant evidence of health benefits from eating organic foods

Many people buy organic foods thinking they’re better for them than their conventional cousins. Yet findings from a new study – the most comprehensive analysis to date – casts doubt on this notion.

There’s no nutritional or safety differences between organic and conventional foods, dispelling the belief that organic food is always healthier and more nutritious, according to the report published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Organic foods are grown and harvested without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, growth hormones, antibiotics, genetically modified organisms, irradiation and artificial additives. Organic livestock are fed organic feed and are given access to the outdoors, fresh air and sunlight.

The term organic is not synonymous with natural. So-called “natural” foods should not be significantly altered from their natural state nor should they contain any added nutrient, artificial flavouring or food additive.

Researchers at Stanford University Medical Center in California reviewed 237 studies – 17 human studies and 223 studies that compared nutrient and contaminant levels (bacterial, fungal and pesticide) in foods grown organically and conventionally.

There were no consistent differences in the vitamin content between organic and conventional produce. Only one nutrient – phosphorus – was higher in organic versus conventional produce. But because a phosphorus deficiency is rare in North America, this finding is unlikely to be clinically important.

There was also no difference in the fat and protein content between organic and conventional milk.

The analysis did, however, turn up weak evidence that organic produce contains higher levels of phenols, phytochemicals thought to have numerous health benefits. The review suggested that organic chicken and milk may contain more omega-3 fatty acids than conventional products. (However, most milk studies examined raw, not pasteurized, milk.)

The researchers found meagre evidence that conventional foods posed greater health risks than their organic cousins. While organic produce was 30 per cent less likely to be contaminated with pesticides than conventional produce, 7 per cent of organic food samples contained pesticide residues. The pesticide levels of both types of foods, however, fell within allowable safety limits, set by government regulators.

Synthetic pesticide residues that end up on organic produce can come from pesticides used in the past now cycling in the soil or water as well as spray drift from non-organic farms.

While two studies in the review found lower pesticide levels in the urine of children fed organic versus conventional diets, levels of urinary pesticides in both groups of children were below safety thresholds.

There was no difference in bacterial contamination between organic and conventional foods – both were commonly contaminated with Salmonellaand Campylobacter. In fact, the results suggested that organic produce is more likely to be contaminated with E. coli. Research has found that produce from organic farms using manure for fertilization is much more likely to contain E. coli than produce from organic farms not using animal waste.

Conventional chicken and pork had a higher risk of contamination with bacteria resistant to antibiotics. However, the extent to which antibiotic use for livestock contributes to antibiotic-resistant bacteria in people is debated.

These findings don’t mean you should stop eating organic foods. There are reasons to choose organic over conventional that go beyond health. Many people find organic food tastes better. Others are concerned about the effect of conventional farming on the environment and animal welfare.

And not everyone needs proof that organic foods are healthier for you. When it comes to synthetic chemical residues in foods – pesticides, hormones or antibiotics – many people feel it’s better to be safe than sorry. Some people don’t want to wait around to find out if long-term exposure to pesticide residues does, in fact, increase the risk of health problems.

That’s especially true for many women and parents of young children. Some scientists and watchdog groups worry that pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants and young children may be more vulnerable to the harmful effects of pesticide residues, especially during critical periods of development.

Clearly, buying organic food is a personal choice based on availability, price, taste and personal values.

In Canada, all foods labelled organic must follow strict organic production standards and be certified by an accredited certification body. Only foods that contain at least 95-per-cent organic ingredients can be labelled as “organic” and/or bear the Canada Organic logo.

A diet plentiful in fruits and vegetables – organic or conventional – is one that delivers more fibre, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. The key is to include seven to 10 servings in your daily diet. (One serving is equivalent to one medium fruit, one cup chopped fruit, ½ cup raw or cooked vegetables, and one cup of salad greens.)

And whether you eat organic or conventional foods, it’s important to take steps to handle foods safely. Wash and rinse all produce – conventional and organic – with running water (not soap) to reduce the amount of pesticide residues, bacteria and dirt. Peel fruits and vegetables, remove and discard outer leaves of lettuce, leafy greens and cabbage. Scrub thick-skinned produce like potatoes, carrots and parsnips.

Eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables each day to minimize your exposure to a particular pesticide residue.

Remove visible fat from meat and skin from poultry and fish before cooking since some pesticides store in animal fat.

If you’re considering adding a few organic foods to your shopping cart, focus on foods your family eats the most such as fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy. Keep in mind that “organic” potato chips, cookies and candy typically have just as much salt and sugar and just as many calories as their conventional counterparts.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/new-study-finds-scant-evidence-of-health-benefits-from-eating-organic-foods/article4517773/

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

15 home maintenance tips

Home maintenance is something we often neglect. Between our daily and weekly responsibilities of cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc., maintenance is something that often falls by the wayside. But it’s essential. Like your vehicle, your home and property benefit from regular tune-ups.

Fun, right? We know: not so much. But here’s the good news. Tackling home maintenance in 10-minute bursts is the smart way to get it done. 

Here’s our checklist of 15 things you can keep on top of, each in 10 minutes or fewer. Killing time before Lost?  Cross off one of these tasks.

1 Vacuum the condenser coils at the back of your fridge annually.

2 Replace your furnace filters seasonally.

3 Polish your natural wood front door. If painted, surface wash it.

4 Clean the air conditioner grill and register. 

5 Dust and test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (twice a year).

6 Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (annually).

7 Self-clean the oven (Okay, technically this takes hours, but it only takes a few minutes to set it up).

8 Clean your coffeemaker. Technically this takes more than 10 minutes, but each step itself takes only a minute or two. Tackle each step during commercial breaks in your favourite show. 

9 Clean your kitchen exhaust hood. Clean or replace the filter.

10 Check your water heater for signs of leakage or rust. 

11 Look for worn extension cords. Replace them. 

12 Inspect your furnace. Any signs of rust or scale? Any weird noises? If so, book a professional inspection.

13 Pick a ground fault circuit interrupter outlet (GFCI) and test it. Push the Test button, check that this has popped out the Reset button and that anything hooked up to the outlet will no longer power on. Push Reset and you’re good to go. Test a different GFCI outlet next time. 

14 Conduct a garage door safety check. 
• Put it into manual mode and lift it: it should glide smoothly and stay open on its own three feet from the ground: if not, have a pro counterbalance it.

• Put a pet- or child-size object on the ground (a small cardboard box or lightweight plastic laundry hamper, for example) and close the door. It should pop up as soon as it meets the obstacle. If not, call a pro.

15 Check your emergency flashlight. Do the batteries work? If not, replace them, or consider upgrading to a non-battery powered, manual wind-up model.

http://www.styleathome.com/how-to/home-improvement/15-home-maintenance-tips/a/21356/2

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

7 WAYS YOUR HOUSE IS WASTING WATER

The average American wastes thousands of gallons of water each year. Gallons of water are wasted during our daily activities as we take long showers, wash our cars, pre-wash the dishes, water the lawn, and more.

In America, our water consumption has increased 127% from 1950, and 95% of that water goes straight down the drain, while much of the world lives off of 3 gallons of water per day or less. To put that into perspective, we can waste 3 gallons of water with one flush of the toilet.

Here are some common ways that clean, potable water is being cast away down the pipes.

1. Showering and Brushing Teeth:

Showers account for 20% of total indoor water use. While waiting for shower water to heat up, Americans waste a trillion gallons of clean, potable water. Up to 7 gallons is used every minute that the showerhead is running.

How many of us leave the tap running while we brush our teeth? Up to three gallons of water are used each minute that the faucet is running. If every American moistened their toothbrush and turned off the flow, countless gallons could be saved.

2. Leaky Toilet, Faucets, and Pipes:

Leaky toilets, faucets, and pipes account for a lot of wasted water. The average US household leaks up to 9 gallons of water a day, but with a leaky toilet, that number can easily jump to 200 gallons a day. Faucets leaking at a rate of one drop per second account for 2,700 gallons of water wasted each year.

3. Washing Cars:

We are a culture that loves our cars. Ten times more water is used to wash cars with a hose compared to washing with a bucket or going to a professional car wash. And we just let that contaminated water pool in our yards or storm drains, eventually finding its way into lakes, rivers, and streams, polluting the environment.

4. Pre-washing Dishes:

Pre-washing dishes in not necessary if you scrap off the hard, dried on bits first before placing the dishes in the dishwasher. Similarly, turning the dishwasher on when it’s not a full load is an efficient use of water. An old model can use up to 13 gallons per cycle, while a newer, water-efficient model will use around 4 gallons per wash cycle. Remember, much of the world’s population exists on just 3 gallons of water per day.

5. Washing Machine:

Inefficient washing machines can use up to 20 gallons for each load. Many Americans do not fill their washing machines to capacity, instead spreading their laundry duties over many loads. Using your washing machine for full loads only makes the most of the water used.

6. Using the Toilet as a Garbage Can:

Older toilets can use 3 gallons of water per flush. Some people use their toilets as garbage cans, flushing down single cigarettes, paper towels, and tissues into the system, which is not only bad for skeptic tanks, but waste clean, usable water. Residential toilet use accounts for 40% of urban water demand. In the US, 4.8 billion gallons of water is flushed down the toilet every single day.

7. Watering Lawns:

Did you know that watering our lawns uses 8,000,000,000 gallons of water each day in the US alone—again, that’s every single day? The average lawn uses 264 gallons of water each hour. The garden hoses and sprinklers we use to water our lawns can waste more water per hour than the average US household with four members use in a day.

Homeowners can combat the water waste by taking simple conservation steps with these low-cost options that you can implement immediately to reduce your household’s water waste.

http://www.goinggreentoday.com/blog/7-areas-your-house-is-wasting-water/

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

Economy grew by 1.8 per cent in Q2: StatsCan

The economy grew at an annual rate of 1.8 per cent in the second quarter, as companies increased investment in equipment and added substantially to their inventories.

The pace of growth was slightly higher than economists' expectations and nearly in line with the Bank of Canada projection for 1.9 per cent.

But it's the third quarter in a row for sluggish economic performance below two per cent.

"The Canadian economy did slightly better than expected in the second quarter, but the pace was still nothing to write home about," Douglas Porter, deputy chief economist at BMO Capital Markets, said in a note to clients.

"The economy is essentially growing right in line with the U.S. now and is still rising below potential."

Statistics Canada said business investment was mainly responsible for keeping the economy afloat from April to June — as if on cue in the wake of scoldings from the Bank of Canada and federal government, who recently chided companies for sitting on their spare cash.

The agency said investment in plant and equipment grew at its fastest pace since this time last year, up 2.3 per cent from the previous quarter. Purchases of transportation equipment and industrial machinery were particularly strong.

And non-farm inventories surged during between April and June. Businesses increased their inventories by $15.2 billion in the second quarter — $7 billion more than in the first three months of the year.

But demand for exports slowed and imports rose substantially, dragging down overall growth.

In June, gross domestic product grew 0.2 per cent from May, propelled by output in the mining, oil and gas sector. Output declined in the wholesale and retail trade sectors, as well as manufacturing.

Sluggish economic growth prompted a warning from Ottawa on Friday.

The Finance Department recorded a shrinking deficit for the first three months of the 2012-20113 fiscal year, but cautioned that the fiscal outlook is at risk of deteriorating.

In its monthly Fiscal Monitor, the department said the deficit for the first three months of the 2012-13 fiscal year was $2 billion — less than half the $4.2-billion recorded for the same period last year.

The department said that's consistent with its plan to reduce the 2012-2013 deficit to $21.1 billion.

But it also warned that a weak economy poses a mounting risk for the fiscal situation.

From April to June, federal revenues rose 4.7 per cent because of higher income tax payments and a hike in the Employment Insurance rate, while expenses rose at a more modest pace.

For the month of June alone, the deficit was $1.1 billion, compared with $2.3 billion for June 2011.

http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/life/money/article/222346--economy-grew-by-1-8-per-cent-in-q2-statscan

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

The T-Dot at Night!

Toronto! The Center of the Universe showing of its swagger at night!

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

Are Your Windows Energy-Efficient?

With heating and cooling costs continuing to rise, it makes sense to look at one of the leading causes of energy inefficiency in the home: the windows. Installing energy-efficient windows can mean increased comfort as well as savings on utility bills in any climate.

The transmission of air and light is generally the most important function of windows. However, this can mean heat loss in the winter, overheating in the summer, and higher energy bills. A typical home may lose up to 30% of its heat or cooling through windows. Properly installed energy-efficient windows can go a long way toward improving this situation.

There are many factors that affect a window's energy efficiency. Whether they are single or multiple-paned, gas-filled, Low-Emittance (Low-E) coated, and even the material of the window frame all contribute to a window's performance. One excellent resource is www.efficientwindows.org, which provides detailed information on these specifications and how to select windows appropriate for various climates. An experienced window contractor can also be a good source of information and recommendations.

Homeowners should check with their local utility to find out about possible rebates and other incentives for the purchase of new, energy-efficient windows.

Of course, replacing windows is not always a viable option. However, there are steps homeowners can take to improve their energy savings without replacing windows such as making sure windows are properly caulked, keeping weather stripping in good repair, and using storm windows will help. Putting window coverings is another good way to reduce heat loss in winter and avoid overheating during summer.

Improving energy efficiency throughout the home means cost savings to the homeowner. Energy-efficient windows are a significant step toward that goal.

Asif Khan, ABR
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc.
Re/Max Hall of Fame
 
click here: http://bit.ly/Phzcqe

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan