Construction & Materials

Guides on house plans, building costs, permits, materials and energy efficiency, with plans you can buy today.

Construction & Materials · 7 min read 2x6, Exterior Insulation or Double-Stud? 8 Wall Myths for a New Canadian Home The bag says R-22, but the finished wall performs closer to R-17. Here are eight common myths about the three main high-performance wall assemblies in Canada, and what to choose for your climate zone and budget. Read more → Construction & Materials · 9 min read Roof Trusses vs Stick Framing in Canada: Cost, Vaulted Ceilings and Attic Space Trusses frame most new Canadian roofs, but rafters still have a place. Here is how the two systems compare on cost, snow, permits, vaulted ceilings and living space under the roof. Read more → Construction & Materials · 8 min read Siding Options in Canada: Vinyl, Fibre Cement, Brick, Stone and Engineered Wood What each common siding costs in Canada, how it handles freeze-thaw and coastal rain, and why your subdivision may decide part of the choice for you. Read more → Construction & Materials · 10 min read Keeping a New Basement Dry in Canada: Weeping Tile, Sump Pits and Waterproofing A dry basement is decided in the week before backfill. Here is how foundation drainage works in a Canadian new build, what each part costs, and what to check before the dirt goes back. Read more → Construction & Materials · 6 min read Radon-Ready Homes in Canada: 7 Design Ideas for the Rough-In, Barrier and Fan Route Radon protection is now part of building a new home in Canada, but where the pipe goes and how the basement is laid out is up to you. Seven design ideas that make a future fan cheap and easy to add. Read more → Construction & Materials · 8 min read ICF vs Wood Frame in Canada: 8 Things to Weigh Before You Choose Your Walls Wood frame is still the default in Canada, but ICF keeps winning ground, especially below grade. Here are eight practical differences, from cost and R-value to adapting a stock plan to thicker walls. Read more → Construction & Materials · 6 min read Building a House in a Canadian Winter: Break Ground This Fall or Wait for Spring? Pouring a foundation in November and hanging drywall in February is normal in Canada, but it costs more and needs a plan. Here are seven design and scheduling ideas for a winter build, plus a month-by-month timeline for a fall start. Read more → Construction & Materials · 7 min read Building for Snow in Canada: Roof Pitch, Snow Loads and Ice Dams Checklist Snow load is set by your address, not by taste. This checklist covers roof pitch, truss design, valleys and the attic details that keep ice dams off a new Canadian home. Read more → Construction & Materials · 8 min read Basement, Crawl Space or Slab? One Canadian Family's Foundation Decision, Step by Step A typical Ontario family planning a bungalow asks the question every Canadian builder hears: is a full basement worth it, or is a slab or crawl space smarter? Here is how the decision played out from lot to move-in. Read more →