Nisha Muire

Sunshine is great for more than just tanning and warming yourself at the beach – it is also a terrific way to get the lighting and heating you need for garden projects at your Toronto home. Whether you are looking for an alternative way to heat your pool or want some low-maintenance ways to light up your garden after dark, using solar power is an easy, affordable and eco-friendly way of getting the energy you need.
 
Garden Ideas
Solar lanterns, fairy lights and deck flares are great lighting options to get that soft glow and party-like ambiance in your yard for evening parties. Although there are the regular plug-in versions of these lights, the more useful option includes the solar variety. Just plant them in an area with full sun and let the solar cells soak up the light during the day and then they will turn on automatically when dark. Solar lighting for your garden is an easy, low-maintenance way to get the lighting you want without having to remember to turn on/off lights switches, plug/unplug cables, etc…
 
Solar Blanket
Solar blankets are one of the most popular ways of heating outdoor pools. Although it does require a steady supply of uninterrupted sunshine, newer solar blanket models are highly efficient and are far more effective than older versions.
 
Safety lighting
Another great use for solar power is for emergency and/or safety lighting. Ideally for lighting up walkways, lanes or infrequently used outdoor areas of your property, they are a good option for always having light when it is needed.
 
Solar power is evolving and getting better every year. The options for its use are varied and perfect for applications where you want a small energy footprint and high efficiency.

Nothing beats a swimming pool in the summertime! If you are fortunate enough to have a swimming pool at your Toronto home, then you likely have had to consider the options when it came to heating sources. Although a warm summer can sufficiently heat a pool for maximum enjoyment, our weather rarely leaves room for more than a few weeks of summer heating. Instead, it is necessary to rely on alternate sources of heat to ensure a constant, pleasurable temperature for your pool.
 
There are a number of options when it comes to heating your pool. Although most people will install install an electric or gas-powered heater, those options will likely add hundreds of dollars to your energy costs and will also run you a few hundred dollars to install. There are several alternative heating options that some ingenious people have concocted to avoid those extra costs while still maintaining a comfortable water temperature even during the colder parts of the summer months.
 
Solar
Solar blankets for your pool are a great idea. Conventional solar blankets can be costly, but why-not build your own solar blanket for a fraction of what you would pay for a manufactured one? While there are a number of great ideas on Pinterest, one of the easiest and least expensive is using hula-hoops and polyurethane. All you need to do is buy a few hula-hoops, cover them in polyurethane and toss them into your pool and let the sun do the rest. Easy to build, easy to remove and easy to replace, they can raise your pool’s water temperature sufficiently to make it comfortable.
 
Another inexpensive solar option is to use black tubing, coiled in a snake formation that you place on your lawn or on you roof for maximum solar exposure. A pump pumps the water from your pool through this coil that is heated by the sun. While it won’t heat up your pool they way a conventional heater can, it will definitely take the chill away.
 
Wood
Another terrific and inexpensive option for heating the water in your pool is to harness the heat from your firepit or outdoor fireplace. Using a pump to pump the water from your pool into a coil of copper wire suspended in a barrel over or next to your fire pit can heat the water up beautifully – full instructions on how to build this very practical device can be found at any number of handy websites online.
 
Although we’ve only covered two options here for heating your pool, a quick search online will reveal a number of very useful links to great ideas for heating your pool while keeping your costs down.

Ever wondered whether your Toronto home has a porch or portico? You are not alone! While very similar, the two structures serve different purposes.
 
A porch is an extension of your home’s living space and usually runs the length of your facade. It is generally covered and used for sitting and relaxing or even entertaining. Porches have been around for centuries and still see plenty of use. The function of a porch has greatly evolved through the years and while they are still used regularly for enjoying a cool breeze at the end of the day, they have also become decorative and are used to enhance the overall look and curb appeal of a home.
 
The construction of porches varies greatly across structures. The flooring used also runs the gamut from place-to-place as does the covering as well.. They range from very casual structures to more formal ones. However, the one thing they all have in common is how functional and useful they are.
 
Porticos are strictly functional and are mainly meant to shelter your doorway and yourself from the elements while trying to enter or exit the house. They are also used to add plenty of drama to a structure. Usually reserved for grand homes and large buildings, porticos have also been successfully used on smaller residential properties.
 
Sometimes porticos are large enough to house a decorative table and set of chairs but they are rarely used for actual socializing due to their size and restrictiveness. However, they can still add plenty of drama and flare to an entranceway.
 
Regardless of whether you are thinking of adding a portico or a porch to your home, both options are great ways to enhance the overall look and curb appeal of your home.

The walkway leading to your front door is an integral part of your Toronto home’s curbside appeal. Without a decent-looking walkway your home will look incomplete and unfinished. The kind of look you want for your property will dictate the kind of material that you choose for your walkway. In fact, walkways can run the gamut from poured concrete to wood to mosaics. Each medium has its own beauty and level of difficulty in application.
 
Concrete
Concrete is probably the longest-lasting material you can use for your walkway. Whether you hire someone to do it or do it yourself, concrete will require the proper prepping of the walkway site and the proper mixing of the concrete itself. Once poured, you can get creative and add patterns and/or whimsical elements to add dimension and visual interest to the walkway. When concrete is poured, you have to make sure that is cures slowly and remains slightly damp so that it is evenly dry throughout. Once it is fully dry, you will need to seal it ensure it lasts for as long as possible.
 
Flagstones
Flagstones are a very popular when it comes to walkways. However, flagstones can also be quite expensive if you are using natural stones. Artificial or composite stones are less expensive but don’t always have that unique look that natural stones impart. Flagstones can be laid out in a similar way to regular interlocking bricks or they can be laid down in a less formal way with grass in-between each stone. The latter option is easier to install and requires fewer stones, but more maintenance.
 
Mosaics
For the more ambitious, creating a mosaic out of stones, rocks, glass or other materials is a great option for really making the pathways around your home unique and memorable. Although requiring a lot more work, they can last a lifetime and are truly an expression of your unique personality.
 
Wood and Gravel
Wood and gravel are other very viable options for walkways. They add a different kind of sensibility to a home. While wood is warm, earthy and more organic, gravel is more a casual, contemporary and clean option.

Sprucing up the front porch of your Toronto home to make it more welcoming is not very hard to do. In fact, depending on the start of repair of your front stoop, usually it doesn’t require much more than some well placed potted plants and/or a coat of paint to really take things up a notch. If your porch requires more extensive repair work before being presentable then, yes, it might cost more, but depending on the work that needs to be done, there are all kinds of interesting solutions for you.
 
The simple fix
If your front porch is already in good shape, then investing in some good pots and yearly blooms might be all you need to throw colour into your entrance way. A pair of matching pots with healthy flowers can go a long way toward livening up your front door. Planting perennials and shrubs around your front porch can also add interest and beauty to your home.
 
If you have a covered front porch, then the addition of a few comfy chairs a table or two and maybe even a throw rug can definitely beckon people to sit and relax. If your porch is made of wood, then refreshing the paint every couple of years will keep it looking its best and preserve the wood as well.
 
More complicated fixes
If your stoop is in need of major repair work, then finding a good contractor is of essence. A poured concrete porch is the longest lasting option available as long as it is done well and cured properly. However, it is also often the most expensive option. Although you can certainly opt to repair damaged concrete, unless it is done well, it won’t adhere to the existing work.
 
Another option is to cover your existing concrete using stone tiles. When glued down properly they look just as good as poured concrete and add another dimension to a setting.
 
Regardless of the work that needs to be done on your porch, it is worth the investment. The entrance to your home is the first thing people see and is what makes or breaks curb-appeal. If it is done well, then the value of your home will increase immediately. Done poorly, regardless of how well maintained and updated the rest of your home is, the unappealing exterior is all people will remember.

Converting an attic into a room or loft in your Toronto home is a terrific way to gain space without the threat of zoning restrictions to hamper your construction. The useable space in an attic is the ideal way to increase your home’s living space without extensively adding to its foundation or footprint. There are certain things that you will have to take into consideration before launching into your attic conversion including building codes, support structures, electrical and plumbing systems and access.
 
Building codes
You will have to check to see whether an attic bedroom is permitted in your dwelling. Although they might seem unnecessary, building codes are actually there for your protection. As a rule, ceiling height should be at least 7’6” for at least 70 square feet. You should check with an architect or structural engineer to find out whether your attic’s floor joists are strong enough to support the additional weight of a remodel. Lastly, you need at least two exits – a door and usually a window.
 
You will likely have to shore up the framing and structures of your attic so that you have a good-sized space in your finished attic.
 
Electricity/Plumbing
You will have to extend your electricity to your attic – for which you will need the services of a certified electrician to ensure that it is feasible and that it is done properly. If you choose to build any sort of ensuite in the attic that will also require you to hire a plumber to help you get the proper plumbing in place.
 
Access to the attic
Access to the attic requires a proper staircase, but since that would take up a lot of place on the floor underneath you could consider converting a closet into a staircase in order to minimize it’s impact.
 
Although converting an attic into usable space isn’t highest on the list of renovations that add value to a home, it does rate very high on the Joy Score – coming in at 9.4 on a scale of 10 in the amount of enjoyment it brings a homeowner. The Joy Score is a poll taken by the National Association of Realtors to measure the impact of renovations on a homeowner’s satisfaction level.

Basement flooring used to be limited due to the high moisture content found in below-grade rooms. However, times are changing and there is now a nice selection of materials from which to choose when redoing your basement floor. Just keep in mind that a concrete slab is a porous material is prone to moisture. So, the material you choose will have to be moisture resistant or have a water-resistant core. There are a number of excellent flooring options from which to choose with the exception of hardwoods and laminates with a fiberboard core.
 
Among the number of options available for basement flooring is engineered hardwood, ceramic tiles and laminates with a water-resistant plywood core. Here we will take a look at the different options and why they work well in certain rooms.
 
Engineered Hardwoods
Engineered Hardwoods are as good looking as solid hardwoods. The difference is with engineered Hardwoods their core is water resistant making them ideally suited for basements and condo complexes. not only do they come in a large variety of colors, styles and stains, they can also be resanded when they have been scuffed-up or scratched. They tend to be a warmer option and give a basement a more formal look and feel.
 
Laminates
Laminates or made to look like either wood or stone but they are made from a kind of melamine resin that is extremely resistant to usage, scuffs and wear. Laminates used to be very popular four flooring throughout a house but lost its appeal in recent years. However the higher quality laminate available today have again made them a popular choice in flooring especially for basements. Laminates tend to give the same kind of warm as hardwoods but are far more durable.
 
Ceramics
Ceramics are the flooring of choice in warmer climates where a cool floor is a coveted feature by homeowners. Ceramics or stone can include everything from porcelain tiles to marble to granite. however in colder climates it would be necessary to include a heating element under the floor in order to keep it comfortable even during the winter months. Ceramics are a cooler option but just as durable as laminates.
 
Regardless of the flooring you choose for your basement make sure that your selection is water resistant to prevent any warping that would necessitate changing the floor too quickly after installation.

A wet bar can make any gathering come alive. Whether upstairs in your family room, a small space off your kitchen or a larger spot in your recreation room, a wet bar will automatically put your friends at ease and make the conversations flow – not to mention that they are the ideal place for storing your alcohol. Wet bars can come in all shapes and sizes and can be as simple as a counter with a sink and a few shelves on a wall, to as elaborate at the bars you see at your local pub. Regardless of what you choose, a wet bar will definitely add to your lifestyle.
 
Naturally, as it’s name suggestion a wet bar should have running water, a sink and draining. Ideally it should also have a large enough spot for mixing drinks and catching spills. Another interesting feature to include in your wet bar design would be beer taps and beer gutters to catch overflow without creating a mess. Although gutters are usually absent for ordinary wet bar designs, some places will include them, but you can always ask for them to be including as well.
 
Electricity
When it comes to electricity at your wet bar remember that liquids and current can be a deadly mix. Always install GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) protected electrical power outlets to protect yourself and any other “bar tenders” from mishaps.
 
Counters and sinks
Your wet bar counters should include enough space for drying your glassware and should ideally including glassware mats. Remember to protect your drains by placing filter over them to prevent them from getting clogged up with mixed drink debris. Lastly, make sure to have germ-killing disinfectants around to keep your surfaces mildew-free as mold and mildew can build up very quickly in a wet environment.
 
Flooring
If you only plan to use your wet bar on sporadically, then flooring isn’t that big of a consideration, but if you plan on throwing big parties where someone will have to man the bar for several hours at a stretch, then you might consider building a floor that slopes towards a drain to catch any spills. You might also consider using anti-fatigue mats and rubberized flooring to better protect your ground.
 
A wet bar can be a great addition to any home – especially if you like to entertain. So, if you are planning on building one in your home – be sure to do it right to maximize your return on investment.
 
Hiring a qualified local contractor to complete your project is essential, check out the Get Assist app to save valuable time while searching for the right professional.

Gone are the days where wine was stored in a cold room under your stairs. Today’s Toronto wine cellars are elaborate creations that have more in common with French vintners than they do with the cantinas of yesteryear. Although you can certainly have a wine fridge in your kitchen or even a walk-in, dedicated wine fridge, nothing compares to an entire room given over to the careful storage of your favorite vintages.
 
There are a number of outfitters who will help you to custom design your wine cellar – whether you want to turn an existing room into a wine cave or build a new one from scratch, there are many options open to you.
 
Aside from getting the proper shelving in place, the single most important aspect of a wine cellar is temperature. You need to have a fail-safe and sophisticated mechanism for keeping your wines at the optimal temperature so that remain properly preserved. It is imperative to have a good temperature regulation system, a way of sealing your cellar and a back-up generator to keep the system from failing in case of a power failure.
 
Some people go all out when creating a wine cellar and actually build it out of stone or brick to mimic actual cellars found in Europe. Others work with what they have and simply paint the needed detailing onto the walls. Some of the more modern wine cellars are not found in basements, but are actually part of the home’s overall design and are used as showpieces in the kitchen or dining room. These tend to be clear glass cases with the wine bottles arranged in a fetching display.
 
Regardless of the kind of wine cellar you choose to build in your home, it will certainly add value to your residence while bringing you pleasure for years to come.