Barn Doors – Not Just For Barns!
Incorporating a barn door in your home is a great way to add some flair to your space; achieving both the ‘functional’ as well as the ‘wow’!
Incorporating a barn door in your home is a great way to add some flair to your space; achieving both the ‘functional’ as well as the ‘wow’!
We consider ourselves continually lucky; we get to work with amazing clients. One such client took the time to send in a thoughtful thank-you card that I wanted to share with you.
“Dear Cory, Rob & Desmond,
It has been a pleasure to deal with your company. You embody the values of “Macanta” in how you treat your customers & the extra mile you go.
I hope we have an opportunity to work on another project (Just don’t tell my husband I said that! Lol)
Sincerely,
Margaret (last name removed)
Andrew (last name removed)
(project address removed)”
Thank YOU, Margaret and Andrew, for being amazing clients, and for trusting us with your home basement renovation.
A celebration with Macanta staff and our valued Trade Partners. Rather than hosting a Christmas party, when everyone’s schedule is already full, we have a party in the first part of the new year. These are photos from 2018’s party. Thank you to all Macanta team members, both internal and external, for your hard work and dedication!
One of our past projects was featured by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, in their Reno Hero video series. The customer on this project had engaged with another contractor to build a home addition on the back of their property. Unfortunately, the project was not completed. We were called in to redo and complete the home addition project.
We’re entering the finishing phase of construction on this gorgeous Winnipeg home addition.
For customers that desire a floating bench, installing brackets before drywalling allows for an amazing finished product while minimizing visible supports. One of many examples where having a full, well-thought-out plan before beginning construction really pays off!
This little bungalow will double in size becoming a full two story. The second floor will house 3 new bedrooms, a full bathroom, a walk in closet, and a study nook. It will involve a completely new exterior and an upgraded high efficient hydronic heating system with whole home ventilation. A well thought out and practical design with a focus on usable space, energy efficiency, and occupant health.
Whether you’re building a new home, adding on to your existing home, or just giving your home’s exterior a much-needed face-lift, one of the most overlooked yet important elements is the house wrap.
What is house wrap?
Your home’s exterior is constructed of layers of material. A typical home is made up of wood framed walls, exterior sheathing, and exterior cladding. Your finished exterior may consist of brick, stone, stucco, siding, or a combination of these. These exterior finishes may appear to be your primary defense against the elements but they are not.
In-between your walls sheathing and exterior cladding is your “House Wrap”, a material designed to prevent moisture (and in some cases air) from penetrating your walls, while at the same time allowing water vapour to escape. Traditionally, houses were wrapped in felt paper as the primary defense against the outside elements. Synthetic materials have since replaced these practices. Tyvek, for example, is a synthetic breathable membrane with millions of microscopic pores. Tyvek helps prevent water from penetrating your home’s exterior while still allowing water vapour to escape.
Tyvek has proven to be an excellent material, but only IF it is installed correctly. Tyvek is installed in a manner where mechanical fasteners are used to secure it in place, which of course puncture the membrane. All seams need to be overlapped and taped to prevent water from seeping in behind. If its not installed properly, as in many unfortunate cases it is not, it will not perform and moisture will end up trapped, creating the perfect habitat for mold and rot. If your project uses Tyvek (or similar), ensure it is installed by a reputable company who will install it correctly.
Another product available is VP100, manufactured by The Henry Co. This product is ideal for wood frame construction as well as many other smooth substrates. We have used it on a number of projects, including the personal residence of one of Macanta’s founding partners! It is a peel and stick system that allows installation without the use of fasteners (no holes!) and creates a 100% sealed barrier.
VP100 still requires the appropriate overlaps and correct installation of course, so insist on working with a reputable company. What VP100 does not require, however, is the taping of joints. This system eliminates air leakage while giving the added protection of water resistance and rain barrier without the added need of a rain screen. Another notable quality is that it enhances in-home comfort by eliminating drafts, which in turn reduces energy consumption. Some claims state a 23-50% decrease in energy consumption. These benefits do not come without cost; the initial investment for VP100 is higher than more traditional building wraps.
Regardless of which technology you choose for your project, ensure that your builder or renovator installs it correctly by working with a reputable builder or renovator.
Do you have questions about the various house wrap options for a project that you are considering? Give us a call today! 204-977-6604.
Last week, on June 29, 2017 Macanta Design Build Inc. held the first ever Macanta Trade Partner Breakfast Summit. It was an amazing meeting. Thank you to all who attended!
One of the things we did was presented Trade Partner Gold Awards to everyone who was involved in our GOLD Award Winning whole home renovation. Thank you all, you’re the ones who made this possible!
Thank you to:
Special thank-you to Ron Chapellaz of Chapellaz’s Trophies for producing the Trade Partner Gold Award plaques.
On May 4, 2017 Macanta Design Build Inc. won the GOLD award in the Manitoba Home Builder’s Association 2017 Renovation of the Year Awards ceremony, for a whole home renovation we completed. Thank you!
