Lighting isnt just functional, but it creates a mood to a room as you see here. Conrad Contracting & Brian Paquette Interiors

All images used with permission from Brian Paquette

Nothing frames a house better than an expansive, well designed, and built DECK

All images used with permission from Dylan Conrad.

Interior Design is the icing on the cake of all our hard work

All images used with permission from Brian Paquette.

Victoria, BC's premier contracting service. Specializing in high quality renovations and home design solutions. Call Today (250) 508-6601

Windows are an important feature so choose carefully

Forget what the ads say. Saving money on your energy bill is not the reason to replace your windows. Replace and choose windows because you want to enhance the look of your home, complete the design theme and possibly frame the beautiful view you may be lucky enough to have. Bring the outside, in. On the west coast, we have such gorgeous views, that most people want to embrace that beauty and make it part of their home.

As far as energy saving, it could take decades to recoup the $8,000 to $24,000 you'll spend on new windows and installation. Its more advertising than reality. So do yourself a favor, and choose what you love, not what the Ads tell you, you need.

Our Madrona Drive remodel has a facade of picture windows to bring in the stunning view. This slide show demonstrates that

Hung and casement style windows

Which ones keep you more comfortable and dry? There are significant differences between brands in types and frame materials. Given the high cost of replacing windows, the more you know, the better.

Save on partial window replacements

You can save money on materials and labor, by using partial replacement units ( pocket replacements ) when the existing frames and sills are sound and square. Otherwise, full replacement windows are in order. These include the frame, sill, jambs, and usually a nailing flange that attaches the window to the outside wall around the opening. We can show you catalogs of window styles or if you are doing the remodel or build yourself, you can go to stores and check out the windows, inspect the frames, try the handles and compare prices.

Installation is key

Even the best windows won't deliver the look or comfort you expect if they're installed poorly.  Using us for purchase and installation can minimize the chances of problems arising later. We are happy to include specifics such as window brand, number of windows, size and type, plus any add-on features. Installation details will be noted, and labor and material costs will be broken out.

Types

Wood window frames and all-vinyl are popular, fiberglass are less popular.  You may still find some all-aluminum windows, but their popularity decreased with the development of vinyl. There are excellent and mediocre double-hung wood-frame and vinyl-frame windows. Following are material types and styles

Wood-frame windows

Most are solid wood, though some may include composite materials (plastic with wood fibers embedded in it). Today's wood-framed windows are clad in aluminum, vinyl, or fiberglass to protect the wood from the elements and eliminate painting. They tend to be the most expensive but are more attractive than other materials. Many brands offer various wood types, such as pine, maple, and oak, for the interior and it can be painted or stained at the factory or you can add it to your to-do list. You can choose from a variety of hardware finishes, allowing you to pick a style that matches your home.

Vinyl-frame windows

They're typically the least expensive and do not need to be painted or stained, but most are white and usually they can't be painted and there are fewer hardware options. Among casement windows there is little difference between vinyl and wood frames.

Double-hung windows

A popular choice, especially for full screens, the lower inside sash slides up and an upper outside sash slides down, improving air circulation. Double-hung are easy to clean. Some double-hung are better at keeping out cold air or water. That's important if you live in a chilly, windy, wet area like Vancouver Island, BC.

Single-hung windows

They look like double-hung but usually cost less and only the bottom sash moves. The top sash is sealed to keep out cold air and water but without the ventilation benefits of double-hung windows

Casement-style windows

Casement windows are hinged on one side, like a door, and a crank lets you open them outward. Aesthetically, they do not obstruct ones view. When fully open casements allow for good ventilation and easy cleaning. They're usually more airtight than double-hung because the sash locks against the frame to close. They excel at keeping out cold air and rain and can be used in any area of BC

Awning-style windows

They're hinged at the top and open outward. Like casements the sash presses against the frame so they close very tightly. They also offer better ventilation than other windows the same size and can be left open when it's raining since they deflect rain, but they're harder to clean

Hopper-style windows

The opposite of awning windows, they're hinged at the bottom and can open either inward or outward. They're often installed above a door or another window to improve ventilation. You ewill definitely get less air leakage than with sliding and single- or double-hung windows because the sash presses against the frame when locked.

Fixed picture windows

These are used where lighting but not ventilation is important. These windows are airtight and are available with decorative glass accents or in unusual shapes. But fixed windows do not open, so they provide no ventilation but give unobstructed viewing and beautiful design features

Cladding

Vinyl, aluminum, or fiberglass covers the exterior of a wood-frame or composite window, which eliminates painting.

Double or triple glazing

Double-glazed windows have a sealed space between two panes of glass filled with air or gas. Gas provides better insulation and is standard on many windows, but the energy savings won't justify paying more for it. Triple-glazing adds a third layer of glass, which reduces noise significantly. Energy savings are improved, but not enough to justify cost in all but extremely cold climates ( like Alberta ) or where there is a constant and very loud noise

Low-E coating

It's transparent and improves the efficiency of the glass by reflecting heat yet letting light in. The coating is applied to the outside glass in warmer climates to reflect the sun's heat out and in colder climates it's applied to the inside glass to keep heat in. But keep in mind that any coatings applied to glass, no matter how transparent, reduce the visibility.

Tilt-in sashes

On single and double-hung windows the sashes can be tilted in for easy cleaning.

Sign up for our newsletter to get more of this helpful information on windows, reno's and home building/design or just call us for a free consultation and estimate at ( 250 ) 508 - 6601

All images used with permission from Dylan Conrad

check out our Video Tours

All videos used created by P. Griffin

When former client Bruce Livingstone began dreaming about his ideal fishing shack, he knew he had struck gold when he found a ram-shackled pan abode cabin in desirable Deep Cove.

We were complimented to find out, the first thing he did was call Dylan Conrad to see if we could not only execute his vision, but also share in the collaborative process. 

Where many would have seen the property as a tear down, we love seeing a little piece of history on it's last leg, transformed it into a cinematic rustic retreat, worthy of Steve McQueen - an icon of inspiration behind the project.

Conrad Contracting will be teaming up with talented Victoria architect, Randall Recinos, and accomplished Seattle designer, Brian Paquette to execute the project.

Bruce Livingstone is a Canadian entrepreneur who founded iStockphoto, an online distributor of stock photography. Livingstone started iStockphoto in 2000 as a project offering stock photos for free over the internet. In 2002, high monthly bandwidth bills prodded him to implement a payment/credit system. In 2006, Livingstone sold iStockphoto to Getty Images for $50 million, where he continued on as iStockphoto's CEO. Afterwards, he became CEO of Saatchi Online, an internet-based art community and later resigned his position in 2012.

Currently, Livingstone is co-founder and CFO of Stocksy United, a stock photography co-operative based out of Victoria, British Columbia.

All images used with permission from Dylan Conrad

Attic restorations can be truly spectacular

All images used with permission from Dylan Conrad.

Victoria, BC's premier contracting service. Specializing in high quality renovations and home design solutions. Call Today (250) 508-6601

Every Attic remodel can be different

Every attic is different, but a few established norms and practices will help guide you through your Attic renovation

Height codes: When you remodel your attic, a good contractor will know the that usually atleast half of your finished Attic must be atleast 7 feet high and usually there is a minimum on width for this area too, as well as square footage. A local building official can help you assess how the rules will apply, or you can leave it to us, we know how modifications like dormers can resolve height shortcomings and we always build to code.

We will check your structure thoroughly. A finished attic will of course weight more than it did originally. We work with Architects and Engineers who will inspect your house's foundation and framing to make sure they can carry the extra weight of the proposed remodel. We usually need to strengthen the attics floor joists, which more often than not, are too shallow or spaced much too far apart.

Beefier floor joists will also quiet things down in the attic, as will filling the bays with blown-in dense-pack insulation. We can use eco, spray foam or fiberglass.  And don't forget carpet or area rugs.

Access: If you are going to build a stair-case from scratch, as we love to do, consider a switch back layout as seen in our Madrona Drive Home ( below ). It requires more room than a straight run, but its layout is more squarish than linear, hence freeing up living space in cramped attic areas. Make sure the landing is big enough to maneuver furniture upstairs.

Design note : A focal point at the top of the attic stairs, draws people up

Ceiling and Wall paneling

Paneling with or without applied moldings is an elegant touch for any remodeled attic space -      ( below is one of our attic remodels utilizing V groove wood paneling ) Stained or left bare, wood makes a low-ceiling attic feel snug and cozy. You can vary the look by using boards of different widths.

One could also go for a more traditional, timeless approach for an older home and add a Ceiling Finish with Beadboard Panels

Breadboard panel ceiling for a timeless, classical approach

These bead boards are not labor intensive to install and protect the ceiling from dings and dents, as does the above approach. The ceiling above has recessed LED fixtures tucked completely out of the way. They do not generate unwanted heat and cna have insulation installed carefully around them. We recommend these for Attic ceilings

Install a Ceiling Fan
 

If you've got the headroom, a fan will make a finished attic more comfortable and breezy in warmer monthsIf you flip the reverse switch in winter, it will push warmer air down to keep you cozy.

If you choose not to get for the rustic wood finish in your Attic remodel ( as we did above for Madrona ) and would rather paint, All white is a pretty solid choice or just light hues in general, such as warm whites, ivory, cream etc which makes the tiniest attic feel larger. Be careful not to get an antiseptic look by going too white

Insulation: Spray foam insulation costs two to three times more than fiberglass batte insulation, but it is worth it.  The roof is a major pathway to heat loss—and gain—so it's worth shelling out the extra bucks for spray foam.

Angles: An attics quirky angles add charm, as do dormers. With some clever interior design, you can zone living areas under dormers and utilize the angles to your design benefit. We work with Brian Paquette of Seattle who does a great job on Interiors

Hope these pointers helped. Contact us if you would like us to take at your Attic and give you a free estimate or quote!

(250) 508-6601

We get quite creative with stairways

All images used with permission from Dylan Conrad

As you can see, we pride ourselves on detailed craftsmanship

All images used with permission from Dylan Conrad.

ccasionally we get creative with wall coverings

All images used with permission from Dylan Conrad

Bathrooms can be a wonderful sanctuary - polished concrete, rainfall shower head, glass portal and warm woods make this one

All images used with permission from Dylan Conrad.

eauty is in the details at Conrad Construction

All images used with permission from Dylan Conrad.