How to build on sites with expansive soils, high water tables and poor bearing capacity, and to build a frost protected shallow foundation easily in cold climates. A frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is an interesting and well-proven alternative to deeper, more-costly foundations in cold regions with…

Making sense of the best wood burning fireplace inserts and wood stove specifications and knowing how to choose the best one for you if you're looking to burn wood for minimum environmental impact & maximum heat output is easy with our guide. Wood Burning Inserts & Stoves - which are best & which burn cleanest…

No, it doesn't work. Don't buy the hype about insulating paint, this is snake oil in its truest form. Can paint insulate walls of homes? No it cannot.  Despite engineers  having long ago debunked this nonsense, insulating paint still occasionally finds its way into buildings. So what are the magical claims…

In collaboration with Habitat for Humanity and the Province of Quebec, the 'Our House' project in Ormstown, Quebec, will see carpentry students building a home targeting LEED certification. One of the best ways to afford positive change in the construction industry is to send the next generation of builders out into…

Weather barriers (or more accurately water-resistive barriers) keep bulk water away from vulnerable building components and allow walls to dry at the same time. A technical guide to understanding the role weather barriers and rainscreens play in a wall, choosing the right products and installation tips for optimum…

While keeping the existing footprint, the Skygarden House renovation brought a leaky old home close to Passive House levels of performance & Comfort. The renewal of this beautiful century old, 225 m2 single family residence on a small urban lot in Toronto transformed a leaky old house into a highly efficient…

The ECO brand kitchen counter from Cosentino is part of the quartz family but is made with 75% recycled materials for sustainability and durability. Healthier kitchen components - countertops If you're into healthy green homes like we are here at Ecohome, there's a lot to think about when choosing a healthier…

The Ontario climate change action plan will invest in renewable energy, green infrastructure and incentives to reduce GHG emissions. Learn how the Ontario Climate Change Action Plan can benefit you directly. In June 2016, the Ontario government adopted a new Climate Change Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas…

The tiny house movement is an inspiring green home trend, but are tiny houses on wheels green? Find out more about tiny house living in cold climates and whether they are a good or bad idea. Are tiny houses worth it? Are Tiny houses a good investment? That depends on your lifestyle and how well you build them. Here…

Odds are that at any given time the air pressure in a house is out of balance & either drawing air in or forcing it out. Learn the causes, the effects & the solutions for air leakage in homes & why it's important. Air tightness in houses - all about balancing air pressure in the home We go on incessantly here about…

Bring nature into your home with a living green wall, but don't count on it for air purification. It is well-documented that indoor air is filled with contaminants, mostly due to cooking (specifically burning) and improperly vented combustion appliances (woodstoves, gas water heaters, gas ranges, etc.). Following…

The HERD plan will require all homes in Ontario to include an energy rating before listing so buyers will have a better idea of what a house will cost to operate. As part of its shift to a low-carbon economy, the Ontario government just released its Five Year Climate Change Action Plan to promote the reduction of…

Flame retardants are found in almost all manufactured materials. They pose a serious health risk yet are virtually useless for preventing fires. With the intention of reducing the speed at which flames can spread, fire-retardant compounds are added to almost all the materials we furnish our homes with: children's…

Living in a recycled shipping container home may not be all its cracked up to be. Here is a look at the ups and downs of this housing trend, and whether we think shipping container homes are good or bad as a tiny home choice. Shipping container homes are gaining popularity globally, especially as Tiny Houses , as…

The BRE Innovation Park will be expanding its facilities to conduct research into advanced building products and technologies. The BRE Innovation Park (Building Research Establishment) that lies 15km north of Toronto will soon build a new series of houses in which emerging building products and technologies can be…

The Cardboard Wikkelhouse from Fiction Factory falls under our 'too cool not to share' category. Seriously, no pun intended - it's just hard not to describe the cardboard Wikkelhouse as anything other than an extreme case of thinking outside of the box. It's like there is some kind of one-upmanship going on in the…

Replacing old windows in all but the most extreme cases will not save money in your lifetime. Repairing old windows or adding layers may be a more cost-effective solution. Windows, replace or repair? We often get asked if it is a good idea to replace old windows with new and better performing windows to save money…

How to create landscaping surfaces that allow for the absorption of storm water. Permeable pavers or paving stones are best for driveways and paths Gaining an understanding of the importance of stormwater management may steer you towards a design and product choice in interlocking paver stones, which will help you…

The importance and the benefits of creating buildings and landscapes that retain and manage rainwater on site. Stormwater - why it's important to choose permeable surfaces for paths & driveways As cities expand into the green space around them, naturally permeable landscapes are replaced with buildings, roads and…