If there’s a renovation in your future, a great way to check out Ottawa renovators is to visit them on a tour of their projects.
Reno Tour 2017 lets you get much of that renovation homework done in just a day. Much like a house tour of beautifully designed and decorated homes, the stops on this tour let you explore finished projects by seven of Ottawa’s top renovators.
As an added bonus, the companies behind those projects will be on hand to answer your questions, explain what was done and why, and let you see the craftsmanship of their work.
This is the third year for the tour, which is billed as a “showcase of trends from seven of Ottawa’s innovative RenoMark renovators.” Supported by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association, the RenoMark program offers homeowners the reassurance of pre-screened contractors who must meet strict guidelines regarding things such as insurance, workers’ compensation coverage and credibility.
Many of the companies on this year’s tour are returning participants, including Amsted Design-Build, RND Construction, The Conscious Builder and Lagois Design Build Renovate. New this year are Artium, Reno Rescue and Gladwin Building Services.
Their projects range from a basement and ensuite renovation in Kanata to major overhauls in the city’s core and two modest, yet effective, additions in Alta Vista. Each of the homes will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15.
Tickets are $10, with proceeds going to support Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa, which helps the working poor become homeowners by building affordable housing and offering interest-free mortgages. Last year’s event raised $3,300 for Habitat.
This year’s tour stops
Amsted Design-Build – Alta Vista
A main-floor update creates a modern and efficient layout for owners who were unhappy with the old divided spaces and cramped and ineffective foyer. By closing in the exterior porch, taking down the wall dividing the kitchen and dining room and reimagining the spaces, the project shows how a small, inexpensive renovation that takes advantage of an existing structure can have a big impact.
Features include: natural bamboo cabinetry, black pearl granite and a glass tile backsplash in the kitchen; custom wine bar; fireplace update with floor-to-ceiling tile surround and custom built-ins; and a renovated main bathroom.
- A more effective kitchen and family room.
- Before: The foyer was tiny, cramped and dark.
- After: A bright and spacious foyer.
Artium Design Build – Centretown
Newly named this spring, Artium used to be known as HOME Inc. and is affiliated with Just Basements. In this project, Artium restructured the second floor of the home to allow main-floor supporting walls to be removed, creating an open-concept, contemporary space that lives large. A powder room was also added.
Features include: redesigned staircase; frosted glass panel for privacy without sacrificing light, clean and linear cabinetry; and waterfall quartz counters.
- Rendering of the finished look.
- Before: Support walls shrink the space.
The Conscious Builder – Civic Hospital
This addition and renovation is a great example of efforts to improve the efficiency of a home, and the ability to do it beautifully. Adding to the square footage has allowed for a more open floor plan ideal for entertaining while also increasing the size of the master suite. At the same time, many sustainable features were added to drastically reduce energy usage.
Features include: dropped sunroom; glass railings; triple-glazed windows; zoned-cold-climate forced air heat pump and other mechanical systems upgrades; Enviroshake roof; and Maibec genuine wood siding.
- The Conscious Builder renovated and added to an older home on a tight lot.
- Before: The owners wanted to increase the homes efficiency.
- The kitchen is now open to the rest of the main floor.
Gladwin Design Build Renovate – Kanata
What started as a basement overhaul expanded to include the master ensuite in this renovation project, where the goal was to finish before the birth of the family’s second child. The basement now includes a home theatre, games area, bar, fitness studio and powder room, while the ensuite boasts a steam shower.
Features include: natural gas fireplace; custom glass shower enclosure; ventilation system to remove moisture; and therapeutic bathtub.
- A finished basement with a pop of red.
- After: An updated ensuite.
- Before: The ensuite needed a fresh look.
Lagois Design Build Renovate – Westboro
A clever addition lets this post-war home maintain the appearance of being one-and-a-half storeys while adding dormers for extra headspace. The result is a greatly expanded home that better meets the needs of its young family. Re-created as a three-bedroom, 2.5-bath open concept, it offers efficient, flexible and bright spaces with plenty of solutions for containing clutter.
Features include: nine-foot ceilings; pantry hallway with built-in desk; coffee station; and a large front porch.
- After: More space without the bulk.
- Before: A one-and-a-half-storey home.
- A re-imagined main floor.
Reno Rescue – Queensway Terrace North
A main-floor addition to a post-war home solved the problem of cramped living space for this family, who wanted a more functional kitchen and family room. And the basement space that was added as a result offers the flexibility to change its use as the family’s needs require.
Features include: pantry-lined hall for almost four times as much storage; drinks station; nine-foot ceilings; new mudroom; and energy-efficient building techniques and materials.
- Almost four times the storage.
- Before: Just not enough room in the kitchen.
RND Construction – Alta Vista
A tiny addition (just 185 square feet) has a powerful impact on the overall look, flow and spaciousness of this home without impeding the rear yard. The addition allowed for an expanded kitchen with a picture window focal point to overlook the beautifully landscaped backyard. Also part of the addition: a large mudroom that includes a full-sized bathroom.
Features include: Stylish storage solutions; mudroom efficiency; unique window placements; and two-tier floating vanity and cabinetry.
- After: The new addition has a tiny footprint.
- Before: No connection to the backyard.
- Before: a cramped and dated kitchen.
