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Kitchen Trends 2026: What’s In (and Out) for Vancouver Homes

Contemporary Vancouver kitchen with warm wood finishes

What Are the Biggest Kitchen Trends for 2026? Short answer: 2026 kitchens are warmer, calmer and more hidden. The big trends are natural wood cabinets (white oak especially) instead of all painted cabinets, flat slab doors, quartz and quartzite counters with matching slab backsplashes, panel ready appliances that blend into the cabinetry, and lots of […]

Best Flooring for Basements: Top Options Compared for Damp Climates

Finished basement with durable plank flooring

What Is the Best Flooring for a Basement? Short answer: For most basements, especially in a damp climate like Vancouver’s, luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is the best all round choice. It’s waterproof, looks like wood, feels warmer than tile and handles a concrete slab well. Porcelain tile is the most waterproof option of all, and […]

Curbless Shower vs Wet Room: Pros, Cons, Cost & Which Is Right for You

Open wet room with a curbless shower and glass screen

Curbless Shower vs Wet Room: What’s the Difference? Short answer: A curbless shower is a walk in shower with no step or curb. The floor runs flat from the bathroom into the shower, but the shower area is still separate, usually with a glass panel, and only that zone gets wet. A wet room takes […]

Asbestos Testing in Vancouver: When You Need a Hazmat Survey Before a Renovation

Hazmat inspector collecting a wall sample in an older Vancouver home

Short answer: If your Vancouver home was built before 1990 and you’re about to open up walls, pull up floors or take down ceilings, you almost certainly need asbestos testing first. Most Metro Vancouver cities want a hazardous materials (hazmat) survey on older homes before renovation or demolition, and any contractor you hire has to […]

How to Insulate Windows

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More › Though in wintertime a window seat affords postcard-perfect views of snow-covered tree branches, it’s not necessarily the most comfortable perch on a cold day. During the chilly season, so much heat can escape through the panes […]

This Is the One Place You Shouldn’t Caulk Around Your Window

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More › Nestled within the exterior walls of many homes lies a small but crucial feature that most homeowners have never even noticed: weep holes. These intentional openings, typically found in brick walls and around window frames, help […]

Our Guide to Kitchen Remodels

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More › According to a 2024 survey by the National Association of Home Builders, kitchen remodels account for about 60 percent of all renovation jobs in the U.S. This project’s popularity is no surprise. The kitchen is, after […]

How to Test Air Quality in Your Home

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More › Household pollutants can come from a variety of sources including the materials used in your home’s construction, and mold and mildew caused by poor ventilation. Clean air in the home can protect you from carcinogens, allergens, […]

Do You Paint Trim or Walls First?

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More › If you’re painting a room, one of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to paint the trim or the walls first. While there’s no single “right” answer, most professional painters agree it’s best to start […]