Tempo:
Choose the size of the electrical service so that it has sufficient capacity for future electrical needs, such as air conditioners, exterior lighting and electrical appliances. Consider burying a conduit from the electrical panel to special landscape features or structures where you might need power or lighting. Consider installing cable and telephone wiring to the unfinished basement should you opt to finish the basement in future. Consider providing electrical rough-ins for future solar thermal and photovoltaic panels.
Heating and Ventilation
Plan where heating and ventilation ductwork will be located and how it might affect floor joists and wall insulation values. Use low-noise source exhaust fans. Consider the use of heat recovery ventilation as an energy efficient means of providing required ventilation. Consider installing additional heating ducts close to the floor in parts of an unfinished basement that might be finished in future. Consider installing an exhaust duct to an exterior wall cap for a future basement bathroom.
Interior Wall and Ceiling Finishes Gypsum board (drywall) is the most common interior finish in Canadian houses. In addition to providing a smooth, paintable surface, gypsum board provides a degree of fire resistance to lightweight structural framing, allowing walls and floors to remain in place to provide some time for occupants to become aware of a fire and exit the building. Interior partitions also play a role in reducing sound transmission. Gypsum board also provides a degree of lateral resistance to wall
assemblies. Painted gypsum board tightly fitted and sealed to other air barrier materials can also be part of the air barrier system. For more information, consult Chapters 21 and 23.
Floor Coverings Floors are subject to wear and tear. Higher-quality finish flooring can often be cost effective because it will likely last longer than less expensive flooring. The sub-flooring must be adequate to support the finished flooring, especially ceramic tile. Planning the type of finished flooring to be used can minimize elevation differences (tripping hazards) between different flooring materials. See Chapter 22 for more information. Consider polished concrete as a finished floor, especially in areas where concrete can capture and radiate solar heat.
Decks, Porches and Balconies Decks, porches and balconies are considered structures in the building code and when over 600 mm (24 in.) above ground, must be supported by frost-resistant foundations, be laterally braced, be designed to accommodate the weight of people and snow, and have stairs and railings that meet code requirements. If planning to build a deck, porch or balcony in the future, provide for later attachment to the house in a way that does not allow water to enter the wall cavity to which the structure is attached. Any roof over a deck must be designed to support the snow load. See Chapter 26 for more information.
Garages Attached garages are popular and common in Canadian houses. Because of the risk of carbon monoxide getting into the house and the likely storage of paints, gasoline and other chemicals in the garage, it must be separated from the house by an effective air barrier system. If there is a connecting door, it must be tightly fitted
Heating and Ventilation
Plan where heating and ventilation ductwork will be located and how it might affect floor joists and wall insulation values. Use low-noise source exhaust fans. Consider the use of heat recovery ventilation as an energy efficient means of providing required ventilation. Consider installing additional heating ducts close to the floor in parts of an unfinished basement that might be finished in future. Consider installing an exhaust duct to an exterior wall cap for a future basement bathroom.
Interior Wall and Ceiling Finishes Gypsum board (drywall) is the most common interior finish in Canadian houses. In addition to providing a smooth, paintable surface, gypsum board provides a degree of fire resistance to lightweight structural framing, allowing walls and floors to remain in place to provide some time for occupants to become aware of a fire and exit the building. Interior partitions also play a role in reducing sound transmission. Gypsum board also provides a degree of lateral resistance to wall
assemblies. Painted gypsum board tightly fitted and sealed to other air barrier materials can also be part of the air barrier system. For more information, consult Chapters 21 and 23.
Floor Coverings Floors are subject to wear and tear. Higher-quality finish flooring can often be cost effective because it will likely last longer than less expensive flooring. The sub-flooring must be adequate to support the finished flooring, especially ceramic tile. Planning the type of finished flooring to be used can minimize elevation differences (tripping hazards) between different flooring materials. See Chapter 22 for more information. Consider polished concrete as a finished floor, especially in areas where concrete can capture and radiate solar heat.
Decks, Porches and Balconies Decks, porches and balconies are considered structures in the building code and when over 600 mm (24 in.) above ground, must be supported by frost-resistant foundations, be laterally braced, be designed to accommodate the weight of people and snow, and have stairs and railings that meet code requirements. If planning to build a deck, porch or balcony in the future, provide for later attachment to the house in a way that does not allow water to enter the wall cavity to which the structure is attached. Any roof over a deck must be designed to support the snow load. See Chapter 26 for more information.
Garages Attached garages are popular and common in Canadian houses. Because of the risk of carbon monoxide getting into the house and the likely storage of paints, gasoline and other chemicals in the garage, it must be separated from the house by an effective air barrier system. If there is a connecting door, it must be tightly fitted
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