fire-logs / Green Building & Sustainable Home Renovation Information & Advice

There has been an increase in the use of wood and other biomass fuel for heating homes across the colder parts of North America & Canada for the last decade. In Eastern Canada and the USA in particular this trend was largely triggered by one storm in 1998. There was a noticeable spike in woodstove sales in 1999 thr...

Home fire safety: a homeowner's and pro's guide Ensuring your home is safe from fire is one of the most critical responsibilities for a homeowner and a key consideration for building professionals. A home fire would no doubt be emotionally devastating, but with the right preparations and design choices, the risk can be...

  This guide provides a comprehensive look at the key aspects of this topic. Below is an overview of the sections we will cover, allowing you to jump directly to the information you need. What is graphite-enhanced EPS (GPS/G-EPS)? Performance metrics: R-value and R-per-inch Global market and terminology Key applicatio...

Lithium-ion home battery safety:  Lithium-ion batteries have revolutionized how we power our lives, from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles (EVs) and home energy storage systems. While they are remarkably efficient, recent media reports on battery fires and thermal runaway have raised valid concerns about the...

This week’s fires in California have been a wake-up call with nearly 180,000 people evacuated, at least 24 killed, and 60,000 structures considered at risk. The Palisades Fire near Los Angeles has devastated homes in the Malibu-Santa Monica area, scorching more than 20,800 acres and destroying at least 12,000 structure...

As a kid growing up along the Gatineau River in Quebec, watching tugboats pulling log booms down the river was commonplace, and logs that got loose were a great source of entertainment and exploration. Any that were big enough to hold a bunch of kids for log rolling competitions were highly coveted. There were legitima...

Carbon monoxide prevention and detection: protecting your air quality from dangerous gases Carbon monoxide (CO) is often referred to as the silent killer in homes because it is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that can reach lethal concentrations inside a home without occupants ever realizing it. For homeowner...

Straw bale homes: a homeowner's & pro's guide There is a long standing myth that straw bale construction is an obsolete building method of the past, which is not true at all. Building homes with straw has a long history, but it is still a viable option for walls and insulation. Straw is all natural, non toxic, rene...

  Hempcrete walls: a homeowner's and pro's guide More people all the time are looking for more healthy and eco-friendly building materials that are sustainable, resilient and non-toxic. Hemp is one such material. It took a very long time for hemp to take its rightful place in the home bulding industry, due to nothing m...

Cedar shingles & shakes: a homeowner's & pro's guide Cedar shingles and shakes give a home a very natural feel that enhances any home's curb appeal. Known for their durability and insulation properties, these roofing and siding materials provide a beautiful, sustainable option for both new builds and renovation...

Having a backup heat source that can operate without electricity should be an important consideration for many homeowners in colder climate zones, especially those who rely on a heat pump or electricity as their primary source of heat. In this guide, we will explore the various factors that can influence the need for a...