‘Renovation month

IF you live in the City
of North Vancouver,
October means more
than pumpkins and

‘ candy this year.

The Renoraion Council of

the Greater Vancouver Home

Builders’ Association

_ (GVHBA) recently

: announced that city Mayor

Jack Loucks and council have
proclaimed October as’ reno-

vation month.-

_ » Loucks, in his prociama-
tion notice, wrote: “It is fitting
that our citizens recognize
-that the renovation industry
means to- civic and economic
growth to the City of North
Vancouver and what home
renovation. can mean both to
-the ‘individual owner and to
the:total economic, environ-
mental and. social benefit to
this community.”

-..:Many events are planned
for the month, including an
Ask-a-Pro. interactive feature

-Jat.the: B.C. Fall Home Show

* from Oct. 14-17 at B.C, Place.
Renovators and architects will

» been, hand to

inswer home- ;

owners’ questions. Renovation
experts will present mini-semi-
nars on such topics as renova-
tion and design trends, new
products, emerging technolo-
gy and how to make sure your
home renovation procceds
smoothly. A gallery of renovat-

ed homes features a variety of

before-and-after examples.

A consumer renovation
seminar is scheduled for
Tuesday, Oct. 26, featuring an
architect, iawyer, municipal
building official and home
renovators. Sponsored by
GVHBA, BC Gas, BC Hydro
and Canada Mortgage and
Housing Corporation, the
two-hour seminar will help
homeowners to do their
homework before they sign on
the dotted line.

“It is crucial thar home-
owners know exactly what
they are getting into when
they embark on a home reno-
vation,” said GVHBA renova-
tion council chair Ralph
Belisle.

For more information on
Renovation Month events, call
(604) 590-5256. '-

Planni

A home should be
convenient, comfort-
able and safe for
everyone — young and
old.

When planning =your
home renovation, consider
what you will need for both
the short and the long term.

“Renovating for life”
reflects the fact that as we
move through different
phases of life, our housing
needs change. The Greater
Vancouver Home Builders’
Association (GVHBA) sug-
gests that vou consider the
tollowing points:

A family with young chil-
dren has expanding housing
needs, and its renovation pri-
orities will usually include
extra bathrooms, farger fami-
ly living areas and a more
open kitchen with an eat-in
area. In two words, space
and convenience.

@ As children mature, they
(and their parents) want
more privacy. Housing prior

ities shift towards larger bed-
rooms, increased closet space
and separated living areas.
@ Grown children returning
home, aging parents moving
in, home- based businesses
mean homeowners must plan
for continuous changes in
household composition and
space usc.
B As homeowners get older,
“accessibility” becomes a
greater concern — a mini-
mum of stairs, wider door-
ways and halls, and bath-
rooms and kitchens that are
convenient and easy to use.
By Planning a renovation
carefully, you can make your
home more ficxible and
adaptable to your changing
necds. Experienced renova-
tozs offer some practical tips
on renovating for life: buitd-
ing in comfort, convenience
and safety throughout your
home.

-@ Easy access to your home

is key. Gently sloped. drive-
ways and walkways reduce
the need for stairs. Garage or

“Inventory
CLEARANCE

- All stock must go! .

25% off Alt Patio: Umbrellas |

Plus FREE

. space over the. years. For,
instance, young children’s _
f rooms located close to the.
%.. parents’ bedroom ‘can easil

conefete base!

. opportu nities

parking areas should provide
enough space to get around
with a baby carriage, arm-
loads of groceries or a wheel-
chair.

B Make it casy te get in and
out of the house with extra-
wide doors, easy-to-use locks
and good lighting. A large
front porch or overhang will
ofter shelter outside, while a
spacious area inside the
entrance provides a conve-
nient spot for setting down
parcels and removing out-
door footwear. Build in
ample closet space and plan
for storage for off-season
outerwear and equipment.

@ Whenever possible, incor-
porate the kitchen, living
room and a washroom into
the main living area on one
level. Widen narrow halls
and doorways to make move-
ment easicr. An open floor
plan can provide a comfort-
able family environment for
work, play and relaxation: If

space allows, create a sepa -
multi-purpose.room on:
Over ‘the -

rate, m
the same level.
years, it may serve.as a den,
an office or a spare bedroom.
@ Consider the need ‘an

for:

expansion of living space into

the basement: and/or attic, ..
. and rough-in services (water,
electricity, cable) as other’.

renovation work-is done.
& Consider “interchangeable
rooms” and changiag use of

“Jet . everyone © in
future.

ing for the futur

become 2a home office or
guest room, while the base--
ment might offer ideal space
and privacy for older chil- ~
dren. :
@ Install laundry facilities on ~
the main or upper floor. If.
you intend to use an outdoor.
clothes line, place the faun-

dry room for convenient

access te the outside. - :
§) Choose easy-to-open win-

dows with cranks, and instali

tever-action handles rather’
than knobs on all. doors. «
Position electrical switches, :
outlets and mechanical .-sys-:

‘tem controls where :th

easily accessible from
standing or sitting positio

B In the. bathroom,- think.
safety for the whele: family.
Reinforce the walls for grab
bars in the shower: an
area. Instali non-slip flooring
and anti-scald. faucets.

@ Roll-out...or”. pull-d
drawers, shelves and: pantties
make it-a snap ‘to: keep’ ord

-in the kitchen ‘and. have casy
\ access: to. everything. |

“ull:
out boards, hiiged work's
faces'and counters of.

heights; with’ yom;
* G ics

participate in” food: preoara
tion, including children
: Providing for. th