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5 Benefits of Installing Skylights in Your Bedroom

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  In today's fast-paced world, creating a serene and rejuvenating bedroom space is more important than ever. When it comes to adding a touch of natural beauty to your bedroom, VELUX skylights are game-changers. These innovative skylight solutions not only bring abundant natural light and fresh air into your space but also provide numerous benefits that enhance your overall well-being. In this blog post, we will explore the advantages of incorporating skylights in your bedroom. 1. Abundant Natural Light: Natural light is an essential element that can transform the mood and ambiance of any space, especially in the bedroom. VELUX skylights allow an abundance of natural light to flood your bedroom, creating a bright and airy atmosphere. Sunlight not only improves visibility but also helps regulate the body's internal clock, promoting better sleep patterns and overall well-being. With a skylight, you can awaken each morning to the soft glow of the rising sun, ...

How to Choose an Entry Door

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  Exterior doors must be tough enough to withstand our extreme Canadian climate yet welcoming and beautiful. While style will play a huge role in what your door will look like, an equally important decision is what your door is made of. Most are manufactured with a combination of materials but it’s the surface material that most affects appearance, durability, security and price. Steel and fiberglass doors are the most common and it seems to be a close race between these two for the top spot. Which one is better depends on your preference and often your budget. The size of your door opening will determine if you go for a single door, one sidelite, two sidelites, double doors, or an added transom window above. Many doors include integrated windows in a variety of sizes and glass can be elaborately patterned or have simple grills. Below the window, there is usually an option of a single or double panel detail. Doors are available in a variety of factory applied colors o...

New product: Tilt & Turn Windows

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 Kohltech’s tilt & turn technology offers more flexibility when it comes to ventilation. Discover the benefits of Kohltech tilt & turn doors and windows below: Supreme Tilt & Turn Windows Enjoy the best features of casement, fixed and tilting designs with Kohltech’s elegant and simple tilt & turn windows. They tilt inward from the top for draft-free ventilation even during rain, or with a simple turn of the handle, open inward just like a door for maximum ventilation and easy cleaning. When closed, these tilt & turn windows appear just as elegant as fixed windows. They’re a fantastic choice for any room on the main and upper levels of your home. Supreme Tilt & Turn Patio Doors Kohltech’s unique tilting patio doors give new meaning to the words’ functionality and flexibility. The tilting function added to traditional in-swing patio doors provides convenience and comfort in a technologically advanced door. In the tilt position, the entire door ...

Wood Staining Do's & Don'ts

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Stain Application Tips All stains require open pores for adequate absorption into the wood. Applying stain over a finished surface will not change the color of the wood. Your cloth will simply wipe off the stain blocked from the pores by the existing finish. Sand bare wood lightly. To open the pores in preparation for staining. Begin with medium-grit sandpaper (#120). Work your way to a final sanding with fine-grit sandpaper (#220). Always sand in the direction of the grain to avoid leaving unsightly scratches. Stain can be applied with a bristle brush, a foam brush, or a cloth. On woods with large, open pores, such as oak, mahogany and ash, increase your pressure to work the stain into the pores. Rubbing or brushing against the d...

Which is Better? Real Cedar or Composite Cedar Shingles and Shakes

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Cedar vs. Composite: Choosing the Right Shake for Your Home (Including Installation Differences) When it comes to achieving that timeless coastal or cottage look, shake siding is hard to beat. But today’s homeowners face a key decision: natural cedar shakes or Tando Beach House composite shakes . Beyond appearance and maintenance, one of the biggest differences comes down to how they’re installed —and what that means for cost, timeline, and performance. Natural Cedar Shakes: Craftsmanship-Driven Installation Cedar shakes are installed piece by piece , which is part of their charm—but also their complexity. How installation works: Installed individually in overlapping rows (courses) Requires a breathable rain screen or felt underlayment Each shake is hand-nailed , often with spacing for expansion Layout must account for staggered joints and natural variation Trim, corners, and details are typically custom-cut on site What that means: ⏱️ Time-intensive: Installation can take significan...

Wood Siding vs. Composite Siding

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    Are new technologies like composite wood any better than regular wood? Here we compare them and help you keep your exterior walls looking good for years, whatever your choice may be. But first, what is composite wood, and how is it different from regular wood? Composite wood is a mixture of several materials such as recycled wood, plastic fibers, and straw. NewTech Wood products resist mold, rot, insects, and animals. They also do better with sun exposure, water, humidity and salty air than ordinary wood. Staining wood siding vs. composite wood Regular wood can be colored in a variety of tones but needs to be maintained yearly. You can prep old cladding for a fresh coat of paint yourself – make sure that you are working on a clean surface, exempt of holes and cracks, before applying a primer and exterior paint. Wood composite comes in a wide range of  natural and modern tones , and two wood-like finishes. It does not require ...

How to Add Style with Flooring

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  The sheen and layout pattern of a wood floor are two design choices that can have a dramatic effect on the overall appearance of your flooring. With the help of your local Chamberlain Timber Mart Representative we can show you How to Add Style with Flooring today. What’s your Sheen? When it comes to wood floors, what is the sheen you most prefer? There are mainly 3 levels: glossy, satin and matte. Sometimes semi-gloss is available as a fourth option. The glossier you go, the more light reflects off the floor, which can show more dirt and imperfections, and the more slippery your floors will be. The sheen level you prefer is more of an aesthetic choice and does not impact durability. Generally, the more matte a floor finish is, the more casual it looks. Note that some types of flooring may be limited in the finished sheen available. Layout pattern Choosing your flooring layout pattern is a very important step in planning your project. It can affect the way the space ...