Timber Link Blog

  After a long winter and as the weather warms up into spring, Canadians start venturing outside. With this change of seasons, you can take advantage of the longer, warmer days by beginning your outdoor spring clean-up. Getting your property cleaned up now will make a big difference in how your property looks.    Yard Clean Up  Rake Excess Leaves  On one of the first dry days, its a good idea to rake any leaves left over from Fall. We recommend using a large poly leaf rake like this one .  Check for Litter Over winter, Litter can pile up around your curb or where snow is pushed. Once the snow has melted its a good idea to take walk around and pick up any litter you see.    Gardens  Clear Garden Beds Pull out and weeds that may have started growing in your gardens and any dead leave that may have found their way into them.  Replace any Missing Aggregate Over the winter months its not uncommon for Mulch or rocks to go missing, spring i...

  Oriented strand board (OSB) is a common building material made from chipped wood. It is similar to chipboard or particle board but is made from bigger, coarser pieces of wood giving it increased strength and water resistance. OSB panels are lightweight and easy to handle and install. It is available in assorted sizes, grades and thickness and each is engineered for a specific use and performance level. In home construction, it is a common material for roof decking, wall sheathing and floor sheathing. It can also be used as a subfloor under wood or wood-look floors. This type of OSB usually has a tongue and groove edge. It should be noted that OSB is more flexible than plywood as a subfloor so should not be used under tile or stone floors that tend to be heavy. OSB will also swell at the cut edges significantly more than plywood when exposed to moisture. There are many opinions among flooring experts as to whether OSB or plywood makes a better subfloor. One of the b...

    Transitioning from wood flooring to tile flooring where the two floors meet, usually in doorways, is something that should be part of your flooring project planning. Key considerations when transitioning between tile and wood or other materials include: Aesthetics Location of installation Installation technique and order Floor height variations and underlayment Material thickness and thin-set application   Transition strips allow a smooth traffic flow and act as a visual break between two different flooring materials. Commonly used are manufactured transition strips that are made from PVC, metal or wood and are available in a wide variety of colors. They can hide gaps between the two floors and can bridge any change in floor height. There are also other less common ways to transition from wood to tile when there is no height difference in flooring materials. A classic look is installing a plank of wood flooring material perpendicular to the wood flooring d...

  The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, and one of the most important features influencing both its functionality and style is the quality of the cabinets. Kitchen cabinets are the biggest feature in a kitchen and are often the most expensive element. They should maximize storage, be solidly built to last and look beautiful. From meal prep to organization, cabinets play a crucial role in everyday life. Whether you’re cooking, cleaning, or simply storing items, the importance of high-quality kitchen cabinets is felt daily. This is why investing in durable, well-crafted cabinetry is essential for both the longevity and performance of your kitchen. Below is a list of helpful tips to think about as you plan your renovation or remodel: Do you have young children and/or pets?   You may want to talk to your designer about the durability of various cabinet materials and the ease of keeping cabinets clean. How do you want to function in you...

  If you don’t have the luxury of owning a snow blower then you’ll be manually removing snow from your driveway this winter. Shoveling snow quickly and safely requires proper preparation, a bit of knowledge and the right tools. The heavier the snow is, the more strain it puts on your body and increases the risk of a cardiac event so it’s important to know how to do it safely. Below are tips that will help make clearing snow easier and safer: Dress properly. Wear layered clothing you can peel off as your body heats up Wear boots with a good tread that will give you traction when pushing snow Wear gloves and a hat. In extreme cold, switch out the gloves for mittens Warm up with some stretches to loosen your body Spray shovel blade with a silicone-based lubricant to prevent snow from sticking to the blade Shovel at a slow pace until you are fully warmed up Keep a water bottle handy to prevent dehydration Shovel early and often Take frequent breaks If possible, push t...

  With such a wide range of siding materials available on the market today, deciding on which is best for your project may feel overwhelming. Wood has long been a popular building material for it’s naturally beautiful grain, but rising costs and frequent maintenance are making it become less desirable overall. Customers often want the beautiful appearance of wood, but end up using newer materials that provide an easier installation and improved durability. Aluminum plank siding, like FastPlank ® , is one of these options, boasting outstanding longevity, durability and water management capabilities with little downside. FastPlank ® Systems offers the best of both worlds, by providing aluminum plank siding with natural wood grain designs. Those in the market can now choose from one of the many standard wood grain finishes ; including dramatic dark walnut and popular light cherry options (among others). This means that aluminum plank siding can be used to make modern, aff...

  Wood and rubber mulches are both great choices under the right circumstances. Rubber is popular for established ornamental gardens in stormy, cold to moderate climates because it’s heavier than wood and less likely to be blown or washed away. Wood mulch is better for edible gardens, as it doesn’t release dangerous compounds and metals, and is safer in hot climates, as it’s a lower fire risk than rubber. Use this guide to wood versus rubber mulch to find out which one is best for your yard.    Whats the Difference between Woo and Rubber Mulch? Wood mulch is naturally occurring and, if sustainably sourced and untreated, is environmentally friendly. It also breaks down into fibers and nutrients to replenish the soil. Rubber mulch, on the other hand, has a longer lifespan and does not break down easily. It’s also heavier, so it resists weather and enthusiastic watering. Rubber Mulch Made from 100% recycled auto and truck tires ground to pieces sized between 3/8″ ...