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You want the best for your home. If you’re renovating and want to use stone countertops, the first step is choosing a stone provider and installer for the job. How can you be sure you’re choosing the right company for the job with so many companies out there?

VE Stone in Surrey is an experienced natural stone countertop provider. They share five reasons why you should choose them for your stone manufacturer and installer:

1. Experience and reputation

VE Stone has built a solid reputation for customer service and excellent work. When fabricating and installing stone, you want to make sure you hire a company that knows what they’re doing. The experts at VE Stone can work with your design plans to create perfect countertops. Installing stone countertops is best left to the professionals. VE Stone installers are so good that your countertops will be virtually seamless.

VE Stone is also RenovationFind Certified. That means they have been prescreened and vetted by a third-party organization to ensure proper licensing, insurance, and a clean legal and financial history. They are a company you can trust.

2. Choose your slab

When purchasing natural stone for your countertops, you want to be able to look through a selection of slabs. Every piece of granite and marble is different and unique. Choosing a company with access to the actual slab will allow you to pick the piece you want. You can also decide what area of the slab you wish to fabricate into your countertop if there is a colour or veining pattern on one end of the slab you like best. With other countertop companies, you can only choose from what you see in their showroom.

Check out these granite colour ideas for your kitchen renovation.

3. Massive selection

VE Stone has hundreds of different stone colours and designs to choose. Whether you want granite, marble, or engineered quartz countertops, they will help you find the perfect match for your home renovation. They also carry many different brands, including Caesarstone, SileStone, LG Viatera, Quartzform, and many others. Having variety and lots to choose from gives you more options for your kitchen and bath projects.

4. In-house stone fabrication

VE Stone is a full-scale fabrication company. That means they manufacture your countertop right in their shop. In-house fabrication allows for more straightforward communication and custom work for your countertops. When you purchase a countertop from a company that sources their fabrication out-of-house, all communication goes through a third party instead of from the source itself.

5. Top-of-the-line technology and equipment

VE Stone will template your project using advanced digital technology. Their accurate measuring will ensure your countertop design is precise. When it’s time to cut the stone, they input CAD drawings into their automated 5-axis Italian Intermac Master CNC saw. From there, the CNC cuts, shapes, and polishes your stone. Their CNC saw uses the most advanced technology in the stone industry. It can make precise cuts for stone countertops but also can do dimensional stonework for unique projects.

Countertops in Surrey

VE Stone is a full-scale fabrication facility. They work on the smallest bathroom job to the largest commercial project. At their facility located in Surrey BC, they have hundreds of different stone colours for you to select from, include granite marble and quartz.

Visit their showroom or contact them today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Surge protectors are used to protect your electronics and appliances from surges in your electrical system. A surge is a sudden boost in energy flowing through the circuit that exceeds the designed capacity of connected equipment.

What causes power surges?

An electrical surge happens when something boosts the electrical charge somewhere along the line. For example, an air conditioner kicking in or dishwasher cycling can cause a burst of energy on the circuit. Sometimes a power outage or restoring an outage can cause surges. Less commonly, lightning can cause power surges.

When these things happen, they create a surge of electricity in your system. Then it can push it into directly wired and plugged-in devices. Without a surge protector, a power surge can cause damage to your electronics and appliances.

Westland Electric Ltd. in Calgary shares more about surges and what you can do to protect your devices and appliances from surge damage.

What is a surge protector?

Typical surge protectors plug into your outlets, like a power bar, that can help protect your electronics. Homeowners often use them for computer equipment or home entertainment systems. The power bar has a built-in surge protector to help protect the devices plugged into it from damaging surges.

On a larger scale, there are whole home surge protectors installed on your main electrical panel. Complete home surge protection will block or ground the high voltage flow and limit the electrical current flowing through the electrical system. Due to the fact that the most common causes for power surges occur inside your home, bi-directional whole-house surge protection is a wise investment.

Choosing a whole-house surge protection solution

Surge protection is worth the investment. If you add up the cost of replacing your electronics, appliances, and other devices, you could be out tens of thousands of dollars. Because power surges are going to happen, investing in a quality whole-home surge protector makes sense.

Westland Electric works with CLEAN-VOLT™. All surge protectors are supposed to attract energy surges and dissipate them before they can damage your devices. Unfortunately, many of the cheaper options do not reduce the energy surges enough to ensure the optimal lifespan of your electronics. Sometimes, their reaction time isn’t quick enough to dissipate the voltage to an acceptable level. In addition, most surge protectors degrade a little after each surge and make them less effective over time. Eventually, they will stop protecting your electrical system properly.

CLEAN-VOLT™ uses a specific varistor technology to handle heavy volumes of electricity and dissipate it at incredible speed. It ensures energy surges are brought down to a safe and acceptable level every time. In addition, the system will not degrade over time and can withstand years of usage. Investing in CLEAN-VOLT™ surge protection will provide an environment for all of your electrical equipment to reach the manufacturer’s intended life cycle and save you money over the long run.

Learn more about how CLEAN-VOLT™ surge protection works.

Electricians in Calgary

Westland Electric Ltd. is an established electrical company in Calgary. They offer a whole suite of electrical services and can help you with renovations, service upgrades, repairs, and more. Their knowledge and experience allow them to deliver excellent service and skilled work for every job, big and small.

If you’re looking for an electrician you can count on, contact Westland Electric.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

In the 1960s and 70s, builders used aluminum wiring in homes because of the high cost of copper. Unfortunately, it caused a lot of issues, including electrical fires. If your older home has aluminum wiring, it’s best to have electricians like SolarNinjas in Edmonton provide a safer solution.

Why is aluminum wiring so unsafe?

Aluminum doesn’t work well for small connections, and it breaks easily. If it gets soft or corrodes, the connections loosen and overheating can occur at vital points. Over time, this overheating at the connections can cause the insulation to dry out and become brittle and eventually, you can have a serious fire hazard behind your walls.

Aluminum also moves 35% more than copper when it’s exposed to heat. Dangerously, heat exposure happens every time electricity flows and can cause hot spots, loose terminations, breaks, and electrical arcs in plugs and switches.

How can I fix it?

The best electricians in Edmonton can offer a few solutions to fix your aluminum wiring problem. SolarNinjas will inspect all visible and accessible wiring to check for issues and replace damaged wires. They’ll search for hidden aluminum wiring boxes to make sure they know how much aluminum is in the home and where it is.

Proper Aluminum to copper splices by SolarNinjas

Then they will pigtail a small amount of copper wiring to the end of each aluminum conductor on every connection. SolarNinjas will install a de-oxidizing compound around these connections. Because the problem with aluminum is at the connections, this copper pigtail will solve the problem and make your home safe. As part of the service, they’ll go over all previous replacement work, including pigtailing done in the past, to make sure it’s all redone correctly and safely.

They’ll also go through your main electrical panel and check for damage or wear and service it so it’s all tight and as safe as possible. If the panel is dated or obsolete, in bad condition or dangerous SolarNinjas might suggest a panel upgrade to replace the dangerous equipment and update the wiring at that location at the same time.

For more details on their premium service for fixing or replacing aluminum wiring, read Aluminum Wiring, Insurance & the SolarNinjas Solution.

How much does an aluminum wiring fix cost?

The cost of fixing aluminum wiring depends mainly on how big your house is and how bad the wiring is. They can estimate it will take two to three electricians two days to fix a home’s aluminum wiring and upgrade all plugs and switches as we go. If your panel needs extensive work, add another day. At $95/hour per Journeyman electrician, plus a small truck mobilization fee, you can estimate the job will cost up to several thousand dollars once materials, documentation and GST are included. Don’t forget, with SolarNinjas you also get a letter for your insurance certifying the work done correctly. The letter helps you avoid the possibility of fire insurance being null and void in the case of insurance policy fine print around aluminum wiring! This service is something we take very seriously and put our name on your insurance record permanently, so the cost for peace of mind is well worth it.

There will also be a materials cost. Material cost depends on how much damage other components of your electrical system have. If all goes well, that cost will be for copper wiring, special connectors, de-oxidizing compound, and some hardware.

You don’t need permits for a basic aluminum wiring fix. However, if you need to add circuits or replace your electrical panel, permits will be required. Permits can cost several hundred dollars depending on what you’re doing.

Fix your aluminum wiring today!

Fixing aluminum wiring isn’t a cheap job, but it is essential to the safety of your home and family. SolarNinjas can provide their solution and, if needed, certifies the work for insurance underwriters. If you’re worried about your home’s dated aluminum wiring, do not hesitate to call a trustworthy electrician to remediate it for you.

Contact SolarNinjas today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

You might not give your home’s gutters much thought, but they are a vital part of your home’s drainage system. Water from rain and melted snow runs off the roof and into the gutters. Clogged or damaged eavestroughs will cause water to run off the side of the house and pool. Pooling water can penetrate and damage the foundation. In some cases, it can cause a flood in your basement.

Maintaining your eavestroughs, and replacing them when they need it, is one of the easiest things you can do to protect your home and foundation from severe damage. Chinook Exteriors are an exterior renovation company that offers innovative eavestroughs in Calgary. They share more:

Keep your gutters clean

Falling leaves, twigs, and other debris can get caught in the gutters and restrict drainage. That is why spring and fall gutter cleaning is essential to keep them working correctly. When gutters get clogged and full of water, they can start to pull away from the house. If you notice that your gutters are damaged or not moving water as they should, contact Chinook Exteriors. They offer replacements, repairs, and maintenance services for eavestroughs in Calgary.

You can also invest in a leaf guard system. Chinook Exterior offers Alu-Rex gutter management systems that come with a series of grates that prevent leaves from getting into the gutter.

Invest in quality eavestrough products

Not all eavestroughs are created equal, and it’s essential to invest in high-quality systems. For example, seamless eavestroughs only have joints placed in the corners. That means less build-up and easier drainage.

You should also invest in a larger eavestrough to improve drainage flow, especially if you have a large house and roof. Chinook Exteriors suggests a 6” seamless eavestrough to ensure that water is flowing efficiently and away from your home. These larger, seamless eavestroughs, combined with a gutter leaf guard system, will ensure your home’s drainage system is working as it should.

Gentek Building Products offers an innovative line of aluminum eavestrough systems. They’re strong, durable, easy to maintain and clean. Chinook Exteriors provides professional installation of a new eavestrough system, including downspouts. As mentioned, they can also assist with gutter repair and maintenance.

A new eavestrough system can protect your home, boost curb appeal and resale value. The Gentek Colour System offers a wide range of colours and styles, so you can find the eavestrough colour that matches your home.

Contact Chinook Exteriors today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

You just bought your new home, and you have the move-in day scheduled. But what do you do until then? Before you start bringing in all your belongings, there are some important updates you might want to consider making first. Look at these home improvement projects.

10 Home Improvement Projects

1. Check and replace any broken or flickering lights in your home. Make sure everything is lit up properly and install lights into rooms that are dark to make them look more inviting and comfortable.
2. Install curtains or blinds in your windows to create privacy.
3. Check all doors and windows for drafts. This might be hard to do in the warmer months but see if your doors have a gap that can be covered with a weather strip. 
4. Install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors right away.
5. Install a security system to keep your home safe before you move in.
6. Replace old locks. If you are not the first homeowner, replace the locks to ensure you know who only has access to your house.
7. Before you bring in the furniture, this is the time to redo the floors! Change the carpet or put new flooring in the kitchen.
8. Paint first while nothing is in any of your rooms. Give the house a fresh-new look according to your tastes.
9. Winterize your home—make sure everything is draft-proof and the rooms and attic are properly insulated.
10. Customize your closets and storage spaces to make them exactly what you need. Add more shelving, expand your space, and more.

Start creating the home you have always wanted with these top tips. Home improvement projects are a great way to up the quality of your home and how you can use your space. From installing new flooring, painting, and customizing, doing all this before the furniture comes in is a convenient idea.

Contact Handyman Connection

Call or text Handyman Connection to get started on your next project. Contact our team to schedule a free consultation about our home improvement services.

The post Home Improvement: 10 Things to Update Before You Move into Your New Home appeared first on Handyman Corporate.

The electrical panel controls all the electricity in your home. Its function is to receive electricity from the utility and then distribute it throughout your home’s circuits. The circuits bring electricity to lights, appliances, and anything plugged into an outlet.

Your panel has safety functions that can help prevent circuit overload, overheating, and even fires. However, if your panel is outdated, damaged or overloaded, it might be time for electricians in Calgary to update it. Enerpro Electrical Services Inc. shares more reasons to upgrade your electrical panel:

It isn’t to current code

In older homes, a 60-amp electrical panel was often enough to power a home in the 20^th century. Since those times, modern homes use A LOT more electricity than they used to. Air conditioners, computers, home theatre systems, and a score of other appliances and devices require more power. The standard for homes now is 100-amp, but a 200-amp service will ensure you have enough capacity for everything you need to run.

Breakers keep tripping

Circuit breakers are a safety feature of your home’s electrical system. If a circuit overloads beyond its intended capacity, it will trip the breaker to stop electricity from running. Stopping power can prevent overheating and fire hazards.

Sometimes we can overload the circuit by running too many appliances at the same time. But, if you’re constantly running down to the basement to flip tripping breakers, it means your panel is either worn out, doesn’t have enough capacity, or is malfunctioning. The best electricians in Calgary can fix this for you with a panel upgrade.

You need more power now or in the future

When your home was built, it was outfitted with an electrical panel to meet the needs of the time. However, if you’re running air conditioning more frequently, want to get a hot tub, or want to wire in for a future electric vehicle charging station, you’ll need an electrical panel upgrade. Upgrading to a 200-amp service now will ensure you have enough power today and into the future.

An overloaded electrical system is showing warning signs

If you’re overloading the electrical system, it can be a serious fire hazard. Plus, your system won’t work correctly. Warning signs include flickering lights, dimming lights when appliances kick in, tripping breakers, burning smells at outlets and switches, and sparks at the outlet when you plug something in. If you’re getting a slight shock when you plug something in, there is a problem. Don’t wait. Protect your home and family by calling a Calgary electrician in for an inspection and repairs. Read more warning signs of outdated electrical wiring.

Want to learn more about an electrical panel upgrade? Contact the pros at Enerpro Electric Services Inc.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Imagine never having to climb a ladder in the freezing cold to install Christmas lights ever again! You’re not a scrooge, but putting up and taking down Christmas lights is a chore – not to mention a safety hazard.

Enerpro Electrical Services Inc., electricians in Calgary, have a solution! Glowstone Lighting is a permanent solution for your holiday lights and comes with many year-round perks too. This permanent lighting runs on a track under your eave, perfectly matched to your soffit colour so you can’t see it during the day or when they’re not on.

Permanent outdoor lighting for all occasions

Christmas isn’t the only time you can light up the house to celebrate. Glowstone Lighting comes with endless colours and patterns, so you can program it and light the house for any holiday or occasion. That includes Christmas and other holidays, or if you want to show your team pride by illuminating your home with your favourite team’s colours. Plus, you can create unique colour and lighting patterns for birthdays, baby showers, anniversaries, or any day of the year.

On non-occasions, you can turn off the lights or choose a setting for year-round architectural or ambient lighting. Glowstone Lighting installers in Calgary will show you the many features of your new permanent outdoor lighting system.

Built-in architectural lighting

When it isn’t a special occasion, use your Glowstone Lighting as architectural lighting. You can choose from a range of light tones, settings, and patterns to provide the perfect accent to your home. Glowstone also provides excellent ambient lighting for nights on the patio or barbeque parties on the deck. Not only will it look great, but having Calgary Electricians install Glowstone Lighting can also improve safety and security around your property too.

Durable and long-lasting lighting solution

Glowstone Lighting was built for cold Canadian winters. Most outdoor lights are rated to -20, but Glowstone lights can handle -55. Plus, they solder and heat-shrink their light strings together. Unlike plastic and copper connections, this method will ensure that your lighting system will operate correctly without failures and won’t be a fire hazard. Glowstone offers a lifetime waterproof rating, so they’re guaranteed to be rated waterproof for a lifetime of winter in Canada.

Calgary Glowstone Lighting installation

Enerpro Electrical Services offers permanent outdoor lighting installations. They’re a dealer of Glowstone Lighting and can provide you with more information. If you’re ready to put away your ladder and the tangled string of Christmas lights for good, connect with Enerpro Electrical to get started!

Contact them here.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Electric vehicles are environmentally friendly and a great way to commit to a more eco-friendly lifestyle. By switching to electricity, you’ll help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Owning an electric vehicle (EV) is a great choice, but there are still things to consider, including how you’re going to charge it at home.

Enerpro Electrical Services Inc. are electricians in Calgary. They share more information about residential EV charging stations:

EV charging station installation

The process for installing an EV charging station in Calgary is similar to other home upgrades. First, you’ll receive a visit from someone on the Enerpro Electrical team. They’ll view the site, present a range of EV charger brands and types, and build a quote for you to review.

Once the exact location of the EV charging station is confirmed, they check and ensure the electrical supply. You might need to update your electrical service from 100-amp to 200-amp to run the charger. These factors will play into your quote.

Finally, the installation begins. Depending on your situation and charger location, the installers might have to dig a trench to run conduit to the EV charger. Again, this is something your electrician will discuss with you before the work starts.

Building or renovating? Consider pre-wiring for a future EV charger

If you’re building a new home or doing a significant renovation, consider pre-wiring for an EV charger now. Even if you don’t own an electric vehicle but plan to in the future, doing that work now can save time and money.

First, make sure your building plans include an electrical panel that can power an EV charging station. With the charger and score of other devices and appliances drawing power, Calgary electricians suggest a 200-amp electrical panel.

They’ll need to run a conduit to link the electrical service to the EV charging location. Often, installers will have to dig a trench for the line. They will also need access to the electrical system to run wiring. That is why doing this during construction is the most effective. Walls and ceilings are already open, and the ground is ready for any conduits that need to installing across the property. Of course, you can do it after the fact, but it will be more disruptive and expensive than during construction.

What Enerpro Electrical can do for you

Enerpor Electrical offers full-service EV charger installations for residential homes. They’ll provide a range of charging point options. These options include standard plugs, chargers that use wi-fi for remote configuration, real-life monitoring, power-sharing features, output adjustment and more.

Their best electricians in Calgary will ensure to integrate the EV charger safely and seamlessly with your home’s electrical system.

If you have dreams of an electric vehicle now or in the future, get started with an EV charging station. Contact Enerpro Electrical for a no-obligation, free consultation.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Home automation in Calgary allows you to control things in your home with a touch of a button. Lighting and temperature controls, security cameras and monitoring, and home media can all be controlled from a smart device, virtually anywhere in the world.

When you think about a home automation system, you might think it’s a convenience and luxury that only the very wealthy can afford. However, there are options out there that are cost-effective and accessible.

Enerpro Electrical Services Inc. are electricians in Calgary. They share more about the benefits of their smart home systems:

Get the features you want

Enerpro Electrical Services offers Lutron Pro home automation products. These state-of-the-art products offer a suite of home automation features for you to choose from. These features include lighting controls and programming, advanced temperature control, window shades control, security control, and more.

You can have a whole home automation system installed or choose the features that suit you best. Having options allows you to pick and choose elements to create a home automation system that meets your needs and budget.

Quality installation

Enerpro Electrical Services can install any Lutron Pro product, from standard-level to advanced devices. They’ll ensure that your smart home system lives up to its full potential and that you know how to use it. Hiring the best electricians in Calgary to design and install your home automation system will ensure it works correctly, efficiently, and meets your needs.

Full integration

If you have an older home automation system, you might run into problems when you want to add a new feature or conduct repairs on an old one. That is because systems from 10 years ago or more might not be able to ‘talk’ with more advanced technology. Enerpro Electrical Services can help troubleshoot these issues to integrate new products with features in an older system. Using a third-party smart home device, like Google Nest, is a cost-effective solution for fully integrating new and old home automation products.

Boost energy efficiency and security

Two of the most important benefits of smart home technology is how it improves efficiency and security. When you can program lighting and HVAC systems to operate when needed most and not when you don’t, you’ll start saving on your energy bills. Plus, remote lighting control will allow you to turn exterior and interior lights on and off while you’re away. Programmable lighting can help prevent intruders from entering your home because they’ll think that someone is there using the lights.

Home automation systems also include security features. For example, you can access and monitor security cameras remotely from your smart devices. You can also lock and unlock doors while you’re away, so you’ll never have to worry if you left the door unlocked.

For more information on smart home systems, contact Enerpro Electrical Services Inc.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

When finishing or renovating a basement, how far up the to-do list is the electrical wiring? While wiring is important in the rest of the house, the basement is especially important. Not just to have, but to ensure it’s up to code and date and suits the needs of the space.

JMV Inc Electrical Professionals in Calgary specializes in residential electrical services, including home renovations and electrical upgrades. They share some reasons why a wired basement should be a top priority:

Optimize the layout

Starting with a clean space, especially an unfinished basement without the drywall is a prime empty canvas. You can fully optimize the layout of any electrical wiring to maximize the benefits before adding drywall. An electrician will help you plan for function, so you get the most out of your basement’s electrical system and layout.

If you want a basement suite, then adding extra outlets and light switches or ensuring there’s enough power will pay off. Another idea is to wire the basement for a home theatre or sound system. When it comes time to sell, potential buyers will love a readily wired basement and potential for that home theatre.

Well-lit spaces are more inviting

Optimal wiring also relates to optimal lighting, which, in a basement, is essential. Poorly lit basements feel dark and closed off and become very unwelcoming spaces. An overly lit and bright basement is just as bad as it wastes power and takes away from any lighting control. Working with a qualified Master Electrician to optimize the wiring will help ensure the space is welcoming, evenly lit, and doesn’t gobble electrical costs. Learn more about lighting during a renovation.

Protect against damage or wear

Old or outdated basement wiring that hasn’t been maintained in a while is a serious safety risk. Basements can risk water damage which can damage electrical work or even blow the power in the house. Exposed wiring is another risk for a fire to start, and all it takes is a spark. If you have outdated wiring, it’s well worthwhile to have a professional come in and do an inspection. If nothing else, you can upgrade the wiring in the basement to gain back value, lower costs, and prepare the space for new use.

Add value

Well-wired and planned basement wiring will add value simply by being there. Much like a well-designed room or suite, it opens the possibilities to use the space in a variety of ways. You can turn the basement into a home theatre, gym, suite, living room, home office space, and more. You can also add different lighting, such as sliding lights, for added lighting control and to add comfort and value. Once a certified electrician wires and finishes the basement, the space can be left as-is for potential buyers to choose how to customize the area. It’s a great investment overall.

Electricians in Calgary

JMV Inc Electrical Professionals offer full-service electrical services in Calgary and surrounding areas. They specialize in residential electrical work including home renovations, new home builds, electrical upgrades and wiring, and electrical repairs. If you have an electrical project coming up, you can trust the professionals at JMV Inc to get the job done safely and correctly.

Contact JMV Inc Electrical Professionals today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com