Now that we’ve officially kicked off the start of summer in Canada, you may be thinking about outdoor entertaining. Whether it’s a family barbeque, a cozy bonfire, or an intimate dinner on the patio, outdoor entertaining plays a major role in the lives of many Canadians in our very short-lived summer season. However, after the harsh winter, your backyard and outdoor spaces may be in need of a little TLC. Here are a few simple steps to get your outdoor space ready for entertaining this summer!

First, start with a deep clean. Over the winter, harsh Canadian conditions like snow, frost, wind and rain may impact your backyard. Your landscaping, deck, and outdoor furniture will be in need of some maintenance. Roll up your sleeves and start with some gardening. Make sure you remove all the unwanted weeds and give the lawn a fresh cut. If the grass in your yard is suffering after the winter, (like all yards do!) try removing all the dead grass, scattering some compost and grass seed, and making sure your lawn gets watered weekly. Next, be sure to maintain any plants and trees in your yard, including making sure the base soil is neat and tidy. If your plants and trees are overgrown, don’t be afraid to give them a trim. And of course, water them accordingly. Next, give your furniture and outdoor features a deep clean using any multi-purpose or outdoor furniture cleaner. This includes cleaning up any furniture, bird feeder mess, water features etc.

Once you’ve done a deep clean, you’re ready for organizing! Nobody likes a disorganized space. To reduce clutter, try keeping any tools and gadgets tucked away in a garage, shed or storage room. If everything has a designated place, your space will feel clean and organized, and will automatically be more relaxing for you and your guests. Next, be sure to do a surface clean of your deck, patio or railing to get rid of any dust or dirt 

Lastly, pay attention to your personal goals for the specific space, and use small details to achieve that goal. For example, are you looking for a cozy outdoor dining space? Try using lanterns with soft lighting and comfy dining chairs with outdoor blankets and pillows. This is a great way to create a warm, cozy and intimate space for outdoor dining in the evenings. Are you looking for a fun pool and deck area for daytime family entertaining? Try some comfy loungers and some pool toys and games to keep your guests entertained! If you are looking for ways to upgrade your fire pit area, try adding comfortable chairs, (with blankets!), and soft lighting guiding your guests around the fire pit.

Whether you have an outdoor dining patio, or a fun fire pit, enjoy the Canadian summer season and make most of your outdoor space!

If you are looking to immerse yourself in nature, a railing without posts is a great look.  With spigot style posts that are 9” tall, the view is almost uninterrupted. 

InvisiRail’s ability to customize 12mm thick glass panels, in concert with our spigot system, allows the customer to expand their view. Your outdoor space will meld with your surroundings without the visual obstructions of a normal railing system.  

We have spigots available in stainless steel and textured black with an option for powder coating in a variety of colours. With these colour options you can add a personal touch to your home or cottage.

When we choose a place to relax and recharge we consider the view, not the railings…spigot railings are the clear choice.  

Note: InvisiRail™ cannot guarantee that custom-made products will meet all local building codes. It is the responsibility of the installer to ensure that the materials they are using will be installed correctly and will meet the necessary building code requirements of their region.

Winter is time to plan for your projects, and arrange your materials.

It’s such a great feeling to put the mower, rakes, trimmer, pruners, and shovels away in the shed. A well-deserved break from numerous outdoor jobs, and your lengthy to do lists. Canada is great for many reasons but giving us a well-deserved break from the yard work is certainly on the list!

Our attention quickly turns to Christmas, and a New Year. Bundling up and trying to enjoy the beauty that is, a Canadian Winter. Whether you ski, ice fish, or just read lots of books under a cozy light, there is a feeling of pride associated with closing out another year.

In the building, manufacturing, and contractor industry, we all take a well-deserved break from the long hours, and busy days. We spend time with friends and family that have missed us. We try to remember what it felt like to binge watch a favourite show.

Once we enter the new year, our attention turns to our new season. Planning and scheduling projects. Hoping we can fill our summer months fast and be able to keep everyone working. Unfortunately for the customer that waits till spring or summer to start thinking about their project, they may find it hard to believe that the contractor is telling them, “We might get there around August!“…August?!!

Fall and Winter. What a great time to start looking at some projects you may have planned for the New Year! You now have the time to weigh out your options, get multiple quotes, and hem and haw over what materials best suit your needs. Great time to do your homework and find the right contractor. The sooner you book your project, the sooner you can get it done in the new year. 

At LIV Building Products, we quote projects all year round for customers and contractors. The customers shop price, and availability, and pick the right products for their needs. Luckily, we provide free quotes, material lists, and layouts through any of your local Lumber and Building Supplies retailers. This allows the customer, you, to begin finding a contractor, or find friends and family to help with your project. Hopefully sooner than later. Knowing which product you need, and knowing its availability early on, can certainly lessen any last minute surprises close to build day.

Get your project started anytime with LIV Building Products. Right here in Ontario.

When it comes to railings, there is never a shortage of options. It is extremely easy to get confused during the process of choosing the right rail for your project. However, this can be made easier by narrowing down your choices in the beginning. Here are some questions to get started:

• Glass, or spigots?
• Which colours will work for your property?
• Any maintenance requirements?
• Warranty?
• Where is it made?
• Budget?

These will all play a big role in your decision making. 

However, the quickest way to start narrowing your options down to something manageable, is to find out which ones are engineer approved to be used in your region.

With so many railings entering the market. Some offshore, state side, and regional manufacturers or distributors may not have completed safety standard testing at all, much less Engineer Sealed documentation. Testing and engineered sealed details are especially important. Not just for your own safety, but also the safety of others. Nobody wants to put up a new rail, spend their money and time, to  then be told by their building official the need to tear it down as it does not meet standards.

Ask the company and or companies you are researching if they can send you engineered details and test data. I assure you, that this will narrow your choices fast.

Liv Building Products, and InvisiRail both conduct outside testing and supply engineer sealed details for a wide variety of railing options. Not to mention Liv Building Products also, do estimates, construction layouts, and material list for all their products. Even better, these are free services offered to help you from start to finish. Oh, did we mention that many of their options are Made in Ontario?!

Finally!!! A Composite Decking made in Canada! Right here in Ontario.

Clubhouse PVC Decking, and TruNorth Composite Decking are manufactured by the same company in Ontario, Canada.

They have spent many years creating great products and investing plenty of time and money to make products that meet and exceed all building code requirements.

CCMC approved, and made here in Ontario, clearly makes this one an easy choice.

From the higher end PVC decking that is branded as Clubhouse Decking, to Composite Decking, branded as TruNorth decking, there are plenty of great choices for any customer, and for any project. You can be assured that you are buying a great product with a great warranty, National Code approvals, and manufactured and distributed right here in Ontario!

Next time you are looking for a composite deck for your home, or for your next client, look right here in Ontario for Clubhouse and TruNorth low maintenance decking.  Distributed by LIV Building Products in Uxbridge, Ontario.

A little-known product called G-tape – what is it? Glad you asked!

Consumers today are spending thousands of dollars on new PVC or composite decking products to enjoy the outdoors. These new decking products are state of the art and will last for many years maintaining their beauty and enhancing outdoor activities. Composite and PVC decking products are installed over pressure treated framing that has been around for over 40 years and will decay much quicker than the decking it supports. This is where G-tape comes in. 

G-tape installs on top of each joist and beam creating a watertight barrier between standing water and the wood framing it protects extending the life of the sub structure. Why not give the framing a little TLC! G-tape is a small fraction of the total cost to build a new deck and is well worth the investment. 

Click here to see the G-Tape products we offer!

Composite decking is a great alternative for those looking for no-maintenance decking. When we were considering our deck renovation, composite decking was the best choice, since we wanted a deck that had no-maintenance. TruNorth Decking materials are a fantastic option for composite decking. When you choose composite decking, there are a variety of benefits that come along with it. 

Firstly, this composite decking is stain and fade resistant, and comes with a 25 Year Limited Warranty, to ensure your composite decking looks brand new even after years of exposure to sun, snow and rain. TruNorth decking is extremely versatile for any season; meaning it’s extremely durable to withstand harsh Canadian winters, while also features heat blocking, to keep your deck cool in the Summer months. TruNorth composite deck materials are also a great low-maintenance decking solution; as there is no paint, seal or stain required. When researching all the different kinds of composite decking, TruNorth decking stood out because it was well-priced, and had low maintenance. I was impressed with how eco-friendly, and realistic, the deck boards looked, in comparison other composite decking. I also liked how TruNorth ensured no rotting or molding of our deck. Although I was skeptical, seeing for myself after 5 years, I’m truly impressed.