Photographs: Courtesy of French’s Fine Homes

Muskoka’s residential building industry is thriving and often on the cutting edge of what’s new in the industry. While there are many constants in residential building, there are also trends that emerge that add beauty and value to Muskoka homes and cottages.

Planning Trends
Lifestyle, personal tastes, and preferences dictate the style of any custom home or cottage. There are so many decisions to consider that it makes sense to start at the beginning.
James Pitropov, of Smith Architect Inc., suggests getting the architect involved as early as possible in the project.
“Sometimes we’re brought in before the lot is purchased to look at the planning process as a whole,” he says. “Building a home is a big step for anyone. You have the most impact on the outcome of your project early in the process when everything is very flexible and it’s easy to explore different ideas. A strong dialogue from the beginning is vital. Options become more and more limited as time goes on. By the time you’ve hired a contractor your changes should be minimal. They can start to get very expensive.
“Set priorities about the site,” suggests Pitropov. “How important is the view? How will the space be used? What type of entertaining will occur?”
How you entertain may influence not only the kitchen and dining areas but also the decks and screened porches to host summer gatherings.
Marcia Oliver specializes in construction law and is another professional that one should visit prior to starting a building project. A typical client question involves whether he/she should have a written agreement with the contractor.

“Yes,” Oliver says. “Any verbal agreement should be reduced to writing. If a dispute arises between you and your contractor, a simple but straightforward written contract will be an important piece of evidence in assisting with the resolution of the dispute.”
She says the contract should address, at the very least, the following:
• the price for the work (is it based on a time and materials basis or as a fixed price contract?
• specifics regarding the work the contractor will perform – the more specific the better
• how changes to the scope and price of work will be approved
• the frequency with which payments to the contractor will be made
• the date when construction is to be completed and when the contract can be terminated, by whom and at what cost.

Cottage Country Construction is shown installing the Nudura ICF insulation system supplied by Tobin Building Systems. Photograph: Jan Pitman

Financial Trends
Leslie McCann says people are shopping differently for mortgages these days.
“We know it’s easy to sign the renewal form from your present lender and go on the way you have been,” McCann says. “But we suggest that people re-think that approach. People are talking to us at Summit Mortgage Services to see if there’s a better mortgage available.”
McCann finds there are some misconceptions about buying a home or cottage.
“We see clients who are convinced that they can build less expensively than they can buy an existing home and it’s often not the case.” She adds, “There are numerous mortgage products available. I don’t think people always know that. And that’s where a mortgage broker can make a difference.”
McCann also gets asked if the cost is too high to change lenders. She says, “Depending on your current contract, the time left, and the cancellation privileges, you may be able to change lenders and save money every month.”

Jacqui Semkow is a residential mortgage manager for TD Canada Trust. Something she feels her clients are often not aware of is the value of the equity in their home.
She says, “You’ve been building equity in your home since the first day you bought it. Thanks to your hard work and commitment, you can start taking advantage of that equity to save money and increase your financial flexibility.”
She agrees that reducing overall debt is a smart financial goal but adds, “There are other uses that you can put that equity to as well. You can renovate your home or take a vacation of a lifetime. Perhaps you want to purchase a vehicle or recreational property or take advantage of an investment opportunity.”
The point is that home equity is a valuable asset that can allow you to achieve certain goals.
One question that is often asked concerns the five per cent down payment and what other options exist.
Semkow explains, “There are a few options available that don’t require a down payment. One is 100 per cent financing. The bank will lend you the purchase price plus the CMHC premium, so initially your mortgage will be for more than the value of the house.

Another option is a no down payment mortgage, where the bank gives you five per cent cash back to be used as the down payment.
A third option is a down payment gift from a family member. In all cases you will still need to have saved the money for closing costs, a minimum of 1.5 per cent of the purchase price.”

Mike Michaud of Michaudco says radiant in-floor heating is growing in popularity. It delivers heat evenly throughout the room. Photographs: Courtesy Michaudco

Building Trends
“People want wood – lots of wood” says Garry Hall of Garry Hall Construction. “Maybe the biggest change I’ve seen recently is the move to using reclaimed wood like hemlock and pine from old barns and the like.”
He personally likes the effect and says, “It’s nice to see the interest in recycling but if it didn’t look good, nobody would be interested. The finished product looks spectacular and once a client sees the effect you get in a floor using old wood, they want it.”
A big trend that Hall has observed is large dock systems and boathouses that are really unique with high-pitched roofs and attention to detail.
“The people we build for are asking for cottages from 4,500 to 9,000 sq. ft.”
It may be that they do most of their entertaining at the cottage so they are saving any downsizing to their homes in the city, he suggests.
“High-end kitchens and reclaimed wood flooring with an antique look is what we’re being asked for,” says Tom Campbell of Ed Campbell Construction. “Our clients are interested in what I’d call major gourmet kitchens. They want something that will accommodate generous sized appliances and you need space for that.”
He adds, “Stonework is really popular and has been for some time. Many of our projects will feature two or even three fireplaces.”
But it takes considerable preparation before a home or cottage can materialize into the abode of your dreams.
“The year before building, we encourage the prospective home owner to prepare,” Grant Watkinson of Shorline Construction recommends. “We suggest things like cutting out pictures from magazines – even if it’s a bookshelf or a certain feature in a kitchen or how a fireplace is finished, a media room designed.”
Watkinson builds stick frame and says, “Ideas come from many places – I often tour with my clients to view actual completed homes. Each custom home is so unique. Attention to detail is vital and has been appreciated by our clients.”
Clients who are looking for energy efficiency are increasingly asking builders about ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms).

Window Works Muskoka carries Simulated Divided Lite windows, which look like individual panes of glass and are quite trendy. Photograph: Brienne Juniper

“The environmental benefit mostly comes down to the R-Value, the fact that you can get R-40 walls with very simple construction, and this not only impacts the energy use of the building, it also makes it more soundproof,” says Rick Hallam of Tobin Building Systems, which specializes in ICF. “With ICF you’re getting a premium wall without a premium price. ICF is comparatively less expensive than in the past. It’s less labour intensive. You’re basically buying materials as opposed to buying labour.”
As a distributor of the Nudura Integrated Building Technology, Hallam feels it is vastly superior to traditional stick framing methods.
He says, “It’s a real advance in building technology with builders and home owners looking for newer, more efficient ways to build homes.”
With energy efficiency comes increased comfort within the home or cottage.
Mike Michaud, owner of Michaudco says, “Radiant in-floor heating is becoming very popular. It radiates heat from the floor and delivers it evenly throughout the room for a really comfortable and even heating experience.”
A regular forced air furnace has a temperature variation throughout a room of about four degrees, which is something people feel quite easily.
He adds, “The energy can be quite significant too so those people who are interested in cost cutting and the environment are coming onboard.”

Michaudco is also an authorized dealer for Polar Bear Water Source Heat Pumps.
“The interest in this type of system is partly fueled by the excellent rebates that are available for a retrofit from both the provincial and federal government,” says Michaud. “The rebates can amount to as much as $7,000 which is quite an incentive for those who are interested in saving the environment and some money at the same time.”
Scott Clark of Edenlane Homes says his company is doing many substantial renovations.
He explains, “I don’t know if you can call it a trend but we’re seeing baby boomers retiring and having to make a choice between moving or staying put. If the bones of a house are good, renovation is a good idea. People sometimes love their homes but find the size insufficient or the systems out of date and a good renovation can address those issues.”
He adds, “Whether it’s a custom built new home or a renovation, I’m finding that people want as little maintenance as humanly possible but they want the design and finishing to look like Muskoka.”
And they don’t just want aesthetically pleasing, maintenance-free products. They are also demanding efficiency.
“People want more efficient systems too – things like on-demand water heaters. But they want trusted systems and that’s what we give them. You have to balance the environmental issues with a customer’s needs,” Clark says.
Often requested features include an ensuite bath, main floor laundry, raised kitchen island and charcoal grey siding to give the old Muskoka cottage look. It looks like the cottage has been there for 50 years.

According to Brock Watson, of Discovery Dream Homes, there has been a revival in timberframe homes. He says they add both strength and character and outlast conventionally framed cottages. Photograph: Discovery Dream Homes

Trends in finishing elements
Railings are an external construction element that is something of a finishing touch to a home or cottage.
Lisa Cormack of Excel Enclosures reports that clients are looking for railings that are maintenance free.
“Take a good look at the new aluminum railings with lifetime finishes,” she says. “Designed for that Muskoka look, they offer double-top railing, square pickets or glass inserts for a traditional look with no up-keep.”
Aluminum railings can be designed to match the architecture of the home.
Cormack says, “Custom built, our structural, maintenance-free, aluminum railings for decks and boathouses, aesthetically complement the custom built home. Contractors will say, ‘This is the grille work on the windows,’ or, ‘We’re using large posts,’ and we’ll design the railings accordingly. We can match any home design.”
“Consultations between window experts, the builder and homeowner identify needs and expectations,” states Eleda Ward, of Window Works Muskoka. “Our clients want energy efficiency and low maintenance. We’re going back to the natural wood look, which is what we call the old Muskoka look. The outside frame, however, is rarely left as wood. They want something interesting, exciting, and different from everybody else. Natural wood on the interior and aluminum, or vinyl, clad on the exterior surface for a maintenance-free finish is popular.” She adds, “Another trend is ‘divided lite’ windows which give the appearance of having individual panes.”

Interior Trends
Tin ceilings are not just a thing of the past. Brian Greer’s historically correct tin ceilings are being increasingly used in modern applications.
“Customers are asking for our easy-to-install panels for homes, restaurants, offices, stores, churches and many other locations,” he says. “The panels can also be used to cover kitchen back-splashes, room dividers, walls and stair risers.”
Baby boomers are waxing nostalgic, which may be the key to the renewed interest in this beautiful craft that is almost an art form in Brian Greer’s capable hands.
Sixty-five per cent of his clients are from the U.S. Many have seen his work featured on television on programming on TWN, HGTV, and CityTV.
“Tin is definitely coming back into fashion,” says Greer. “The options for its use are endless.”
Geoff Marks of Younique Designs deals in custom kitchens and baths for homes and cottages throughout Muskoka. He’s fielding many requests for painted kitchens and cabinetry.
“I’ll often paint the main wall in one colour and then paint or stain the island in a different but complementary finish. Another trend is in cabinetry that looks like fine furniture for kitchens and bathrooms,” Marks says. “My background as a certified furniture maker is a real help. I’m doing cabinets with strong architectural and furniture detailing.”

Since kitchens are often the focus for entertaining, they tend to be large and open concept with an island or a peninsula workspace.
Marks finds that people are requesting distresses or rubbed finishes.
“It gives an aged look to a new piece,” he explains. “I do a lot of research in design books and on the Internet to see what’s new and upcoming.”
Marks may stagger the height of different pieces of cabinetry, which highlights the difference between the straight lines of standard kitchen cupboards and the furniture model. Counter tops favourites include granite, Corian and Sileston, which is an engineered stone with a more uniform finish.
Landscaping trends
Larry Martin, owner of Blackrock Landscaping, considers landscaping to be as important as any other building element.
“As a rule of thumb, we suggest people spend about 10 per cent of the total property value on landscaping,” Martin says.
He finds that customers who are paying substantial property taxes want to use the entire property and that requires defining areas based on the use. Grass or sod is good for kids’ play areas while flagstone paths invite homeowners to roam the property. Martin emphasizes the need for balance.
“If there is too much emphasis on natural, a property can look unkempt. On the other hand, if it’s too manicured, it doesn’t fit the Muskoka landscape.”

Martin says that people who have regular maintenance done are wise to do so. “If grass gets too long it may get spindly and die out which ends up costing more money than keeping it well trimmed.”
He suggests that people use professionals who have the knowledge and the proper equipment to do the job right. As far as trends are concerned, Martin finds that homeowners are planting more judiciously than they used to.
“The natural colours of the north are subtle so a mixture of trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals work best to simulate nature.”
He also says that adding colour around buildings “lights up a landscape” without going overboard.”
‘Trendy’ may come and go but trends in design, construction and finishing are enduring. They add interest and value to homes and cottages throughout Muskoka – a fact not lost on the talented people who make up Muskoka’s residential building community.

Top of Page

---

Return to CUSTOM BUILDING: Phase 2: - Table of Contents