Investing in smart, context-sensitive overcladdings—as well as upgrading older masonry buildings with new, energy-wise envelope improvements—can contribute to not just better buildings but also improved neighbourhoods.
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Climate change is already having an effect on communities across Canada. Some are facing increased droughts; others, more intense storms. Weather-related emergencies like heat waves, flooding, and forest fires are on the rise.
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High above the ground, vegetated roofs mimic nature, helping clean the air, cooling down temperatures, keeping rainfall onsite, and alleviating pressure on urban stormwater systems. Vegetated roofs typically include a vegetation layer, growing medium, retention layer, drainage, and a root barrier.
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Cold-formed steel framing has been a viable construction material for more than a century, but some professionals may not fully understand all the benefits of its use. One of the major advantages is maximizing the timeline of a building project and saving money—even during a harsh Canadian winter.
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Climate projections by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) show past and current practices will influence the climate for decades to come. Such projections are usually statements about the likelihood something will happen several decades in the future if certain influential conditions develop in contrast to a prediction.
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Canada’s climate is changing. Projections for the next 30 years all point to warmer minimum, maximum, and average yearly temperatures.
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Canada’s building codes have historically been formulated, at least in part, based on accumulated historic climate data that ultimately provides the essential criteria for most key building component performance characteristics. However, there are indications climate may be beginning to change. If buildings do, in fact, experience different environmental conditions over the next 40 years, these changes could potentially have a significant impact on our building stock.
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