Sometimes a project is not about getting it done quickly, it’s about craft and vision. In this case, it’s the vision to produce a reclaimed wood barn door. Barn doors and sliding doors have been popular in the past few years. Not only do they produce an interesting look, they  can often be used for practical solutions when looking to avoid the space a swing door requires. A sliding door could be used for any style of design, from modern to heritage. In this case, we are looking for a finish that is antiquated and ornate. The extra work that is required to achieve this look will be worth it, as the door will be one-of-a-kind and will match the aesthetic of the rest of the home.   Reclaimed Materials: The barn door is made from 100% recycled 2X6 Douglas Fir. This came from a renovation project of a colleague on the North Shore. Originally, this wood was part of the framing in a 70 year old home. When you can re-use materials from a demolition, do! You never know what you will find and rather than have usable materials end up in the land-fill, with some TLC, they can become something new! Building the Reclaimed Wood Barn Door: Matthew Senf, principal of Sasen, milled the 2X6 wood down. He then biscuited, glued and clamped the wood. The design was his own, and he added other details for aesthetic purposes only. These include: strap hinges, a knocker, clavor and handles (all of which are wrought or cast iron). These were sourced and ordered online. The roller hardware for hanging the sliding barn doors is a simple barn door hardware package purchased from one of our trusted suppliers, Windsor Plywood. This was then modified by Matt, as the door is 4’4″ and there is no basic set available for a door this size. Finishing the Barn Door: The finishing of the door is what enhances the aesthetic we were looking for with this barn door. We worked with Lucy from Tartaglia Designs. Lucy’s talent is more than just design: her artistic abilities to paint and finish materials adds a one-of-a-kind touch. Lucy worked her magic with basic stain, glaze and varnish.  The amount of distressing was minimal since the lumber was already peppered with holes, damage, nails etc. which makes up the lovely antique patina. The rest is her skill. If the wood was new, distressing wood would be required in order to get the rustic, antiquated look we are going for.   Lucy explains how she will finish the barn door:

Vancouver’s Greenest City Action Plan Photo from: http://www.mayorofvancouver.ca/news/greenest-city-action-plan-updated-2015-2020 In Vancouver on Earth Day, it’s hard not to discuss the goals to become a greener city. Most people in Metro Vancouver are aware that Vancouver’s Greenest City Action Plan, a plan developed by the City of Vancouver, aims to make Vancouver the greenest city in the world by 2020. The goals are very ambitious, positioning Vancouver as a city that cares about the environment. And Vancouver does! Vancouver culture is focused on the great outdoors, mountains to ocean; working to reduce emissions and improve building practices is a priority for many Metro Vancouver residents. One of the major changes aimed at reducing emissions is the City of Vancouver building code update  which came into effect January 1, 2015. Most of the code changes for both new build and renovation are focused on accessibility, safety and energy. Implementing the codes has been a challenge for the city, home-owners and builders, but overall, moving in a positive direction. How Sasen is adapting for Earth Day: Attending workshops and training Staying up-to-date as part of the GVHBA groups, panels and discussions Practice and implementing new policy changes Sasen is adapting! We have many on-going renovation projects in the City of Vancouver and have adjusted to the code. Our permit process protocols now factor-in the ASHRAE energy check-list. The city-required paperwork is onerous, but Sasen has attended information sessions in order to be prepared for changes and is putting what we know into practice what we have learned through multiple permit submissions. Practice makes permit! Sasen has attended several workshops to stay up-to-date regarding insulation, window requirements and green building practices. The Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association (GVHBA) as a great resource for information regarding changes in both permit and building practices. On Monday, Sasen’s principal, Matthew Senf is attending solar energy training through local Burnaby company, Amray Solar, in order to pick up some tips on renewable energy options. This training will focus on tie-ins to the existing grid, in order to harness solar power and send to an inverter. For more information regarding solar panels, check out Amray’s solar technology FAQ. Whether it’s Earth Day or any day, saving money is great! BC Hydro’s Net Metering Program will credit home owners’ account for the power you produce from a renewable or clean source, such as solar. They will even pay you back if you produce more power with alternative energy! This allows home owners to use hydro as a back-up to your solar energy. If you are looking for solar, it’s something we can build into as part of your renovation. Just in time for Earth Day: Province of BC funding announcement Just in time for Earth Day, the province of British Columbia announced that it would be allocating $1.4 million from the Innovative Clean Energy Fund (ICE) that will be for home owner rebates and industry training.  Both the industry and home-owners will both be able to decrease their impact on the environment. See the Province of BC’s news release  for more information.

Sasen Renovations is kicking off 2014 with the exciting news of becoming a Residential Renovation Georgie Award Winner at the awards ceremony for 2013 Georgie Awards. We took home the award for the Best Residential Renovation under $300,000. We turned a house into a home, and it took dedication and finesse. Even during demolition, this project required consideration and attention to detail. A New Westminster renovation and a heritage renovation at that, we had to keep in mind the delicate and beautiful parts of the home that were being preserved. This project included both an interior renovation portion and exterior New Westminster renovation portions. The interior allowed Sasen to demonstrate our experience with bathroom remodelling, kitchen renovations and the ability to focus of the fine interior finishes while preserving the heritage portions of the home. We created a continuity of design and style, assisting the client in making design decisions that would blend together new and aged portions of the heritage home. The exterior renovation really embellished the bones of the existing structure, but this part allowed for more than just esthetic quality. Replacing the windows meant the home owners can live in greater comfort and be more energy efficient. The sooner an older home takes on a energy effective renovation, the longer the home owners can enjoy the benefits of a greener home. The 2013 Georgie Award ceremony was wonderfully done. It was such an honour to be surrounded by so many of the talented professionals working in Vancouver renovations and Vancouver home building. We enjoyed the evening as much as we enjoyed bringing home the award and recognition for our entire team’s hard work. We couldn’t have done it with out the talented Sasen Renovations team and those who partnered with us to make this project a success. We are confident the 2013 Georgie Awards will be the first of many awards to come! To visit the Georgie site, follow the link below: http://www.georgieawards.ca/winners/view.aspx?id=2682

Summer is a great time to dream about home ideas.     Pick up a magazine or take a walk around the neighbourhood you love and jot down your ideas.     A classic magazine/show is THIS OLD HOUSE for some ideas.  Click here to view.