Green Building Canada

Green Building Canada Green Building Canada is a network connecting sustainability-focused professionals, homeowners and anyone interested in green building across Canada.

We offer an extensive library of resource guides, news, articles and research reports.

In Canada, managing snow and ice buildup around a home has now become one thing we need to be more conscious of in order...
10/15/2026

In Canada, managing snow and ice buildup around a home has now become one thing we need to be more conscious of in order to make our homes super-resilient in the face of climate change.

To help homeowners out, this article goes into detail about managing snow and ice buildup on heat pumps and vents so your heating system continues to work efficiently, and explains the often overlooked benefits of installing a snow fence.

https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/manage-wind-snow-ice-buildup/

Three things decide whether your Calgary basement project succeeds: permits, soil and ceiling height. The city requires ...
10/15/2026

Three things decide whether your Calgary basement project succeeds: permits, soil and ceiling height. The city requires building permits for any structural work, and secondary suites need development permits too.

Calgary’s expansive clay soil puts unusual pressure on foundations, while older homes often fall short of the 1.95-metre minimum ceiling height. Sorting out all three before design work begins saves you from expensive surprises later.

In this guide to basement development in Calgary, Alberta, find out more about these three factors that'll quietly determine whether building your dream basement is workable, and the permits (up to four) that you'll typically need to get started with the project.

https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/basement-development-calgary/

Most plumbing problems give some warning before they turn into an emergency, although the signs are easy to dismiss as m...
10/15/2026

Most plumbing problems give some warning before they turn into an emergency, although the signs are easy to dismiss as minor quirks of an older house. A drain that empties slowly, a faint smell from the basement or a water bill that creeps upward can all point to something that's developing out of sight.

It's always best to deal with issues like this while they're small and manageable, instead of letting them spiral out of control, but we understand that it can be difficult for non-professionals to know exactly when to call a plumbing company for help.

For more information about when to monitor a sticky plumbing situation and when to call in the professionals immediately, check out this article.

https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/plumbing-early-warning-signs/

If you’re living in Ontario, the rising cost of real estate might have you questioning the viability of homeownership. F...
10/15/2026

If you’re living in Ontario, the rising cost of real estate might have you questioning the viability of homeownership. For those with minimal space needs, why not spend a fraction of the amount you'd pay for an average-sized home to get what you need and nothing more?

Tiny homes come with a number of benefits, with affordability being just one of them. Like conventional houses, you can buy them either pre-owned or new, and either pre-configured or custom built.

In this collection, we’ll have a look at nine tiny home builders that are based in Ontario and offer a range of homes to choose from.

https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/tiny-homes-ontario/

An outdoor sauna may be compact compared with a house or cottage, but its installation still involves decisions about en...
10/15/2026

An outdoor sauna may be compact compared with a house or cottage, but its installation still involves decisions about energy use, materials, drainage, electrical service and long-term durability.

For homeowners who want to be sure their property is ready and that the installation goes well, this guide includes a 10-step practical installation sequence and offers further advice about reducing unnecessary construction, on-site emissions and material use.

https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/outdoor-sauna-installation/

Indoor comfort, air quality and fire safety are closely connected to how well a home’s mechanical systems are designed, ...
10/08/2026

Indoor comfort, air quality and fire safety are closely connected to how well a home’s mechanical systems are designed, operated and maintained.

As winter approaches, homeowners can improve building performance by paying attention to three key areas: temperature control, filtration and early fire detection. Programmable and smart thermostats can help manage heating demand, while appropriately selected furnace filters can improve indoor air quality without unnecessarily restricting airflow. Interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide detectors provide another important layer of occupant safety.

From a building-science perspective, these systems work best when considered as part of the whole building rather than as isolated upgrades. Proper airflow, filtration, energy use and life-safety measures all contribute to a healthier, more resilient and comfortable home.

Read more about choosing the right systems for better indoor comfort, clean air and early fire detection.

https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/indoor-comfort-clean-air-fire-detection/

Basement water problems are rarely just a matter of moisture—they’re a building-envelope issue that can affect durabilit...
10/08/2026

Basement water problems are rarely just a matter of moisture—they’re a building-envelope issue that can affect durability, indoor air quality and the long-term performance of a home.

From a building-science perspective, the first step in any waterproofing project should be identifying where the water is coming from and why. Site grading, gutters, downspouts, foundation cracks, drainage systems and soil conditions can all influence moisture movement around the foundation.

Waterproofing solutions can range from targeted crack repairs and interior drainage systems to exterior excavation and foundation protection. The right approach depends on the building, the source of the moisture and site conditions—not simply on choosing the most expensive option.

Understanding the potential costs and the factors that influence them can help homeowners make more informed decisions about protecting their foundations and maintaining a dry, durable basement.

https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/basement-waterproofing-cost-canada/

Solar can be a significant opportunity for Nova Scotia homeowners—but the value of a PV system depends on much more than...
10/08/2026

Solar can be a significant opportunity for Nova Scotia homeowners—but the value of a PV system depends on much more than the panels themselves.

From a building-science perspective, factors such as roof orientation and condition, structural capacity, snow and wind loads, shading, system sizing and household energy use all influence performance and long-term economics. A well-designed system needs to work with the building and its local climate, not simply be added to the roof.

With installation costs, net metering and available financing all shaping the investment, understanding the full picture is essential before making the switch.

Read the full guide to explore the costs and considerations of installing solar panels in Nova Scotia.

https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/cost-solar-panels-nova-scotia/

Sustainable building isn’t simply about choosing a material with a “green” label. It’s about understanding how materials...
10/08/2026

Sustainable building isn’t simply about choosing a material with a “green” label. It’s about understanding how materials perform over the entire life of a building.

From thermal performance and durability to embodied carbon, resource efficiency and end-of-life considerations, material selection can have a significant impact on both building performance and environmental footprint.

Materials such as hempcrete, glass foam, recycled materials, sustainably sourced wood, cork and emerging bio-based products offer new opportunities to reduce resource consumption while supporting energy efficiency and resilient construction.

The key is taking a whole-building approach: The most sustainable material is one that performs well in its intended application, lasts, reduces operational impacts and fits into a more circular approach to construction.

Explore 16 sustainable building materials that are helping shape the future of construction.

https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/sustainable-building-materials/

How much can a building’s cooling demand be reduced before the mechanical system even has to turn on?Smart shading is an...
10/08/2026

How much can a building’s cooling demand be reduced before the mechanical system even has to turn on?

Smart shading is an increasingly important part of passive building design. By controlling solar heat gain through windows, exterior shading systems can reduce unwanted heat entering a building, helping to lower cooling loads and improve occupant comfort.

From a building-science perspective, effective solar control works with the building envelope—not against it. The right combination of glazing, orientation, shading and controls can reduce peak cooling demand, improve energy performance and support more resilient, comfortable buildings.

Smart shading demonstrates an important principle: The most efficient energy is often the energy a building never needs to use.

https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/smart-shading-reducing-cooling-loads/

Address

Mississauga, ON

Telephone

+12892663646

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Green Building Canada posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category