The Hammer

Mickel Maalouf of Huntsman Building Solutions joins The Hammer to discuss unvented roof and attic assemblies, how they work and key considerations. With home space taking center stage, conditioned, livable unvented roof attics and unvented cathedral ceilings are in demand and increase the resale value of a home. However, this can cause problems for traditional ventilated roof assemblies as the geometry makes it difficult to ensure air- and vapour-tightness at the ceiling plane. A Closed-cell spray foam solution for unvented roof assemblies eliminates the ventilation space and simplifies construction by providing intrinsic air and moisture sealing properties for a conditioned, durable, energy efficient and more livable space.

Jennifer Khan is EllisDon’s director of diversity and inclusion. She joined The Hammer to talk about why one of Canada’s largest general contractors has devoted serious resources to furthering the cause of greater acceptance of all identify groups in workplaces and the industry. We touch on just what diversity and inclusion means and how EllisDon is trying to advance the cause. We get into some assessment of the scale of the problem of intolerance in Canada and where the industry could improve. We discuss hiring quotas and whether they are a part of a diversity and inclusion strategy. And we talk about some things that contractors smaller than EllisDon can do to make their workplaces more inclusive.

The Ontario Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, Monte McNaughton, joins The Hammer to explain the newly formed Skilled Trades Ontario agency, which replaces the Ontario College of Trades as the apprenticeship and skilled trades regulator for the province. He gets into the need to replace OCOT and the priorities for the new organization, and shares some thoughts on the importance of growing the trades. Then, Gord Wornoff, Canadian Contractor writer, contractor and shop teacher, joins the podcast to break down the Minister’s comments and offer his take on how skilled trades are regulated and developed in Ontario.

Energy efficiency within windows starts with insulated glass. This is what keeps heat from coming in through your windows in the summer and cold out in the winter. During this podcast, we will discuss what an Insulated Glass Unit is and everything responsible for your customers’ home comfort.

Now for something completely different. Our brand manager, Navneet Matharu, joins The Hammer to take a look back at 2021, a look ahead to 2022 and a peek behind the curtain at what the Canadian Contractor B2B channel does and how it does it. Nav spends her days talking to your suppliers across the industry and thinking about how to help them communicate with you, so no one is better positioned to talk about the concerns and trends driving our business today. Happy New Year and all the best from the team at Canadian Contractor!

Torch-down and hot asphalt roofing membrane solutions have the advantage of being familiar. But what if there were an easier and faster way? Flintlastic SA self-adhering roofing systems from CertainTeed are field-proven, bear the same warranty as traditional systems and can be installed in almost half the time. The new self-adhering technology is so effective, it’s becoming more popular even for larger low-slope projects such as schools and warehouses. Commercial project manager, Abby Feinstein, and customer training manager, Joe Thompson, join this special episode of The Hammer to tell us all about it.

Our lives have changed faster than ever in the last two years, and those changes are driving accelerated evolution in design trends. Johanne Munger, national account manager and design expert for JELD-WEN Canada joins the podcast to tell us about three important emerging colour and concept trends and to share her advice on how contractors can use window and door products to give clients the experiences they want. Energy efficiency is top of mind, but people are also looking for homes that reflect their personalities.

Keeping an eye (and ear) on your critical materials, equipment and personnel is more important than ever. Luckily, technology in site security systems is advancing quickly. Gavin Daly of Axis Communications joins The Hammer to talk about the principles of security systems: what are the objectives? What is possible and not possible? What threats and opportunities should you consider? He touches on the other uses of site surveillance, too, including controlling access, identifying safety risks and improving operations. With possibilities for audio pickup, networked speakers, low-light and high resolution cameras, facial recognition and remote monitoring, it’s not about getting a grainy black-and-white video picture any more.

Michael Garrity, CEO of FinanceIt, joins The Hammer to explain the power of project financing as a sales tool for Canadian contractors. "This tool gives you the ability to solve your customers' budget problems, solve them right there and get them to move ahead." Project financing can help you do the kind of work you want to do and take your company in the direction you want to go: higher quality, better margins and a sweet portfolio of beautiful jobs.

Amanda Boyer, product manager for CertainTeed residential roofing solutions, joins this special episode of The Hammer to discuss NorthGate ClimateFlex designer shingles and the innovative design that adds durability and better energy performance for tough Canadian environments. ClimateFlex’s polymer-infused shingle resists cracking from freeze/thaw cycles; boosts the insulation value of the roof; holds its granules better; and is impact-resistant to better withstand hail and falling branches. The contractor’s needs are not forgotten, with high-visibility lines to aid different installation methods and a 50-year warranty. All that, and available in eight colours, too.