Bryan Baeumler

“If you're installing laminate, typically it's pretty resistant to moisture. Generally, we install laminate on top of a couple different types of underlay. There's a quiet walk underlay, which is a felt-type material you can put down if the subfloor isn't perfectly flat.”

“The wide plank, solid hardwood flooring is a tough customer when it comes to expansion and contraction. There's no way to control it apart from controlling the humidity level in your home.”

“If your attic's not insulated properly, you're going to get a tons of heat loss through that ceiling - which means in the summer, when the sun is beating on the roof heating up the attic, the heat will transfer down into the house. That certainly won't be cool.”

“Just as the spring is the worst time to get your lawnmower service, the fall is the worst time to get your furnace service.”

“Make sure you have a dehumidifier if your house is too humid in the summer, or a humidifier if it's too dry in the winter.”

“Removing a wall, whether it's a critical supporting wall or a non-essential dividing wall, isn't rocket science.”

“Surface preparation is vital - the flatter the surface you plan to tile, the easier the process will be.”

“Often kitchen sinks are on an exterior wall, and the plumbing and ventilation go into the insulation, whereas technically, they should be inside the wall, inside the warm space of the house, and go down through the floor of the basement.”

“Avoiding cold floors above a garage is relatively simple when the house is built, insulated and heated properly. It's a little more complicated and costly after the fact.”

“If you're planning on taking down a bearing wall, you're going to want to bring in a professional with experience in structural work.”

“I enjoy helping people.”

“We've found all kinds of interesting things under basement slabs, from old dishes to slag from manufacturing plants.”

“From my perspective, as the owner of a home-construction company and host of several home-renovation TV shows, the state of 24 Sussex Dr. is a completely non-partisan issue.”

“Bats can get into a gap as small as a inch by 1/4 inch - they're like flying mice.”

“You need to understand what's padding your walls, especially if you live in an older home and renovating the attic is on your spring to-do list. Not only is it key to keeping your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer, it'll prevent mould from growing and can drastically reduce your energy bills.”

“While you're busy sitting down making a list of goals, it wouldn't be a bad idea to actually write some about your home. Start making a list of things that need to be repaired and areas where you could increase the efficiency and value of your home.”

“We need more people working with their hands.”

“A property that is this publicly viewed, which will host international dignitaries and be a symbol of Canada, certainly needs to have some grandeur. It has to be a showpiece, but done in a way that's affordable and attainable.”

“When it comes to selecting specific finishing items for your home, you have to decide what's important to you. It's an unfortunate truth that most truly environmentally friendly products tend to be more expensive but they are the more responsible choice.”

“Finding a contractor is a lot like online dating - you don't know a lot about the person before meeting them but you expect a lot out of the relationship!”