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.

A cracked or uneven walkway isn’t always just a cosmetic problem—it can be a symptom of what’s happening beneath the sur...
09/24/2026

A cracked or uneven walkway isn’t always just a cosmetic problem—it can be a symptom of what’s happening beneath the surface.

Freeze-thaw cycles, inadequate base preparation, poor drainage and soil movement can all contribute to settlement, heaving and cracking in concrete walkways. The right solution depends on understanding the cause, not simply treating the visible damage.

Repair, slab-jacking, replacement—or a more durable paving solution? The choice can affect safety, longevity, maintenance and environmental impact.

Read one of our latest articles to learn how to assess damaged walkways and determine the most appropriate path forward.

https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/damaged-walkways-repair-restore-or-replace/

What if AI could help us test better building ideas before we commit to detailed design?AI-powered 3D tools are creating...
09/24/2026

What if AI could help us test better building ideas before we commit to detailed design?

AI-powered 3D tools are creating new opportunities for architects and building professionals to explore massing, site relationships, shading elements, landscape features and material concepts earlier in the design process.

From a building-science perspective, that early exploration matters. Decisions around orientation, massing, glazing, shading and material strategies can influence energy use, daylight, thermal comfort and embodied carbon.

But there’s an important distinction: an AI-generated 3D model is a design exploration tool—not a verified building model. It doesn’t replace BIM, energy modelling, carbon analysis, structural review or code compliance.

The real opportunity is to use AI to accelerate the creative and collaborative stages, then validate promising concepts with the technical analysis required for high-performance buildings.

Read the full article: https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/ai-3d-tools-design/

When it comes to windows, the frame material is only part of the performance equation.Fibreglass and aluminum each have ...
09/24/2026

When it comes to windows, the frame material is only part of the performance equation.

Fibreglass and aluminum each have distinct advantages—but the right choice depends on how the entire window system performs within the building envelope.

Fibreglass offers low thermal conductivity and minimal thermal expansion, which can support better insulation and condensation resistance, particularly in cold climates. Thermally broken aluminum, meanwhile, provides excellent structural strength and can accommodate large panes of glass, narrow sightlines and expansive architectural openings.

From a building-science perspective, the key is to look beyond the material label. Whole-window U-factor, glazing, thermal breaks, air leakage, condensation resistance, durability and installation details all influence real-world performance.

So which makes more sense for your project? The answer depends on the building’s climate, design, performance targets and architectural requirements.

Read the full comparison of fibreglass and aluminum windows from our site: https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/fibreglass-vs-aluminum-windows/

Better site planning starts with better data.RTK GNSS technology is bringing centimetre-level positioning to constructio...
09/24/2026

Better site planning starts with better data.

RTK GNSS technology is bringing centimetre-level positioning to construction site planning, helping teams accurately capture existing conditions, establish design points and verify elevations throughout the project.

From mapping slopes and drainage paths to controlling excavation, grading and protected areas, accurate positioning can help reduce unnecessary earthwork, minimize site disturbance and catch discrepancies before they become costly rework.

For sustainable construction, precision matters. When the built surface needs to perform as designed—particularly for drainage, stormwater management and site protection—field measurements need to be reliable and repeatable.

Learn how RTK GNSS can connect digital site models with real-world construction and support more precise, resource-efficient site planning.

https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/rtk-gnss-site-planning/

What if the next step in green building isn’t simply using better materials, but designing spaces that can adapt?Motion ...
09/24/2026

What if the next step in green building isn’t simply using better materials, but designing spaces that can adapt?

Motion and automation are making buildings more flexible, accessible and resource-efficient. From height-adjustable workstations and counters to motorized lifting systems, adaptable features can allow one space to serve multiple functions—reducing the need for additional floor area, materials and future renovations.

From a building-science perspective, designing for adaptability can also support longer building lifespans and better occupant outcomes. When spaces can evolve with changing needs, they’re less likely to become obsolete.

Explore how motion and automation are contributing to the next generation of sustainable buildings: https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/motion-automation-green-buildings/

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is putting architects and engineers on notice that the province expects publicly funded constr...
09/17/2026

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is putting architects and engineers on notice that the province expects publicly funded construction projects to use Ontario-made materials wherever suitable local options are available.

Ford’s message is that Ontario brick, steel, lumber, machinery and other construction products should be considered first when provincial money is paying for the work. The province estimates its public sector spends about $30 billion annually on goods and services, giving procurement policy significant power to support local manufacturers, jobs and supply chains.

Read more about the province's implementation of the Buy Ontario Act and how it'll affect construction companies here: https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/architects-local-materials-buy-ontario/

The benefits of a home generator installation are well known to those who live in a rural location or in coastal areas w...
09/17/2026

The benefits of a home generator installation are well known to those who live in a rural location or in coastal areas where the extremes in the climate are a seasonal issue most years. But is a home generator becoming something every free-standing residence should have?

This article explores that question in depth, taking into account the costs associated with generators and the costs associated with not having one—such as having to replace tons of food from the fridge or freezer after a lengthy, unplanned power outage.

For most homes, a basic portable generator will suffice for most intermittent power outages. However, there are more powerful types of in-home generators, too, and this article will also explain how to choose the type that's right for your needs.

Read our full guide to generators to find out virtually everything you'll need to know before selecting and purchasing one of these sometimes costly—but often cost-effective—small appliances.

https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/home-generators-explained-types-costs-sizing-installation-and-safety/

Fertilizing a lawn or garden is often treated as a routine spring chore rather than something that should be based on wh...
09/17/2026

Fertilizing a lawn or garden is often treated as a routine spring chore rather than something that should be based on what the soil and plants actually need. However, applying nutrients unnecessarily can waste money and increase the risk of nitrogen and phosphorus moving beyond the plants that were meant to use them.

The good news is that better lawn and garden care doesn’t necessarily require spending more, and the seven practices outlined here will do most of the work.

In this article, you can read about the importance of site design, soil testing, plant selection and four other practices that'll give you lots of help with cultivating a healthy, attractive and nutrient-efficient garden or lawn:
https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/nutrient-smart-landscaping-practices/

What if the homes we’re building today aren’t prepared for the climate they’ll face tomorrow?Energy efficiency and susta...
09/10/2026

What if the homes we’re building today aren’t prepared for the climate they’ll face tomorrow?

Energy efficiency and sustainability remain essential—but climate resilience needs to become an equally important part of how we design, build and renovate homes.

The green building conversation needs to evolve. That means looking beyond reducing energy use and emissions to also consider how homes can withstand increasingly severe climate-related hazards.

For homeowners and building professionals, this shift has important implications such as more resilient building assemblies, greater protection against wildfire and extreme heat, better strategies for severe storms and flooding, renovations designed with long-term durability in mind, and building codes that increasingly account for climate resilience.

The goal isn't to replace sustainable building—it’s to add resilience to the equation.

As climate conditions continue to change, the homes that perform best will be those designed not only to use less energy, but also to protect the people inside them.

Read the full article: https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/added-direction-climate-resilience/

The cheapest roofing quote could end up costing you the most.A roof can look perfectly fine when it’s installed—and stil...
09/10/2026

The cheapest roofing quote could end up costing you the most.

A roof can look perfectly fine when it’s installed—and still fail when the first serious freeze, thaw, hailstorm or meltwater event hits.

So how do you know which roofer is actually worth hiring?

Before signing a contract, look beyond the price. Ask:
- Who will actually be installing the roof?
- Can they provide proof of insurance and workers’ compensation?
- Does the quote clearly cover materials, flashing, valleys and potential deck repairs?
- What workmanship warranty do they provide?
- Do they understand the demands of your local climate?

Good roofing isn’t just about shingles. Installation quality, ventilation, underlayment, drainage and climate-specific detailing all play a role in how long a roof performs.

If you’re planning a roofing project, knowing what questions to ask before the crew arrives could save you thousands later.

Read the full guide: https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/how-vet-roofer/

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