It's not always easy to tell what can be left to your building's maintenance staff or when you should hire a professional restoration company. If you're unsure, here are 14 key questions to consider. If you answer yes to any of these, you best leave the work to the pros.  

Thermal bridging is a common issue in buildings that can lead to significant heat loss and reduced energy efficiency. In this blog post, we will discuss the basics of thermal bridging, its impact on building performance, and ways to mitigate the issue. 

A rainscreen is an exterior cladding system designed to protect the building envelope from moisture, wind, and other weather-related elements. So, is a rainscreen necessary for your building? The answer is often yes in regions with heavy rainfall or high humidity. Without a rainscreen, moisture can penetrate the exterior of the building and cause serious damage to the structure, including mould and rot. 

In British Columbia, many municipalities, including Vancouver, have mandated rain screens as part of their building codes.  

Large projects require the expertise of a construction management company in order to make sure that they run smoothly from start to finish. A quality construction management company will have a large impact on how your budget is utilized, how safe the project is, its final quality, and whether or not it meets your specifications. 

As a result, choosing a firm to manage the construction of your building is a major decision and one that few take lightly. If you need some help sorting out which company is right for you, we have collected some of the most important questions to ask prospective companies below. 

Building envelopes are crucial components for protecting structures and maintaining the indoor environment. With advancements in building materials and systems, building envelopes can now be designed to be energy-efficient, durable, and attractive. In this article, we will answer common questions about the latest in building envelope materials. 

At West Coast Building Restoration (WCBR), we specialize in restoring residential, commercial and industrial building envelopes to ensure they function optimally, look aesthetically pleasing and provide the necessary protection to building occupants. Each year, we tackle several new and exciting projects, many of which involve unique challenges that are both stimulating and rewarding.  

Here, we discuss two of our latest completions: the Hudson’s Bay building in Coquitlam, BC and 1500 Howe Street, downtown Vancouver.  

Property owners and building managers know their buildings are major assets. But unfortunately, restoring one after it has been neglected or damaged by a fire, flood or similar disaster can be expensive. One of the first things most managers in this position want to know is: what will my building restoration cost?  

At WCBR, we can clearly outline what your restoration will cost with an official quote. However, you may still want to know which factors are critical in determining that cost. Here are the top nine factors that impact restoration costs, according to our experts. 

As someone looking to renovate an office space or develop a new one, choosing the perfect commercial interior design isn't always easy. Depending on your business, your office's design may serve multiple purposes, such as showing off your brand and creating a comfortable space for workers.  

In this article, we've laid out several of the best interior finishes to try in your office, restaurant, retail store, or any other place of business. 

Water damage is one of the most devastating things that can happen to your home or building. Whether it’s caused by a weather event or pipes bursting within the walls, water damage can completely destroy the structural integrity of a building, prompting immediate repairs and material replacements. 

In this article, we discuss the various steps involved in water damage restoration and what you can expect throughout the process.  

Owning a commercial building is a constant maintenance project. It can be challenging to assess what your building needs, which elements should get priority, and how you should maintain the building to reduce the need for major repairs and renovations.  

A building’s outer layers, the building envelope, often requires the most maintenance. Here is an explanation of the different components of the building envelope, what kind of maintenance they may need, and other things to consider when maintaining your property. 
 

Restoring a building is no easy task, but the benefits often outweigh any drawbacks. Restoration can help preserve special historic structures while offering a more environmentally-friendly solution to development.  

So, with that in mind, what is the current outlook on the restoration industry? And, what are present-day builders, developers and homeowners seeking most when restoring an old building? In this article, we’ll answer these questions and discuss key 2022 restoration trends in Western Canada.  

Commercial roofing is designed for commercial structures, like warehouses, retail and office buildings. Residential roofs and commercial roofing systems have the same purpose of protecting a property but are quite different when it comes to the materials used in their construction. Some of the most popular types of materials used for commercial roofing include modified bitumen, metal, built-up roofing membrane, thermoset roof membrane and many more.

We don't expect our environment to maintain a consistent 21-degree Celcius, 55% humidity climate. So what makes us feel comforted indoors or outdoors is quite adaptive, and it's based on circumstance, the expectation of environmental conditions and what we're doing. For example, we use umbrellas when it starts to rain, or we're caught in a downpour; we dress in many layers (sweaters, jackets, toques) when it's cold outside or if you're headed out for a hike or to the beach. If you're exposed to the summer sun's intense UV rays, you would probably put on sunscreen and wear a hat. 

If you are planning a building restoration project, finding the right people to complete the work is a crucial component of your overall success. A quick search can lead you to a range of different specialty companies that claim to be the ideal choice for a building restoration, but you may be better off using a general contracting service to get the job done.

A restoration project can be challenging, especially for inexperienced commercial or industrial buildings owners. Usually, a restoration project requires a detailed plan with many different steps and tasks included, and managing this whole process is not as easy as it may seem. However, using construction management services can significantly facilitate this process and help you bring it to successful completion.

As one of BC's leading building envelope restoration companies, we have had experience with many challenges related to restoration project management. Over the years, we have learnt some valuable lessons about construction management that we will share with you today, so we can help you manage your commercial restoration project in the best way possible.

Commercial buildings are one of the most valuable types of property today. They are usually occupied by businesses, which give them an impressive return on investment. As time goes by, many factors can affect the condition of the building. This can lead to structural problems that can put lives at risk and create financial risks for the business.