Trendsetter touts energy savings, style
Efficiency key focus for builder
“Efficient and elegant.”
That’s how owners Ken and Betty Connick describe Trendsetter Homes’ show home at 1210 Patrick Cove.
Trendsetter began operating 10 years ago, but changed names a year and a half ago.
“We’re a small volume builder,” Ken reports. “We build one spec home per year and custom-build three or four homes. We specialize in energy efficiency and build what we feel is one of the most efficient homes on the market today.”
Pointing to the walls, he says the company prefers cellulose rather than batt insulation. “This is blown-in insulation, like many people have in attics. It’s more compact and gives us R28 in the walls on all three levels. We have R60 in the attic and put R10 insulation in slabs under basement floors.”
Trendsetter uses tripleglazed, triple-paned windows throughout. “The windows are double coated,” Ken reports. “It’s the high- est R-value you can get from a window on the market today.”
The home also has a 96 per cent efficient furnace, a continuous flow, condensing water heater and individual lines to every tap in the house. The home uses energy-saving lights throughout, including 10-watt LED bulbs in pot lights.
For sturdier builds, Trendsetter uses an open web joist system and plywood rather than oriented strand board (OSB).
On the elegance side, Betty says people will enjoy many of the decor features in the 2,199-square-foot home.
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“For instance, we have a lovely granite countertop that’s shaded with a colour called Cafe du Paris.”
Other kitchen features are pullout spice racks, soft closing drawers, Delta taps, a hidden range exhaust and a $12,000 stainless steel Kitchen Aid appliance package.
The living room sees a Napoleon fireplace with floor-to-ceiling tile and cool glass front. “It gets warm but not hot,” Betty says, “so a child can touch it and not get burned.”
The Connicks chose maple Mirage hardwood, a lighter shade of flooring that adds to the home’s brightness.
Other nice touches include double doors on the downstairs den and master bedroom on the second floor. The master has a large walkin, granite vanity top with shaker style maple cabinets, jetted tub, and in-floor heat in the bathroom.
The second level offers two more ample bedrooms, a full bath and laundry room. Flooring is Stain Master carpet or slate tile.
“These are all standards to our homes,” Betty says. “We like to mix the practical with what I call casual elegance. Our homes are functional yet always beautiful.”
Show home hours are 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, with evening openings coming soon. For more information or appointments call agents Wes Walker (2298640) or Warren Ens (220-8336).