Home Inspections in Ontario by HomePro Systems of Southwestern Ontario.

Exterior Resources:

Western Red Cedar Lumber Association
http://www.wrcla.org/
The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association is a Vancouver based non-profit association representing 22 quality producers of Western Red Cedar lumber products in Washington, Oregon, Idaho (US) and British Columbia (Canada). Their site features various outdoor cedar projects, such as decks, fences, gazebos, arbours, obelisks, and benches. They also offer cedar specs and information on finishing cedar.

Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA)
http://www.oala.on.ca/
In 1968, the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA) was founded. The goal of this self-regulating Association is the improvement, advancement, and promotion of the profession of landscape architecture. The association maintains standards of professional practice and conduct to serve and protect the public interest.

Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA)
http://www.csla.ca/
The Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) is the National Professional Association that represents landscape architects in Canada. Membership in the CSLA is obtained by joining a provincial or territorial component association.

American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)
http://www.asla.org/
Founded in 1899, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is the national professional association representing more than 30,000 landscape architects nationwide. Beginning with its 11 original members, ASLA has grown to more than 13,500 members and 48 chapters, representing all 50 states, the U.S. territories, and 42 countries around the world. ASLA promotes the landscape architecture profession and advances the practice through advocacy, education, communication and networking. Also see the ASLA's Landscape Architecture Magazine:
http://www.asla.org/nonmembers/lam.cfm

Landscape Ontario
http://www.landscapeontario.com/
Landscape Ontario is the premier horticultural trades association for the province affiliated with CNLA, Canadian Nursery Landscape Association. Chartered in 1973, Landscape Ontario includes 1600 member companies. Their members set the standards for the highest level of landscape services, range of quality plants and/or products. This site features a "Tips & Trivia" section with 53 useful landscaping how-to articles.

National Sunroom Association
http://www.nationalsunroom.org/
The National Sunroom Association is an international, member-directed trade association dedicated to the advancement of the manufacture and construction of safe, energy efficient and environmentally conscious sunrooms, patio rooms, and solariums.

Canadian Wood Council
http://www.cwc.ca/
The Canadian Wood Council CWC is the national association representing Canadian manufacturers of wood products used in construction. Their site features some interesting articles under the "Environmental" section.

Canadian Fence Industry Association
http://www.cfia.ca/
The Canadian Fence Industry Association is a non-profit organization whose members include professional contractors, retailers, agents, wholesalers and manufacturers of fence products and related service.

Canadian Institute of Treated Wood
http://www.citw.org/
The Canadian Institute of Treated Wood is a non-profit industry association comprising members from across Canada. Operating under a Federal Charter, the Institute serves as a forum for those involved with the wood preservation industry, from research to production, marketing and protection of the environment.

American Wood Preservers Institute
http://www.preservedwood.com/
First established in 1921, the American Wood Preservers Institute (AWPI) is the national industry trade association representing the pressure-treated wood industry throughout the United States. Member companies are wood pressure treaters, preservative manufacturers, and supporting companies working to conserve forest resources, preserve the environment, and extend the life of wood products through the manufacture of pressure-treated wood.

Western Wood Preservers Institute
http://www.wwpinstitute.org/
Headquartered in Vancouver Washington, the Western Wood Preservers Institute is a 52 year old organization representing the interest of the pressure treating wood products industry throughout western North America. Their site has some great information about preserved wood treatment.

Structural Board Association (SBA)
http://www.osbguide.com/
Founded in Canada in 1976, the Structural Board Association (SBA) represents leading Oriented Strand Board (OSB) mills around the world. The Association is incorporated in Canada and the U.S. and its name and logo are now registered in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. As you move through this site, you'll find information on Oriented Strand Board (OSB), fast facts on engineered wood, free literature and software, a video about OSB, and lists of manufacturers and related OSB industries.

The Railway Tie Association (RTA)
http://www.rta.org/
The purpose of the Railway Tie Association is to promote the economical and environmentally sound use of wood crossties. The Association is involved in research into crosstie design, and ongoing activities dealing with sound forest management, conservation of timber resources, timber processing, wood preservation and safety of industry workers.

Exterior Projects Costing - from Ontario Contractors.com
http://www.ontariocontractors.com/costs.htm#7
This page features approximate costs for siding, brickwork, stucco, exterior painting, foundation parging & damp proofing, Foundation crack repair, asphalt driveways, storm windows, decks, patio stones, garage door openers, basement walkouts, garage work and much more.

Driveway Paving: Helping you avoid problems in the marketplace: Consumer Lookout - from the Ontario Ministry of Consumer & Business Services
http://www.cbs.gov.on.ca/mcbs/english/56VLRQ.htm

Information from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Backyard Pools and Other Home Areas: Prevent Drowning
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml02/02169.html
Pool & Spa Safety Publications
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/chdrown.html
Lawn & Garden Safety:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml99/99102.html
Summer Safety Tips:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml02/02182.html
Safety Tips to Prevent Ladder Injuries
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/ladder.html
Outdoor Power Equipment Safety Publications
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/tools.html
Recreational & Sports Safety Publications
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/rec_sfy.html

Aquatic Consulting Services
http://www.alisonosinski.com/pooltips/index.htm
This site features 36 useful Pool Tips Articles.

Woodweb.com - Woodworking Industry Information
http://www.woodweb.com/
An outstanding site full of great information on woodworking and woodworking related products and tools. They also feature a variety of woodworking related forums.

Wolmanized Pressure-Treated Wood
http://www.wolmanizedwood.com/
This site offers some good information on Wolmanized pressure-treated wood, along with plans & tips, maintenance recommendations, choosing lumber, coatings/stains/sealers, warranty info, a FAQs page, and more.

Terra Aqua Gabions
http://www.terraaqua.com/
Terra Aqua Gabions is the first company to produce gabions in North America. Their site offers some great technical information on gabion cage retaining wall systems.

Lawn Care Information - from Environment Canada
http://lavoieverte.qc.ec.gc.ca/ecotrucs/solutionsvertes/lawncare.htm
Environment Canada offers some good information on seeding a lawn, laying sod, mowing & mowers, watering, fertilizing, thatch, and more.

Lawn Care Info - by doityourself.com
http://doityourself.com/lawn/index.htm
If you are looking for info on how to maintain a nice green lawn, look no further. This page features some great info on everything from lawn care to sharpening the blades on your mower.

Caring for Your Lawn in an Environmentally Friendly Way - from the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (US)
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/housing/lawn/lawn.txt

Home Gardening Tips - by doityourself.com
http://doityourself.com/garden/index.htm
This page has everything you need to know about gardening. Whether you are looking for info on flowers, vegetables, herbs and spices, or plan hardiness zones, it is all here. There is also some great info on pest control and gardening tools. If you want expert advice, see their gardening forum.

Lawn & Garden Articles - from Buildscape.com
https://www.bu ildscape.com/resources/categories/?SID=40
3a93e02690ca135886b4d1694f959b&searchtype=7&search=&cat_id=11

Wood Deck Plan and Design - by doityourself.com
http://doityourself.com/deck/index.htm
This page features article on deck design, construction, care, repair, refinishing and more. You can also access their "deck plan, design and build" forum where you can get your questions answered by their do-it-yourself expert.

Outdoor Living Info - by doityourself.com
http://doityourself.com/outdoors/index.htm
Here's a great page with some helpful advice on dealing with icy roads and walkways, how to photograph flowers, tips on having a yard sale, mailbox tips, how to put up a cloths line, and a whole lot more.

Energy Saving Info - by doityourself.com
http://doityourself.com/energy/index.htm
Great info on temporary and permanent weather-stripping, caulking, window treatment, do-it-yourself energy audits, winterizing a vacation home, solar heating, humidity and moisture damage and a whole lot more.

Garage: Door Openers, Plans, and Construction - by doityourself.com
http://doityourself.com/garage/index.htm
This page features info on how to install a garage door opener, and how to build a garage from the ground up.

Deck Building Basics - by dulley.com
http://www.dulley.com/deck/deck01.shtml
This page features an overview of deck building. Careful though, the beam span table may not apply to Canadian building Codes. There is also a link to deck cleaning and treating, and pressure-washing basics.

Building a Deck Overview - by contractorguy.com
http://www.contractorguy.com/builda.htm
This page discusses deck planning, key issues, building permits, materials and tools.

Info on asphalt driveway installations - by asphaltinstitute.com
http://www.asphaltinstitute.org/faq/cl-11.html
This site covers everything you'll want to know about maintaining and replacing your asphalt driveway.

Brick & Stone Info - by doityourself.com
http://doityourself.com/brick/index.htm
Info on cleaning new brickwork, brick cleaning systems, care and maintenance, outdoor brick projects, various brick and cement info, and much more.

Repairing or Replacing Exterior Wall Materials - from the CMHC
http://www.cmhc.ca/en/burema/gesein/abhose/abhose_ce39.cfm