Construction 2013

APRIL 2013

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CONSTRUCTIONA SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION OF THE BERMUDA SUN ■ APRIL 19, 2013 ■ PAGE 1

Inside this supplement:The state of the industry, by Charles Dunstan, president of the Construction

Association of Bermuda Pages 1 and 12

Picking the right paints for your project — top tips from Rowe Spurling Paint

Company Pages 2-3

HVAC solutions — how Mitsubishi can help you to control the air quality of each

room Pages 3 and 5

Maintaining your home on a budget, and reconnecting with your neighbours, by

Michele Smith of OBM International Page 4

Quality furnishings for your home or business, by Furniture Flair Pages 5-6

Spring renovations — the latest home and garden innovations at Baptiste Ltd

Pages 7 and 9

Bermuda Air Conditioning Group expands its expertise Page 8

Architectural history — the renovation of Casemate Barracks, by Dr Edward Harris,

National Museum of Bermuda Pages 9-11

Contact Bermuda Container Line for your shipping needs Page 12

How soundproofing can bring peace of mind, by Atlantic Ceilings Ltd Page 13

Raised flooring and the modern office, by Kaissa Ltd Page 14

How Meyer Freight can help you to master your project’s logistics Pages 15-16

Sheds and boundaries — how to build a retaining wall, keep sheds moisture-free

and get planning permission Pages 16-18

Why you should ‘buy Bermuda’, by Better Renovations Page 18

How Bermuda Gas can save you time and energy Pages 19, 20 and 21

How to create an outdoor kitchen/barbecue area, by Michele Smith of OBM

International Page 20

LED bulbs and lighting options at ESC Ltd Page 22

Top tips on flooring, by Michele Smith of OBM International Pages 22-23

You’re never too young to get into construction — photo fun Page 23

Publisher Randy French President Lisa BeauchampEditorial Amanda DaleLayout Amanda DaleAdvertising Sales Carlita Burgess (Deputy Advertising Manager), Olga French, Diane Gilbert, Claire JamesCreative Services Christina White, Colby Medeiros, Bakari SmithCirculation & Distribution Nick Tavares

Bermuda Sun 19 Elliott Street, Hamilton, Bermuda HM 10

Tel 295-3902 Fax 292-5597 E-mail [email protected]

This special supplement is produced and published by Bermuda Sun Limited and printed in Bermuda by Island Press Limited.

The Bermuda Sun publishes twice weekly and is a subsidiary of MediaHouse Limited. We are members of the Inland Press Association, International Newspaper Marketing Association and the Newspaper Association of America. We are located at: 19 Elliott Street, Hamilton HM 10; P.O. Box HM 1241, Hamilton HM FX Tel: 295-3902 Fax: 292-5597. Visit our website: www.bermudasun.bm

The spring roots of a construction revivalBY CHARLES DUNSTANConstruction Association of Bermuda

This spring edition of the ‘Construction industry report’ is going to look at all that is positive about the

market-place, with a blind eye to the past four years of downward trending statistics and gener-al pessi-mism.

The good news is we don’t have to stretch the imagination too far to find these positives.

Time to buyPrevious editions have

analyzed the reasons that have led to the current market conditions — global recession exacerbated by protectionist property laws and local immigration poli-cies.

On the other hand, it must be said, the result-ing reduction in property values has led to unprec-edented opportunities in the lifetimes of many Bermudians.

With any luck, this will be the best time to buy property for many years to come.

If you believe, like I do,

that our economy will turn around, then the current 25-35 per cent reduction in property values means there are some real deals out there, with solid invest-ment potential.

At the same time, lend-

ers have undergone a serious tightening of their terms. While this may mean the borrower is required to provide more ‘commitment’, in the form of collateral and deposits, those who are successful

in obtaining funds can feel confident in their ability to carry the debt load over the long-term.

Add reasonable interest rates to this equation, and it’s easy to see a positive backdrop to the property market.

The reality is, though, that investment in prop-erty involves a long-term commitment to a particular jurisdiction, and the partic-ipants need to have real confidence that the market will appreciate before they make this commitment.

They need to have trust that the regulatory environment will remain favourable, the political environment will remain stable, and there will be

some level of economic growth.

These are some of the factors that lead to favour-able investment decisions.

Some of you are probably thinking ‘This is supposed to be a construction report, not a property sales marketing piece’.

The reality is, construc-tion is tied to the buoyancy of the property market. It is no coincidence that construction work put in place decreased in direct proportion to the property sales market over the past three to four years.

Property purchases lead to development, which means construction oppor-tunities.

Another good incentive

to buy property and for development is the current-ly competitive construc-tion-pricing environment.

With a lack of major proj-ects on the drawing board, even the large contracting firms are scrapping for every project going, often pricing work at cost, just to keep their good people employed and their busi-ness viable for the eventual rebound.

This is the best time for building there has been for many years.

Sonesta is sold, with the new owners of the Fair-mont Hamilton Princess expected to spend $50 million.

These headlines are like a doctor’s prescription to a sick patient — not the actual balm to relieve the symptoms, but at least a feeling that tomorrow will be a better day.

ActivityIt will take the best part

of this year to finalize renovation plans for the old hotel, and the projected renovation budget is not going to be enough to single-handedly revive the industry.

Back it up with the purchase of one of the most exclusive tourism properties in the western hemisphere, however, and the display of confidence in Bermuda exhibited by the Green family could be a symbolic event in our history.

Informed sources are saying that an announce-ment on the sale of another significant existing tour-ism property is imminent.

This could signify the start of a larger trend of confidence in Bermuda and spark yet further interest from investors.

Significant investment

DUNSTAN

■ FILE PHOTO BY LEAH FURBERT

HEYDAY: The Sonesta/Wyndham beachfront. The Green family have now bought the former hotel site for development.

See SPRING, page 12

Lower property values bring more opportunity, confidence builds in hotel investment

2 ■ APRIL 19, 2013 CONSTRUCTION: A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION THE BERMUDA SUN

How to prime and pick the right paints for your projectBY AMANDA [email protected]

Spring is all about renewal and now is the time when you may want to consider giving your home a new look.

At Rowe Spurling Paint Company you can find the exact shade of colour you are looking for to brighten up your property.

Karolina De Costa, business co-owner with husband Justin, said: “A fresh coat of paint is the fastest, easiest and least expensive way to refresh your home.

“But with so many choic-es, a fun project can quick-ly become overwhelming, as there are so many choic-es and decisions to make.

“That’s where a company like us can help you to refo-cus. We can answer your questions and concerns, and give you specific advice.

Knowledge“A lot of people don’t

have much knowledge about paint, such as what goes into it and how it works.

“We can explain and they can then apply that knowl-edge to their project.

“With some helpful hints, you can have a beautiful fresh space in no time at all.”

Mrs De Costa said many Bermudians plan their construction projects with the aim of completing them before a holiday such as Easter, Cup Match or Christmas.

But she added: “This is where they sometimes go

wrong. People need to give enough time to a project.

“You have to think of building a house like baking a loaf of bread. If you don’t give the dough time to rise then you’re not going to get a full loaf.

“Sometimes, people don’t let their plasterwork cure

or dry properly. “If you don’t do this you

can get a lot of problems down the road, such as peeling or discolouration.

“On outside walls this can mean three to four weeks before you can prime and paint it.

“So, you need to sacrifice

a little bit of time in order for the paint job to be more durable and to last longer.”

EnvironmentMrs De Costa said these

days there are also lots of environmentally-friendly choices of products on the market.

“A lot of people are envi-ronmentally-aware and more aware of their health now, so they want the best products in their homes,” she said.

“A lot of paint manufac-turers, such as Benjamin Moore, have made almost all of their paints environ-mentally-friendly.

“So, not only do these paints dry without a strong smell but they don’t contain harmful chemi-cals.”

Water-based enamels Another trend is choos-

ing water-based enamelsMrs De Costa said:

“Usually when painting a trim or cabinets, people use oil-based paints which take a long time to dry.

“But technology is always moving forward and now there are water-based enamels which clean up with soap and water just as well as oil paints.

“They don’t have a strong smell and dry within a few hours, so they’re a good product to use on cabinets or woodwork, or even floor-ing.”

Primers“There is also a big trend,

particularly in the US, for self-priming paints, which are a paint and primer in one.

“This is a wonderful idea as you can do two things at once, saving a lot of time.

“The challenge here in Bermuda however, is that we use different building materials.

“We don’t use dry wall, we use concrete and plaster

and these surfaces require more attention.

“They should be allowed to dry and cure before priming and painting to guarantee a beautiful result for years to come.”

She said: “Most high-quality 100 per cent acrylic paints are self-priming, but only on certain surfaces such as dry wall or plywood. They do not give the most durable, long-lasting finish.

“Priming does a couple of things. It protects a surface from the elements, which is an important consideration here in Bermuda as the sun and salt are damaging to paints.

“Secondly, a primer will help your paint to stick better, so you can get a more durable finish.

“A lot of people don’t realize that primers can be tinted just like your paint, so if you’re making a dras-tic colour change it might be worth tinting your primer closer to your paint colour.”

She said: “Rather than starting with a white finish you would start with a colour.

“For example, if you are painting your walls blue you would put on a blue primer first, so you are painting blue over blue.”

Picking your colours“There are thousands of

paint colours, so picking one can be overwhelming,” said Mrs De Costa.

“Before starting a paint-ing project gather colour inspiration from maga-zines, the Internet, nature, even your closet. The colours in your favourite outfit can even be a great start.

“Before heading to the paint store, gather swatch-es from fabrics, tiles, floor-ing or countertops.

“It is very helpful if you can bring in something you

have in the room which you want to highlight.

“This could be a tile from new flooring you’ve put in, or a rug, or even your favourite-coloured candle.

“This can be something on which to build your colour scheme, and helps us to suggest shades that will complement your home.

“Then, before making a final decision, pick up a tester quart. We always suggest taking home a paint sample(s).

“Paint a large sample patch in the corner of your room, and also on a wall opposite the window.

“Since lighting has a huge effect on how we see colour, look at the sample in the daytime as well as at night when you turn on the lights.

“The paint will appear lighter on the lit wall and darker in shadow, so you want to make sure you like the colour wherever it is.

“If you don’t want to paint a sample on your walls, then paint a foam board with the colour and move it around the room.”

Sheen“Not only is colour

important, but also sheen. Shinier paints highlight surface imperfections so choose a flat or matt paint for your ceilings and walls.

“This will make your walls appear smoother and minimize glare.

“Flat paint is the paint with the least shine and so is good for ceilings. It is also good for rougher walls because it hides minor surface imperfections.

“If you’re looking for a non-shiny paint which can be washed, then choose matt paint.

“It is perfect for those ‘high traffic’ areas like hall-ways, kitchens and bath-rooms as it’s easy to clean.

“If you prefer a shinier paint then choose an eggshell finish. This has a waxy glow to it.

“Save the semi-gloss and gloss paints for your wood-work and trim.”

Quantity“When working out

how much paint you need, consider that one gallon of paint will cover around 350-400 square feet.

“Before you head out to the paint store, note the dimensions of your room.

Key tipsPrepare: Before paint-ing, repair any cracks, and scrape and seal any loose or peeling paint. A properly-prepared wall is the best way to guarantee a beauti-ful and durable paint job.

Try a sample first: A colour can look up to half a shade darker on your wall than on the paint chip. Try a sample to see how the colour will look in your home before starting a project.

Shine matters: Flatter paints hide minor surface imperfections and minimize glare. Save the glossier paints for your woodwork and trim. ■

■ PHOTO SUPPLIED

EXPERT ADVICE: Karolina De Costa, co-owner of Rowe Spurling Paint Company, helps a customer in his paint selection.

See PAINTS, page 3

THE BERMUDA SUN CONSTRUCTION: A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION APRIL 19, 2013 ■ 3

Multiply the height and width of your wall to get the square footage.

“For example, if your wall is 12 feet wide and 8 feet tall, you have 96 square feet of wall space.

“If your are confused, bring in your wall dimen-sions or architectural plans and we can help to do the math for you.

“Keep in mind that some colours may need more than one coat, and if you’re making drastic colour changes then pick up a tinted primer.”

She added: “The qual-ity of your paint will also determine how much of it you will need.

“Less expensive paints can save you money short-term but you may need more of it to finish the project.

“Since they don’t have the covering power of premium paints, multiple coats may be needed.

“Higher quality paints

can be more expensive but you can get the job done faster with fewer coats.

“The finish will also be more durable, eliminat-ing the need to repaint frequently.”

Mrs De Costa said: “If you need inspiration for colour or design there are lots of wonderful websites these days to take a look at, such as Pinterest.

“We also have a Face-book page for Rowe Spurl-ing Paint Company which we update daily with design tips and ideas.” ■

ROWE SPURLING Paint Company is the oldest paint

company in Bermuda. It was founded by Rowe Spurling in the 1940s and since 2007 has been owned by Justin and Karolina De Costa. The store, at 67 St John’s Road, Pembroke, sells house, automotive and marine and craft paints, plus varnishes and stains. Contact 292-7770 or e-mail [email protected]. See the company’s Facebook page for helpful tips and design ideas.

CHOICE: The store has a vast collection of brands, products and colours for both interiors and exteriors.

■ PHOTOS SUPPLIED

LIGHTING: Paint a colour sample on a wall opposite a window to see if you like the shade.

PAINTSContinued from page 2

Technology to control the comfort of each roomBY STEPHEN SAVAGEEEFtech

Any developer or proper-ty owner will tell you that good solid construction of the exterior of a building

or home is impera-tive.

Just as important however, are the air qual-ity and comfort of the inte-

rior. That’s why a versatile and energy-efficient indoor heating and cooling solu-tion is a major component of any construction plan.

DiscreetWhen sourcing indoor

heating and cooling solu-tions, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples and that you’re obtaining estimates on total installa-tion cost; not just the sell-ing price.

You also want to consider the warranty and the repu-tation of the product.

When comparing heating and cooling contractors, choose a team that’s reli-able and knowledgeable.

They should understand building codes, including environmental regulations, and how to meet all the necessary stipulations.

One of the great features of the Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating system is its ease of installation.

We can usually install it in about a day. There is little to no ductwork required so you don’t have to worry about it holding up construction or inter-rupting your life during a remodel.

The sleek indoor unit mounts discreetly within the space, and the refrig-erant lines and electrical wiring connects it to the outdoor unit through a small three inch opening in the wall.

The outdoor units for

each system are designed to take up as little space outside as possible and can even be hidden by foliage.

With regards to provid-ing the ultimate energy-efficient comfort inside

a building or residence, Mitsubishi Electric Cool-ing & Heating systems use advanced technologies.

Technology■ INVERTER-driven

compressor technology. This automatically adjusts to changing conditions to deliver ideal comfort, while only using the energy need-ed. You can save energy and money while enjoying

complete control over your comfort year-round.

■ Zone control is one of the main technological benefits that our systems offer, enabling you to control the temperature within any space that has an indoor unit installed. The ability to condition only the spaces in use allows exceptional energy conservation. Individual-ized comfort control is available for up to eight rooms, connected to a single outdoor unit. The units can be controlled individually with handheld or wall-mounted smart controllers, or via one centralized controller.

■ Standard and enhanced filtration systems provide air filtration utilizing washable filters, that with proper maintenance, can last up to 10 years. This feature is good both for you and the environ-ment. Hybrid Catechin

■ PHOTO SUPPLIED

EFFICIENCY: Mitsubishi’s INVERTER-driven compressor technology adjusts to changing conditions, to deliver ideal comfort, but only uses the energy needed.

See AIR CONDITIONING, page 5

‘The quality of your paint will also determine how much of it you will need.’

KAROLINA DE COSTACo-owner, Rowe Spurling Paint Company

■ HVAC SOLUTIONS / Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating

SAVAGE


Creative DIY options to maintain your home on a budgetBY MICHELE SMITH OBM International

Colour is one of the least expensive ways in which to enhance your home.

In this economy, painting your home exterior and roof can be costly, but are neces-sary in order to maintain it.

This winter has been seriously wet and windy. If your home’s roof and exterior is looking like it could use a coat of paint, you are prob-ably in the majority.

A new colour can be gratifying and enhance any home this spring.

TourismSome of our favourite

Bermuda pastel colours are yellow, peach, mint green and light blue, as well as white.

These work beautifully on most homes and can lift your mood as well.

Darker colours such as burnt orange, deep red and cement wash are lovely on older homes with tradition-al architectural features.

One of the most dramatic effects of how we maintain our homes is the effect it has on our tourism.

Not only are you doing yourself a favour but you are also emphasizing Bermuda as a brand, with our white roofs and beauti-ful coloured homes; one of

the main things tourists love so much about coming here.

Along with a new coat of paint, another idea to create great curb appeal in this economy — without breaking the bank — is to add pots of varying sizes with hardy flowers such as geraniums, grasses and periwinkle.

Or create a square foot garden and grow your own food. Doesn’t it make sense to add beauty as well as enjoy the food you have

grown at the same time? Our local nurseries such

as Aberfeldy, Sousa’s Land-scape Management Co, and Brighton Nurseries, offer exceptional seedlings and can advise on the best plants and areas for plant-ing for all seasons.

You will join many others with the same intent and a guaranteed new passion for gardening. It’s easy and fun for the whole family.

As our property starts to look good, another thing we

can do around our home to earn a bit of money is to go through each room of your house in turn and collect what you don’t use any longer and hold a garage sale.

Or better yet, hold a block sale with a few of your neighbours. Bermuda needs to reconnect with its neighbourhoods and what better way to get to know your neighbour than to look through his cast-aways. “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure”,

so the saying goes. Thinking of creative

ways to save money but still keep up with our home maintenance is important and can be fulfilling.

With the cost of every-thing going up, with the exception of our income, if you have any ‘fix it’ or DIY skills, a small workshop or shed and a few select tools can save you from calling the plumber or carpenter next time you have a regu-lar repair to do.

A few great tools to have

on hand that can handle most jobs in the home include: A toolbox so you don’t misplace anything; a hammer; 12-15 inch pry bar; vise grips; needle nose pliers; screwdrivers; wire cutter; tape measure; electrical tester; revers-ible drill with bit set; steel chisel; utility knife; hand-saw; torpedo level; clamps; staple gun; carpenter’s square; safety glasses; and leather work gloves.

Remember, safety comes first — never handle any job you are unsure of.

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, if you have a few able hands and could use a little exer-cise, paint your own home.

The reward of doing it yourself leaves you that extra spending money to spend on something you can’t do yourself.

Neighbours helping neighbours is the Bermuda we grew up in. In this econ-omy we all could use a help-ing hand. Reach out. ■

MICHELE SMITH is the managing director of OBM International/Bermuda. Contact 278-3550.

■ PHOTO SUPPLIED

NEW LOOK: A fresh coat of paint is an inexpensive way to enhance your home and can also lift your mood.

■ HOME IMPROVEMENT / Reconnect with your neighbours

‘In this economy we could all use a helping hand. Reach out.’

SMITH


A flair for furnishing your home and businessBY AMANDA [email protected]

Furniture Flair this year celebrates 30 years of furnishing the homes and businesses of Bermuda.

The company specializes in residential and commer-cial flooring, custom window treatments, closet designs, carpets and office furniture.

It prides itself on custom-er service and can help you see your project through from inception to installa-tion.

When it comes to commercial office fit-outs, the staff work closely with designers, architects and end-users.

Consultation“We’ve been the suppli-

ers of choice for some of the most well-known projects on the island and have a close affiliation with the Bermuda Society of Inte-rior Designers,” said Traci Burgess, marketing direc-tor.

“Our general philosophy at Furniture Flair is that we pride ourselves on offer-ing a broad range of prod-ucts at competitive prices, and we supply excellent products combined with superior service.

“If you’re working on a commercial or residen-tial project from scratch, we will take a look at the construction drawings and assist with any decoration consultations, product choice, measurements and installation.

“If it’s a renovation proj-ect or interiors upgrade, we can consult with clients in our showroom, or at their home or office.

“Normally people start

an interiors project by choosing their fixed fittings first, such as the flooring and window treatments. These are the more perma-nent fixtures.

“As your personal style preference may change over the years, it is general-ly recommended to choose neutral or transitional styles for the more perma-

nent fittings, like flooring.“It’s usually an easier

and less expensive process to change a paint colour on the walls or an area rug, or other decorative

furnishings. When you’re looking at flooring, we take into consideration your own personal style and the architectural features of the home or commer-cial building. Is the space traditional Bermudian, conservative, transitional, modern, or eclectic?

“We also talk about air quality — whether you would prefer hard flooring or a soft surface such as carpet.

“Some people may asso-ciate indoor carpets with poor air quality and an increased risk of asthma attacks, but that’s not necessarily the case if you vacuum regularly and steam clean.

“If you walk across a hard surface floor that has not been cleaned prop-erly, the dust can still go airborne, so there are pros and cons to both options.

“More often than not, flooring selections boil down to personal prefer-ence.

“Do you want a hard surface wooden floor through your house, or perhaps a mixture, such as soft carpet in your bedroom?

“We look at a range of criteria with each client. This includes budget — how much money do you have set aside, that you are willing to allocate for your project?

“You could have a budget-friendly wood grain laminate floor for $3 per

and blue-enzyme filters in each indoor unit remove allergens. Each room has its own filter, therefore preventing cross-contamination of air from room to room. We even have systems that incorporate an additional Platinum Catalyst filter for additional odour elimina-tion.

■ Hot-Start™ technol-ogy regulates the fan on the indoor unit so that it

does not blow any air until the unit has reached the desired temperature, thus preventing drafts of cold air.

■ The i-see™ Sensor scans the lower portions of the room to detect hot or cold spots and to adjust temperature and airflow accordingly to maintain consistent comfort.

■ And finally, the systems operate as low as 19 deci-bels, which is quieter than a human whisper.

Installing a heating and cooling solution is a major expenditure, so my advice

to those building or remod-elling is to do your research and find the system that meets all of your needs while giving you the added benefits you desire. ■

STEPHEN SAVAGE is the sales and marketing man-ager for EFFtech. He has more than 23 years’ experi-ence in heating, ventila-tion and air conditioning (HVAC), and refrigeration. For more information on EFFtech products and ser-vices, contact 249-3570 or e-mail [email protected].

AIR CONDITIONINGContinued from page 3

■ PHOTO SUPPLIED

QUIET: The Mitsubishi systems operate as low as 19 decibels — quieter than a whisper.

■ PHOTO SUPPLIED

QUALITY: Furniture Flair is the exclusive Hunter Douglas Showcase Priority Dealer in Bermuda, and can help you to choose stylish customized window treatments for your home or business.

See FIT-OUTS, page 6


blinds, which enhance the beauty of the natural aesthetics surrounding Bermuda.

“The interior and exte-rior plantation shutters are other island favourites.

“Hunter Douglas offers superb warranties that

are covered and serviced by Furniture Flair, so we stand by the quality of their product.

“They have a fabulous design aesthetic and can meet just about any project criteria.

“Hunter Douglas also

runs seasonal discount promotions and rebate programmes, which provide a greater benefit to clients.”

She said: “For residential projects we also offer a huge selection of carpets, area rugs, wooden floors and laminate flooring.

“And for hospitality flooring, such as restau-rants, we have a dozen manufacturers to choose from.”

You can find all of Furni-ture Flair’s manufactur-ers listed on the company website, which has direct links to each of their vendors. ■

FURNITURE FLAIR, 12 Bakery Lane, Pembroke. Call 292-7272 or e-mail [email protected]. See www.furnitureflair.bm

square foot, or high-end solid hardwood plank for upwards of $20 per square foot.

“Furniture Flair has all the best products to fit everywhere in between.

“For carpets, you could start with a budget-friendly solution or pick a hand-tufted, natural fibre high-end wool or silk carpet.”

Ms Burgess said: “We probably offer the widest product range selection in Bermuda for both resi-dential and commercial projects, and our focus is on service.

Contemporary“And if something were

to go awry with your proj-ect, you have a local service provider in Furniture Flair that you can call on to ensure a responsible and quick resolution to any problems that may arise.”

Furniture Flair has specialists trained in custom closet solutions, by the manufacturer Califor-nia Closets.

It is also the exclusive Hunter Douglas Showcase Priority Dealer in Bermu-da.

“These brands are synonymous with stylish design and quality,” said Ms Burgess.

Hunter Douglas designs and manufactures custom-ized decorative window

treatments, blinds, shades and shutters.

“We work very closely with Hunter Douglas and are also factory certified on the installation side,” said Ms Burgess.

“There are hundreds of different styles to choose

from, from clean, contem-porary products, to full ornate drapery solutions, and almost everything in between.

“Some of our most popu-lar residential products are our collections of real wood, grass and reed

■ PHOTOS SUPPLIED

STYLE: This teenage bedroom features customized units created by California Closets. Furniture Flair has specially-trained staff to help you create solutions for your living space.

Continued from page 5

FIT-OUTS: Custom-built closet solutions and window treatments

HOME SWEET HOME: Incorporate your individual taste into your window blinds, with Hunter Douglas’s array of styles.

‘We supply excellent products combined with superior service.’

TRACI BURGESSMarketing director,

Furniture Flair


Fling yourself into those spring renovationsBY AMANDA [email protected]

Spring has sprung and it’s time to freshen up your home and garden.

From barbecues to new fixtures and fittings, Baptiste Ltd has plenty of ideas for making the most of your property this summer.

Outdoor funSacha Bearden, company

owner, said innovations in barbecues get more inter-esting year after year.

This year, the oil-less turkey fryer has taken off at trade shows in North America.

“Every year retailers wonder what the next big thing will be for barbecues. I’m hoping it will be the oil-less turkey fryer,” said Ms Bearden.

“This product runs off propane gas and uses an infrared heat. You can cook a turkey in two-thirds of the time it takes in a regu-lar deep oil fryer, and half the time of an oven.

“You can smoke or roast other foods inside it, and you can also barbecue items on top of the grills, so it’s a really versatile product.

“We also have a barbecue for sale which has gas on one side and charcoal on the other, so you can get a charcoal flavour and then move over to gas to finish off the cooking.”

Innovations in outdoor lights are also making illuminating your garden cheaper.

“Solar lights are a huge hit these days and are inexpensive, starting from $6.95. It means you can light up your pathways and gardens without running any wires.

“LED colour-changing solar lights are also fun.

“Outdoor candles and fireplaces are also much less expensive than they used to be.”

If you are looking for storage items, Baptiste Ltd has a wide selection of sheds and benches.

“Garden sheds are very popular for storage, as you can keep your tools in there and they’re a neat way of cleaning up your

yard,” said Ms Bearden.“Outdoor storage bench-

es are also useful for stor-ing kids’ toys and games.

“We also have lawnmow-ers and wheelbarrows, plus pop-up tents.

“These tents are good for keeping in the shade, out of the sun, and you can take them to the beach or the May 24 parade.”

She said: “Because of our climate, gardening is pretty much year-round in Bermuda, but everyone gets fired up in the spring because they want every-thing to look nice for the summer.”

ConstructionBaptiste Ltd’s tagline is

‘Making home improve-ment affordable’ and it has diversified its products to cater to the everyday consumer.

“On the construction and building supplies side of the business we don’t sell the volume of items we once sold,” said Ms Bearden.

“There was a time, before the recession, when things were selling so fast they were flying out of the door, but now we have space in our warehouse to offer multiple styles of doors and vanities instead.

“We’ve had to offer a wider variety of products, more brands and styles, to keep the customers coming.”

Although the recession is dragging on, she said there were growing “signs of confidence”.

“Whereas at one time there was almost no construction going on, now there are small projects taking place,” said Ms Bearden.

“These are mainly house renovations, whether for the rental market or for sale. Houses have been sitting on the market for so long that renovations are probably the biggest area of our business right now.

Renovations“Kitchens are by far

the most popular things. People always imagine kitchens will cost them $20,000, but when they come in and find out they can do a renovation for

$5,000 they are keen to start a project.

“It is a renter’s and buyer’s market right now in Bermuda so vendors have to be really competi-tive with what they are offering.

“Kitchens and bathrooms are the areas that have to look nice when you rent or sell.

“You can always add a lick of paint to a bathroom or bedroom, but having a nice kitchen or bathroom is the key to renting some-where.”

She said that if you are in the rental market, plain styles are best.

“When you are doing renovations, it’s best to keep things simple.

“You don’t want to go too wild, such as putting a

■ PHOTO SUPPLIED

VERSATILE: The Char Broil oil-less turkey fryer.

■ FILE PHOTO

NEW PRODUCTS: Sacha Bearden, store owner, in the kitchenware section of Baptiste Ltd.See BAPTISTE, page 9

■ HOME IMPROVEMENT / Celebrate the season with the latest house and garden innovations


A I R K O O L H O U S E 9 M I L L C R E E K R O A D P E M B R O K E H M 0 5

Building Better Indoor EnvironmentsBAC Group of companies is proud to provide

Bermuda with products and services that build better

indoor environments for commercial and residential

buildings. Experts in their respective fields, our

companies are well known in the construction industry:

Energy Management Systems Ltd. (EMS) provides

building automation system (BAS) monitors for

optimum energy performance.

Bermuda Alternative Energy Ltd. (BAE) provides

renewable energy solutions in Bermuda with products

and services focused on reducing energy costs and

carbon footprints.

Bermuda Insulation Ltd. (BIL) offers fire resistance,

noise and condensation reduction technology, and

insulation solutions that all work towards reducing

energy costs and increase safety.

And the company that started it all, Bermuda Air

Conditioning Ltd. (BAC), has made a name in

Bermuda by offering air conditioning, fire protection,

refrigeration and plumbing services for both residential

and commercial applications.

Tel: 441-278-6238www.ems.bm

Tel: 441-297-3639www.bae.bm

Tel: 441-296-9025

Tel: 441-292-0881www.bac.bm

BAC Group finds the unconventional at trade conventionBY KEN PARKERBAC Group (Bermuda Air Conditioning)

Just a few weeks ago Chris Schuler, general manager of the BAC Group, and I headed off to San Antonio, Texas.

Not to put on our 10-gallon hats and to ride rodeo around a dust-packed ring with cowboys hanging off the fence, but to attend the major annual conven-tion for the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA).

But yawn not — this was not your normal conven-tion!

The MCAA Manufac-turer/Supplier Council Exhibit is where attendees can discover the latest products, technologies and services for the mechanical contracting, service and plumbing industries.

StrategiesThis year’s theme

‘Unconventional Thinking: The Essential Ingredient of Success’ also focused on the strategies behind the business.

Most people would no doubt expect anything mechanical to be boring, so the MCAA made sure that the attendees would be galvanized through differ-ent approaches, each of which tied into the indus-try.

The list of speakers was impressive and included: Michael Eisner (of ABC, Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney); Captain Mark Kelly (naval aviator and astronaut, married to

US House of Representa-tive, Gabrielle Giffords); Frank Abagnale (the original ‘confidence man’ on whom the film Catch Me If You Can was based); and Greg Ip, US economics editor for The Economist.

With up to 2,000 attend-ees coming from countries as far as the UK, Ireland, Canada and Australia, BAC

was not alone in coming home with yet more knowl-edge to seal our expertise in the industry.

The BAC Group was the only company from Bermuda to attend the convention.

Mr Schuler said: “As a member of the MCAA, if we come across something we haven’t done before, or

don’t have experience of in a specific area, we have a worldwide ‘tap’ to call upon for help and assistance.

“The convention provides the perfect oppor-tunity for us to network and forge new relation-ships with people who do what we do, and to learn about new products first hand.

“And while we attend some classes at the conven-tion, the MCAA is integral in providing ongoing train-ing through the year as well.”

Each year, finalist teams from MCAA student chap-ters also take part in a competition to demonstrate their knowledge of mechan-ical systems.

They present details of a project bid proposal while coping with the demands of a contracting business, all the while dealing with the pressure of being on stage before an audience of hundreds.

It’s the perfect opportu-nity for those students to showcase their potential and pick up some new ideas for the future as well.

During the course of the week, numerous classes were held by business strategists.

They covered technology trends and the innovations of tomorrow, management trends, industry issues (for example, learning to mini-mize exposure to lead and dealing with challenges of welder code compliance), and even life skills strate-gies for unconventional parenting and retirement planning.

In fact, there was something for everyone — whether they were a mechanical contractor or not.

The entire convention was sponsored by the suppliers and MCAA.

Mr Schuler said: “MCAA’s events and train-ing programmes are inte-gral to our operations, so what we learn, we pass on to our staff, and make sure opportunities are available to them too.” ■

KEN PARKER is the con-tracts operations man-ager of BAC Group, 9 Mills Creek Road, Pembroke. Call 292-0881 or e-mail [email protected]. See www.bac.bm

■ PHOTO SUPPLIED

NOT UNIFORM: The BAC Group constantly looks for innovations and new expertise in its services to Bermuda residents.


General Contracting Ltd.Tony Cabral • Cell 704-8475 • Office 236-2843

Ricky Cabral • Cell [email protected]

RenovationsResidentialDrivewaysWindowsDoorsCustom Carpentry

leopard-print vessel bowl in the bathroom.

“Although this is a fun item — and something we sell — when it comes to renting or selling a prop-erty, you should stick to the basics, such as white fixtures.”

DIYBaptiste has lots of

options for DIY, such as a tiling bucket for small projects.

Ms Bearden said: “This has a complete set of tools, such as grout and mortar trowels.

“We also sell stick down tile for people who want to do it themselves. A lot of companies in the industry have moved to DIY prod-ucts which people can do themselves.

“Power tools are also popular, and big sellers for us. Men always want power tools and these days you can get impact and hammer drills that have much more torque. DIY’ers can now own their own professional-grade tools.”

TrendsAs for recent trends in

fixtures and fittings, Ms Bearden said all-glass inte-rior doors and bronze and nickel finishes are proving popular.

“All-glass interior doors are trendy now because they let light through the house. You can also get them in frosted glass.

“The best-selling finishes at the moment are bronze and nickel.

“In terms of bathrooms, we’ve also done well with Italian vanity sinks, which are very stylish.”

ClosetsIf you are spring cleaning

your home or possessions, you may want to invest in a new closet to help keep you

organized.“We stock lots of different

kinds of closet, as everyone has a different budget,” said Ms Bearden.

“These are great for sorting out your stuff and spring cleaning.”

She added: “ClosetMaid has just come out with a new line of nickel-coloured accessories, and they also do plain white.

“We also have John Lewis’s Home range of clos-et kits. You can put these together yourself and there are lots of accessories, such as tie racks and drawers, to choose from.”

ShuttersMs Bearden said some

islanders also see spring as a time for getting ready for hurricane season.

“Spring is a time for buying window shutters, roll shutters and storm panels,” she said.

“You may want to get them now rather than a couple of days before the storm strikes, as if you leave it too late you may not be able to find the sizes that you need left in stock.”

Home securityBaptiste Ltd also has

a good selection of home security products, which are selling well in these tough economic times when break-ins are happening frequently.

The store now has a dedi-cated section to security products, such as cameras, alarms and motion lights.

“Security has been an issue for homeowners,” said Ms Bearden.

“We brought in a new door with impact glass and that sold out almost imme-diately.

“It is like the windshield of a car in that someone can crack it but still can’t get through it. It has a lami-nate inside two sheets of glass, so it’s quite strong.

“Security items have sold well for us, particularly motion lights and extra locks for windows and doors.

“Motion lights are easy to install as all the mechanics are in the light.

“We also have solar motion lights that charge the batteries in the day and then work just like regular motion lights at night.

“You can put them in a location which doesn’t already have wires.”

One example is the All-Pro Motion activated solar powered LED light, by Cooper Lighting, which mounts on a wall plate and gives 100 per cent coverage up to 23 feet, or a range of seven metres.

The $60 solar-powered light is easy to install and is weather-resistant.

A light sensor prevents daylight from turning it on in the day.

“All these items act as a deterrent, to prevent some-one breaking into your home,” said Ms Bearden. ■

BAPTISTE LTD is located at the corner of Khyber Pass and Middle Road, Warwick. Call 236-2095 or go to www.baptiste.bm.

BAPTISTEContinued from page 7

■ PHOTO SUPPLIED

PROFESSIONAL: The Milwaukee M18 Cordless LITHIUM-ION 2-Tool Combo Kit.

BY DR EDWARD HARRISNational Museum of Bermuda

Most Bermudians do not appreciate that the modern wealth of Bermuda is due to the spending of the Brit-ish military from 1809, when construction of Royal Naval Dockyard began.

This continued into the 1950’s, when some of the slack in revenue in the local economy was made up by the presence of the American forces, who were domiciled here from 1941 to 1995.

RevolutionMuch of the military

money was expended in construction work, the like of which had never before been seen on the island, and was only eclipsed in individual projects when the Hamilton Hotel and other like establishments were built, and when the Americans built their two bases here.

No greater favour was given to Bermuda in the later 1700’s than when, fortuitously for our econ-omy, 13 of the continental British American colonies decided to go independent.

While the start was slow after the end of the war, signalled by the Treaty of Paris in 1783, sleepy Bermuda underwent an economic revolution.

The British appreci-ated that this mid-Atlantic island halfway between the Canadian Maritimes in the north and the West Indies to the south, was admirably suited for the establish-ment of a naval base.

From Bermuda, control could be exercised on the oceanic ambitions of the new United States, later described by a British offi-cer as a nation “unwilling, if not incapable, of restrain-ing the violent impulses of its people”, or such like defamation.

Army officers were

sent to assess Bermuda’s existing fortifications and Thomas Hurd, a Royal Navy hydrographer, surveyed the extensive reef platform to find channels for accessing the inner harbours that were suit-able for a naval base.

Those efforts led the way for an invasion of the island by British military forces that accelerated as Bermudians on Ireland Island were ejected from their ancestral homes to make way for the magnifi-cent Dockyard that is today a major local and tourist destination, now housing among other great features, the 16-acre National Muse-um.

The construction boom in the far west was equalled by a similar uplift in build-ing at the east end, with the erection of Forts Cunning-ham, George, Victoria, Albert, William and

Why protecting our architectural history matters■ HERITAGE / The renovation of Casemate Barracks

Dr Edward Harris explains why Casemates is a ‘monument’ to local construction

■ PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF BERMUDA

LANDMARK: The Land Front ramparts, the Lower Ordnance Yard and the Casemate Barracks, captured in a photograph dating back to the 1890s.See CASEMATES, page 10

‘It is a renter’s and buyer’s market right now in Bermuda so vendors have to be really competitive with what they are offering.’

SACHA BEARDENOwner, Baptiste Ltd


Catherine, and a Martello Tower at Ferry Reach.

Construction is a labour-intensive matter and, with ancillary trades needed, its trickle-down effect is widespread through the community. That was even more so in pre-mechanical periods of building.

In addition, houses and rooms were rented (complaints about high prices were even then prevalent), workers had to be fed, lime had to be burnt, stone cut and so on.

It was a bonanza for the island, which up until the beginning of the 1800’s had to rely on salt raking in the Turks Islands, and the carrying trades through shipping in Bermuda sloops.

UniqueUnlike a lot of the

rubbish that has been built in modern times, which degrades the man-made landscape of this paradise, the military works of the 19th century have left us with some wonderful monuments in stone, which should now serve us well in the tourism economy, as the discerning, spending visitor wants to see what is unique about Bermuda.

One of the great monu-ments to the Bermuda construction of that period is the Casemate Barracks, built to house soldiers and latterly, from 1963 to 1994, serving as the island’s maximum-security prison.

The massive structure, which dominates the south-ern end of the Dockyard, is

constructed from the hard local limestone, excavated


CASEMATES: The structure took seven years to build, completed in about 1843

EVOLUTION: Casemates was originally a military ditch and fort but then gained its Land Front ramparts and the barracks.See CASEMATES, page 11

‘... it will be expensive to renovate and restore, but that investment, as most restoration work does, will repay Bermuda for generations to come, as another star in the panoply that is the extraordinary bank of the island’s architecture heritage — military, civil and domestic.’


ELECTRICAL SAFETY

CallbeforeyoudigElectrical hazards may be waiting underneath

Whether you are a contractor or homeowner, you must call BELCO before

you start a job that involves excavation. Digging without calling can disrupt

electricity service to an entire neighbourhood and poses a serious safety

hazard to you and those around you. Every digging job requires a call to

identify cable locations – even for small projects.

Contact us at least five working days before any excavation, so that someone

from our Records & Technical Services unit can mark the ground to indicate

underground cable locations and provide any relevant drawings. Cable

marking is free. If you have not called and your excavating results in damage,

you may face paying fines and repair costs. Bermuda OSH Act 2009 law

states that you must contact each of the Island’s utilities before you dig.

Safe Excavation

� Notify your employees or subcontractors onsite of the procedure.

� If in doubt, dig trial holes to establish exact cable position.

� Hand dig near indicated cable locations.

� Do not use picks, pins or forks in soft soils where cables are located.

� When high-voltage transmission cables are in the vicinity, use extra

caution and make sure everyone is aware of the cables.

� Leave the cable markings in place until work is complete.

� Make sure everyone involved in the project has the necessary

documentation and is aware of any special precautions required.

Stop and call BELCO if:

� A cable is damaged.

� You find a cable embedded in concrete, or other major obstacles to

digging, so that BELCO can de-energise the cable.

� You need advice about protection of exposed cables, including site

restoration when excavation is complete to avoid damaging cables.

� You have any questions at all.

Empowering Bermuda’s Progress

under

BELCO CONTACTS

Emergencies &

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955

Cable Markings &

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296 3408or [email protected]

www.belco.bm

in the immediate area. It took some seven years

to erect. When completed in about 1843, it was the largest building in Bermu-da, and it is now the second oldest in Dockyard after the Commissioner’s House.

ExhibitionsPre-restoration work on

Casemates began five years ago, by volunteers under supervision of National Museum staff.

In the fullness of time, the Casemate Barracks will be restored to its origi-nal glory and be used as a magnificent building for exhibitions, as a part of the National Museum of Bermuda.

Expensive to build, it will be expensive to renovate and restore, but that invest-

ment, as most restoration work does, will repay Bermuda for generations to come, as another star in the panoply that is the extraordinary bank of the island’s architecture heri-tage — military, civil and domestic.

Architectural restoration is not only sustainable and environmentally-sound construction work, but it is good for the soul, as such monuments contribute forever to a sense of place and belonging.

If you ask me why I am ‘Proud to be a Bermudian’, I would point to our histor-ic homes and buildings and wail in song no more. ■

DR EDWARD HARRIS is executive director of the National Museum of Bermuda. For more infor-mation see www.bmm.bm or call 234-1418.

CASEMATESContinued from page 10

DEFENCE: Casemate Barracks photographed from the air in 2009. This photograph shows its eastern façade and roof ‘well’, which could serve as a fortification, with soldiers firing over its rampart from the musketry steps.


A.C.E.Electrical Services Ltd.

Residential & CommercialInstallations & Repairs

Prompt Serviceat

Quality Rates

Tel: 735-2071Fax: 236-6798

P.O. Box 190, WK Warwick

A Roll-on/Roll-off service for all your construction needsSUPPLIED BY BERMUDA CONTAINER LINE (BCL)

The key to a great construction job is to ensure that the correct equipment and materials are available when needed.

Bermuda Container Line Ltd (BCL) understands this and that is why it is proud to supply the construction industry with vehicles and materials from overseas.

BCL has been operating for more than 30 years, and has made more than 1,500 trans-Atlantic crossings.

It has been committed to providing support to differ-ent industries in Bermuda, and is dedicated to continu-ing this excellent line of service well into the future.

The ship MV Oleander is specifically designed to carry wheeled cargo; and has no problem transport-ing heavy equipment such as dump trucks, forklifts, back hoes and drilling machines.

DiligentThe Oleander offers

Bermuda’s only Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) shipping service, which eliminates the need to containerize cargo.

The ship is able to carry more than 300 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEU) and has an enclosed garage area for sensitive cargoes such as cars.

BCL is taking the right steps to ensure it will be well-equipped to continue doing so in the future.

It has been diligent in helping to groom the next crop of Bermudian cadets, in the hope they will one day continue the good work BCL provides.

BCL is happy to import vehicles, materials and any other required items you may need to complete your construction jobs.

It can facilitate ship-ping of specialized trucks or machines at affordable

prices, and BCL knows how to work to a schedule.

BCL is proud to contrib-ute to Bermuda.

Its commitment goes beyond working with the NTB (National Training Board) and the Depart-ment of Marine and Ports Services.

BCL itself is owned by mainly Bermudians and

has 530 shareholders. These shareholders include office and dockworkers as well as overseas partners. This means that with the success of BCL comes the success of working Bermu-dians.

The company works hard to ensure your construc-tion goods arrive in a safe and timely manner, and

that the reputation of BCL remains top-class.

When you buy BCL, you buy Bermuda. Cost-effective rates and extreme reliability is what BCL can offer you.

With the safety of the RoRo service, BCL lives by the words ‘Shipping done right’, to ensure construc-tion business owners that

their vehicles and equip-ment will arrive safely and in good time.

When you ship with BCL you support a Bermudian-owned company, which continues to support and develop tomorrow’s leaders in the field.

So help BCL to build a bright future for Bermuda, and next time you require

any shipping needs, BCL is uniquely equipped to provide you with a reason-ably-priced top quality service. ■

FOR MORE INFORMATION on BCL Ltd, call 295-1624 or e-mail [email protected]. See www.bcl.bm

■ FILE PHOTO BY KAGEAKI SMITH

RELIABLE: The BCL container ship, the MV Oleander, is designed to carry wheeled cargo and can transport heavy equipment and machinery.

in the Bermudian tourism market will not go unno-ticed in the outside finan-cial world.

We could start to see activity on other dormant projects, like Ariel Sands, which is understood to have a lot of the development pieces in place, awaiting an indica-tion that the Bermuda market is going to support the investment.

The proposed hotel to be built on Par-la-Ville car park is understood to be steadily moving, as is Morgan’s Point.

The new Government has recognized that proj-ects such as these have all too often become mired in bureaucracy, often pushing potential investors to seek more timely opportunities for their money elsewhere.

The new Economic Devel-opment subcommittee of Cabinet has started work to ensure that projects with real viability will receive timely attention and deci-

sion making, in the hope of moving them through the application and consent phases more efficiently.

If we can back up these tourism investments with an effective tourism marketing campaign to drive demand from a global industry with estimated revenues of $1.15 trillion (2012), we could see the start of the rebuilding of one of the traditional pillars of our economy.

OptimismThe Hamilton waterfront

represents a huge opportu-nity to literally change the face of Bermuda’s central core.

While this project appears to be currently mired in a stalemate of political mistrust, it repre-sents an opportunity to not only stimulate the construction industry, but to provide a real buzz for visitors and locals alike.

Compartmentalizing the project amongst differ-ent developers, the stated intent of Allied Develop-ment Partners, would generate broad commu-

nity interest and economic impact.

We can all share in the optimism that these invest-ments exhibit, but at the same time understand that they will only represent the successful starting point of a revived economy if we all raise our heads and look for opportunities that the market is starting to reveal.

We don’t know exactly what those opportunities are going to be but, as long as the regulatory environ-ment continues to remove impediments to an influx of foreign investment, and we all try to understand that our xenophobic tendencies are hurting our overall prospects for revival, we can make further steps toward economic recovery. ■

CHARLES DUNSTAN is president of the Construction Association of Bermuda. For more information call 292-0633 or e-mail [email protected]. See www.constructionbermuda.com

SPRINGContinued from page 1

■ SHIPPING / Bermuda Container Line

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How to obtain peace and quiet through soundproofingSUPPLIED BY ATLANTIC CEILINGS LTD.

Atlantic Ceilings Ltd can supply peace of mind through soundproofing your home or business.

The peace of mind that comes from knowing that you can’t hear the neigh-bours or your tenants, and they can’t hear you.

Make your home or office a ‘stress free zone’ by elimi-nating the noise, traffic, barking dogs, footsteps, loud music, raised voices, even mechanical systems like plumbing or air condi-tioning.

These are the sounds of modern living but we can mitigate their effect on your ability to enjoy your home, or to run your busi-ness.

Increasing land costs have resulted in larger amounts of high-density multi-family housing, in a growing number of Bermu-dian neighbourhoods.

PartitionsThe result of this is indi-

vidual living units such as condominiums positioned closer together than tradi-tional single-family, stand-alone housing.

Additionally, home theatre systems are becom-ing more prevalent in use and sophistication, result-ing in the potential for more noise to be transmit-ted between rooms.

Commercial buildings such as schools, hospitals and hotels also have an increasing need to control sound between areas of a building.

All of these changing market dynamics have resulted in an increased need for higher rated Sound Transmission Class (STC) wall partitions, which reduce the transmis-sion of airbourne sound between living spaces within buildings.

The goal of a high-rated STC wall partition (STC greater than 60) is to decrease the amount of sound transmission through the partition.

The following five vari-ables can have an impact

on the ability of the parti-tion to provide this loss.

MassIncreasing the mass of a

wall partition increases the amount of sound transmis-sion loss.

StiffnessIncreasing the stiffness

of a wall partition will decrease the amount of sound transmission loss. For that reason metal studs outperform wood studs, and 24-inch o.c. framing spacing outperforms 16 inch o.c. framing spacing.

DampingIntroduction of damping

will increase the amount of sound transmission loss. In particular, constrained layer damping can be effective for structure type applications.

Cavity depthIncreasing the depth of

the cavity of the partition can increase the amount of sound transmission loss, especially when the cavity is filled with acoustical insulation.

Cavity absorptionAdding sound-absorbing

material such as fibreglass or mineral fibre insulation to the cavity of a partition will increase the amount of sound transmission loss.

The sound-absorbing material should completely fill the cavity but not be compacted or compressed in any way.

Drywall can deaden sounds. However, when installed with little or no insulation or sound-deadening features inside the walls themselves, it can actually have the opposite effect.

When sound waves carry through drywall into the wall and reflect off the surface of the opposing sheet, standing waves occur in the sound travel, and standing waves greatly contribute to the overall audible level of sound.

The easiest way to stop sound waves from becom-ing standing waves inside a wall is to place sound-dead-ening insulation between the drywall sheets.

We carry a wide range

SUPPORT: Werner Stegmann, president of Atlantic Ceilings.

of insulation types, but depending on the particu-lar application, this may not be enough.

One of the most effective ways to soundproof your home or business is to use a sound-dampening prod-uct we carry called Sound-Break XP.

SoundBreak XP is an acoustically-enhanced gypsum board that can be used for walls or ceilings, with superior sound damp-ing qualities. It is acousti-cally enhanced for high-rated STC wall assemblies.

The added benefit,

especially for Bermuda’s climate, is that it is mould, mildew and moisture resis-tant.

This innovative gypsum board allows for construc-tion of high STC wall assemblies that are thin-ner, cost-effective and more reliable than traditional methods for constructing these types of assemblies.

SoundBreak XP Gypsum Board has a high density gypsum core encased in a heavy, abrasion and mould/mildew/moisture resistant, 100 per cent recycled, purple paper on

both sides. It also has a layer of

viscoelastic damping poly-mer sandwiched between two pieces of high-density mould-resistant gypsum board to provide additional layer damping.

Peace and quiet is a precious commodity, and one that Atlantic Ceilings Soundproofing Solutions can deliver with precision.

We have cutting-edge technical solutions for every noise problem area — residential or commer-cial — and for every type and era of structure.

Whether you want to keep the noise in, out, or both, call the noise pollu-tion experts and get the perfect solution.

We can soundproof any home, office, mechanical room or business, whether new construction or an existing retrofit.

The most efficient way to address sound trans-mission issues is during construction, however.

We have after-market solutions that can reduce noise throughout your existing home or business.

We have many differ-ent scenarios and ways to soundproof. Every job is different and we can customize your project to fit your needs and budget. ■

ATLANTIC CEILINGS LTD has Bermuda’s largest selection of quality sound-proofing products and installation materials. For more information contact president Werner Stegmann on 505-0841 or e-mail [email protected]

■ PHOTOS SUPPLIED

EXPERTISE: Alvin Smith, Atlantic Ceilings senior technician, works on a project for the redevelopment of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.


The advantages of raised flooring in the modern officeBY CHARLES DUNSTANKaissa Ltd

Inherent in most construction projects is a confluence of form and function, practical purpose

and aesthetic design.

In the case of an office building, this is especially prevalent with the

habitable interior space. The process of creating

an office space involves interior designers, special-ists in space planning and aesthetic design, engineers responsible for mechanical and electrical design, and architects who design the structural aspect and coor-dinate all these elements, to make an environment suit-able for the operations of the business occupant.

As you can imagine, there are a lot of variables involved in creating the right environment.

CablingBusiness owners and

their designers have real-ized for some time that the relationship between workers and their working effectiveness is impacted by workspace design.

Building owners look to optimize the facility’s profitability, which means balancing the initial capital expenditure of the base building with effective functionality to suit the right tenant.

This not only involves the layout of space, with ease of flow from core features such as bathrooms and entryways, but also air quality, light, temperature and ease of access, to power provisions for such items as computers, chargers, telephones, presentation devices, scanners and printers.

For many years now, a growing trend in office

construction has been the utilization of Raised Access Floor.

The system is made up of modular panels set on a steel understructure that creates a cavity to accommodate, initially, the increased cabling demands of the modern office space.

This offers many advan-tages to the occupant, including ease of distribut-ing cables to a multitude of work areas, ease of access to power and networking points at each work area, and the ability to quickly change as the needs of the business evolve.

This ‘churn rate’ can be as high as 50 per cent over a given year by some estimates. To the owner of the building the raised

platform removes some of the upheaval of changing tenants.

The cost can be some 20 per cent less than a comparative office churn in a conventional over-head-cabling scenario.

Toronto’s Globe and Mail has reported, “for office building developers and owners in a period of high vacancy rates, raised floors can provide a competitive edge”.

More recently there has been an increasing move towards inclusion of air distribution through this floor plenum.

The new Waterloo House in Bermuda is one such project taking advantage of this advanced technology, in consultation with the

project engineers TMP of Toronto, local Architects Botelho Wood, the floor and distribution system design-ers and manufacturers Camino Modular Systems, and local suppliers and installers Kaissa Ltd.

The advantages of a raised floor really begin to magnify with this approach.

To understand this, let’s look at the basic way the system functions.

The entire underfloor cavity is charged with air distributed from core air handler rooms.

The air emanates to the habitable space through individual work area diffusers located in the floor, giving each occupant a high degree of individual

control over the tempera-ture of their immediate environment.

The cavity required to provide this distribution is typically between 12-18 inches high.

This compares with suspended ceilings in conventional distribution designs of 2.5 to 3.5 feet.

The overall building height can be reduced, meaning reduced cost of steel, concrete and other materials required for the structure.

The reduced cavity height can also provide an opportunity for more glass, thus allowing more natural light to the interior, with associated energy savings on lighting cost.

In conventional systems

the air is pumped down-ward from the ceiling.

Since hot air rises, this means that the cool condi-tioned air mixes with hot interior air before it reaches its destination of the workspace below.

With an under-floor air distribution system the air rises more naturally from the floor without mixing, producing the optimal temperature for the occu-pants with less mechanical effort and thus energy cost.

The use of raised flooring increased from 3 per cent of new office buildings in North America in 1995 to approximately 12-15 per cent less than 10 years later.

Reflective of the superior advantages of raised floor-ing in conjunction with under-floor air distribu-tion, nearly 40 per cent of them utilized this configu-ration.

Waterloo House is Bermuda’s first such instal-lation but, with the general trend toward more energy efficient buildings, we can expect it won’t be the last. ■

CHARLES DUNSTAN is the president and managing director of Kaissa Ltd, 117 Front St, Hamilton. Call 495-4242 or e-mail [email protected]. Website www.kaissa.bm

■ IMAGE COURTESY OF CAMINO MODULAR SYSTEMS INC

TECHNO-FRIENDLY: An example of a raised access floor system, by Camino Modular Systems, similar to that being installed at Waterloo House, Pembroke.

■ PHOTOS SUPPLIED

INNOVATIVE: Kaissa has installed raised flooring at Waterloo House, above left, by manufacturers Camino Modular Systems. This includes technology for air distribution through the floor plenum — the first project of its kind in Bermuda. Above right, completed office space incorporating raised floor access at the new Argus Group building in Hamilton.

‘To the owner of the building the raised platform removes some of the upheaval of changing tenants.’ DUNSTAN


BY AMANDA [email protected]

The logistics of sourcing equipment and materials from North America can be a problem for major construction projects in Bermuda.

You need the right mate-rials in the right quantities at the right time, but may not have the storage facil-ity.

Shipping agent Meyer Freight however, can assist.

It owns a port in New Jersey with a marshalling station and enough stor-age space to be able to ship your goods as and when required.

CompetitiveGeorge T. Butterfield,

manager of Meyer Freight, said: “We act as an agent for Bermuda International Shipping Ltd (BISL), the agent for the MV Bermuda Islander.

“This is a Bermuda-owned vessel — 55 per cent of the shareholders are Bermudians.”

The container ship provides a weekly service from Salem, New Jersey, departing on Monday evening and arriving on

the island every Thursday morning.

Mr Butterfield said: “Our

port in Salem is a small private port which we own and operate. It has lots of capabilities and enables us

to store lots of materials.“When people are ship-

ping construction materi-als and larger items such

as steel and lumber, we can hold it at our facility and provide a marshalling station.

“If you buy in bulk we can then pull from your stock and load it and ship it to you over a period of time, so you receive it when you need it.”

Meyer Freight recently supplied the materials for The National Ltd, which has built a warehouse at the SAL industrial park in Southampton.

“We provided the prod-ucts for their entire build-ing, from the steel to the side panelling, to the insu-lation,” he said.

“It was all staged at our facility and we shipped it out to Bermuda, as and when the contractor BCM McAlpine Ltd required it.

“The supplier had want-ed the materials off his lot and so sent them up to us one time.”

Mr Butterfield said: “Once your construction materials arrive in Bermu-da you have to pay duty to get them off the dock and then you need somewhere to store them.

“But this way, we can ship what is needed with-out you having to find somewhere to store it.

“This gives project managers money-saving

Agent can help you to master your project’s logistics■ SHIPPING / Meyer Freight

■ PHOTO SUPPLIED

SAFE CARGO: An example of below-deck storage for break bulk consignments. Pictured are a 45-foot road trailer, an oversized vehicle and a 40-foot container.

See STORAGE, page 16

Meyer Freight provides storage and a marshalling station at its New Jersey port


Sheds and boundaries — what you need to know

opportunities when order-ing equipment and materi-als.

“It means you won’t have to take delivery before the job site needs it.

“This service can be included at little or no cost above our standard ocean rates.

“We also work closely with freight forwarders and can use their ware-houses to consolidate ship-ments.”

He said: “We specialize in moving cargo in 20-foot containers and flat racks, and 45-foot road trailers (flat containers).

Flexibility“We also move heavy

construction equipment such as payloaders, trac-tors and high-lift machines.

“These are oversized cargo which are considered break bulk (cargo which can’t fit in a container). It needs 45-foot trailers and is stored under deck, so it’s not exposed to the elements.”

Meyer Freight also represents Somers Isles Shipping Ltd (SISL). The container ship MV Somers Isles regularly sails from Fernandina Beach, Florida to Bermuda. “BISL and SISL connect Bermuda to

the world with a frequent, reliable service at the most competitive pricing avail-able,” said Mr Butterfield.

BISL has agents through-out Canada and connecting

carrier agreements with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Inde-pendent Container Line (ICL). SISL works with Crowley Liner Services,

Seaboard Marine and Trop-ical Shipping.

Both lines have a large supply of equipment for your cargo needs.

From standard 20-foot

dry and refrigerated containers, to flat racks, open tops and up to 48-foot flatbed road trailers, they are prepared for any demanding projects.

“At Meyer Freight, we strongly believe in know-ing our customers and in great customer service,” said Mr Butterfield.

“The department is head-ed up by myself and my assistant manager, Robert Holdipp, and two very efficient freight adminis-trators, Kathy Somner and Heidi White.

“We meet with our customers on a regular basis. Whenever they want to ship any unusual cargo we will sit down with them and discuss all their needs.

“We also have a US agent that is part of making everything work, Voight Maritime Inc., in the New York/New Jersey area. It handles all the US logistics, trucking, and filing and export declarations.

“We have the expertise and flexibility to meet your needs. I am responsible for making sure your ship-ment goes smoothly.

“For 137 years, Meyer Freight has been serving the Bermuda shipping community.

“As shipping profession-als, we are ready to provide rates, answer the ABC’s of shipping, and to meet a challenging project ship-ment head-on.” ■

MEYER FREIGHT, 35 Church Street, Hamilton. Call 296-9798 or e-mail [email protected]

■ PHOTO SUPPLIED

TEAM: From left, Meyer Freight assistant manager Robert Holdipp, freight administrator Heidi White, accounts administrator Anita Peets, freight manager George Butterfield, and freight administrator Kathy Somner.

STORAGEContinued from page 15

BY YOLANDA BASHIRDepartment of Planning

Retaining wallsOne of the most common

forms of boundary treat-ments on a planning appli-cation site is a retaining wall.

Although the Department of Planning encourages the ‘siting and layout’ of all buildings and acces-sory development to avoid excessive cutting and fill-ing, as well as use of promi-nent retaining walls, in some instances these struc-tures cannot be avoided.

As such, the Bermuda Plan 2008 and/or planning policies tend to be very specific about the design of retaining walls.

Moreover, the building codes are specific about the structural design of such entities, and although some walls have a small stature, the larger ones must be designed in such a way to avoid injury.

DrainageSo, what is a retaining

wall? A retaining wall is

a structure erected to support an excavated or filled embankment to prevent soil from collaps-ing, damaging property and potentially injuring people.

Retaining walls are frequently used to stabilize and modify slopes, level sites, and correct grade differences between proper-ties.

They should be prop-erly constructed of quality materials and provided with adequate subsoil drainage.

The most important

consideration in design and installation is that the retained mate-rial is attempting to move forward and downslope due to gravity.

These earth pressures will push the wall forward or overturn it if not prop-erly addressed.

Also any groundwater behind the wall that is not drained will cause addi-tional pressure.

Retaining walls should be

designed to ensure stability against overturning, slid-ing, excessive pressure and water uplift.

Planning implications and building code requirements

As with all developments there are both planning and building limitations, and implications, for retaining walls.

Planning guidelines encourage walls to be kept

to a practical minimum, measuring no more than four feet in height; and anything over should be stepped, screened by plant-ing; and/or screened by buildings.

To minimize the visual impact of walls, policies promote appropriate design solutions that take into consideration the char-acteristics of the site.

Moreover, the Bermuda Plan 2008 prescribes the

same screening measures, including hedging, for structures over four feet where there is a probability of them having a detrimen-tal visual impact on any public road, other public place or neighbouring property.

In cases where a wall exceeding four feet in height is proposed within 10 feet of a lot line, the policies are specific about acquiring ‘written grounds

in support of the proposal which may also require submission of a letter’ signed by the owner of the neighbouring property.

Lastly, the design and building materials of these walls should be compatible with the ‘Bermuda image’, giving preference to appli-cations that use Bermuda stone, or stone cladding that can give a natural stone finish.

Notwithstanding this, walls comprised of concrete block walls should be rendered, plastered, paint-ed or cement-washed, or cladded to exude a natural appearance.

The building implica-tions require that retaining walls are designed to antici-pate surcharge loads from private and public roads, and building foundations.

The Bermuda Residen-

How to build a retaining wall, keep sheds moisture-free and get planning permission

■ PHOTO SUPPLIED

DESIGN: A retaining wall built in the ‘Bermuda image’ and which complements this property. Note the drainage holes.

See PLANNING, page 17

‘Retaining walls should be designed to ensure stability against overturning, sliding, excessive pressure and water uplift.’


tial Building Code 1998 specifies retaining walls at heights of four, six and eight feet (with increments of two feet) where wall types, specific reinforce-ment, wall thickness/block sizes and foundation widths and heights have been pre-engineered.

Walls over eight feet must obtain the certifica-tion of a structural engi-neer.

As mentioned previ-ously, these structures are designed to drain water, which explains the six-inch gravel layer behind the wall as well as ‘staggered’ weep-holes.

ShedsAnother common appli-

cation that accounts for a form of ‘development’ is sheds.

Some residents may feel sheds are a cost-effective way to increase storage space for gardens, yards or patios.

They are available in many different sizes, styles and colours. Some are made from durable materials, including alumi-num, wood, steel, vinyl and molded plastic, while others can be made from concrete block.

There are both planning and building implications for these structures.

Planning implications and building code requirements

The Department of Plan-ning refers to these struc-tures as ‘Accessory uses, buildings and structures’. So what is an Accessory building?

According to the Bermuda Plan 2008, Acces-sory uses, buildings and structures are permitted in residential areas providing they are ancillary to the principal residential use of the land and are for the enjoyment of the home-owner or resident.

Such uses and buildings may include home gardens, garden sheds, garages and pool houses.

When seeking approval, the applicant must satisfy the Development Applica-tion Board, that the struc-ture has a maximum build-

ing height of one storey that does not exceed 12 feet from the ground to the line of the eaves, and does not exceed a site coverage of 250 sq. ft or the maximum site coverage for the prin-cipal use, and is not located within the minimum lot line setback for the princi-pal use.

From a building aspect, each structure should have a concrete foundation to anchor it.

Prefabricated structures have interlocking compo-nents for easy assembly that requires minimum tools.

Concrete structures tend to be sturdier but are more invasive in comparison to their construction.

Most owners want to know about the control of moisture in these struc-tures and Bermuda tends to be a place that moisture almost cannot be complete-

ly avoided, but there can be ways to minimize its effect.

A question that may come to mind for an owner of a metal shed is: Why does condensation happen particularly with metal sheds?

The first thing is to understand how the condensation forms in the first place. Water vapour is always in the air, some-times there is more of it than at other times.

When warm moisture—laden air meets a cold surface it condenses to form the water droplets that you see on the under-side of your metal shed roof.

For instance, on a typi-cal clear warm autumn evening, at the start of the

evening the temperature in the metal shed will be about the same as the outside air temperature.

As the evening progress-es it starts to get a bit chilly as the sun goes down and the warm air at ground level rises. However the air in the shed can’t rise and is trapped.

As the temperature on the exterior gets colder it affects the fabric of the shed and cools too.

The metal skin of the shed is only a millimetre (mm) or so thick and metal is a good conductor of heat (as well as of electricity). Quite quickly the metal becomes cold enough so that it reaches what is known as the ‘dew point’.

The cold metal in contact

with the warm air means that water droplets/condensation form on the inside surface of the shed roof.

The condensation occurs most commonly on the roof as the warmest, most moisture-laden air rises to roof level.

There are two ways to control moisture in metal sheds; the first method is to get the inside of the shed as dry as possible.

Often metal sheds are not supplied with a raised floor.

The metal shed is built and installed on to a concrete slab foundation.

If this concrete founda-tion does not have an effective moisture barrier beneath it then it will act

as a store of water and also transmit water from the ground to the inside of the shed.

If there is a problem with condensation, then cutting off the source of that water vapour will significantly help the condensation problem.

Especially in Bermuda, most structures have a polyethylene vapour barri-er applied at the underside of the slab to help control the condensation effect.

The second method is to improve the ventilation of the shed at the eaves level.

By making some small holes in each side of the shed at eaves level the warm moisture laden air inside the shed can escape to the surrounding atmo-sphere.

This then reduces the moisture level inside the shed and reduces the possibility of condensation occurring.

Having ventilation in opposite walls of the shed means that if there is any breeze it will help to clear the warm air.

This combination of blocking the source of moisture and providing a means for it to escape means that over time the shed will dry out.

Condensation is not as much a problem in timber sheds as they tend to be typically 12mm thick and act as insulation.

Therefore it does not get as cold as quickly as the thin conductive metal. Of course 12mm is not good enough insulation to keep the building really warm.


PLANNING: How to build that retaining wall or garden shed

■ PHOTOS SUPPLIED

PURPOSE: Retaining walls stabilize and modify slopes, level sites and correct grade differences between properties.

STURDY: A typical concrete shed in Bermuda.

See PLANNING, page 18

‘Each structure should have a concrete foundation to anchor it.’


Why you should ‘buy Bermuda’ for your renovations

But it is enough to act as a buffer and to allow the internal and external temperature to equalize before condensation can occur.

Also many timber sheds are a less airtight than metal sheds and this allows the warmer air to escape to the outside, equalizing that important temperature difference.

For other shed types moisture control would be extremely hard to avoid as they are prefabricated structures that are made from materials not mois-ture resistant — for exam-ple, vinyl (a type of plastic) structures.

The only way that mois-ture could be controlled would be at its foundation as discussed previously, and allowing some venti-lation, which is easily achievable since most structures are designed with windows.

The moisture content in concrete structures can be controlled in various ways.

Concrete has a high ther-mal mass, which means it can store and release a lot of thermal energy (heat).

This property is some-times mistaken for insula-tion because it can be used to delay the transmission of thermal energy.

The amount of delay is proportional to the thick-ness of the concrete. An example of this is the use

of thick concrete walls to store thermal energy during a hot day and release it during the cooler night.

For a delay of this length (half-a-day) the thickness of the concrete wall needs to be between 150-200mm.

Some people also apply additives such as Xypex to the concrete as well as affixing a layer of drywall otherwise known as ‘furring’ to the interior wall, leaving an ‘air gap’ between it and the surface.

Other methods to control moisture in concrete struc-tures are the use of bitumi-nous material or Drylok paint (both available at paint retailers), as well as the use of windows and/or roof vents to allow for ventilation.

Another method that can be used is the installation of air extractor fans in the space.

Asbestos sheds In the past, many garden

sheds and domestic garages were made of asbestos-cement sheets supported on a very light angle-iron frame.

Concerns about safety led to the practice being discontinued, but they were cheap and long-last-ing, and many can still be seen in British gardens.

For owners who wish to demolish an asbestos shed, you must take caution and seek the advice of a certi-fied abatement contractor.

On a final note, for people wishing to propose either

a shed or retaining wall, it is strongly advised to research all planning legis-lation and building codes prior to the erection and/or construction of such devel-opment.

These can be found at www.planning .gov.bm.

Also, consult with people who have the technical knowledge to submit for both Planning and Build-ing approval. ■

YOLANDA BASHIR is a compliance officer for the Bermuda Government’s Department of Planning. She has a Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) degree and is a Master of Planning and a RTPI Licentiate. For more information contact the Department of Planning on 297-7756.

■ PHOTO SUPPLIED

STORAGE: A metal shed on its foundations. In Bermuda, each structure — whether metal, wood, concrete, plastic, vinyl or other — should have a concrete base to anchor it to the ground. Rope fixtures to hold it steady in hurricane winds are also sometimes advised.

PLANNINGContinued from page 17 ‘For owners who

wish to demolish an asbestos shed, you must take caution and seek the advice of a certified contractor.’

BY RICHARD MAYNEBetter Renovations

Contrary to popular belief, purchasing renovat-ing products like kitchen cabinets, windows, doors or tile overseas is not necessarily easier or a better deal.

Understanding the prod-ucts, how they are manu-factured and where they are purchased or distrib-uted from are critical in the decision-making process.

Accurately estimating the actual shipping cost to Bermuda is another challenge in itself. The actual cubic measure-ment given by the supplier is not always the same measurement as you will be charged by the shipping company.

WarrantiesThe manufacturer’s

cubic measurements are based on a perfect world where the product fits exact.

This rarely happens, and as a result the cubic charges can be significant-ly higher than estimated, resulting in much higher than expected shipping costs.

Damage or missing parts is another challenge and can take considerable work and time to sort out, even though insurance is in place to cover certain even-tualities.

Getting someone to admit fault is just the start of a long list of procedures to go through to sort it out.

Be aware of the concealed damage excuse, or abuse, as this is used a lot by the

shipping companies, truck-ing firms or anyone in the list of carriers through the supply chain who was involved in the movement of the goods from purchase through final delivery.

Understanding where goods originate will better help you understand how easy it is or how long it will take to resolve issues — whether it’s a shipping or warranty issue.

Resolving these are difficult, even by the most seasoned logistics person-nel, let alone someone who has never been involved in this aspect of the business.

Warranty issues for the most part do not apply once the goods leave North America, even though the sales associate may state there is a warranty.

The problem is where the sales associate states the warranty is valid in North America only.

This mainly applies to cabinets and there are exceptions, but trying to have a warranty processed or honoured from overseas is a difficult exercise, and almost impossible to get resolved.

The unfair fact is that local merchants have to adhere to a completely different set of rules than those in the US or Canada, but yet still compete finan-cially with them.

In Bermuda, merchants bear the risk and have to honour warranties or be responsible for the fitness of the product for the appli-cation or market, while merchants overseas do not.

Again, merchants in Bermuda have to compete

price for price, even though they have to offer that much more in warranty and service.

Very often, local consum-ers are sold goods from the big-box stores that have not been tested in Bermuda’s harsh and extremely humid climate.

This can result in goods that fail, blow out and even fall apart due to the humid-ity levels in Bermuda.

Manufacturers expect humidity levels to be within certain parameters

in order for the product to perform to expectations. This normally requires the use of air conditioning year round.

One simply just can’t assume that products are less expensive at Home Depot, Lowes, Global and other outlets, because for the most part they are not, when considering all factors accurately.

Better Renovations in Southampton understands this. This resulted in a change in philosophy some

years ago and we adjusted our business model to effec-tively compete with our big competitors in the US and Canada.

A smaller profit margin but higher volume of sales, rather than the traditional high-profit, low-volume model used by many retail-ers, is our answer.

Let’s examine kitchen cabinets for example. Better Renovations offers the largest selection of cabi-nets in Bermuda, giving us the ability to accommodate

every eventuality and every price point.

We offer quality products that can stand the test of time, having sold them long enough to know what prod-ucts will be able to handle Bermuda’s harsh climate.

The Home Depots, Lowes etc. generally sell what works in North America, which doesn’t necessarily work in Bermuda and can result in product failure.

Another critical fact is that it is most important to shop local in order to keep funds circulating in the community in which you live and are employed.

This may help keep many Bermudians employed, if not directly with Better Renovations, but possibly through the sub-trades and independent contractors. Let Better Renovations take care of everything for you.

Check out our website www.CanAmericaDirect.com and your link to www.BetterRenovations.biz, and remember the prices on the site may not reflect larger purchases and are geared to single or a few items purchased.

If you are doing a larger project that includes cabi-nets, vanities, windows, doors, flooring etc. simply drop by our showroom or call us with your wish list for a custom quotation. ■

RICHARD MAYNE is the owner of Better Renovations, 215 Middle Road, Southampton. Call 238-0198 or go to www.betterrenovations.biz

■ PHOTO SUPPLIED

QUALITY: Better Renovations specializes in kitchen cabinets, offering a wide range of quality products that can handle Bermuda’s harsh climate.


How Bermuda Gas can save you time and energyBY ERNEST MARSHALLBermuda Gas

Bulk gas services are no longer just for business owners — homeowners can benefit from them too.

Did you know that home-owners who run several appliances on gas can reduce their propane

cost and enjoy the conve-nience of regularly sched-uled tank top-ups by becom-ing a bulk gas customer?

Yes — business and homeowners alike can benefit from the installa-

tion of a bulk commercial tank.

Get startedBulk tanks range in size

from 50 to 100 gallon capaci-ty and can be used to power most appliances, as well as to heat tap water, circulate swimming pool water and run a generator.

A site visit will be required to determine whether a bulk propane installation is suitable for your site.

An assessment of the tank size is then made to match your requirements, as well as the best location for it to be situated.

Once a bulk tank is installed, there is no need to request gas going forward as this is done

automatically on an agreed schedule.

So, in addition to saving money over the cost of using 100lb cylinders, bulk tanks are also convenient and help to ensure that you don’t run out of gas.

Additional or new equipment

Experience is very useful when it comes to select-

ing home and commercial appliances.

As the representative of more than 50 different product lines, you can rest assured that no one knows propane gas and gas-powered units better than us.

Of course, if you’d rather repair than replace equip-ment, you’ll need the services of a knowledgeable parts department, one that

not only knows what parts you require but has the inventory on hand when you need it.

Experienced service technicians, focused on the repair and maintenance of your appliances and commercial equipment are also essential.

At Bermuda Gas, a dedi-cated commercial account coordinator is at your service to deliver the high-

est standard of service to assist with all your bulk gas needs. ■

ERNEST MARSHALL is the commercial account coordinator at Bermuda Gas. Contact him on 325-1812 or e-mail [email protected]. For more information visit Bermuda Gas at 25 Serpentine Road, Hamilton or call 295-3111/298-6113.

■ POWER / Ideas for efficient source and supply

MARSHALL

■ PHOTO SUPPLIED

CONVENIENCE: With a bulk gas commercial tank you can enjoy regular fuel top-ups.

BY DAVID DESILVABermuda Gas

Your water heater is a big consumer of energy in your home.

It will maintain a tank full of hot water 24 hours a day, when the aver-age house-hold use is less than an hour per day.

By switching to a tankless water heater, you can significantly reduce your annual energy consump-tion and the cost that goes along with it.

How does a tankless water heater work?

Tankless water heaters are extremely efficient — they do not store pre-warmed water.

Instead, they function on an on-demand basis that is instantly triggered by turn-ing on a hot water tap.

Cold water enters the heater and, as it flows through the heating elements, it is warmed to the appropriate tempera-ture.

As the water flow varies, the unit adjusts to main-tain a constant tempera-

ture, delivering maximum energy efficiency.

When the hot water tap is turned off, the heater stops too, thus saving you money.

Tankless water heaters are capable of providing an instant, endless supply of hot water.

Not relying on a pre-heated reservoir means that you will never run out of hot water. No more cold showers!

By only heating water when you need it, tankless water heaters reduce your energy consumption and heating costs — saving about 20 per cent on your electricity bill.

With a lifespan that is twice as long as traditional hot water systems, and no reservoir to corrode, a slim profile and a small foot-print — saving you valu-able space — the benefits keep adding up.

Also, our tankless water heaters use clean-burning propane gas to heat your water, making good use of a greener source of energy. ■

DAVID DESILVA is the sales manager at Bermuda Gas. For more information visit the showroom at 25 Serpentine Road, Hamilton or call 295-3111/298-6113.

DESILVA

Try a tankless heater


installation yourself.An expert can point

out things that you may not have considered and their opinion can save you

money in the long run.Depending on the scope

of your project, you may need permits, and an expert can advise you about that as well.

No matter where you decide to locate your outdoor kitchen, make sure you include some shelter from the elements and shade from the sun.

If the cooking area is under a roof overhang or porch ceiling make sure it is near the edge and well ventilated so that smoke and cooking odours do not get trapped under the ceil-ing.

Or, add a vent or chim-ney extractor to move the smoke away.

It is not fun to cook in or hang out near a smoke-filled kitchen.

For fire prevention, the grill and any other heat-producing appliances should be at least 10 feet from the house and any combustible materials. ■

MICHELE D SMITH is the managing director of OBM International/Bermuda. Contact 278-3550.

Outdoor kitchens are becoming more and more popular and in Bermuda they can be used all year-

round. If you

are consid-ering building one, here are some things to think about when plan-

ning it, and the perfect spot for entertaining.

One of the most impor-tant decisions in planning your BBQ entertaining area is your budget.

BudgetBefore you start visiting

showrooms you need to have your budget in place.

The first step to your budget is deciding how much you have available to spend.

Then make a list of what you need for your outdoor kitchen/entertaining area, adding what you want, your ‘wish list’.

You may want that big shiny grill with the rotis-serie, side burners and cup

holders but if your culinary skills only extend to hot dogs and hamburgers it would be better to get a grill that will perform well and last.

Get the best that you can afford, as opposed to one with all the bells and whistles on that you will never use.

When creating your budget consider where you want to build your outdoor kitchen.

This will give you a good idea of what you will need.

If you are planning on having gas and water running to your area it can get expensive and really run up the costs.

Be sure to plan for light-ing in your budget, both for the BBQ area and surrounding areas, such as steps and pathways.

Once you have a list of what you need and what you want, price out the different items on the list to get an idea of how much it will cost overall.

If it is more than you can afford, start eliminat-ing some of the ‘wish list’ items, especially if they can be added down the road.

You also need to know where you are going to build your outdoor kitchen, as the location will have an impact on the budget

as well as the rest of your entertainment area.

This is a good time to consult a professional, even if you plan on doing the

How to create an alfresco kitchen and dining area

■ PHOTO SUPPLIED

EFFICIENCY: Whether it’s large or small appliances, the staff at Bermuda Gas can assist you.

■ PHOTO SUPPLIED

A BREEZE: Make the most of the summer climate by entertaining and relaxing outside.

SMITH

What do consider when buying your next home applianceBY DAVID DESILVABermuda Gas

Whether you’re looking for a new refrigerator, oven or water heater, there are a few important things you

can do to ensure that you end up with the appliance that suits your situa-tion.

First of all you have to

assess your needs. Before heading to the shop, decide exactly what you need; how

big does your fridge have to be, given the size of your family?

Do you cook enough to warrant six burners on your stove?

Will gas or electric appli-ances better suit your circumstances?

Fuel costsWith a little bit of

advance preparation, you’re less likely to buy on impulse when something catches your eye.

Also, consider your costs. The cost of your home appliance actually has three components: The upfront, purchase price;

the cost to operate it (the fuel — either gas or elec-tric, the amount of water for that washing machine or dishwasher, etc); and the cost of ongoing mainte-nance and repairs.

Try to look past the number on the price tag, and think in terms of the overall cost of owning and operating that appliance.

Fuel efficiency can help to reduce the cost of operat-

ing your appliance.Did you know, for

instance, that gas water heaters heat twice as much water per hour as compa-rable electric models?

Or that gas dryers can dry your clothes in three quarters of the time it takes an electric dryer to dry the same load?

AdviceBe sure to inspect the

ENERGYGUIDE label affixed to the appliance to get a better sense of its energy efficiency (refer to the adjacent diagram for more information on ENERGYGUIDE labels).

Also, ensure you get advice. It’s important to talk to a reputable dealer when purchasing a new appliance; one you can trust to steer you in the right direction.

The knowledgeable staff at Bermuda Gas have a wealth of appliance experi-ence, and are happy to help you find just what you’re looking for. ■

FOR MORE INFORMATION, visit www.bermudagas.bm, or visit the new appliance showroom at 25 Serpentine Road, Hamilton. Telephone: (441) 298-611

DESILVA

‘Try to look past the number on the price tag, and think in terms of the overall cost of owning and operating that appliance.’


The mandate placed upon the Department of Health (Occupational Safety and Health) is to ensure that all workplaces remain safe and that all workers and members of the public are protected from coming into contact with any article, substance for use at work or an environment that can cause injury, ill health or death.

In accordance with Bermuda laws that pertain to safety at work, the Occupational Safety and Health legislation is paramount. Every person should become familiar with these minimal standards during the planning stage of engaging in work to ensure that all precautionary measures are taken to mitigate all visible and invisible hazards. You can find these on the internet at www.bermudalaws.bm. Look up Occupational Safety and Health Act 1982 and Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 2009.

What is a hazard? A hazard is something, generally, that can hurt you or make you ill. Every day you deal with hazards from walking across busy streets, driving and playing sports. Usually, you do not worry too much about these situations because you have learned from an early age how to deal with these everyday hazards.

You have learned from your own experiences, and from being trained by parents, teachers and coaches, which is often called common sense. In conducting accident investigations, one of the main reasons that persons get hurt is that they have not been trained to recognize, assess and control hazards found in the workplace. What needs to happen is that one needs to study and identify hazards so that it becomes natural to spot them and deal with them immediately.

How Can I Recognize Hazards At Work?The first step to protecting yourself is being able to recognize hazards in the work you’re assigned and in the conditions you’re working in. There are four main types of hazards.

Physical hazards are the most common and will be present in most workplaces at one time or another. They include unsafe conditions that can cause injury, illness and death.

They are typically easiest to spot but, sadly, too often overlooked because of familiarity (there are always cords running across the aisles), lack of knowledge (they aren’t seen as hazards), resistance to spending time or money to make necessary improvements or simply delays in making changes to remove the hazards (waiting until tomorrow or a time when “we’re not so busy”).

None of these are acceptable reasons for workers to be exposed to physical hazards.

Examples of physical hazards include:Electrical hazards: frayed cords, missing ground pins, improper wiring.

Unguarded machinery and moving machinery parts: guards removed or moving parts that a worker can accidentally touch.

Constant loud noise.

High exposure to sunlight/ultraviolet rays, heat or cold.

Working from heights, including ladders, scaffolds, roofs, or any raised work area.

Working with mobile equipment such as forklifts (operation of forklifts and similar mobile equipment in the workplace requires significant additional training and experience).

Spills on floors or tripping hazards, such as blocked aisle or cords running across the floor.

Ergonomic hazards occur when the type of work, body position and working conditions put strain on your body. They are the hardest to spot since you don’t always immediately notice the strain on your body or the harm these hazards pose. Short-term exposure may result in “sore muscles” the next day or in the days following exposure, but long-term exposure can result in serious long-term injuries.

Examples of ergonomic hazards include:Poor lighting

Improperly adjusted workstations and chairs.

Frequent lifting.

Poor posture.

Awkward movements, especially if they are repetitive.

Repeating the same movements over and over.

Having to use too much force, especially if you have to do it frequently.

Chemical hazards are present when a worker is exposed to any chemical preparation in the workplace in any form (solid, liquid or gas). Some are safer than others, but to some workers who are more sensitive to chemicals, even common solutions can cause illness, skin irritation or breathing problems.

Beware of:Liquids like cleaning products, paints, acids, solvents especially chemicals in an unlabelled container (warning sign!)

Vapors and fumes, for instance those that come from welding or exposure to solvents.

Gases like acetylene, propane, carbon monoxide and helium.

Flammable materials like gasoline, solvents and explosive chemicals.

What if i recognize a hazard at work?Some hazards, such as unguarded machinery, pose immediate dangers; a worker could lose a finger or arm. Other types of hazards, such as ergonomic hazards can injure a worker over a long period of time, but the full extent of the damage (such as chronic strain or a muscle impairment) may not show up until after several months or years of exposure to the hazard.

Both types of hazards need to be fixed. Some require immediate attention because exposure to them can cause injury to you and fellow workers NOW. They can be quickly fixed by cleaning up the floor, putting a guard back on or installing a guardrail, for instance. Hazards that can hurt you in the long term also need to be indentified and reported promptly. Interim solutions should be sought right away, such as rotating tasks with other workers, but permanent elimination of the hazard may take a little more time to achieve.

Once you’re recognized a hazard, assessing its potential to cause injury and the extent of the hazard is a necessary step in determining how the hazard can be addressed.

What if i have doubts about the safety of a job?Learn to follow your instincts—if it doesn’t feel or sound right, or if you have any doubts, give it some thought before you do the job. If the doubts are still there, trust your instincts and report the situation.

Here are some red flags— situations that should IMMEDIATELY alert you to unsafe situations that might result in injury.

You’re asked to operate a piece of machinery or equipment like a lift truck—equipment you’ve never seen or used before.

You’ve been asked to operate a machine and you notice that a guard that’s normally in place to protect you from the moving parts is missing.

You notice that parts of a machine are broken, such as the blade of a saw, or frayed electrical cords.

You are asked to climb a ladder that is obviously broken.

You are asked to work at a height over three meters (10 feet), like a roof, with no fall protection, such as a guardrail or a harness.

You’re asked to work with chemicals or handle human bodily fluids with no training or appropriate personal protective equipment.

Fellow workers have received minor cuts or burns from using a piece of equipment, it hasn’t been fixed and now it’s your turn to use it.

The nature of your work may expose you to the risk of violence, and you’ve not been trained on the procedures to follow to protect yourself.

Another worker has refused to do the work you’ve been asked to do because they thought it was unsafe and the issue still hasn’t been resolved.

WORKPLACE SAFETY

GOVERNMENT OF BERMUDAMinistry of Health and SeniorsDepartment of HealthOccupational Safety and Health


BY AMANDA [email protected]

You may not have given much thought to the light-ing in your home, but it is crucial in setting mood and atmosphere.

With advances in light-ing technology there is now no need for anyone to hide in the dark, as energy-efficient CFL (compact fluorescent light) and LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs can light up your home for a fraction of the cost of traditional bulbs.

Lindsay Davis, show-room manager for ESC Ltd, said: “I see lighting as like the ‘jewellery’ of a home, in that it creates ambience.

“If you’re on a budget, even just a few changes in fixtures can really alter the look of your home.

Brighter“If you’re renovating,

updating the fixtures to something more contempo-rary can definitely help.

“You can update the glass on the fixtures, the finials (tops of the lamps), or the trims.

“These days, everyone is trying to be energy-conscious, so all the fixtures we stock can take LED bulbs.”

Retro-fitting — removing old incandescent bulbs and replacing them with LED bulbs — is becoming popu-lar in Bermuda homes.

Jonathan White, ESC Ltd vice president and co-owner, said: “The

primary lighting source for most homes in Bermuda is recessed lighting (a light fixture installed into a hollow-opening in a ceiling, with trim and housing).

“They can be adapted for LED by retro-fitting the existing housings.

“Or, if you want a new LED housing or fixture, we can offer that as well, in various sizes from two to six inches. Renovating in Bermuda can be a chal-lenge though, depending on how old the house is, so you may need someone to examine the ceiling space and depth.”

Miss Davis said: “You can also replace incandes-cent bulbs with a screw-in CFL.

“In modern homes there can also be an option of

using a low voltage halogen bulb. They use a smaller fixture.

“When someone is constructing a new house however, the lighting aspect of it sometimes gets left behind as an after-thought.

“One of the big issues with a new house is that an architect can just throw in recessed lights, but with a lot of newer properties you don’t need as many light fixtures because LED bulbs are that much brighter.”

ESC Ltd offers a consult-ing service for residential and commercial property owners, to explore their lighting options in the space they are in.

Miss Davis said: “We work with the majority of the electricians on the island and so can discuss a specific project with them.

“It’s always helpful to the electrician if a customer can come into our show-room beforehand to discuss their options with us. Then they can see if they

want to change their plans anywhere.

“A lot of people don’t tend to think about the bigger picture. So we encourage them to come in, so we can look at their options with them.

“A lot of it depends on what type of house is being constructed.

“For example, does it have a pool or a lot of land-scaping? Does the client want to light all of that up as well?

“We try to have a variety

of products here in terms of price range, so we can accommodate someone looking to spend less than $100 on a fixture to some-one looking to spend thou-sands of dollars.”

Whether it’s an old or new property, or you just want to overhaul the light-ing in your home or busi-ness, the lighting experts at ESC Ltd can help.

Miss Davis said: “Jona-than (White) and I can go to your home to figure out what you can change, or you can take a look through our catalogues at the show-room. If you’re looking for something in particular, we can always order it in.

“We are also happy to come to your place of busi-ness and work with you to find the best solution going forward.

“Most offices have fluo-rescent fixtures, two foot by four foot in size, which fit into a regular tiled grid ceiling, or a regular surface mount. And most offices have recessed lighting.

“We have replacement fixtures to replace any bulbs.”

She added: “At ESC we also do lamp repairs, if someone needs to fix a broken lamp.”

ESC Ltd is this year celebrating its 25th anni-versary. ■

ESC LTD, 4 Mill Creek Road, Pembroke. Call 292-7269 or e-mail [email protected]. Website www.escbermuda.com

How LED and energy-saving bulbs can light the wayESC Ltd can help you to cut your power bills for residential and office lighting

‘If you’re on a budget, even just a few changes in fixtures can really alter the look of your home.’

LINDSAY DAVISESC showroom manager

■ CREATIVE COMMONS PHOTO BY LED-NEOLIGHT

ILLUMINATING: A modern LED retro-fit bulb. ESC Ltd stocks a variety of lighting options.

How to lay a durable hardwood floorBY MICHELE SMITHOBMI

Many homeowners are attracted to the simple elegance which hardwood flooring can bring to a home.

That said, maintenance and installation is not easy when dealing with a genu-ine, solid wood floor.

Wood is extremely susceptible to contraction and expansion if subjected to moisture.

All wood floors react to moisture. In winter, heating causes the wood to contract, leaving gaps between planks.

BucklingDuring summer months,

the higher humidity causes the wood to expand, and the gaps disappear.

If the wood experiences too much moisture it can buckle.

Besides buckling, the presence of moisture can lead to condensation prob-lems or failure of adhesive under the flooring.

New concrete contains large amounts of moisture and it can take 60 days or more before the slab is dry enough for wood flooring installation.

Regular monitoring of moisture content of the concrete slab during

the drying-out period is required to ensure it has reached sufficient dryness to accept the floor covering.

Engineered wood floor-ing is more stable and has less tendency to warp.

A sub-floor is installed for solid wood installations as well as engineered floor-

ing. Ask your installer for the best method, but each type will require it.

When installing on wood joists and you are on the second level, in addition to the plywood subfloor a sound barrier is also advis-able to reduce noise trans-mission.

Bermuda lends itself to a home with wooden floors. They are easy to keep clean and add warmth to any interior décor. ■

MICHELE SMITH is man-aging director of OBM International/Bermuda. Contact 278-3550.

■ PHOTO SUPPLIED

MIND THE GAP: Both heat and moisture can have a detrimental impact on wood.

How do I choose the flooring type?BY MICHELE SMITHOBMI

As one of the most perma-nent finishes in your new home build or renovation, selecting your flooring will

be your most diffi-cult and costly deci-sion.

It is therefore important to evalu-ate how and where

you live, and what type of ambiance you want in your home, to decide what type of floor finish is best for you.

Traditional flooring types include wood, tile and carpet. Each brings its own set of characteristics to a home.

Wood floors bring warmth and can make a home take on a historic look or modern feel, simply by what type of wood is selected and how it is finished.

With age and wear, wood floors take on their own characteristics.

Dents, scratches and a little wear don’t bother some people but for those that can’t take the marks, they are easy to repair and refinish.

Solid wood floors are typically installed on floor joists and engineered floors on concrete slabs with a moisture barrier between the two.

Both options are avail-able in many finishes, and samples are readily avail-able for selection, so take some home and live with them for a while. Take the time to be sure.

Once installed, an engi-neered wood floor can be difficult to distinguish from a solid plank floor. But believe me, even a trained eye can be fooled.

Even though both types of wood floors bring the look of natural wood into a home, they are very differ-ent things.

Engineered wood floors behave a little differently than plank floors do; they tend to be easier to install and they’re usually less expensive than solid planks.

SMITH

■ DIY TIPS / Flooring

See FLOORING, page 23

THE BERMUDA SUN CONSTRUCTION: A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION APRIL 19, 2013 23

Wood floors are a clas -sic addition to any home. Barring damage from fire or flood, a well made and correctly-installed solid wood floor will add warmth, character and value to your interior as long as you’re in your house.

Tile floors or natural stone selections can take on a life of their own.

Our bathrooms and kitchens typically have tile or stone finishes, and the selections are endless.

LifestyleThe combinations of

colours, styles, and shapes for flooring are huge.

There is a tile for every traditional, contemporary, and modern style-loving person out there.

When you’re choosing a floor tile, try not to put aesthetic at the top of your list. It can be tempting to automatically choose a style and look at every -thing else after that.

But if a tile isn’t durable or of high quality, it will chip and wear in no

time, making it lose any aesthetic value it had very quickly.

Evaluate your lifestyle, and the area that you want to use floor tiles in.

Is it a high traffic area? Is it outdoors? Will it be exposed to moisture on a regular basis?

Deciding the location, and the type of wear and tear that this tile will expe -rience is absolutely vital before making any type of design decision.

Porcelain tile or ceram -ics are great choices for any area that’s going to be exposed to moisture (bath -room, kitchen), outside elements (entryway, patio), or a lot of foot traffic.

Granite, marble, slate and other natural stone tiles are extremely durable and hard.

They are more on the expensive side, and may require some type of treat -ment, so be aware of what’s involved before purchasing them.

But nothing in my mind beats the natural patina and colour variations that stone brings to a space.

The size and shape of your tile partly depends on the look you’re going for.

You can achieve a very different ambiance with a set of small mosaic-like tiles, and larger white subway tiles.

Think about the pattern that you’ll be laying these out in, and what will make the most sense.

Do you have a square shape set aside? Or are you trying to go for a more intricate pattern?

This can help you deter -mine shape, and which size will look best.

Mix it upCarpeting, the third floor -

ing type, is a wonderful flooring alternative.

In Bermuda however, most homeowners I find are keeping carpet to a minimum due to UV rays and fading, as well as aller -gic reactions in our humid environment.

But it does have its place for some homeowners. It feels great to walk on, and thanks to modern develop -ments in stain protection, is relatively easy to clean.

Like any type of flooring, deciding on the right kind of carpeting for your house is about evaluating your lifestyle.

Do you have children,

pets, or host a lot of gather -ings?

Or do you live in a house -hold that’s a bit smaller, with less traffic roaming the hallways?

Making these kind of distinctions will help you decide which carpet is right for you.

Determine your high traffic areas to determine which kinds of carpet will work best for your home.

Wool is an extremely warm natural fibre that wears well and is very durable.

It holds dye very well, and is naturally flame and fire resistant.

However, it’s one of the more expensive fibres and may be best selected as an area rug.

Mix it up on wood or tile and bring in your style with a combination of floor -ing materials.

Buy Bermuda. We have great dealers and installers right here to save you time and money.

MICHELE D SMITH is man -aging director of OBM International/Bermuda. Contact 278-3550.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

PRACTICAL: Tile, natural stone or wooden flooring are all popular options in Bermuda.

FLOORINGContinued from page 22


w w w . b e r m u d a s u n . b m

Did you enjoy reading this edition of the Construction Special Report?

Are you interested in advertising in the next edition?

Then be sure to contact our sales department at 295-3902 for further details.

Next publication date is Friday 25th October.

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Construction 2013