| In recent years, home modification has played an increasingly important role in the housing industry. Expenditures on renovation have consistently exceeded those spent on new home construction during the 1990s. And it has huge potential to continuously increase in the years to come. Renovators' do-it-yourself activities are efficient ways to fulfill homeowners' psychological and physical needs and save expensive labour costs.
This research investigates not only the technology evolution of ten products and the installation processes that are frequently used by renovators, but also the fundamental reasons that drive the development of these innovations. It covers the technology from the beginning of this century to the latest innovations developed by manufactures in the 1990s. Additionally, it documents recent national and Quebec renovation market trends, together with three post-occupancy studies which had been conducted in the Montreal Area.
The study reveals that many of the products and installation process have been greatly simplified and innovations in the renovation market could benefit renovators by allowing them to undertake modifications themselves. Also, the author suggests certain guidelines for increasing housing affordability and new products development.
Subject Dwellings -- Remodeling.
Dwellings -- Remodeling -- Qu¨¦bec (Province) -- Montr¨¦al -- Case studies.
Building materials -- Technological innovations.
Degree Master of Architecture
Department School of Architecture.
Rights ? Yangli Ou, 1999
Link to this record http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:8881/R/-?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=30136¤t_base=GEN01
PID 30136 |