Mastering the Art of Renovation: Dust Control, Finish and Fixture Protection, and Site Access

April 18, 2024

While the end result of a renovation is something to look forward to, the journey to get there requires meticulous attention to detail, particularly when it comes to protecting your existing home and the unrenovated spaces during the project.

One of the primary concerns homeowners have during renovations is how to safeguard their home from the potential mess and disruption that construction can bring. Dust, debris, and the risk of damage to existing finishes and fixtures are real issues that need to be addressed with thoughtful and proactive measures. Moreover, maintaining safe and convenient access to your home while the work is underway is essential, especially if you plan to continue living in the space during the renovation.

At Bigelow Construction, we have extensive experience in working in the old homes of downtown Toronto and ensuring that the process is as stress free as possible. Our comprehensive strategies for dust control, finish and fixture protection, and our innovative site access solutions are designed not only to protect your home but also to allow you to continue living in it comfortably and safely while we complete our work. By implementing innovative solutions such as sealed plastic walls, temporary wood barriers, and advanced floor protection, we minimize the impact of construction on your daily life.

In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the methods and techniques we use to keep your home clean, protected, and accessible throughout the renovation process. Whether you’re planning a small update or a major overhaul, understanding these strategies will help you feel confident that your home is in good hands with Bigelow Construction.


The Importance of Dust Control in Home Renovations

One of the biggest concerns during any renovation is the inevitable dust that comes with construction. Dust can not only be a nuisance, but it can also cause damage to your belongings and pose health risks to you and your family. Effective dust control is essential for maintaining a clean and healthy living environment throughout the renovation process.


At Bigelow Construction, we use a multi-faceted approach to dust control, ensuring that your home stays as dust-free as possible:

Sealed Plastic Walls:

To contain dust within specific work areas, we install sealed plastic walls that act as barriers between the construction zone and your living space. These walls are airtight, preventing dust from spreading to other parts of your home. They are installed with zippers or magnetic closures to allow easy access while maintaining the seal. This solution is particularly effective in containing fine dust that can travel through even the smallest gaps, ensuring that your living areas remain clean.

TEMPORARY WOOD WALLS:

 In cases where more robust barriers are needed, we construct temporary wood walls. These walls are particularly useful for longer projects or when heavy-duty dust containment is required. They offer additional sound insulation and can be built to include temporary doors for easier access to different parts of your home. This added layer of protection not only controls dust but also helps to minimize noise pollution, making your home more livable during the renovation.

AIR FILTRATION SYSTEMS:

We employ advanced air filtration systems within the construction zones to capture airborne dust particles before they can escape into the rest of your home. These systems work continuously to clean the air, ensuring that the space remains as breathable as possible. By using HEPA filters and negative air machines, we create a controlled environment that reduces the risk of dust and allergens affecting your family’s health.

Protecting Your Finishes and Fixtures

Beyond dust control, protecting the finishes and fixtures in your home is a top priority during any renovation. Whether it’s your hardwood floors, kitchen countertops, or custom cabinetry, preserving the quality of your home’s existing features is essential to the success of the project.


Here’s how we safeguard your finishes and fixtures:

Paper and Hardboard Floor Protection:

We use a combination of paper and hardboard floor protection to shield your floors from damage during construction. Paper protection is applied first, followed by hardboard, which is taped and sealed to ensure it stays in place. This dual-layer approach protects against scratches, dents, and spills, keeping your floors in pristine condition. The materials we use are specifically chosen for their durability and ease of removal, ensuring that your floors emerge from the renovation unscathed.

fIXTURE COVERS:

Light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, and other delicate items are covered with protective materials to prevent dust accumulation and accidental damage. We use specialized covers that are easy to install and remove, allowing us to work efficiently while keeping your fixtures safe. These covers are also resistant to tears and punctures, providing reliable protection throughout the duration of the project.

edge and corner guards:

Edges and corners of walls, countertops, and other surfaces are vulnerable to chips and cracks during renovations. We apply protective guards to these areas to absorb impacts and prevent damage. These guards are custom-fitted to each surface, ensuring that they provide comprehensive protection without interfering with the progress of the work.

Maintaining Access: Temporary Site Access Solutions

A key part of living through a renovation is maintaining safe and convenient access to your home. Building on our previous discussion of site access solutions, we continue to innovate ways to ensure you can move freely around your home during construction.


Our approach includes:

Custom-Built Site Access Stairs:

These temporary stairs are designed to navigate around construction zones, allowing you to move between floors without disruption. They are built to be sturdy, safe, and easy to use, ensuring that you and your family can continue your daily routines. Each staircase is custom-designed to fit your home’s layout, providing a seamless and secure path through the construction site.

SPECIALIZED ENTRANCES:

We create or modify entrances to ensure you can bypass construction zones. This may involve adding temporary external doors, converting windows into access points, or even creating new pathways through your home. These solutions are tailored to your specific needs and the layout of your home, allowing you to maintain normal routines and minimize the impact of the renovation on your day-to-day life.

TEMPORARY WALLS AND DOORS:

As mentioned earlier, temporary walls can be constructed with built-in doors, providing secure and convenient access to different areas of your home. These doors are equipped with dust-tight seals to prevent contamination while allowing you to move around freely. This flexibility ensures that your home remains functional throughout the renovation process, no matter the scope or complexity of the project.


Why Choose Bigelow Construction for Your Renovation?

At Bigelow Construction, we understand that your home is more than just a building; it’s where your life happens. Our meticulous attention to detail, combined with our innovative solutions, ensures that your renovation experience is as seamless and stress-free as possible. From dust control to finish and fixture protection, and maintaining safe access to your home, we’ve got you covered every step of the way.


We pride ourselves on our ability to tailor our services to meet the unique needs of each client. Whether you’re concerned about protecting your home’s historical features or ensuring that your daily life is minimally impacted, we have the expertise and tools to deliver exceptional results.


If you’re planning a renovation and want to ensure that your home is protected throughout the process, contact Bigelow Construction today.


Let us show you how we can turn your renovation dreams into reality while keeping your living space safe, clean, and accessible.

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