The Muskoka region, in Northern Ontario is best known as the Canadian summer retreat for celebrities to enjoy their extravagant, multi-million dollar cottages.
Last fall, former Toronto Maple Leaf great, Wendel Clark, approached us with the challenge of renovating his Muskoka home. And as any Canadian would have done, we jumped at the opportunity. Check out the project details below along with a list of the products we used to transform his Muskoka cottage.
Project Goals
Wendel and his wife, Dee, wanted to convert their 3-season room into a year-round relaxing retreat. Living on the lakefront, they also wanted to maximize their view of the lake, add access to the outdoors from this room and create a maintenance-free exterior. And they wanted it all to seamlessly blend into the existing interior and exterior of their cottage.
No problem.
Our Solution
With the project goals laid out, we began tackling this Muskoka cottage transformation.
First up, maximizing the view of the lake and creating an access point to the outdoors.
When we first learned of Wendel and Dee’s desire to maximize their view of the lake and create an access point to the outdoors, we immediately knew Centor’s bi-fold doors were the perfect solution. These large window-like sliding/folding doors provide a floor to ceiling view of the lake like a window wall, but also double as a door, providing effortless access to their yard. We started the install by removing the existing windows and knee wall and then reinforced the header to be able to support the weight of the Centor bi-fold door. The bi-fold door’s exterior was painted to match the cottage’s existing windows, and its interior was stained by our team to match the timber frame of the room. The door was installed along with a retractable sunshade and a retractable bug screen to enhance the practicality and usability of the room further.
With the door installed, Wendel and Dee now have an uninterrupted view of the lake, access to the outdoors as well as a room that is more suited to their lifestyle than before.
Next up, the start of a maintenance-free exterior.
With the most substantial part of the project successfully completed, we moved on to replacing the existing windows on the wall opposite from the Centor door with new, energy-efficient windows that would help make the exterior maintenance-free and the interior warm year-round.
For this part of the project, we turned to Lepage’s XL Double-Hung window. We chose a double-hung window for this scenario to maximize ventilation and an aluminum clad exterior that was paint-matched to the existing windows to create a seamless, maintenance-free exterior. At the same time, the interior received a factory stain to match the room’s timber frame once again.
Products Used
Windows
- Lepage XL Double Hung windows with paint-matched aluminum clad exterior and factory-stained wood interior
Doors
- Centor Bi-Fold Door with factory paint-matched exterior and custom stained wood interior
- Retractable sunshade and bug screen
Other
- Additional insulating was provided beneath windows
Project Gallery
Whether your home stares out over Lake Muskoka, acres of farm field or maybe just your backyard oasis, we take great pride in helping homeowners like Wendel Clark, maximize their home’s view and bring their custom exterior dreams to life. Equipped with some of the best suppliers in the industry, our team is ready to tackle any project you can think of. Visit our Owen Sound or Collingwood village-style showroom today to see and feel products in real-life settings that may be perfect for your home.
“If It Goes On The Outside Of Your Home, You’ll Find It On The Inside Of Ours.”