Outdoor Living Supplement 2025

2025

Oasis spaces Top Canadian retailers showcase their best seasonal category products

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CONTENTS T H I R D Q UA R T E R 2 02 5 2060 Lakeshore Road, Suite 702 Burlington, Ontario L7R 0G2 905-330-3061 • www.hardlines.ca PRESIDENT

Michael McLarney mike@hardlines.ca VICE-PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER

David Chestnut david@hardlines.ca EDITOR

Rebecca Dumais rebecca@hardlines.ca A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R S

Steve Payne steve@hardlines.ca

Sarah McGoldrick sarah@hardlines.ca Geoff McLarney geoff@hardlines.ca M A R K E T I N G & E V E N T S M A N AG E R

Michelle Porter michelle@hardlines.ca

AC C O U N T M A N AG E R

Shannon MacLeod shannon@hardlines.ca

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Dr. Decks Prescribes

The Crystal Rail system that shines bright in the backyard

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It’s All About Crafting the Experience The team at Gow’s Home Hardware is ready to meet demand with their blend of expertise and customer service

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Specialized in Outdoor Living

Earlton TIMBER MART is more than a building supply store. It’s a cornerstone of the community

A D M I N I S T R AT I V E A S S I S TA N T

Jillian MacLeod jillian@hardlines.ca ART DIRECTOR

Kristie Weekes elliptic.graphics@gmail.com Hardlines Outdoor Living is published by Hardlines Inc. All editorial content copyrighted 2025

by Hardlines Inc. No content may be reproduced without prior permission of the publisher.

Cover image courtesy of Regal ideas.

THANK YOU TO OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS

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Category Captains

What’s trending in decks, railings and mounting systems

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Those Personal Touches

Making outdoor living dreams a reality with good old-fashioned customer service

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What’s Trending ENGINEERED CLIMBING

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Todd Talbot Builds home renovation show host Todd Talbot shares 2025’s outdoor living trends

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NOTHING BETWEEN YOU AND THE VIEW! Try Me

Experience Crystal Rail by Regal ideas

#1 Trusted Brand in Aluminum Railing Systems ®

ADA COMPLIANT HANDRAIL

FRAMELESS GLASS RAILING SYSTEM

urbanrail

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by

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O PEN I N G CO M M EN T

“Crystal Rail is a niche product. It makes a statement no other railing system can match.”

GLASS

RAILING SYSTEMS The Crystal Rail System adds unmatched elegance, safety, and innovation to deck design—with glowing results, day or night The first time I saw the Crystal Rail system by Regal ideas at a trade show, I knew I was looking at something special. In my line of work, I’m always searching for products that go beyond the expected—ones that not only serve a functional purpose but also transform the look and feel of a space.

This system offers a frameless, ultraclear view during the day, thanks to its low-iron glass panels, which eliminate that greenish tint typical of standard glass. For clients with stunning views— whether it’s a lakefront property or a mountainside deck—this means their sightlines are completely unobstructed. But the real magic happens www.hardlines.ca

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at night. With the push of a button, the edge-lighting embedded in the base mounts illuminates the glass with a soft, blue glow. It’s subtle, modern, and creates a show-stopping effect that truly elevates the outdoor experience.

I’ve been integrating Crystal Rail into my designs for over seven years now. It’s a premium product—no question—but for the right client, it delivers unmatched visual appeal and functional performance. I’ve found it particularly suited for homeowners looking to make a strong design statement or invest in a luxury outdoor living environment that stands out from anything else on the market.

From an installation perspective, it’s refreshingly straightforward. The system is low voltage and doesn’t require an electrician.

Each panel of glass comes with its own illuminated mounting pods, and all wiring uses waterproof connectors. It plugs into a standard outlet and operates via a remote control. Even without smart home integration (which is reportedly on the way), it’s easy to install and operate.

Safety is never compromised. When installed according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, the system meets code requirements. There are additional components available to create a continuous rail, which we always include for both structural integrity and peace of mind.

As an artist at heart, over the years, I’ve enjoyed pushing the boundaries of what this system can do. One of my favorite projects involved curved glass panels—a first for Crystal Rail. It took some experimentation, but the result was incredible.

That deck went on to win several industry awards, and it all started with a willingness to try something different.

Dr. Decks Aka Jason Russell TACOMA, WASHINGTON

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D E A LER PRO FI LE: H O M E H A R DWA R E

Amanda Fancy, dealer-owner, Gow’s Home Hardware

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Photos: Brian Limoyo

The past few years ushered in a backyard renaissance, and trade tensions are driving customers to Canadian retailers. The team at Gow’s Home Hardware offers a blend of expertise and customer service with each seasonal category.

Outdoor categories have never been hotter. “People are really taking money and putting it into their outdoor space,” says Amanda Fancy, dealer-owner at Gow’s Home Hardware in Bridgewater, N.S. It’s a trend that she noticed prior to the Covid-19 pandemic “but it certainly did ramp up a lot since then— significantly more.”

“Lots of people seem to want to redo a deck or they want to add a new barbecue, a nice patio set and spend some money on that kind of outdoor space so they can do some entertaining.”

Gone are the days when patio furniture was a shadow of its indoor counterparts. Homeowners are taking outdoor

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spaces seriously and investing accordingly. Fancy says her customers will spend “significant dollars investing in a patio set; something that’s going to last them a number of years.”

Barbecues are a popular complement to those offerings. “We have an assortment of the brands for every price point, so if you want an entry-level barbecue or something higher end, we have the price point for all customers depending on what they’re looking for.”

But when it comes to outdoor spaces, homeowners seek the aesthetic as much as the practical side. “One of the categories where we’ve really noticed an increase since Covid is raised garden

beds, and gardening in general: soils, mulches, all of those types of things.”

Fancy notes that Gow’s takes full advantage of the leverage it enjoys as a member of Home Hardware, while also acting independently. “We do the assortment through Home Hardware, but seasonal and outdoor power equipment is one of our biggest categories and we do outsource as well.”

For example, the store is a recognized Weber Elite dealer, “which allows us to have the normal offerings that our competition and Home Depot would but also allows us to have a premium product.”

By combining “the direct business as well as what’s available through Home

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Hardware, it allows us to have more offerings for the customer.”

Fancy serves a largely DIY clientele but estimates about 10 to 15 percent of her business is made up by contractors on smaller-scale projects.

“When it comes to landscaping companies, we actually do some business with them because we buy product in bulk, and so a lot of our product, we’re able to offer aggressive pricing on because we have the overhead in terms of product assortment as well as the volume that they’re looking for. It’s a good partnership for us.”

Fancy’s landscaper customers are “not huge companies that have 72 employees or 50 employees. We’re really looking at the two- and three-person job, those crews that come out and they’re doing the smaller jobs, potentially for seniors.”

Smaller projects, she adds, “are harder to get contracted out with the bigger companies because they’re so busy. If it’s a two-day job or whatever that looks like, those are the harder ones to fill.

With contracting in general, the bigger jobs are easier, but when it comes to someone wanting to install a doorknob or a dryer vent, it’s harder to find that contractor to fill that void.”

One challenge Fancy’s team works hard to overcome is the stiff competition

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Photos: Brian Limoyo

D E A LER PRO FI LE: H O M E H A R DWA R E

from online sellers like Wayfair. “It’s very hard to compete with that online presence.” Gow’s focuses on leaning into the one thing those players can’t provide.

“For us, it’s all about crafting the customer experience. From the second the customer pulls in the parking lot to the second they get in their car and they drive away, no matter what category it is in our store,” the focus “is the customer experience: the knowledge, spending that one-on-one time, making them feel seen.”

“We’re backed by Home Hardware as a brand and we do a lot of direct buying, so we are very competitive.”

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Many customers, Fancy adds, come in having done their research and have found deals online. In addition to customer service, she leverages the business’s buying power to offer competitive pricing.

“We’re backed by Home Hardware as a brand and we do a lot of direct buying, so we are very competitive.” If a customer has found a deal on a site like Wayfair, “we do our best to try to bridge that gap and price-match if needed.

“We’re always asking our customers to make sure they make us aware if our pricing is not what it needs to be, because we would rather know and try to bridge the gap than lose a sale to a competitor.”

To support seasonal sales, Gow’s focuses on training their existing staff, in addition to some seasonal hiring.

“We’re always looking for the right staff member and we do have a lot of longterm staff here. For our garden centre area, we do hire seasonal staff, or we pull them from the pool that we already have. And we’re always doing in-house training and/or off-site training to try to prepare folks for the season.

“But for the most part, we try to keep the current staff that we have. They come with an assortment of knowledge

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Photos: Brian Limoyo

D E A LER PRO FI LE: H O M E H A R DWA R E

and low staff turnover is one of the things that we pride ourselves on.”

While the personnel may be stable, the broader economic picture is not.

This year, the focus is on consistency over the flashy and new.

“I think we’ve got a good solid assortment. We’re a few years into the Blackstone brand, for example. There isn’t a ‘wow’ product for us this year, but the good thing is there is product available and it’s consistent. And from what we’re finding this year, customers are not looking for the ‘wow.’ They’re looking for good-quality products and we’re able to help them with that because of

the level of expertise that the staff have.

Pricing plays a part in that but also the knowledge factor.”

The tariffs wars, of course, have brought a surge of patriotism along with instability. “People are very cognizant of buying Canadian made in Canada, but also Canadian retailers. That is a big one for us and so we have noticed an uptake in terms of customers coming in the door.”

On that score, Gow’s has the power of its banner on its side. “We’re under the Home Hardware umbrella, and Home Hardware is a great Canadian success story.”

www.hardlines.ca

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D E A LER PRO FI LE: E A R LTO N T I M B E R M A R T

SELLING OUTDOOR LIVING IN NORTHEASTERN ONTARIO

Sam Gerber, owner, Earlton TIMBER MART

Sam Gerber at Earlton TIMBER MART is proud of what he’s been able to accomplish in the category. He’s a special-order business for “the dairy centre of the North.”

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Photos: Mikey Boulley

Located in the scenic Timiskaming district of Northeastern Ontario, not far from the Quebec border, Earlton TIMBER MART is more than a building supply store. It’s a cornerstone of the community.

With just 1,199 residents according to the 2021 Census, Earlton was once known as the “dairy centre of the

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North.” Today, Sam Gerber and his team are redefining what it means to serve rural Ontario.

Earlton TIMBER MART is actually two businesses in one: a country store and a full-service building supply.

To sustain both, Gerber reaches far beyond town limits, serving customers beyond a 200 km radius. His reach

extends up and down Highway 11, Ontario’s famed Yonge Street, connecting places like Timmins to the north and Temagami to the south.

With the Quebec border to the east, the customer base is deeply bilingual.

Gerber meets that need with a staff that can provide service in both French and English.

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Photos: Mikey Boulley

D E A LER PRO FI LE: E A R LTO N T I M B E R M A R T

“Gerber says that the core of the outdoor living business is centred around hardscaping, decking, railing (including glass rail), and composites.”

The Gerber family purchased the business in 2004, transitioning it from a former Co-op feed store into a robust building supply store. Sam worked alongside his brothers for several years before taking over as sole owner in 2012. Today, he leads a team of over 30 employees who help drive the store’s continued growth and success.

SPECIALIZED IN OUTDOOR LIVING Under Gerber’s leadership, the store made a strategic decision to focus on being a building projects expert. This was not a direction dictated by TIMBER MART but developed in-house. As the store’s website proudly proclaims: “We’re the experts at outdoor living.”

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For Gerber, outdoor living starts with the essentials: hardscaping, decking, railings (including glass), and composites.

“We’re not just selling patio furniture,” he says. “Our goal is to help customers transform their outdoor areas into functional, beautiful extensions of their homes.”

The store has found success with landscaping products, thanks in the part to the region’s rural character and abundance of lakeside properties. From Unilock to Permacon, the store stocks a full range of pavers for both residential and commercial projects. When a longtime local cinder block producer retired after nearly 50 years, Earlton TIMBER MART stepped up to fill the gap in hardscaping supply.

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D E A LER PRO FI LE: E A R LTO N T I M B E R M A R T

On the decking side, pressure-treated lumber still dominates. “Honestly, we move a lot of pressure treated lumber,” Gerber says. He notes that while Northern Ontario has traditionally been slower to embrace composite materials, that trend is changing.”

SPECIAL ORDERS Custom orders now make up as much as 30 percent of Earlton TIMBER MART’s overall volume. That’s no small feat, and Gerber credits two key factors: a topnotch website and an exceptional staff.

“From foundations to finishings, most new construction involves something custom,” Gerber explains. “Whether it’s windows, doors, specialty siding, trusses, floor systems, kitchens, or flooring—it’s all made to order.”

The customer split currently sits around 60 percent contractor and 40 percent DIY, a shift from a previously even divide. “It’s been trending toward contractors, especially this year,” Gerber notes.

Despite erratic spring weather, the construction season is already in full swing. “Home values have gone up since the pandemic, and people are willing to invest in their properties,” he says. “The mining sector is strong, and there’s no shortage of

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Photos: Mikey Boulley

“Home values have gone up since the pandemic, and people are willing to invest in their properties”

work. Contractors are booked solid for the year.”

Agriculture also plays a major role in the region’s economy. While smaller farms are disappearing, larger commercial dairies are growing.

“We’re seeing more cash cropping and expansion among the larger dairy operations,” Gerber says. “It’s a changing landscape.”

Through it all, Sam Gerber remains focused on staying responsive to his community’s evolving needs.

This way, Earlton TIMBER MART has continued to thrive. Proving that even in the most remote corners of Ontario, opportunity is what you make of it.

www.hardlines.ca

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PRO D U C T S H OWC A S E

CATEGORY CAPTAINS

What’s trending in decks, railings and mounting systems

REGAL PICKET RAILING SYSTEM Regal ideas’ innovative component system features a patented lock-in picket design, ensuring a straightforward and efficient installation process.

Constructed from 100 percent aluminum alloys and finished with a premium UV powder coat.

These railings offer exceptional strength and are virtually maintenance-free, making them an ideal choice for long-lasting performance. www.regalideas.com

REGAL TEMPERED GLASS RAILING SYSTEM Regal ideas’ Tempered Glass Railing System utilizes the same components as our Picket Railing System, offering a sleek, contemporary aesthetic while ensuring safety and durability. It not only enhances the visual appeal of any space but also provides an unobstructed view, making it an ideal choice for those looking to combine elegance with functionality. www.regalideas.com

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CRYSTAL RAIL FRAMELESS GLASS RAILING SYSTEM Regal ideas’ Crystal Rail offers unmatched transparency with its no-iron, tempered glass panels, allowing homeowners to enjoy stunning, unobstructed views. With no posts or rails to obstruct sightlines, and built-in LED lighting, it creates a sleek and modern aesthetic that enhances any outdoor space. Experience clarity like never before with this innovative railing solution. www.regalideas.com

REGAL FASCIA MOUNT OPTION Our fascia mount installation option for our picket or glass railing systems offers a sleek aesthetic by allowing the railing to be mounted on the side of your deck, maximizing surface area and providing a clean, modern style. Our fascia mount post brackets are designed for easy installation, ensuring stability and durability while enhancing the overall appearance of your outdoor space. www.regalideas.com

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PRO D U C T S H OWC A S E

TREX SELECT – NEW COLOURS Trex has significantly broadened its Trex Select collection by unveiling three innovative new mid-range composite decking colours— Malted Barley, Millstone, and Whiskey Barrel— each thoughtfully designed to align with contemporary style trends. These additions not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of outdoor living spaces but also deliver improved comfort underfoot and superior durability, ensuring homeowners can enjoy both beauty and longlasting performance in their decks. Supplied nationally by Taiga Building Products. www.trex.com

VISTA ALUMINUM RAILINGS Your outdoor space deserves more than just good looks — it needs strength that lasts. Vista’s premium powder-coated aluminum railings are sleek, low-maintenance, and built to last a lifetime without warping, rotting, or constant upkeep.

They’re code-compliant, easy to install, and backed by an industry-leading warranty. www.vistarailings.com

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OUTDURE QWICKBUILD SYTEMS Pair Vista Aluminum Railings with Outdure’s QwickBuild system—because what’s underneath your railing matters too. Unlike traditional framing that might only last ten years, QwickBuild is designed to match the lifespan of your Vista railing, creating a complete system that’s as durable as it is beautiful. www.vistarailings.com

TRUNORTH COMPOSITES TruNorth Composites Inc. is Canada’s only full-line composite and PVC deck and fence manufacturer, proudly offering eco-friendly, low-maintenance solutions built to withstand harsh Canadian climates. Designed and made in Canada, our products combine durability, beauty, and sustainability for long-lasting outdoor living.

With over a dozen stunning colours available in both TruNorth Composite Deck and Fence and Clubhouse PVC, we’re certain that you will love making TruNorth part of your customers’ outdoor living space. www.trunorthdecking.com

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PRO D U C T S H OWC A S E

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TIMBERTECH TimberTech is the world’s leading composite and PVC deck board manufacturer. Their impressive collection of products includes unique finishes and colours. And their partnership with Gillfor Distribution means expert advice, sales growth strategies, customer support and quick deliveries of project packs to your yard. www.gillfor.com

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PRO D U C T S H OWC A S E

TANDO COMPOSITES STACKED STONE Available in multiple colours, TandoStone Stacked Stone features stones of low heights and random lengths. Strong linear patterns and minimal grout lines gives it a contemporary, sharp-edged look to complement any exterior finish. Easy, one-person installation makes this a perfect upgrade for your customers’ backyards. www.gillfor.com

LP EXPERTFINISH SIDING Available in 16 versatile prefinished colors, the LP ExpertFinish color collection is guaranteed to look great and remain durable for years to come due to a factory finish with acrylic latex paint.

ExpertFinish Lap also features a proprietary joint that helps you avoid the need for seam caulking, joint molds, or pan flashing. www.gillfor.com

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D E A LER PRO FI LE: L E I S LU M B E R C O M PA N Y

A PERSONAL TOUCH Leis Lumber Company in Goderich, Ont., helps make outdoor living dreams a reality with good oldfashioned customer service 26 HardlinesOUTDOORLIVING

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Nothing is more quintessentially Canadian than enjoying a barbecue while resting comfortably on the patio or deck. Murray Leis, dealer-owner of BMR Leis Lumber Company in Goderich, Ont., understands this importance and has chosen to make outdoor living products a key focus of his overall business model.

The business features a 26,000square-foot floor space, lumberyard, and a fleet of 12 trucks servicing three local counties and has been in operation for more than 20 years.

In that time, the Leis family became experts in finding the right innovative outdoor design ideas and products to

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Photos: Heather Dietz

serve their community’s needs. This includes providing a specialized product area featuring barbecues and furniture, coverings, accent lighting, and decor.

When the pandemic hit five years ago, homeowners used the opportunity to improve their outdoor living spaces, a trend Leis says continues today.

“Covid obviously played a very large part in people vacationing in their own properties. Although we have been specializing in grilling and comfort for backyard life for years, we did see a nice growth in the category. We have expanded the footprint and brand options, wishing to continue to build a reputation and be a notable destination of choice,” he says.

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Leis adds that most people come into his store with an idea of the space they want to create. The internet is a wealth of design ideas with apps like Pinterest and the effect of influencers on trends.

He says his team helps put these ideas in motion to ensure that contractors can help their clients get the look they want, and homeowners find the perfect piece to fit their aesthetic.

“Lots of people certainly come into the store prepared with ideas they have picked up online or through social media avenues. Our team tries to help put the ideas into motion. We cannot always get everything they want, but we certainly try,” he says.

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D E A LER PRO FI LE: L E I S LU M B E R C O M PA N Y

“Our goal is to put their whole dream together, including the comfort and cooking aspects” In recent years, as homeowners look to create spaces that are more durable and maintenance-free, Leis says that there has been a significant uptick in the purchase of composite decking. The two most popular brands are Trex and TruNorth, while he adds Vista aluminum railing is “going into almost every deck we sell now.”

Outdoor spaces are used for more than just lounging, with many homeowners looking to bring the indoors outside. This includes the installation of outdoor kitchens and grilling stations.

“Our goal is to put their whole dream together, including the comfort and cooking aspects,” he says, adding that grilling and smoking have become a rapidly growing passion in Ontario. “When you also love to grill, you find the way to broaden your selections and grow the department and sell.”

Leis ensures that his products meet

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the needs of all of his customers. He notes that about 80 percent of his business is do-it-yourselfers who are looking for landscape goods. Meanwhile, it’s a 50-50 split between do-it-yourselfers and contractors.

With the emergence of online retail platforms and outdoor design products, Leis says his business offers the individualized touch that the web cannot provide.

“For 20 years, we have been striving to offer the best possible service within a very clean and organized facility so that consumers feel good about their decision to shop here. Our team understands the importance of good old-fashioned customer service. I’ve been doing this for 35 years, and I believe in best service practices just the way retail (and humanity) is intended,” he says.

He adds that he does not hire seasonal staff to manage this section of his store;

instead, he has assembled a “diverse group of team members that find their way in almost every department.”

Looking ahead to summer 2025, Leis says many of the classics hold true, with Napoleon barbecues remaining a customer favourite.

“We offer nine brands of outdoor cooking, ranging very widely from $99 to $12,999, Yoder being at the highest end but very tough and well-built units,” he says. Napoleon and Pit boss, he adds, are the highest-volume brands at his store.

Leis says he has a hand in choosing the outdoor furniture sold in the store each year. He chooses to order in high volume, utilizing direct import containers. He says this is the most effective way the business can offer the best pricing on high-quality dining and seating to consumers all over midwestern Ontario.

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2025-06-19 5:57 PM

IT’S WHAT’S UNDERNEATH

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Todd Talbot shares his trends and things to avoid in outdoor living in 2025

A changing climate is one of the biggest drivers behind outdoor living design trends. Rising temperatures and more severe weather are causing homeowners to rethink how they use the outdoors.

Todd Talbot, star of Todd Talbot Builds: The Passive House Project on Cottage Life knows firsthand how climate change can impact a home. In 2023, Talbot lost his cottage to the British Columbia wildfires.

As he rebuilds, he is choosing materials and design features that can better withstand this emerging weather trend, and he recommends other homeowners take a similar approach.

“I guess I’m biased, having gone through a forest fire and having our place burned down,” he said, adding that this is not an issue that only people living in rural areas need to deal with.

30 HardlinesOUTDOORLIVING

He noted that many people in the city are dealing with water shortages that leave lawns and plants parched. This is why he recommends drought-tolerant plants and utilizing tools such as rain barrels to capture water.

He adds that this more climate-conscious approach is driving design trends like utilizing natural materials like reclaimed wood.

“The flavour that we’re moving towards, as opposed to super stylized, is sustainable materials,” he said.

He added that composite decking, metals, and other finishes can also be given a more natural, reclaimed look.

Living on the West Coast, he said his exterior facade and furnishings “take a beating,” but he said this can also apply to areas in the eastern part of Canada.

Snow, rain, wind, and heat have an impact on the lifespan of home finishings. Talbot recommends looking for opportunities to be low maintenance and choosing materials that will stand up to the test of time.

He also suggests finding ways to enhance the outdoor experience through design features like hot tubs and saunas. He recently installed a hot tub that is just like having a real bathtub in your outdoor space.

“You can fill it, use it, and drain it. You don’t have all the chemicals, and it’s really like a bathtub, but it’s outdoors and super cool,” he said.

Capping off an elegant and functional outdoor space, Talbot recommends choosing lighting that improves both the look and safety of your space. He says many homeowners are moving towards lighting elements such as draped lighting, which can add a “romantic” feel, and lighting under a railing to help improve overall safety when going up and downstairs.

Talbot adds he is ready to see design fads like patio heaters and outdoor heating lamps exit the design sphere; instead, he recommends a propane fireplace and cozy blankets “as opposed to trying to heat the whole world.”

Overall, Talbot says it’s simply best to follow your own instinct and choose a look that suits the homeowner’s personal aesthetic, without relying on trends.

“Number one, you should do what you love, and number two, if you are tracking a trend that is hot in 2024, chances are that it’s not going to be hot in 2026. You want to pick things that are going to have longevity. You want this space to have longevity. You do not want to be changing things out on a three-year cycle,” he said.

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2025-06-19 9:32 AM