Product Showcase

The Unifloor 500 automatic floor welder by Stanmech Technologies is designed for welding resilient floor coverings made of plastic and antistatic electrostatic discharge (ESD) floors, as well as natural coverings comprised of linoleum and rubber. The automatic nozzle positioning system developed by Leister allows the tool to lower its nozzle and start welding with just the touch of a button, stopping automatically when it reaches the wall on the other side, preventing damage to the material. The large, easyto-use display shows setpoint and actual values for speed, temperature and airflow, while closed-loop control ensures parameters maintain stable. Eco mode automatically reduces heat and airflow when the tool is idle and easily returns to previous settings, saving energy and reducing wear on the tool. Includes welding rod de-reeler, integrated air flap for linoleum and guide bar for easy transport.

The Crafter porcelain tile collection by American Olean offers a concrete look inspired by the visuals of the unique fibres found in craft paper. It includes large format porcelain tiles in five colours, as well as corresponding 8-inch hex ceramic decos to create a 3-D effect, making it an ideal choice for creating contemporary designs in both residential and commercial spaces. All feature proprietary technology that makes it 50 per cent more slip-resistant than ordinary tile, says the company, which also claims the products are waterproof, stain-proof, dent-proof, scratchresistant and fire-resistant. These matte finish tiles are appropriate for use on floors, walls, countertops, shower floors and outdoor use.

Tarkett’s Meta Firma collection includes two new soft surface patterns, Earthbound and Skyward, and a coordinating luxury vinyl tile (LVT) that celebrate the beauty and splendor of earth and sky. Earthbound is reminiscent of the way Earth’s landscapes have been layered and weathered through millennia. Created in collaboration with Tick Studio, the team gained inspiration from diverse texture and colour variations around the globe, especially the salt flats found in North America. While Earthbound anchors inhabitants with a focus on the paths beneath their feet, Skyward sets their gaze upward, with a translation of the obscured night sky and unbounded galaxies. Both Earthbound and Skyward are available in three modular tile sizes: 9-inch by 36-inch, 18-inch by 36-inch and 24-inch by 24-inch. Analog Field completes the collection. The digitally printed LVT explores the continuity of the atmosphere alongside its irregularities in a technical, yet whimsical approach. It’s available in two tile sizes (12-inch by 36-inch and 18-inch by 18-inch) and three standard colours, or can be customized to match any colour specification.

AHF Products’ Dogwood densified wood flooring features technology that is designed to combat a common enemy of wood floors: dog nails. The company says the patent-pending process uses heat and pressure to densify hardwood to make it two times harder than traditional wood flooring. This does not change the grain of the wood and the flooring can still be textured and accept stain.

Cali’s newest luxury vinyl flooring collection, Vinyl Legends, debuts with eight colours in an array of taupes, tans and ash. Each board measures 60 inches long by 9 inches wide, making for more open-feeling, expansive rooms. However, the company says it’s the sturdy wood-plastic composite core and full half-inch thickness that sets the collection apart. A thicker floor not only better mimics hardwood but it also negates the need to change or cut existing baseboards and door jambs when replacing carpet, tile or traditional wood. Legends is click-lock and 100 per cent waterproof, for easy installation without the need for glue or nails. Each plank is lined with an acoustic pad for boosted sound and thermal insulation. A 20 mil petfriendly wear layer helps better protect against scratches. Planks are also FloorScore certified and backed by a 50-year residential warranty.

Armstrong Flooring’s newest luxury vinyl flooring collection, Biome, was intentionally designed to capture and translate an organic aesthetic and tactile warmth, strengthening the human connection with nature in the built environment. It offers seven distinct yet compatible wood designs and 38 colours in 6-inch by 48-inch and 9-inch by 48-inch planks. The line features a low gloss finish, a 2.5 millimitre structure with a 20 mil wear layer and patented technology for category-leading scratch, stain and scuff performance. Biome’s thinner profile requires less raw materials and energy to produce, resulting in a product with a lower carbon footprint. It’s also designed to be recycled at the end of its useful life.

Laticrete’s Eco Grout Colour Selector is the first-ever sustainable alternative to the plastic grout channels currently utilized in the industry for colour sampling. The company says this will help prevent millions of plastic channel pieces from being discarded into landfills each year. The paper alternative is made of 100 per cent recycled materials and offers a colour-matched deposit of paint and a texture profile, which is said to provide a highly accurate and closer representation of physical grout than plastics. The eco colour channel is also larger at 8 inches, compared to the 3-inch plastic channel, and can be trimmed to size.

The Dewalt 20V Max 2.5 Gallon Cordless Air Compressor with Flexvolt

Advantage technology delivers a maximum 140 pounds per square inch (PSI), allowing up to 81 per cent more nails per cycle and more than 1,100 linear feet of shoe moulding per charge, says the company. The OneTurn Regulator gives users the ability to precisely adjust the regulated pressure quickly and efficiently without manually gauging pressure. With a cordless compact design at just 21.5 pounds (bare tool), the compressor can be easily transported, carried and stored without the hassle of extension cords and power sources. When paired with 20-volt Max batteries, a max PSI of 125 is achieved. The compressor can be used with Dewalt staple guns and brad or finish nailers for a wide range of fastening applications.