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Coverings CANADA’S FLOOR COVERING MAGAZINE

GOING UP THE WALL

March/April 2021

THEN & NOW

The Collective Workspace

Vertical installations provide new opportunities

BEST FLOORING OPTIONS FOR AGING ADULTS GUIDE TO COMMERCIAL TENANCIES AMID COVID

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Coverings

Vol. 46, No. 2 www.coveringscanada.ca

CANADA’S FLOOR COVERING MAGAZINE

CONTENTS MARCH/APRIL 2021

FEATURES 8 Into the Woods Holistic living, public health lockdowns fuel new trends in hardwood flooring 10 14

OVING BEYOND WHAT’S UNDERFOOT M Flooring materials on walls make a statement with proper installation Better with Age Best flooring solutions to support senior life

Photo courtesy Stephani Buchman

COLUMNS

DEPARTMENTS

22 THEN & NOW

Toronto warehouse conversion creates coworking space for architects, interior designers and builders known as the Collective Workspace

From the Editor Every end is a new beginning

Product Showcase

Stats & Facts

Coverings CANADA’S FLOOR COVERING MAGAZINE

GOING UP THE WALL

March/April 2021

THEN & NOW

The Collective Workspace

Cover photo by Stephani Buchman

BEST FLOORING OPTIONS FOR AGING ADULTS GUIDE TO COMMERCIAL TENANCIES AMID COVID WHAT’S TRENDING IN HARDWOOD RIGHT NOW

PM 40063056

Business Builder Navigating commercial tenancies during the pandemic and beyond

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Canada’s floor covering magazine \\

2021-04-07 2:10 PM

FROM THE EDITOR

EVERY END IS A NEW BEGINNING WELCOME TO THE first fully MediaEdge Communications-published issue of Coverings! It’s not often that I use an exclamation point in my writing but this occasion definitely deserves it. I couldn’t be more excited to take on the editorial reins given my love of interior design and personal experience in the industry. The newly redesigned magazine and its digital properties will provide a steady supply of engaging, meaningful content to those who manufacture, sell, specify and install floor coverings and related products. Committed to maintaining Coverings’ original vision, we have continued on with certain columns and contributors, and added new elements in this next stage of the publication’s evolution. I hope that Coverings will remain an essential part of your professional life — a resource that you depend on to keep up with the rapidly evolving floor covering industry. In this issue, long-time columnist Lawrence, Lawrence, Stephenson LP tackles the topic of commercial tenancies during Covid-19. The pandemic has impacted both landlords and tenants, creating a tenuous situation. Specifically, real estate lawyer Tejpaul Grewal addresses this challenging time in leasing and provides insight into how these two groups can navigate such agreements now and beyond the current public health crisis. The much-loved Then & Now details the conversion of a 13,000-square-foot warehouse into a coworking and lifestyle space for architects, interior designers and builders. Featured on the cover, the Collective Workspace includes a variety of different floor coverings, each selected to serve a specific purpose. A key focus of this issue is style and design. To begin, we explore what’s new in hardwood flooring and the influences behind these trends. Then, we move from what’s underfoot to walls, which are seeing vertical installations of flooring materials. Rounding out this ‘topic,’ we delve into senior living spaces. With Canada’s population growing older, more of these types of environments of being built. An important consideration during design and specification is the flooring to ensure seniors’ safety and comfort. I would like to thank all the industry experts who contributed to this issue. Knowledge shared through writing allows for learning, ongoing discussion and professional growth. If there are any topics you’d like to see covered in the future, please let me know. Your feedback is always welcome.

Clare Tattersall

PUBLISHER

CO-PUBLISHER

Jason Krulicki

Dan Gnocato

EDITOR

SENIOR DESIGNER

claret@mediaedge.ca

annettec@mediaedge.ca

jasonk@mediaedge.ca

Clare Tattersall

dang@mediaedge.ca

Annette Carlucci

PRESIDENT

PRODUCTION MANAGER

kevinb@mediaedge.ca

rachels@mediaedge.ca

Kevin Brown

Rachel Selbie

CIRCULATION

circulation@mediaedge.ca

Coverings is published six times annually, Jan./Feb., Mar./Apr., May/June, July/Aug., Sept./Oct. and Nov./Dec., for Canada’s floor covering industry. Subscriptions are free to qualified participants in Canada’s floor covering industry. Subscribe at www.coveringscanada.ca. Readers from outside Canada may purchase subscriptions for $55 Cdn. For subscription inquiries, e-mail circulation@mediaedge.ca. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Coverings 2001 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario M2J 4Z8 MediaEdge Communications and Coverings disclaim any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or currency of the contents of this publication and disclaims all liability in respect to the results of any action taken or not taken in reliance upon information in this publication. The opinions of the columnists and writers are their own and are in no way influenced by or representative of the opinions of Coverings or MediaEdge Communications. Copyright 2021 Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40063056 ISSN 0834-3357

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BUSINESS BUILDER

CONFRONTING THE CHALLENGES OF COVID-19

How to navigate commercial tenancies during the pandemic and beyond By Tejpaul Grewal

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BUSINESS BUILDER

he pandemic has had far-reaching effects on commercial landlords and tenants. In Ontario, businesses that qualified for the now expired Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program benefitted from a temporary ban on evictions from May 1, 2020, to Jan. 31, 2021. Tenants eligible for the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) can forestall evictions up to April 22. While some businesses have switched to work-from-home scenarios, others have been unable to do so and continue to be severely impacted by the restrictions imposed by provincial governments to combat the spread of Covid-19. All commercial tenancy agreements contain specific landlord and tenant responsibilities. For the tenant, the most significant of these is the requirement to pay rent and operate its business continuously in the leased premises. With the arrival of Covid-19, parties must now address concerns arising out of the possible inability of a business to continue operating in the same way it was prior to restrictions imposed by government. These kinds of restrictions were certainly not anticipated by most contracting landlords and tenants before 2020; however, they will be top of mind in new tenancy agreement negotiations. An obvious restriction is one that hinders small businesses from conducting their normal course of work within the leased premises due to provincial government lockdown orders. A good example is fitness centres and gyms, which have been effectively shuttered in the wake of Covid-19. Such a tenant will want to exclude or limit any covenant in a lease for continuous operation within the premises if it is prevented from doing so by government restrictions. The landlord may not want to do this yet it needs to be prepared for the very real possibility this may occur. For that reason, a landlord might consider expanding the use clause in a lease to permit potential ancillary uses like office use or storage space, or to allow the tenant to use or expand the space for different commercial purposes. Most leases will define and limit the specific commercial activity the tenant is permitted to operate within the leased premises. However, authorizing a tenant to engage in a related business, such as allowing a dine-in only restaurant to offer takeout services or to use outside common areas for dining and curbside pick-up, may be advisable to ensure the tenant has the means to pay its rent. The Ontario government has asked landlords to work collaboratively with their tenants to ensure they are not unduly burdened during times where they cannot come up with the entirety of their rental payments. But this can also unduly burden landlords who count on those rental payments to meet their own obligations. Some landlords have been able to require that tenants continue to pay their applicable taxes, maintenance and insurance costs (‘additional rent’) and work out a payment plan for their base rent, which they can no longer pay because of restrictions imposed upon their business. These forbearance agreements are meant to be temporary arrangements and must be drafted in a manner to ensure the parties’ obligations are clear and unambiguous.

A landlord might consider expanding the use clause in a lease to permit potential ancillary USES, OR TO ALLOW the tenant to use or expand the space for different commercial purposes. Landlords looking to enter into a commercial tenancy should also speak with a lawyer who can advise on how to structure a lease in such a way that allows them to require their tenant to have health and safety procedures in place during health emergencies. Examples include requiring staff and visitors that enter a leased premises to consent to temperature checks; establishing the tenant has adequate sanitation protocols in place and is following guidance from health officials; and ensuring adherence to mask policies. Landlords should also familiarize themselves with force majeure clauses incorporated within a commercial lease. A force majeure clause is a contractual term by which a party may be temporarily excused or discharged from performing the contract, in whole or in part, when an event beyond the control of either party makes such performance impossible. Now more than ever, landlords need to make sure any prospective tenants have adequate capital and insurance to stay afloat should their businesses be impacted from a temporary operational halt. Business interruption insurance, however, is often not available in circumstances of a pandemic or other calamity, so a thorough review of the tenant’s insurance policies should be undertaken when the commercial lease is negotiated. Collecting a deposit is nothing new for commercial landlords when they are considering leasing their premises to a tenant. Typically, a tenant will provide one month’s rent as security. In the current landscape, it might be advisable for the landlord to request a larger deposit. The nature of the business should be evaluated to determine the security deposit. Other factors would also be considered, such as the relationship between the landlord and tenant. The law and public policy will continue to evolve to keep pace with the realities of Covid-19. For commercial landlords and tenants, having a lease prepared and reviewed by a commercial leasing lawyer is pivotal in order to ensure contingencies are in place to minimize losses during a period of economic downturn like that caused by the current pandemic.

Tejpaul Grewal is a real estate lawyer at Lawrence, Lawrence, Stevenson LLP, a Brampton, Ont.-based law firm. He can be reached at tgrewal@lawrences.com. Canada’s floor covering magazine \\

WOOD FLOORING

INTO THE WOODS

Holistic living, public health lockdowns fuel new trends By Francois D’Amours

Photos courtesy Preverco

ifestyle has always been a big driver in design trends. What people consider important in their lives is often reflected in their home’s interior as it is key to the overall enjoyment of their surroundings. Over the last couple years, North American and European markets have experienced a growing interest in holistic living, with a focus on healthier and organic foods, exercise, nature and sustainability. At the same time, homes have evolved into more than just a

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place to live — they’ve become a sanctuary. The pandemic has amplified this as many people have been forced to work from home and remain inside for long periods of time. As a result, homeowners increasingly want environments that are clean, healthy, calm and cozy, and make them feel somewhat connected to nature. Accordingly, the ultra-clean, minimalistic and modern designs that favour grey tones for flooring and have been all the rage in

interior decor magazines for years are now often considered too cold and impersonal. They are gradually being replaced by a new mix of design styles, such as modern farmhouse and urban country. These trends feature warmer earth tones like ‘greige’ — a combination of grey and beige. Greige has become a new colour category in the flooring industry, too, as it’s easier to harmonize with dark or bold wall paint colours that are being used for dramatic effect.

WOOD FLOORING

THE REAL DEAL Despite this shift in design trends, one thing that has remained constant is the quest for authenticity. Even more important to the flooring segment is the desire among shoppers for real wood floors over non-wood alternatives that have grown in market share. Consumers are saying goodbye to the high glosses and colours that hide the wood grain in favour of original-looking hardwood floors that cannot be confused in any way with cheaper, non-wood options. Higher-end wood flooring manufacturers are applying new types of stains and finishes to make prefinished flooring look almost like bare wood while still offering the right level of protection. Next-generation reactive stains are also being used to bring rich tone variations that are almost impossible to replicate with anything else than a real wood top layer. These stains use the tannins, sap and other natural components in the wood to make every board and floor unique. Although some warm colour pigments are added to the floor surface, this does not compromise the true authentic feel of the wood underneath. Even if different markets and styles call for a knotty or clear look, demand for ‘the real deal without makeup’ still holds. In fact, this design story was in high demand in Europe well before it got to this side of the pond. MIGHTY OAK Among the multiple evolutions in the flooring marketplace, some have come from progressive changes while others have occurred immediately, influenced by pandemic lockdowns. Home offices now often double as work areas for parents and children taking part in remote learning. Pandemic isolation has also seen a booming demand for pets as people crave companionship. As a result, homeowners are increasingly calling for forgiving floors that are low maintenance, as well as wire brushed textures and matte finishes. Oak is an amazingly versatile wood that is making a splash in wood species trends for all the right reasons. The wood grain depth and patterns of both white and red oak are the perfect fit for the new generation of stains, matte finishes and brushed textures. White oak is still king of the category, with subtler contrasts and an amber-like colour. The golden age of red oak was when browns and reddish colours were most popular; it is a lesser fit in the new greige era. However, new colouring processes and stains are coming to the rescue of the venerable red oak, making it more current. The heavy pressure on white oak resources should contribute to the

resurgence of red oak — free of the unwanted pink look of the substrate and over-contrasted grain thanks to these advancements. HOMEGROWN PRODUCTION The domestic hardwood flooring industry is adapting to other fast-paced changes. The use of Baltic birch plywood as the core of engineered floors is facing uncertainty due to price volatility, import/export complexities and tariffs. Some manufacturing leaders in Canada have already removed these products. Others have announced they will walk away from using this type of plywood for

their engineered floors in the near future. Instead, they will look to local resources not only for the top layer but also for the core of their products. This strategy would minimize their dependence on imported raw materials and associated risks, and bring to market a 100 per cent Canadian product. This is extremely appealing to the surge in consumers who prefer to buy local. A Canadian-made product is also perceived very positively south of the border. U.S. consumers are interested in purchasing North American products if homegrown ones aren’t available.

Francois D’Amours is director of marketing with Preverco. Located in Quebec City, Preverco is a 400-employee solid and engineered hardwood flooring company that sells across North America. Francois has worked in marketing leadership positions in the building product industry for more than 15 years. Canada’s floor covering magazine \\

STYLE & DESIGN

MOVING BEYOND WHAT’S UNDERFOOT Flooring materials on walls make a statement with proper installation By Clare Tattersall

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STYLE & DESIGN

here is no shortage of coffee shops in Canada, and for good reason. More than 70 per cent of adults fuel their day with at least one cup, according to the country’s coffee association. What’s not as prevalent are unique places to grab a brew, though specialty shops such as Milky’s are on the rise. Opened in early 2019, at the bustling corner where Dundas and Bathurst Streets meet, the central Toronto cafe serves up high-quality coffee and other specialty drinks infused with ingredients like ginger and lemongrass that are as unconventional as the shop’s design. The tiny java house is almost entirely devoid of furniture for guests and features floor-

Photos courtesy Doublespace Photography

to-ceiling wood panelling to create a strong graphic pattern that ties Milky’s to its brand identity and founder Fraser Greenberg to his other line of work. Greenberg is also coowner of Relative Space, a hardwood flooring company located in the east end of the city and with a second office in New York. Not surprisingly, the engineered product used to wrap the 300-square-foot shop was supplied by the third-generation family business. “It was a great opportunity to showcase what we can do with wood flooring,” says Greenberg, who lives near Milky’s and has called the neighbourhood home for years. “Covering the whole space is very impactful.

The hard part was making it all work as a cohesive design.” In collaboration with local architecture and design studio Batay-Csorba, Greenberg settled on a luxury modular flooring system called Matita. The collection, created by Fabio Rotella of Studio Rotella and Fabio Brotto of Foglie d’Oro, is comprised of three wood species (oak, European walnut and American black walnut), two marbles (Carrera marble and Marquina black marble) and three specialty outlines (burnished brass, wenge and maple), all placed on a diamond-shaped board that can be installed in a variety of patterns, from herringbone to chevron and Canada’s floor covering magazine \\

STYLE & DESIGN

Photos courtesy Shaw Floors

beyond. Handmade in Italy, the wood has a lacquer finish and is available in five colours. “Matita has different shapes and inserts that allow you to create repeating and nonrepeating patterns,” he says. “You can integrate different materials and colours, as well.” Greenberg settled on oak in natural and white wood tones with interlocking Carrera marble segments. The more than 1,300 planks used transition seamlessly from floor to wall to ceiling and create a dynamic pattern that changes as it loops around the room. The custom flooring was installed first with a glue-down method, while the wood on the walls and ceilings were glued and nailed into place. The entire installation took 10 days to complete. Prep was essential to getting the install right as a lot of design was integrated with the wood pattern, says Greenberg. The ultra-white metal shelves that line the store’s perimeter and front counters protrude out from small cuts in the wood, and the electrical outlets are flush with the face of the boards. “Making sure everything lined up was the hardest challenge,” he says. “It’s an old building, so there wasn’t a 90-degree angle to be found in the place.” Lasers were used to ensure everything was level at 42 inches above the finished floor, which is the starting point of the pattern and the counter height. Minor adjustments had to be made row by row to guarantee perfection, making for a meticulous and slow installation. “A lot of the design details in the space were placed according to the pattern, so even the 12

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“A lot of the design details in the space were placed according to the pattern, so even the slightest offset would cause everything to be unaligned. It would go from satisfyingly geometric to frustratingly off.”

slightest offset would cause everything to be unaligned,” he explains. “It would go from satisfyingly geometric to frustratingly off.” Further complicating matters was the inchand-a-half difference in height from one side of the floor to the other. The long boards had to be cut on-site to be slightly different heights to adjust for this irregularity. The eye-catching finished product contributes to the “loud minimalist” aesthetic of the quaint shop, which serves as a shining example of how products specifically designed for the floor can be used in other applications. “Wood flooring has a distinct look from most wood made for walls because of how it’s sawn,” says Greenberg. “Being able to use a material on more than one surface opens up a lot of design opportunities.” Milky’s is just one example of flooring making its way up walls. The trend is being seen increasingly in both commercial and residential environments, and it’s not just limited to wood. Vinyl and laminate are also

being used vertically, replacing wallpaper and paint to create that ‘wow’ factor and add dimension and texture to a space. These types of products closely mimic the visual of wood, stone and tile and are a more affordable option, generally costing two to three times less than the real thing. What’s more, they offer consumers the freedom to achieve the look of species that are not readily available in natural materials. “In the past year, our home office has had to serve as the backdrop, offering a glimpse into our (lives) via virtual meetings,” says John Crews, director of hard surface design for Shaw Floors’ residential division. “A feature wall using flooring materials creates a distinctive style that can make a bold statement.” Like other wall covering applications, Crews says it’s important to consider the space’s overall aesthetic before moving forward with the process. Existing colours, patterns and textures in a room will impact the design

STYLE & DESIGN

\\ OPPOSITE PAGE: Installation using Shaw Floor’s Coretec in robin hickory. ABOVE: A feature wall in Coretec’s cabin oak adds a rustic look to this home office.

outcome; if they fight with what’s put on the wall instead of complementing it, then the desired effect will not be achieved. An even greater consideration is whether the flooring material can be properly and safely installed. Crews says it’s prudent to consult the product’s user guidelines before doing so and to confirm whether vertical application negates any warranty. The safest bet, says Crews, is to go with a product that has been categorically approved by the manufacturer for wall installation like Coretec. Many of the flooring line’s existing styles are suitable for just such application, so long as it’s done in a climate-controlled area and in accordance with local building codes, which may dictate weight restrictions for walls. The manufacturer’s technical guide suggests wet areas like bathrooms be avoided, as well as those around, for example, kitchen sinks. The luxury vinyl tile (LVT) can be installed without fasteners in residential settings. For commercial installations, the WPC (wood plastic composite) planks or SPC (stone plastic composite) tiles must be fastened to studs or plywood. Taking a flooring installation up the wall will vary depending on the chosen material, product manufacturer/brand and vertical space, among other factors. Mapei Canada regional technical representative Shawn Millman says materials with a smooth backing — whether laminate, wood, vinyl or composite — will result in more surface area contact with the installation media, which is usually adhesive or double-sided tape.

“The type used must be compatible with the surfaces it is bonding together, both substrate and flooring materials,” says Millman. For wood or vinyl flooring, either bonding agent can be employed, with the benefits and challenges of each weighed out by the installer beforehand, says Millman. A cartridge-based urethane adhesive, such as Ultrabond ECO 907, is best-suited for wood products. Installers simply squeeze the adhesive from the cartridge onto the wall as rows of planks are added. This adhesive is applied while wet and has a limited open time, so it’s important that installers don’t get too far ahead of themselves. Ultrabond ECO 373 is ideal for vinyl products and can also be used to install cork sheet. Millman advises utilizing a small notched spreader or medium nap roller to put a uniformly-applied pattern or film thickness of glue on the wall. Once complete, allow the glue to fully dry to the touch before installing the product onto the adhesive. “Regardless of the adhesive chosen, take care to use drop sheets and be very mindful that adhesive drops and runs. Squeeze-out also needs to be considered,” says Millman. “Be ready to clean up those small inconveniences as they occur while the adhesive is still wet.” Double-sided tape provides instant bond and immediate utilization without the waiting and open-time restrictions associated with adhesive, he continues. Working with it is also not as messy. However, it’s imperative that the wall is plumb and level, and the flooring product has a flat back to ensure the tape attains 100

per cent contact with the wall. Mapecontact MRT and Mapecontact SRT can both be used for the installation of hardwood, LVT, laminate, cork and other flooring materials. “Mapecontact MRT is a very thin product, which should be used if indentation of the wall covering is a concern, such as with some vinyl products,” says Millman. “Mapecontact SRT has an integral foam core that can help diminish slight texture and surface irregularities. This makes it slightly more forgiving to the installer, with regard to future movement stress, drywall screw head pops and other issues of that sort.” Beyond bonding considerations, installers should ensure the wall surface is sound, stable, flat and free of contaminants prior to product application. Materials selected should also be of a reasonably low weight, says Millman. When installing a heavier covering like engineered hardwood, fasteners are encouraged, if there is an opportunity to use them. This can help during the installation process and with the longevity of the overall work. “Anyone can achieve great things with the proper products and installation materials, though installer know-how and experience are an asset when it comes to skill in application,” says Millman. “Preparation is also key, so I recommend doing some research and checking the manual of the flooring to be used, if you feel at all uncomfortable. The end result will not only be a job well-done but a unique wall design that can have a dramatic impact on the attractiveness of a space.” Canada’s floor covering magazine \\

STYLE & DESIGN

BETTER WITH AGE Best flooring solutions to support senior life By Earle Jenkins

enior living communities have changed with the decades, moving from drab and stagnant to vibrant and active, but the need to accommodate physical health, budget, peace of mind and ease of movement has remained the same. A facility’s floors can significantly impact all those considerations, increasing or alleviating the burdens placed on both the facility and its staff. Indeed, floors are the most frequently used feature in any senior environment and can affect everything from residents’ navigational abilities and mental clarity to the facility’s appearance 14

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and safety. To properly serve the community and fulfill its function, a facility must have floors that reflect its residents’ needs and style preferences, while also protecting their overall health. LIFESTYLE MEETS FUNCTION A facility’s function and community are essential considerations when identifying the right floors for any space. Typically, senior facilities are divided into three types: senior living, assisted living and memory care, which is a specialized type of long-term care designed for people with Alzheimer’s

or dementia. Each facility type requires different levels of health and wellness care, all of which influence the best floors to serve its community. Senior living facilities have agile and active residents who seek social interactions and community connections. These facilities require floors that hold up well against the wear and tear of larger group gatherings and events. For this type of environment, patterned floors perform well as they can mask damage. Hard surfaces, such as luxury vinyl tile (LVT), also accommodate these communities as they create comfortable yet durable spaces.

STYLE & DESIGN Assisted living facilities house residents who require more hands-on care. Spills are common, which means pools of liquid can create costly subfloor damage and rot. Soft surfaces should feature built-in moisture resistance, such as moisture barriers, or a moisture barrier backing. For hard surfaces, ensure a smooth seam with a high-quality plank locking system that protects against moisture damage. Residents of memory care facilities require heightened medical care and support. In these environments, floors should be devoid of geometric patterns since overwhelming or harsh floor patterns can frighten those with dementia. Floors with organic and freeflowing patterns make the best choices. AMENITIES AND PRICE TIERS Senior living arrangements further divide into price tiers, additionally influencing what flooring solution works best for a facility. Higher-cost facilities feature premium amenities to reflect a luxury lifestyle. Hard surfaces enhance the style and design preferences of these facilities. Medium-cost facilities have mid-range amenities with lasting appeal and durability. These facilities should incorporate hard surfaces like LVT, which may require a larger initial investment in exchange for extended longevity and enhanced durability. Amenities in the lowest cost facilities are barebones. This often saves residents money while providing comfort. These facilities benefit from a broadloom product that can accommodate a lower price point but still offers attractive colours and designs. CLEANLINESS AND SAFETY Stains, slips and falls are common in senior environments, especially in assisted living and memory care facilities. Stains can create the perception that a facility is unsanitary, even after thoroughly cleaning the mess. Products with built-in stain resistance and cleanability provide an optimal solution as they only require hot water to remove everyday stains. Floors with organic patterns can also help mask spills and stains, lending further assistance to burdened and overworked staff and maintenance teams while also increasing a facility’s overall appearance. Slip and fall accidents are another consideration for senior facilities. Carpet is the best choice for slip resistance and to cushion falls. But while a carpeted texture enhances slip resistance, an overly thick carpet can make walking a challenge for seniors. The best carpet options are sufficiently thick to provide

\\ OPPOSITE PAGE: Mohawk Group’s Living Kind luxury vinyl tile can help create comfortable yet durable spaces. ABOVE: The patterning within the Yarn Spinner carpet collection reflects a wide range of colours and styles. It offers both stain and soil protection, making it a great addition to senior living environments.

cushion and traction, yet thin enough to encourage walkability. It is important to remember transitions between flooring pose as tripping hazards. Senior facilities should minimize the presence of transitions, such as those between carpet and LVT. The best floors will encourage a natural flow to connect rooms, with carpet tile and LVT matching in length and width. This approach can drastically minimize or entirely phase-out the use of transitions within a facility. INTERIOR APPEAL The finest flooring options should optimize colour and pattern choices to inspire positive energy throughout the environment, and add light and excitement without triggering agitation or creating an impression of immaturity. Ideal colour choices for senior facilities fall within warm tones or cool neutrals. When selecting a colour scheme, designers must keep in mind that colours can appear increasingly yellow as people age. In response, designers should view all colours through a yellow tint to ensure their choices truly complement the space. Additionally, colour can impact navigation and depth perception. Since depth perception can decline with age, designers should carefully consider how floor colour can improve navigation and avoid accidents. Ideally, floor colours should

contrast wall colours so anyone with weak depth perception can easily recognize where floors stop and walls begin. Pattern can create a warm, residential feel. With hard surfaces, patterns of matte wood grains and stone appearances are optimal. Organic patterns also help hide spills better than harsh geometric patterns and may prove to be the better, long-term investment. Floor patterns can also help seniors focus on their movements, allowing them to find guidance within the patterned visual aids. THE BEST FLOORING SOURCE Dependable floors often come from the most reliable companies. When searching for the best flooring options, look to manufacturers that can offer a wide range of products to accommodate a facility’s needs. Ideally, these companies have built a network of flooring designers across the country and meet with clients to make design selections and provide custom solutions. They put colour and design processes in the end user’s hands throughout the decision process, providing expert help and hands-on service instead of remote offerings. Whatever a facility’s budget, a premier flooring source should offer both soft and hard surface options that can meet the community’s needs with various solutions.

Earle Jenkins is senior-vice president of healthcare and senior living at Mohawk Group, the world’s leading producer and distributor of quality commercial flooring with a heritage of craftsmanship that spans more than 130 years. Mohawk addresses the unique challenges and opportunities in contract interiors with a comprehensive carpet and hard surface portfolio of all types and price points. Canada’s floor covering magazine \\

Finishing and Care Made Easier. NEW Finishing and Care Pocket-Size Product Guide Everything you need to keep tile, stone and other flooring installations beautiful for years to come.

Proper cleaning and maintenance is key to keeping your flooring installation beautiful for years to come. This is why PROMA offers a line of advanced cleaners, sealers and maintenance products that offer optimum performance, while being gentle on flooring, finishes and the environment. Call your authorized PROMA distributor for more information.

PROMA Finishing and Care products meet the highest standards for Environment safety and are all tested by independent laboratories to assess that they all meet performance standards. Visit www.proma.ca or call toll-free at 1.866.51.PROMA (77662) for more information on PROMA Finishing and Care products.

Canada’s floor covering magazine \\

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

The Barnwood Living collection is a line of American-made solid hardwood flooring resulting from a collaboration between Bruce Flooring and host Mark Bowe of TV show Barnwood Builders, which follows five builders who salvage antique log cabins and barns in West Virginia, where the flooring is crafted. The curated 10-sku collection includes floors with natural knots and wormholes, pronounced graining and distinctive markings that add to its unrefined appearance. The floors are not only for craftsmen like Bowe, but also for homeowners looking for products that are authentic and handcrafted, and that create a warm ambience and a unique feeling of home.

Linocut resilient flooring by Patcraft is ideal for high-demand environments. The luxury vinyl tile features a multidimensional abstract, textural pattern that helps hide scratches, scuffs and dirt while disguising seams. Vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines softly appear through a layered design that accentuates the subtle forms and shapes. The visual was inspired by artful experiments with block printing, a process that led to a distinctive geometric aesthetic. Linocut has 13 colourways, incorporating both neutral and bright hues, allowing for creative installations, wayfinding and definition of space within the built environment. It’s available in 9-inch by 36-inch planks and features a 20-mil wear layer for durability. The flooring is polish and buff optional for hassle-free maintenance.

RevoTile by Daltile combines sophisticated style, clever function and cutting-edge technology. The patented, floating floor system is made from real porcelain tile and features a unique locking system to ensure consistent alignment, no lippage and perfect grout lines. It can be installed over many existing flooring surfaces in just three steps and two times faster than traditional tile, according to the company. Simply place the underlayment (no mortar or spacers required), click the tiles together and grout immediately. RevoTile is waterproof, stainproof, dent-proof, slip-resistant, scratch-resistant, fire-resistant and easy to clean. It’s offered in 26 ultra-realistic wood, stone, marble and concrete looks.

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Therma by Beaulieu Canada is a collection of rigid engineered luxury vinyl planks that offer the aesthetics of wood without its whims. The natural colours and wood texture fit well with the requirements of interior design that is reminiscent of nature. Its cork backing provides good thermal and acoustic insulation, and is resistant to mould and mildew. Ceramic bead technology creates an ultra-durable, waterproof finish that is wear-resistant, making it ideal for high traffic areas. The painted macro bevel provides a realistic visual of the space between planks that authentic wood flooring offers. Therma can be installed in three-season cottages thanks to its dimensional stability.

Ardex Americas has introduced a refreshed selection of grout colours. Each of the 36 colours, 15 of which are new, have been chosen to blend with today’s top tile trends. The colours are divided into five different themes: urban, lakeside, canyon, summit and shore. The palettes draw inspiration from North America’s native landscapes and natural features. In conjunction with the release of the grout colours, Ardex has launched a grout selector tool to help flooring contractors and homeowners make the right choice in grout colour for their installation. In three steps, website visitors can select type of tile, colour of tile and preview each of the grout colours in a mock-up installation featuring their tile choices.

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Laticrete’s improved Strata Heat floor warming system includes industry-leading innovation centred around the first-ever spliceless wire, the transparent mat and the thermal pack for its performance enhancing capabilities. The spliceless wire features a single diameter throughout, which means users no longer have to bury the cold lead into the subfloor. This removes a step in the application process and makes installations quicker and easier. The electric radiant floor heating system also increases thermal heat diffusion by 20 per cent while reducing energy costs up to 15 per cent, according to the company. It can be installed under tile, stone, vinyl, carpeted or hardwood floor. Mohawk is broadening its RevWood line with the addition of two collections this summer. The expansion includes RevWood Plus styles that feature the company’s WetProtect. The technology creates watertight joints and an advanced waterproof finish, guaranteeing protection with a lifetime warranty for both the floor surface and subfloor. RevWood Plus will also have pressed bevels that allow the surface visual to wrap over the plank’s edges for added hardwood realism. RevWood products, which also include Essentials and Select lines, combine the beauty of hardwood with the toughness of laminate. The hybrid flooring resists fading and, according to Mohawk, is four times more scratch-resistant than similar-type products thanks to an infused aluminum oxide top layer.

Happy Floors’ new stone-look tile collection Fossil is a fusion of two design styles, blending petrified wood and concrete for a modernized rustic look. Hints of concrete weave their way through the stone patterning. An additional layer of depth comes from the tile’s painterly touch. Fossil comes in four colours — white, pearl, grey and blue — and is suitable for all residential and commercial spaces with the exception of blue, which may only be used in residential projects. It’s available in 12-inch by 24inch and 24-inch by 48-inch tiles, as well as both square and hexagon mosaics.

Reward Flooring’s Europa is pre-finished engineered hardwood that features prime grade European oak. Made in Europe, it offers classic Scandinavian styling and features consistently long planks that are seven-feet and virtually free of knots for a less visually busy, elegant, uniform look. Their width returns to a more classic 9/16 inches by 5.5 inches and includes a 3.5 millimetre sawn top layer finished with an ultra-matte, ultraviolet-resistant urethane that prevents the flooring from yellowing with age.

Shaw Floors’ soft surface introductions for 2021 focus on what it calls timeless and proven styles that offer beauty and performance at budget-friendly prices. A new addition to the company’s Foundations collection is its Harmonious line, a versatile yet on trend subtle tonal carpet available in 12 colours and three levels of comfort. Others include Faint Intent and Naturalistic, both nylon-crafted with sisallooking patterns, and Alluring Canvas and Fine Tapestry. Inspired by the vastness of textures found in crafting textiles, Alluring Canvas stands out for its detailed pattern and 15 eye-catching colours. The line shares its colour palette with Fine Tapestry. All Foundations carpets have built-in soil and stain protection that keeps spills on the surface for easy cleanup and a patented backing system for improved comfort.

Canada’s floor covering magazine \\

STATS & FACTS

180%

23% Twenty-three per cent of American respondents in an early 2020 survey of young people (teens and adults in their mid20s to late 30s) said they would consider a career in the wood industry. That same survey also found 70 per cent of all respondents had no awareness of wood industry careers.

—Wood Industry Resource Collective

551,392 More than 551,000 homes traded hands over Canadian multiple listing service systems in 2020 — a new annual record. It’s an increase of 12.6 per cent from 2019, and stands 2.3 per cent above the previous record set in 2016. —Canadian Real Estate Association

Lumber prices have skyrocketed more than 180% since last spring due to supply shortages and high demand.

—National Association of Home Builders

46.4%

$116 million $116 million in federal funding was announced Jan. 22, to support the rapid completion of 54 projects in Quebec, representing 1,201 affordable housing units, as part of an agreement under the Rapid Housing Initiative between the Société d’habitation du Québec and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. —Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.

2.84 billion U.S. ceramic tile consumption in 2020 was 2.84 billion square feet, down 3.5 per cent from the previous year.

—Tile Council of North America 20

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More than 46 per cent of U.S. business owners believe their business won’t return to normal pre-pandemic operations until the end of June, at the earliest. Threequarters of those surveyed said they experienced a large or moderate negative effect from the pandemic.

—U.S. Census Bureau

STATS & FACTS

$108.6 billion

13.5% Housing starts pulled back in February, declining 13.5 per cent month-over-month. Every province but British Columbia saw decline. Housing starts fell by 22.9 per cent and 13.5 per cent in Quebec and Ontario, respectively. Double-digit contractions were observed across all four Atlantic provinces, with Prince Edward Island seeing the steepest drop of 49.5 per cent. In the Prairies, Saskatchewan’s housing starts were down 27.8 per cent, followed by Manitoba at 21.9 per cent and Alberta at 12.5 per cent. B.C., on the other hand, saw home construction activity rise 20.8 per cent. Multiple urban starts led the decline, falling 15.8 per cent. Single urban starts also fell, decreasing by 9.3 per cent. Though housing starts cooled in February, the level of construction activity was still 17 per cent higher year-over-year. Looking ahead, there is little indication home building activity will revert anytime soon. A record number of residential permits have been issued recently, aiding housing starts in the coming months.

The global market for soft covering flooring is expected to reach $108.6 billion US by 2027. Broadloom is projected to reach $78.6 billion US. The Canadian market is forecasted to grow at 2.6 per cent over the time period of 2020-2027. —ReportLinker

2.42%

The floor covering market is expected to grow by 2.42 per cent annually. Revenue in this segment amounts to $3.108 billion US in 2021.

—Statista

0.7%

The Canadian economy beat expectations, growing 0.7 per cent in January in the face of severe public health restrictions. This follows just 0.1 per cent growth in December. The preliminary estimate for February indicates an approximate 0.5 per cent increase in real gross domestic product. —Statistics Canada

65%

Sixty-five per cent of family businesses expect to grow in 2021, and 86 per cent expect growth in 2022, according to a survey of more than 2,800 businesses. More than three-quarters are still having difficulty navigating family dynamics, even as they focus on getting succession right. Family businesses make up more than half the world’s gross domestic product.

—TD Economics

—PwC Canada’s floor covering magazine \\

THEN & NOW

COMMUNITY OF COLLABORATION

Warehouse conversion creates industry-specific coworking space By Carly Nemtean

Photos courtesy Stephani Buchman

he Collective Workspace is building something meaningful for a growing community and their needs in the heart of Toronto’s Castlefield design district. Converted from an industrial plastic factory in just six months, the 13,000-square-foot building is a coworking and lifestyle space designed for architects, interior designers and builders. The Collective is set up to foster collaboration and communication, and features a 3,000-squarefoot materials library, wellness space, storage room, and board and call rooms. Due to its size and scale, zones were created through the use of different flooring. Material selection was influenced by the need to minimize ambient noise levels and reduce reverberation in coworking spaces. Other considerations were wayfinding and the clear identification of office areas. Flooring patterns provide key visual cues to the circulation path and dileneate office spaces from communal zones. A key project challenge was rectifying the pre-existing concrete floors. The uneven substrate needed to be levelled for a cohesive installation since the different flooring types had various thicknesses. RECEPTION AREA Entering the Collective, users of and visitors to the space are greeted by a bold and dynamic pattern combination of rhombus-shaped porcelain tiles in various shades of grey, bordered by a dark grey porcelain tile. Transitioning into the lounge area, light oak engineered hardwood flooring elevates the atmosphere.

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GENERAL FLOORING A wide vinyl hardwood plank with distinct grains, knots and imperfections was chosen for its rustic charm and ability to hide future marks. It was laid in a diagonal pattern to direct foot traffic through communal spaces. Thresholds were eliminated for barrier-free access by butting up different ceramic and porcelain floor tiles to the vinyl planks. KITCHEN A playful, geometric black, white and grey ceramic floor tile outlines the shared kitchen and transitions into the diagonally laid vinyl hardwood floor found throughout much of the space. MATERIALS LIBRARY The materials library is an area for designers to feel inspired, access samples and order products. Commercial carpet tile was installed in a herringbone pattern with darker grey and brown carpet tiles placed around the perimeter to encase the millwork. The inlay of carpet tiles throughout the general area contrasts the darker tiles by introducing a lighter grey. A key reason for this choice in flooring was to provide a reduction in noise from foot traffic. As well, the tiles are durable, easy to maintain and install. If a tile does get damaged, it can easily be replaced.

Carly Nemtean is the principal designer and co-founder of Carriage Lane Design-Build Inc., which specializes in interior renovations and additions in the Greater Toronto Area. The interior design and custom build firm is located inside one of the four private suites at the Collective Workspace. Carly can be reached at 905-625-1444 or carly@carriagelanedesigns.com.

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