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Tops to Floors

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Cabinets, Countertops, Flooring and More

Designing and Creating Beautiful, Livable Spaces

Photos: Buffie Boily

▲ Lisa and David vanDuinkerken.

Photo: Buffie Boily

When it comes to creating and upgrading home interiors, PEI residents--whether seasonal, or year-round Islanders--are choosing Tops to Floors for cabinets, countertops, flooring, and more.

“We’re having an exceptionally busy year. Renovations and new construction are booming. It’s been great for our industry,” says Tops to Floors coowner David vanDuinkerken.

There’s little doubt that Prince Edward Island is an amazing place to live. “Homes are our ‘rewind and recharge’ areas. People are focused on organizing and decorating their spaces to suit their preferences,” explains vanDuinkerken. Since many home design investments can improve a home’s net worth, it’s an easier decision to build or renovate.

Lisa and David vanDuinkerken founded Tops to Floors, their PEI home supply and installation brand, in November 1999. Originally based in Summerside, the business expanded into Charlottetown in 2009. Tops to Floors now employs 40 people, and operates dual

locations: a Summerside showroom and manufacturing shop, and a Charlottetown showroom.

Two decades on, vanDuinkerken says, the brand remains “a family-owned business, with exceptional staff who’ve been key to our growth and success.”

In addition to cabinet, countertop, and flooring options, Tops to Floors supplies and installs stairs, window coverings, custom showers, and backsplashes. Specialized

installation teams ensure customers’ selections are implemented beautifully.

Cabinetry

Tops to Floors’ Summerside location manufactures custom cabinetry onsite, offering unique elements such as builtin appliances; cabinet door power technology; dedicated storage for spices, utensils, and baking trays; integrated recycling and waste disposal areas;

small appliance lifting systems; pot-andpan organizers; pull-out trays--endless possibilities, vanDuinkerken explains. “Kitchens meant for entertaining often include a spacious central island, wellplanned seating spaces, elegant wine storage, and carved-out pantry areas... organized, functional cabinetry with adequate storage is key,” vanDuinkerken continues. “White kitchens remain popular, but we’re seeing more pops of colour and warm wood accents.”

The vanDuinkerkens say customers increasingly visit websites like Houzz and Pinterest for project ideas. Tops to Floors’ staff can develop those ideas into functional, beautiful spaces using virtual reality and 3D software, as well as help customers choose cabinet and door styles, customize spaces, add functionality and accessories, and complete the look with hardware.

Countertops

Countertops are custom-cut in Tops to Floors’ Summerside shop; both the Summerside and Charlottetown showrooms display an array of laminate, solid surface, butcher block, stone, Dekton, and quartz options.

Affordable laminate, says vanDuinkerken, comes in various colours and patterns. Meanwhile, nonporous solid surface countertops offer aesthetic appeal similar to glass or granite, and feature unique advantages. For example, seams can be hidden during manufacturing, and wearand-tear can be buffed away during upkeep.

Alternatively, butcher block boasts a warm, natural hardwood appearance, vanDuinkerken says. While it requires sealing and mineral oil treatments, superficial wear-and-tear (like light knife marks) can be sanded off butcher block surfaces. “It provides some character... it’s a great contrast material.”

Stone, Dekton, and quartz countertops can add value to any home; they’re beautiful, heat-resistant and durable, vanDuinkerken emphasizes. He notes that Dekton’s unique properties make it especially well suited for staircases or outdoor kitchen applications. However, he adds, the area’s local preference for quartz is clear. “Quartz is strong, and its durability means it’ll look new longer.”

Tops to Floors also offers countertopenhancing quartz, stone, and tile backsplashes. In fact, vanDuinkerken says, backsplashes and tiled walls can create both functionality and personality throughout the home. “A lot of people

like playing with backsplash colours and patterns. However, if your countertop stands out, we generally recommend something simple. Vice versa works, as well.”

Flooring

Tops to Floors offers numerous flooring styles and materials. “There are so many products today. It’s important to consider factors like the installation area, how much wear and tear the floor will undergo, and the maintenance requirements,” vanDuinkerken says.

He reports that wood floors and tile remain the most popular flooring choices; wide-plank wood floors in warm, natural shades are especially popular. Tops to Floors suggests engineered wood flooring over solid hardwood: engineered wood “provides a real wood finish,” and its stable core is better at withstanding PEI’s moisture, humidity, and temperature changes.

Many tile styles are available, with large format sizes prevailing. “Tile is the real deal when it comes to durability, but it is an investment,” says vanDuinkerken. “You want to be happy with your selection for a long time.” While vanDuinkerken says classic, elegant styles have remained popular, he’s also noticing more unconventional shapes, eye-catching hues, and retro designs being made available.

Customers are reportedly also opting for water-resistant products like luxury vinyl tile, plank, and laminate; these are particularly popular in high-traffic environments. Alternately, low-maintenance sheet vinyl--which vanDuinkerken says is comfortable underfoot--is often mistaken for real hardwood or tile. And since carpet provides warmth without hindering acoustics, it remains a consistent choice for bedrooms, basements, and home theatres.

Other Specialties

Tops to Floors’ custom stairs elegantly reinforce home aesthetics. “We design, fabricate, and install prefinished stair systems to complement flooring and accent cabinets,” vanDuinkerken explains. “Staircases can be stained or painted, and paired with glass, metal, or wooden railings.” The trendy minimalism of glass, in particular, is reportedly drawing increased interest.

The business also provides custom window coverings in countless fabrics and colours; these afford privacy, shade, and UV protection. Motorized models can be managed “with a simple tap on your mobile device,” vanDuinkerken says. Full automation is possible: “You can set your blinds to open at 8:00 AM, and close at 8:00 PM.”

Islanders curious about integrating a custom shower, whether for practical or aesthetic reasons, may wish to begin their research by consulting Tops to Floors. “We do lots of custom showers. That’s something we tend to be known for,” vanDuinkerken says. They also offer a range of materials: waterproofing supplies, niches, benches, curbs, drains, shower doors featuring custom glass, and hardware. Both tile and quartz finishes are available.

Tops to Floors’ strengths lie in its product selection--cabinets, countertops, flooring and more--and its remarkable team’s home design and installation expertise. The brand’s goals are summed up in their slogan: “We design and create beautiful, livable spaces.”

Tops to Floors 26152 Route #2 Summerside 902.436.6070

11 MacAleer Drive Charlottetown 902.894.6070

info@topstofloors.com www.topstofloors.com

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