Coverings Spring 2022

CANADA’S FLOOR COVERING MAGAZINE

Spring 2022

THEN & NOW

STYLE AT HOME Top trends that will elevate interiors in 2022

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INSTALLATION TIPS FOR LUXURY VINYL HEMP: A GREENER FLOORING SOLUTION COMPOSITE HARDWOOD A CONVERSATION STARTER

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CANADA’S FLOOR COVERING MAGAZINE

CONTENTS SPRING 2022

FEATURES 8 12 16 18

Prepare to be Floored Eight trends that are sure to influence sales in 2022 Vinyl Leads the Way What’s next for the fastest growing flooring material A New Generation of Wood What to know about composite/hybrid floors A Sustainable Substitute Hemp lays down the foundation for a greener future

Photo courtesy Doublespace Photography

COLUMNS

DEPARTMENTS

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4

Then & Now Sobeys’ innovation hub preserves historic features while fostering future-forward workforce

From the Editor Forecasting important to business success

19

Stats & Facts

20

Product Showcase

CANADA’S FLOOR COVERING MAGAZINE

Spring 2022

THEN & NOW

STYLE AT HOME

Sobeys’ Innovation Hub

INSTALLATION TIPS FOR LUXURY VINYL

Cover photo by Doublespace Photography

PM 40063056

22

Installation Matters Tips to solve common luxury vinyl installation issues

HEMP: A GREENER FLOORING SOLUTION COMPOSITE HARDWOOD A CONVERSATION STARTER

Coverings_Spring_2022.indd 1

Canada’s floor covering magazine \\

2022-03-24 11:49 PM

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FROM THE EDITOR

FORECASTING IMPORTANT TO BUSINESS SUCCESS AFTER TWO YEARS of intermittent lockdowns and other restrictions on businesses to prevent the spread of Covid-19, provincial governments are moving to the ‘learn to live with it’ phase of the pandemic, which involves the lifting of mask mandates and capacity limits. The prospect of getting ‘back to normal’ is exciting for some and anxiety-inducing for others. Regardless of which camp you’re in, most of us will have to relearn how to socialize, at least to some extent, given our interaction with others has been limited since mid-March 2020. This is particularly important for retailers whose staff may no longer be used to dealing with an influx of shoppers or are new hires with little to no experience.

To provide the best possible service for customers, retail associates need to be engaging and knowledgeable about not just their store’s products but what’s on-trend, too. Thanks to the Internet, many consumers are now well-informed before going into a store to buy a product, so staying on top of what’s ‘in vogue’ is particularly important as it can go a long way to influencing purchasing decisions. Plus, staff that have a clear understanding of design trends appear more competent and trustworthy.

This brings us to the first of two articles on this topic. In Prepared to be Floored, Bryan Sebring of Sebring Design Build delves into eight trends that are sure to influence retail sales in 2022. Then we look at what’s next for the fastest growing flooring material in Vinyl Leads the Way. Our flooring feature this issue is one of the most popular options — wood. AHF Products’ Don Finkell explores composite/hybrid floors and their pros and cons in A New Generation of Wood. Next, Alyssa Trombetti of Fibonacci LLC delves into the use of hemp to create a more environmentally friendly flooring choice in A Sustainable Substitute.

Rounding out this issue are our regular Installation Matters and Then & Now columns. To begin, John T. McGrath Jr., a director at the International Standards and Training Alliance, provides a series of tips to solve common luxury vinyl installation issues. We end with the renovation of a historically designated warehouse in downtown Toronto, for food retailer Sobeys.

If you’ve recently worked on a project that you’d like to see featured in the magazine, or you’d like to share information on a new product launch, please contact me at claret@mediaedge.ca

Clare Tattersall

PUBLISHER

CO-PUBLISHER

Jason Krulicki

Dan Gnocato

EDITOR

ART DIRECTOR

claret@mediaedge.ca

annettec@mediaedge.ca

jasonk@mediaedge.ca

Clare Tattersall

dang@mediaedge.ca

Annette Carlucci

PRESIDENT

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

kevinb@mediaedge.ca

roxyh@mediaedge.ca

Kevin Brown

CIRCULATION

circulation@mediaedge.ca

Thuy Huynh

Coverings is published four times annually — Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter — 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 2022

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ISSN 0834-3357 Published by 2001 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario M2J 4Z8 © 2022 by MediaEdge Communications. All rights reserved.

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\\ Spring 2022

INSTALLATION MATTERS

DON’T GET FLOORED

BY MISTAKES Tips to solve common luxury vinyl installation issues

By John T. McGrath Jr.

E

ven though the flooring industry has decades of luxury vinyl plank and tile installation knowledge, achieving optimal results can still be a challenge. This can be attributed to a variety of factors, including an incomplete assessment of the installation site, changes to a manufacturer’s install specs, acclimation and fit missteps, and insufficient installation training.

To help contractors perform luxury vinyl installations that exemplify high-quality workmanship and ensure consistent results, here are four tips that address these common issues.

FULLY ASSESS THE INSTALLATION SITE

Assessing the site involves more than taking a set of mea6

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surements. Every site assessment should start with collaboration among the installer, general contractor, designer and owner. Communication at this stage is critical, as information gathered will directly impact the product selected for the project, site preparation techniques, adhesives and the final appearance of the floor.

The condition of the subfloor, environmental factors like light and moisture, and whether underfloor heating will be used should all be considered before the luxury vinyl product and corresponding adhesive are selected. This allows relevant parties to identify products that will offer the best combination of looks and performance.

Any specific requirements, such as those that might accompany installation in a healthcare facility, should be noted during this pre-

INSTALLATION MATTERS liminary phase, too. This provides an opportunity for the general contractor and owner to verify that the selected product can perform under the specified conditions, and it alerts the installer to any special precautions required for installation.

Additional site factors like traffic flow and volume will also have a direct impact on the luxury vinyl’s performance and life span and should be addressed.

To ensure client satisfaction with the appearance of the luxury vinyl, aesthetic options like plank or tile randomization should be reviewed prior to installation. That way design expectations can be met by the material orientation and pattern laid out by the installer.

Gathering all these details about the site allows the installer to advocate for the proper resources to perform the installation correctly, and will go a long way to preventing any unnecessary surprises for the general contractor and owner once installation begins.

REVIEW MANUFACTURER’S INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

Because luxury vinyl plank and tile are not new products, it is tempting to skip reviewing the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

This can be costly, as specifications frequently change.

Ignoring manufacturer guidelines and using the same adhesive for all luxury vinyl products to reduce costs and simplify installation is also a common but ill-advised shortcut. Applying the wrong adhesive invariably leads to improper adhesion and immediate or latent flooring failure. The flooring itself and subfloor may be further damaged if the vinyl needs to be removed and reapplied — an expensive and time-consuming exercise.

Spread rate is another guideline that is often modified or ignored.

Proper installation requires installers to evaluate substrate porosity and select the corresponding metering device (trowel) to meet site conditions. The installer should also evaluate the trowel notch size throughout the installation because as the trowel is being used, it is ground down by the substrate, reducing the amount of adhesive being applied. Compensating for this by starting with a trowel notch size greater than what is recommended can result in applying too much adhesive. It only takes a moment to verify the trowel notch for consistency and keeping additional trowels on hand is worth the few dollars in cost.

In short, it never pays to cut corners. What may save time and money up-front can be pricey later on when the result is rework and reputation damage. When it comes to surface prep, priming, spread rate, temperature, relative humidity and dry time, the manufacturer’s instructions must be followed to protect the integrity of the material and installer.

ENSURE PROPER ACCLIMATION AND FIT

Flooring should never be installed immediately after it is brought in from the delivery truck. In summer, the internal temperature of a delivery vehicle can climb to more than 65.5 C, according to a study by General Motors of Canada, and heat materials to extremes. In winter, temperatures can be well below freezing.

If luxury vinyl plank or tile is glued down when too warm, the product may shrink slightly as it cools, resulting in gaps throughout the entire installation. The opposite may occur if materials are installed when too cold. They may expand as they warm, causing adjoining planks or tiles to peak and not lie flat on the floor. Acclimation allows materials to settle into a more predictable state for installation, leaving less room for surprises later.

\\ Well-trained labour is one of the best investments flooring contractors can make.

Once luxury vinyl flooring is acclimated, installers can use the proper cut and fit for the installation space to further account for natural expansion and contraction within the install environment.

Installers should avoid compressing the fit whenever possible, but particularly when using luxury vinyl plank. Forcing planks down along walls or other permanent fixtures like islands and bookshelves can cause them to buckle, arch and bubble at the seams.

When luxury vinyl responds this way, it doesn’t properly adhere to the subfloor. This poor adhesion can lead to a variety of problems, including unsightly appearance, safety risks, material damage and penetration of unwanted substances into the subfloor.

For best results, properly cut the material for a net fit. This will allow the flooring to expand and contract freely without disrupting the visual flow or causing buckling and damage that may result in rework.

INVEST IN PROPER TRAINING

Learning on the job is common in the flooring industry. Often what is learned ‘on the fly’ is the fastest way to get the job done. But this isn’t always safest or the way to achieve the best end result. Proper training focuses on best practices for quality workmanship and safety.

Many luxury vinyl product manufacturers provide online installation training videos and literature. These resources are great for quickly solving specific installation issues but they aren’t a replacement for comprehensive hands-on training and certification. Installers who obtain training certification soon realize the return on their investment in the form of more efficient installs, fewer corrections and reworks, and more satisfied clients. And nothing is more valuable than a happy client.

John T. McGrath Jr. is a director at the International Standards and Training Alliance (INSTALL), an association of installers, contractors and manufacturers who collaborate to improve industry standards and provide professional, reliable flooring installation teams.

Canada’s floor covering magazine \\

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STYLE & DESIGN

PREPARE TO BE FLOORED Eight trends that are sure to influence sales in 2022

By Bryan Sebring

F

looring trends change as customers acquire new tastes, and technology allows a larger variety of flooring designs for remodelling projects. Of late, medium brown tones have struck the right note with homeowners, and so have finishes ranging from ebony to driftwood. Imperfect floors with min-

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eral streaks and knots have also proven popular, adding both character and a natural feel to interior spaces. And then there is faux flooring, with tile that looks like wood especially favoured. This year is bound to bring with it new and perhaps even more exciting trends. Here are eight that are forecasted for 2022.

FUMED FLOORING

Almost all types of wood flooring undergo some kind of staining to give it the desired final finish. But fumed wood floors get their rich colour and strong grain without staining. The wood is put through a process called fuming. This involves placing the wood in a chamber where airborne ammonia is re-

STYLE & DESIGN

These shapes are also proving popular in ‘smaller’ sizes when used in a trickling pattern, which blends together separate materials like tile and wood to create a beautiful flow from one area to the next. vide the soft patina that is attained with airborne ammonia.

BLEACHED AND BLANCHED WOODS

Photos courtesy Sebring Design Build

leased. The wood reacts with the ammonia and undergoes a colour change. How long the planks are exposed to the ammonia determines the different colours within a collection. There may even be variation from dark to light shades between similar pieces of wood.

The patina achieved depends on the type of wood, outside environment and the atmosphere in the chamber itself. The final result is natural-looking floors with enhanced colour and contrasts of the wood planks.

Airborne fuming is not to be confused with the surface application of liquid ammonia to wood planks. This process risks damaging the fibre of the wood and may weaken its structure. It also does not pro-

Not everyone likes the glossy brown stains of most wood floors. For some, the softer look of a bleached floor is more their taste.

This kind of flooring consists of wood that has undergone a bleaching process, also called blanching. It involves applying a chemical solution onto the surface of the wood to get rid of the ‘colour’ — the artificial dye or stain coating the wood. Blanching gives the wood an ashy white-washed appearance with the natural wood grain still clearly visible underneath.

There are two options to achieve this look, which will be especially popular in seaside retreats and characteristically country/farmhouse homes, though it is expected to transcend all house styles. The first is to bleach existing wood floors. However, this is often expensive and tedious work.

The alternative is to replace with readymade blanched flooring.

FEELING DISTRESSED

The distressed floor trend has been around for some time but it has become progressively popular in recent years. Going forward, expect to see more homeowners opt for that luxury aged look in their flooring to create the rustic look that’s so desired.

Distressed wood flooring undergoes artificial aging and styling processes that give it a slightly worn finish. Various actions are

taken depending on the degree and style of ‘distress’ desired. The edges of each wood plank are hand scraped, swirl and kerf markings are added to imitate historic wood, and planks are brushed to remove glossing and give them a soft worn texture.

The distressed look is also increasingly being seen on concrete flooring, as homeowners seek out alternatives to traditional wood. Like its wood counterpart, distressed concrete goes through artificial processes to minimize the highly polished appearance and produce an enhanced worn-out patina.

Distressed concrete flooring can be integrated into most types of decors but works best in industrial and contemporary home styles.

PRETTY PATTERNS

For a twist on standard hardwood flooring, homeowners continue to turn to geometric designs like chevron and herringbone, especially in kitchens, bathrooms and entryways. These patterns create visual interest within a space and offer a luxurious European feel. Herringbone pieces are rectangular and cut at a 90-degree angle, while chevrons are cut at a 45-degree angle at the end and fitted together at a point, creating a zigzag pattern. For this reason, chevron patterns often impart a modern feel, whereas herringbone can give a more traditional and heritage effect in a space.

VINTAGE BLACK AND WHITE

Vintage has always been about nostalgia — Canada’s floor covering magazine \\

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STYLE & DESIGN

\\ Bold black and white patterned tiles add interest to this residential dual-purpose space, which functions as the family’s a mudroom and laundry room.

bringing back the warmth and memories of decades’ past. In 2022, black and white tiles are making a strong comeback. These aren’t the same old black and white tiles that adorn historic homes. Instead, they’re bold, graphic and more luxurious, offered in both large format and smaller tile sizes to create the perfect blend of vintage and contemporary style.

rolls. Vinyl composition tile (VCT) is mainly produced from limestone and costs less.

Solid vinyl tile (SVT) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) are commonly made from multiple layers of vinyl. Some products can even be ‘grouted’ for a more realistic look. Vinyl planks are designed to strongly resemble hardwood, boasting a realistic texture and bevelled edges, and are even available in similar sized planks to timber.

VINYL RENAISSANCE

Vinyl will maintain its status as the fastest growing flooring material. It is soft (and quiet) underfoot, making it pleasant to stand on for extended periods, and warmer to the touch than hard surfaces like tile. What’s more, vinyl withstands water and does not easily dent, stain or fade, making it a good choice for rooms with a lot of foot traffic. It’s available in a wide variety of colours, levels of gloss and designs, including those that mimic wood and tile, and is easy to install.

Vinyl flooring can be purchased in sheets, planks and tiles. Vinyl sheets are usually available in six and sometimes 12-foot-wide 10

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OVERSIZED SHAPES

Bigger is better is the opinion of many homeowners who have been increasingly drawn to large format porcelain tiles for kitchen and bathroom renovations. Now they’re looking for non-standard shapes like hexagons, triangles, diamonds and parallelograms to create patterns underfoot.

These shapes are also proving popular in ‘smaller’ sizes when used in a trickling pattern, which blends together separate materials like tile and wood to create a beautiful flow from one area to the next. This look is generally best suited to larger rooms that call for bold concepts. Pairing materials in contrasting colours creates additional interest.

NATURAL HUES

Bringing everything back to basics and keeping it simple will be a fundamental aspect of the next decade. With an increasing focus on sustainability and ways to bring the outdoors inside, neutral colours will remain in vogue for some time. The simplicity, tranquility and coziness of natural woods go a long way to creating that soothing luxury so many people are looking to attain.

Bryan Sebring is president and founder of Sebring Design Build located in both Naperville, Ill., and Nashville, Tenn. With more than 25 years of experience, Bryan has won numerous design awards, both nationally and locally, and is a certified graduate remodeller, which is a National Association of Home Builders designation. He can be reached at bryan@sebringdesignbuild.com.

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STYLE & DESIGN

VINYL LEADS THE WAY What’s next for the fastest growing flooring material

By Clare Tattersall

V

inyl has become increasingly popular in recent years as a cost-effective alternative to traditional wood and stone flooring. It is water-resistant, low maintenance, offers a more ‘padded’ feeling underfoot and can survive plenty of wear and tear to provide long-lasting durability. What’s more, vinyl is easy to install and can be laid on any formation. Combined with advancements in technology that have allowed vinyl flooring manufacturers to imitate wood and tile with impressive accuracy, and offer a greater variety of shapes, sizes and designs, it is no wonder this material has become a superstar in both the residential and commercial sectors. So, with no signs of vinyl flooring waning in consumer demand, let’s dive into some of the biggest trends of this year.

WOOD, STONE-LOOK FLOORS

Photo courtesy Karndean Designflooring

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The consensus among experts is that woodlook vinyl flooring is here to stay.

Tarkett’s product development director Leigh Wright says wood designs are driven by the need to bring the outdoors inside to further connect people with the natural environment.

“A current design trend is creating connections through nature and biophilic design,” she says. “This can be seen in organic shapes, colour, natural texture and warm tones. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) wood designs follow this trend and are natural, warm and somewhat imperfect without being too distressed.”

Sean O’Callaghan, product marketing manager for Karndean Designflooring in Canada, says natural, warmer wood tones — honey blonds and greys with brown undertones — will maintain their market rule in 2022. Oak tree species are a growing favourite, as their grain detail is versatile and can work in all spaces with any aesthetic — modern, rustic, Scandinavian and beyond.

Marcus Stone, vice-president of sales and marketing at Melmart Distributors Inc.,

STYLE & DESIGN

agrees that oak will dominate the mainstream along with hickory, though softer patterns are gaining interest like acacia and maple grains.

Like the wood-look, both Stone and O’Callaghan say stone-look vinyl flooring will gain further traction in residential interiors since it is a more practical option than porcelain, ceramic and natural stone tile, which are more prone to staining, cracks and other damage.

Marble-style visuals, installed with or without a grouting effect, are still highly desirable as they add opulence to any space, but Stone anticipates they will give way to more subdued natural stone looks with warmer hues.

CONCRETE, PATTERNED FLOORS

Where Stone and O’Callaghan diverge is on concrete-looking vinyl flooring. Karndean Designflooring’s research and internal data indicates it will remain on-trend in 2022, in both residential and commercial applications, with a wide breadth of designs offered.

O’Callaghan cites vinyl’s ease of maintenance over the natural alternative as a primary reason consumers will continue to favour this style. However, Stone believes this look has had its time. “(It imparts) a colder industrial look that is giving way to more natural, warmer materials in the overall design aspect of the home,” he says, though Stone expects the concrete-look will persist in commercial and industrial spaces and designs for the foreseeable future.

As with the concrete-look, Stone says patterned vinyl flooring is on a downward trajectory due to the lack of SPC options, as well as the difficulty keeping intricate designs lined up on plank and tile. That being said, patterns will still be the driving force in sheet vinyl sales.

One decorative pattern that O’Callaghan expects to be big this year is Moroccan, inspired by the artistic beauty of traditional Moroccan architecture dating back to the 8th century.

“The stories behind the designs are captivating and great conversation starters, while the looks are bold and fun,” he says.

SPC TO MAKE MARKET GAINS

Given the rise in do-it-yourself projects during the pandemic, click-locking and loose lay vinyl

Photo courtesy Tarkett

\\ Stone-look vinyl flooring will continue to gain traction in the market. State-of-the-art print technology creates the realistic marble-style visual.

formats will reign supreme, says Stone, driven mainly by the ease of installation and erosion of skilled installers in the flooring industry.

“I think we will see more ‘click’ type products,” he says. “Herringbone is getting a lot of attention but it is still a very low proportion of the installed market. High variation has had its time and more contemporary, cleaner looks are in.”

Stone also expects thicker floors to make a comeback in the mechanical locking segment.

“With products going thinner and thinner to meet pricing constraints, we are starting to see failures with the click system,” he says.

Because of this, Stone believes there will be a slight resurgence in wood plastic composite, though stone plastic composite (SPC) will remain the leader in this category.

On the commercial side, Tarkett’s Ben Elliott says SPC has the greatest potential for growth.

“There are several (reasons for this), one being it is underpenetrated when compared to the residential market,” says the senior product manager. “There is a lack of skilled installers necessary for more complex installations like sheet vinyl, too. On the contrary, SPC has many performance advantages and is relatively easy to install.”

Jason McKee, also a senior product manager at Tarkett, sees an opportunity for gains in sheet vinyl, as well. Due to concerns presented by Covid-19, some healthcare facilities are moving back to using it in settings

where infection control is most critical, thanks to sheet vinyl’s ability to provide wallto-wall septic barriers. But again, the challenge with sheet vinyl remains the lack of skilled installers.

Of all vinyl flooring types, the growth potential remains mostly with LVT, says McKee. Outside of acute care, which has historically been mostly resilient flooring, LVT continues to advance in market segments like corporate, education and medical office buildings.

Elliott credits vinyl’s increased inroads within the commercial sector to its inherent benefits, the perception that it is cleaner than soft surfaces and the shift away from carpet.

WHEN BIGGER IS BETTER

In terms of size, it does matter. Larger planks and tiles, in both wood and stone looks, have been commanding the market overall, says Karndean’s O’Callaghan, as this format helps make a space feel bigger. Planks as long as 59 inches by 10 inches are not uncommon, as are 18-inch by 36-inch tiles. But ultimately, the space and customer’s design preferences should dictate whether a larger format is the best choice for a project.

“It’s all about scale and what is right for the aesthetic,” agrees Melmart’s Stone.

The same rings true when making any flooring selection for a space.

Canada’s floor covering magazine \\

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WOOD FLOORING

A NEW GENERATION OF WOOD What to know about composite/hybrid floors

By Don Finkell

S

tudies show that wood is the overwhelming preferred flooring of consumers today. Its natural beauty and practical performance are both highly desirable. But despite being the most favoured flooring choice, wood only enjoys approximately 12 per cent of the total flooring market. The reasons for this attrition are many.

Price is a big factor, as is its perceived vulnerability to moisture. This has provided an opportunity for composite/hybrid wood flooring to shine.

THE RISE AND FALL OF WOOD

Prior to the Second World War, most solid 16

\\ Spring 2022

wood flooring was three-quarters of an inch thick. Afterward, multilayer wood flooring (engineered) came into use. The cross-ply lamination and waterproof glue that allowed patrol torpedo boats and amphibious landing craft to stand up to the rigours of seawater resulted in the creation of a wood floor that was stable enough to be glued directly to a concrete slab. For the next 60 years, engineered wood went from a small percentage of the North American flooring market to the majority, accounting for more than two-thirds of market share now. During this time, wood flooring steadily gained a market hold over other choices like carpet and lami-

nate. However, with the advent of vinyl plank flooring in the last 10 years, wood, along with all other flooring categories, has rapidly lost market share. Vinyl now captures more than 24 per cent, largely because of its claim to be waterproof.

Seeing a decline in business, wood flooring manufacturers started innovating floors that had the realistic appearance of a real wood surface bonded to a waterproof core.

The success of these early composite/hybrid wood floors was mixed. Most performed like vinyl and, unfortunately, looked like vinyl, too, because of the high amount of water-resistant finish. With some trial and er-

WOOD FLOORING ror, though, the right mix of performance and appearance was eventually found. In fact, Canada was one of the earliest markets to accept this new category of wood floors.

water is glued over the side and end joints of the floor. It is then timed to see how many hours it takes for the water to leak from the vessel through the joint to the backside of the floor and onto the subfloor.

COMPOSITE WOOD FLOORING

Composite/hybrid wood floors are comprised of a thin wood veneer — 0.06 to 1.2 millimetres (mm) thick — bonded to a waterproof core like stone plastic composite (SPC) or magnesium oxide (MgO). The wood veneer is topped with a hydrophobic coating, which is brushed in to protect the surface from water. The hydrophobic coating is then overlaid with several layers of scratch and wear-resistant aluminum oxide impregnated, ultraviolet light cured urethane finish. Generally, there is a backing layer (1 to 2 mm) of an acoustic material, usually an IXPE synthetic pad or natural cork. If a locking profile is preferred, a SPC core must be used; a MgO core is too brittle to accept a locking profile. Of course, all or any of this is subject to change as new innovations are constantly being brought to market.

While it is not a requirement, most composite/hybrid wood floors are waterproof.

The exact definition of waterproof depends on the core. With SPC, it means that the boards do not absorb moisture or change shape when submerged in water for many days. Waterproof may also be defined using a ‘three T test’ wherein a collar surrounding

WEIGHING THE PROS AND CONS

The National Wood Flooring Association recognizes three categories of wood floors: solid, engineered and composite/hybrid wood.

Each has its advantages and disadvantages.

Solid wood floors can be factory finished or sanded and finished on-site. Optimal flatness is achieved from a site finished floor.

Wood can also be sanded and re-sanded multiple times. However, because wood expands and contracts perpendicular to the grain, solid wood floors are less stable than engineered or composite/hybrid floors. The boards must be narrower (less than five inches wide) to prevent objectionable seasonal cracks from developing between them during winter. This makes solid wood less than ideal for below grade applications or installation on a concrete slab.

The three-quarter of an inch thickness also makes replacement of thinner floor coverings with solid wood more awkward because a transition strip is necessary.

Engineered wood floors are made up of real wood. Plus, because of the cross-ply lamination, this flooring can be glued directly to a concrete slab, allowing it to be installed on, above or below grade. Engineered flooring is also more stable than solid wood, so it can be manufactured in wider widths without having to increase the overall thickness.

This makes it an ideal choice for remodelling projects. On the downside, most types of engineered flooring can only be sanded and refinished once since the surface hardwood layer is relatively thin.

Composite/hybrid wood floors are thinner than solid and engineered wood floors. But unlike its counterparts, it can be wider and manufactured to be waterproof. A disadvantage of this flooring type is the solid surface cannot be resanded to change its colour. However, it is possible to resurface and recoat the finish.

Don Finkell is vice-president of AHF Products. He is responsible for the American OEM brands, including Hearthwood Floors, Emily Morrow Home and Raintree Floors. Don is the former CEO of Anderson Hardwood Floors, Shaw Hardwood and American OEM Wood Floors. He is also past chair of the National Wood Flooring Association, the Decorative Hardwoods Association and the Hardwood Federation.

MEETING THE INDUSTRY STANDARD

In the last two years, the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) and Decorative Hardwoods Association (DHA), formerly the Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association, both promulgated industry standards for composite/hybrid wood, giving legitimacy to this new category of floors. Much like the adoption of standards covering engineered wood floors in the 1960s, this inclusion of composite/hybrid wood floors is not without controversy. Some feel it is not a real wood floor.

The NWFA recognizes three categories of wood floors: solid, engineered and composite/hybrid. The requirements of solid wood floors are that it must be solid wood from top to bottom. The National Oak Flooring Manufacturers’ Association (now part of NWFA) has published standardized grading and milling rules since 1905.

The NWFA adopted the DHA’s American national standard for engineered wood flooring, ANSI/HPVA EF, in 2012. Some of the requirements for engineered wood floors were that it contain real wood from top to bottom, normally made up of veneer or slats turned at 90 degrees to each other.

The NWFA recognizes composite/hybrid flooring when it contains real wood on the wearable surface only. The backing and core material may be made up of any type of composite material.

In 2020, the DHA revised its ANSI/HPVA EF standard to include composite as a component of engineered wood floors. Hybrid flooring products that utilize a composite platform with a wood surface are now covered by the standard.

Canada’s floor covering magazine \\

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WOOD FLOORING

A SUSTAINABLE SUBSTITUTE

Hemp lays down the foundation for a greener future

By Alyssa Trombetti

A

s early as 2800 BCE, hemp has been utilized for textiles, food and even currency. Given its rapid growth and fibrous structure, hemp offers many advantages. It has even been coined the ‘sacred grass’ in some countries. But although originally widely used, industrial production was banned in 1970 in the United States, as part of the war on drugs. It was not until almost five decades later, with the passage of the Farm Bill in 2018, that hemp was welcomed back into the market. In response, the market flooded with new products, including building insulation and a fibre-reinforced concrete made of hemp. With these advancements, it was only a matter of time until the emergence of an engineered wood flooring.

Hemp is an ideal flooring material because of the strength of its fibres. In fact, the low THC-bearing plant is 20 per cent stronger than American white oak. What’s more, it takes just 150 days to go from seed to flooring, which is 100 times faster than traditional domestic hardwoods. Unlike other bio-

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based material floorings like bamboo, hemp flooring also has ultra-low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) due to the use of a soybased, no added formaldehyde adhesive in the manufacturing process. Additionally, plywood used for the flooring’s substrate is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, meaning that the lumber is harvested responsibly.

At present, only one company manufactures engineered hemp flooring, which can be used in both residential and commercial applications. It can be installed onto concrete and wood subfloors by the glue down or nail method, or as a floating floor.

The tongue and groove system allows for a neat, tight fit. Boards are 5/8 by five inches and up to 72 inches long. They are available as site-finished, pre-finished or can be cus-

tom coloured. The four-millimetre top layer can be refinished up to four times within the product life cycle.

Hemp flooring is similar to other engineered hardwoods but often outperforms in multiple categories. For example, it has a Janka hardness rating of 2,200 poundsforce, making it extremely durable. Pre-finished hemp flooring is both scratch and slip-resistant unlike hardwood surface coverings. Hemp flooring also has a fire rating well above the commercial standard. The Class 1 rating can be attributed to its density. Hemp flooring is customizable, too. And unlike traditional hardwood, there is choice in the grain pattern. Because it is cut on different sides, consumers can select from two patterns: live and rift sawn. Live sawn emulates a sporadic pattern, which resembles Damascus steel. Rift sawn has a more linear pattern that matches closely to traditional wood grain.

When compared to luxury vinyl tile (LVT), hemp flooring is more environmentally friendly. Unlike LVT, it is both Carb 2 and TSCA VI compliant. This signifies that the flooring releases a low enough amount of formaldehyde to be considered safe. Recent testing indicated that there are no detectable levels (below 0.008 parts per million) of VOCs in prefinished hemp flooring. Aside from the health benefits, the natural variant of hemp floor’s grain patterns add a depth of character to a room not seen in the printed wood grain of LVT. In terms of cost, LVT trumps hemp flooring from a manufacturing and installation perspective. However, hemp flooring is price competitive with American white oak.

Alyssa Trombetti is communications coordinator for Fibonacci LLC, better known as HempWood. HempWood is a patented hardwood composite that is used to make lumber and flooring. It is presently the only hemp flooring available in the market today. Alyssa can be reached at sales@hempwood.com.

STATS & FACTS

15.4% Severe flooding in British Columbia affected business activity in the fourth quarter of 2021, with the market for wood products among the most impacted. In November, sawmills increased production as higher construction activities in the United States spurred greater demand for Canadian lumber products. This added upward pressure on prices. But despite increased production, sawmills saw their inventories grow as flooding reduced the ability of manufacturers to bring products to market, resulting in a quarterly decline of 15.4 per cent in net income before taxes. Manufacturing businesses in the eastern provinces were also affected, as disruptions in rail service from the Port of Vancouver posed a supply constraint.

—Statistics Canada

13.1%

8.8% The total value of building permits decreased 8.8 per cent to $10.1 billion in January. The residential market fell 11.6 per cent to $6.7 billion, with the majority of the drop occurring in the multi-residential sector. The non-residential sector dipped 2.7 per cent to $3.4 billion, pulled down by the fall in the commercial component.

Ontario and British Columbia experienced the largest declines in both the residential and non-residential markets.

—Statistics Canada

The fourth quarter of 2021 saw the kitchen and bath industry continue to weather a series of challenges. Approximately three-quarters of designers reported backlogs of more than three months, with the remainder experiencing a backup of more than six months.

Supply chain disruption, material costs, labour availability and inflation topped the reasons for delays. These challenges are expected to persist in 2022, which may actually help the industry see long-term growth by spreading out projects. The industry is projected to increase 13.1 per cent by year’s end.

3.4%

—National Kitchen and Bath Association

2.8% The trend in housing starts was down 2.8 per cent to 254,133 units in January, from 261,352 units in December. Single-detached starts were higher, while multi-family starts declined. Among Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, Montreal was the only market to post growth due to higher single-detached and multi-family starts.

—Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.

High-pressure laminate flooring production is projected to climb 3.4 per cent annually through 2024, to 162.9 million square metres, valued at $1 billion US. Use of high-pressure laminate flooring is much lower than that of low-pressure laminate flooring because of its high cost, although its superior impact resistance and greater durability make it a viable option for nonresidential applications.

—Freedonia Group Canada’s floor covering magazine \\

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Open Range by Mannington Commercial is a rubber plank flooring collection inspired by the rugged aesthetic of America’s old West. The line offers rustic wood visuals with incredibly realistic detail. Open Range offers enhanced performance, comfort, safety and acoustics, making it ideal for commercial interiors ranging from healthcare and education to office and retail, says the company. The product is also slip, indent and crack-resistant, and offers superior scratch resistance due to its low clay and high pigment content. It comes in a 6.25-inch by 42-inch plank format and is available in 12 warm and neutral tones.

Festool’s TS55 F Track Saw features ultra-thin saw blades to achieve up to two times the cutting speed of its predecessor. The spring-mounted riving knife helps to prevent binding and promotes easier positioning when using it in an existing joint. The spindle stop allows users to change saw blades easily and the transparent, sliding viewing window ensures a clear blade path.

Other features include an attachable splinter guard to create a splinter-free cut, a 360-degree swivelling connection that allows the suction unit to be adjusted to any working position and preset bevels set at zero and 45 degrees.

Undercuts are also possible from -1 degrees to 47 degrees.

Schluter-Primer-U by Schluter Systems is a ready-to-use universal primer that enhances adhesions of mortars to hard-to-bond surfaces in interior applications. The acrylic formulation is water-based, solvent-free, low odour, contains no volatile organic compounds and is freeze/thaw stable.

It’s ideal over various porous and non-porous substrates, such as gypsum underlayment, existing tile, plywood or oriented strand board, raised access panels and metal. Primer-U is easily applied in a single coat using a 3/8-inch nap roller, a wide nylon bristle brush or even a garden sprayer. Application is the same regardless of the substrate and it dries in 15 minutes. The product is available in one-gallon and five-gallon buckets.

Interface has expanded into the rigid core flooring category with the introduction of Even Path. The collection, which features solid wood, marble and concrete designs, is engineered to withstand heavy static loads and hide subfloor imperfections. It can be used over a variety of existing subfloors and even raised access flooring. The glue-free, drop-click system reduces floor prep and is quick to install. Even Path is available in 25-centimetre by 1-metre planks and three patterns in 16 different colourways. The stones come in two patterns and eight colourways, with 50-centimetre by1-metre planks helping to create marble and concrete aesthetics.

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The No. 1 in floor protection

Armstrong Flooring’s three new heterogeneous sheet products — Asana, Nidra and Zenscape — have a patented wear layer that uses cultured diamonds to provide scratch, stain and scuff resistance while eliminating the need for polish. Additionally, each collection features reinforced layers for protection from rips, tears and gouges. Asana combines soft, subtle patterns and calming colourways, embracing the Japanese philosophy of Kanso, which emphasizes simplicity. Nidra is inspired by the organic, all-natural beauty of wood grains. Zenscape draws inspiration from elements found within nature, such as ocean foam, sand and waves. All three are available in 6-foot, 9-foot and 12-foot rolls to provide installation and design flexibility, reducing the number of seams in corridors, under patient beds and in large open areas.

Tarkett’s Renewal series is a soft surface flooring collection designed to calm and fresh, providing a much-needed escape from the hectic rush of daily life, says the company. The line offers six styles and 12 colourways, each tailored for the needs of today’s senior living communities. It features a number of proprietary technologies that contribute to faster installation, easier maintenance, and a healthier indoor environment and planet. These include a fluorine-free soil protection with low volatile organic compound emissions and a coating that creates a chemical barrier to prevent moisture, pH or previous adhesives from affecting the floor installation. The Renewal series is available in modular carpet, hybrid resilient sheet and tufted broadloom.

„The best choice for protecting your floor.“

protects

waterproof

anti-skid

breathable

reusable

available in retail boxes

www.floorotex.com Canada’s floor covering magazine \\

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THEN & NOW

DRIVING INNOVATION

Food retailer’s innovation hub preserves historic features while fostering future-forward workforce

By Lisa McDonald

Photo courtesy Doublespace Photography

W

ith a history dating back to the early 1900s, Sobeys Inc. boasts more than 1,500 stores nationwide. To house the team supporting its new online shopping platform, the food retailer recently renovated three floors of a historically designated, 1920s brick and beam warehouse in downtown Toronto. The design honours the structure’s original architecture and flooring, while creating a forward-looking, state-of-the-art innovation hub to attract and retain a tech-savvy staff.

To comply with heritage preservation guidelines for the site, the warehouse’s original oak wood strip floors had to be kept — a directive that resonated with Sobeys’ vision for sustainability. Some of the surface-level wear and tear to the oak wood strip flooring was left untreated as a feature of the overall design. In areas where non-load bearing walls were demolished, it was necessary to patch and repair the flooring to match the usable flooring’s existing condition. Sobeys’ construction manager, Flatiron, sourced and supplied the matching wood.

Sobeys occupies floors two through four of the building. A yoga studio is housed directly below on the ground level. Music and conversation from the studio travelled up and could be heard in Sobeys’ space. To mitigate noise from below, the building owner installed a layer of acoustic insulation and a new wood strip floor on the second floor. This provides improved acoustic privacy for both Sobeys and the yoga studio.

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Modular carpet was installed to further lessen acoustic concerns and cover visible hard seams where new and old wood strip floors connect. Shaw Contract’s Kindred collection in the Belong style was used in these spaces, adding a layer of functionality and beauty as well as warmth and comfort.

In walk-off areas adjacent to facility entrances and other spaces, such as coat closets where damp boots could be a problem, Tandus Abrasive Action modular tile was applied directly to the wood strip floor. Both the Tandus and Shaw carpeting are NSF 140 compliant at the platinum and gold levels, respectively, have high recycled content, are certified to the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label Plus standard and have achieved Cradle to Cradle silver. These eco-friendly products further support the design’s emphasis on sustainability.

Lisa McDonald is a design professional with more than 25 years of commercial interiors experience, working with major Canadian companies across multiple industries. At IA Interior Architects in Toronto, she currently focuses on workplace strategy, helping clients reimagine the office and future of work. Sobeys’ Innovation Hub garnered IA Interior Architects a 2021 ARIDO award, presented by the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario.

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