I am currently in the process of renovating my house and we just finished the flooring. Now the beautiful new carpet we had installed makes the window coverings look even more outdated by comparison! Imagine 70’s style yellow fabric vertical shades that clash with the modern look of the new carpet (I picked More is More by Shaw). To finish bringing this space into the 21st century, it’s time to add some new window coverings. Protecting my flooring from UV rays is a big concern for me so I spoke with Val Myern from Shade-o-matic about the popular styles that will protect my floors.

1. Roller Shades
Rollers (pictured above) are the most popular product on the market today. Fabric options are available that will allow you to enjoy your view and protect your flooring. Semi-opaque and black out options are included in the wide variety of fabric to choose from.

2. Shadow Magic Blinds
This brand from Shade-o-matic is popular among customers for its seamless beaty. It lets soft light into the room while keeping out 86% of the UV rays that can discolour your flooring. You can even see through these blinds. The fabrics used for Shadow Magic blinds are anti static, dust and stain resistant.

3. Cellular Shades
These shades are dual purpose – they are an energy efficient choice and they protect your floors from harmful UV rays. Cellular shades can provide up to 99% blockage from harmful UV rays. They keep the cold and heat out and reduce the force needed from air-conditioning units and furnaces.

Got questions about Luxury Vinyl Tile? Heard the buzz about the new, trendier, and distant cousin to vinyl? Our article in Design Quarterly sheds some light some light on this popular choice for durable flooring. In the article, Tim Craik, general manager of the Go Resilient Canada, shares his thoughts on the “renaissance of sorts” that is “underway in the vinyl flooring industry, with the emergence of luxury vinyl tiles and planks as the new “go to” product for both professionals and consumers.” Take a read on the Design Quarterly Magazine site.

Our video project has been in the works for a couple of months and we’re excited to be sharing the finished product. Expect to see more videos from us!

All carpet is created from the conversion of fibres. Generally, fibres are spun into yarn and the yarn becomes carpet by being weaved, tufted, or bonded. Each fibre has unique benefits that will influence whether it is suitable for your space.

Nylon
The most popular carpet on the market as it’s present in about 60% of the carpets in the US. This fibre is highly durable and resists wear and tear well. Since nylon fibres are not inherently stain repelling, carpet manufacturers treat the fibres with a stain repelling system such as Shaw’s R2X.

Olefin
This fibre is less resilient than nylon but is still a strong and resistant choice. On the other hand, it’s less likely to fade in colour. Olefin is a great choice for an outdoor carpet as it is mold and mildew resistant plus it’s not very comfortable to walk on with bare feet.

Polyester
This fibre choice is becoming more popular as it is a more cost effective option than other fibres. Polyester is also less resistant than nylon. It shows damage and fades, so it’s not a good choice for high traffic areas. If your polyester carpet has a thick cut pile construction, it can be very soft to the touch.

Acrylic
This carpet option is not a widely used option. It looks and feels like it is wool, but is a less expensive substitute. It’s resistant to mold and mildew.

Wool
Made from all natural fibres, wool is the most expensive carpet option. It’s known for being a durable option that feels great. Both stain and dirt resistant, this carpet does fade in direct sunlight.

Grout lines can have a huge effect on the way the tile floor installation looks. There are no hard right or wrong answers for what size grout lines should be. However, there are some guidelines for the appropriate size grout joint for technical and aesthetic reasons. For example, when using tiles with imperfect edges larger grout lines should be used.

Recommended size grout lines
Natural stone: 1/16″ or 1/8″
Rectified (sharp) edge tile: 1/16 or 1/8″
Regular tile: 3/16″, 1/4″, up to 3/8″ or 1/2″
Saltillo or Mexican tile: 3/4″ or 1″

The size of grout line dictates the type of grout your installer (or if you’re DIY’ing it, you) will use. If your grout lines are 1/8″ or wider, use a sanded grout. As the name suggests, this grout has a fine sand added to it that prevent the grout from excessive shrinking while curing. Unsanded grout is only recommended for lines smaller 1/8″ wide.