Blue Sky Privacy Screens are a fantastic option to enhance and customize any outdoor or indoor living space. Blue Sky Privacy Screens are available in a wide variety of designs, allowing you to create custom privacy barriers for all spaces. In addition to easy installation and low maintenance, Blue Sky Privacy Screens are also made out of durable aluminum, and will continue to be reliable during any Canadian season.  

In addition to creating a useful privacy option, Blue Sky Privacy Screens are also extremely versatile. For indoor living spaces, Blue Sky Privacy screens are a great solution to separate rooms and spaces in your home or office, whilst still offering a sleek and modern design. Whether you need to separate desks in an office space, or create privacy between shared common spaces in your home, Blue Sky Privacy screens allow you to create barriers without sacrificing space or design. 

Not only are Blue Sky Privacy Screens ideal for indoor living spaces, they can also create sleek and stylish barriers for your outdoor living spaces. Nobody wants to see their neighbour’s, and by using Blue Sky Privacy Screens in your backyard, you don’t have to! Blue Sky Privacy Screens are great for creating privacy between you and neighbours, or around your backyard deck, pool, gazebo, and much more! By adding a simple privacy screen, you can turn your backyard into a luxurious and private outdoor living space.  

Blue Sky Privacy Screens are offered in 5 design profiles to suit your specific style. Privacy screens should enhance your space, not become an eyesore! Blue Sky Privacy Screens are the best solution to achieve not only privacy for your living space, but also a sleek and modern design. 

Some people that aren’t from the frozen North may ask, “Why would you spend time and money on your deck and landscape, when you only get a few months of summer to enjoy it?” My reply is always the same: “That’s exactly why we make our outdoor spaces so nice! With so little time to enjoy our beautiful outdoors, we want to enjoy summer to the max. That means relaxing decks, pristine yards, gorgeous views, and most importantly, great friends!” Maybe a beer or two as well!

Visit www.livbuildingproducts.com and www.invisirail.com for more information and great tips on how to improve your outdoor space and “Enjoy it while you have it.”

If I had to narrow down one saying in the world of business that drives me crazy, it would be “Don’t let the tail wag the dog.”

In the world of business, the thought that one party is the dog and the other party is the tail is simply not true — erase that thought from your mind! Working as an outside sales representative in the building products distribution industry for many years, I know that a true relationship with your dealer partner is a purely symbiotic relationship, and you can’t have one without the other. A dealer can’t sell to their retail customer if the distributor can’t supply, and the supplier can’t survive without dealers buying from them. Both the dealer and supplier are equal partners in creating revenues for their companies.

If you look at it the way we do, you strive to build business relationships. If you forget about the “Tail wagging the dog,” mindset, you may even be lucky enough to build business friendships with your dealer partners —relationships based on the reality that you can’t have one without the other. If you just can’t shake the thought that someone has to be the dog and the other the tail, then just remember: the only person that could be the dog is the end user, the retail customer, and those of us in the supply chain are the tail. We definitely want to keep the end user happy, or we all know where the tail goes!

During my many years of building the landscapes of our customers dreams, there were two things that drove me crazy. Number one was that when we were done building a beautiful landscape, the customer would block the view from their deck with pickets and rails. Second would be putting plastic frogs and turtles on a beautiful water feature.

Although we may not be able to avoid quirky decor, InvisiRail™ is the perfect solution if you’re looking for an unobstructed view! Withs 6’ sections of glass, and no top or bottom rail, you will see your property in all its glory. Whether it is a beautiful landscape built by a landscaper or a beautiful vista built by nature, not blocking your view is what we do!

Always — and I mean always — strive  to be the friendliest, easiest and quickest partner that you can be in any business relationship. The end goal is to be the distributor that shines when things go wrong. Always imagine yourself as the end user, better known as the retail customer. If there are delays or challenges during your project, put yourself in the customer’s shoes and ask yourself what your reaction would be.

No matter how hard a company works to be the easiest, friendliest, most compassionate company that their dealer partners can count on, there will always be challenges once and awhile.  Yes, there may be challenges during any large project, but as long as the dealer and their customer know without question that you will make everything right in a timely manner, you will gain trust. A well-handled challenge or issue will gain you more business in the future, as the trust has now been established. Next time a challenge arises, don’t start by asking why, how or who is responsible, simply start by asking, “Ok, what do we need to do to fix the problem, and then fix it in a timely and compassionate manner?”

It’s not about what you know, but rather how much you care.

What does it really mean to be a contractor in 2020? A good contractor will provide his customer with new product ideas, execute the improvement or new build of your project and is responsible for supplying the necessary equipment, material, labour and services to complete the project. These are just some of the contributions. Choosing a decking contractor is a big decision. Customers want quality products, superior customer service and an experienced partner.  A great contractor will do all these things and more.

I recently hired a contractor to build my deck in my backyard. This guy was efficient, on time, clean and friendly. He was informative and provided me with the information I needed so that we could come up with an affordable material list. When looking at balconies, terraces, decks and patios, we don’t have to settle for treated wood. Several alternatives exist in the market and you’ll only have to determine which type is best suited for your home and the space you have. He suggested Deckorators Composite Decking. Deckorators products are backed by an industry-leading warranty, 25-year removal and replacement warranty, which is the first of its kind. To achieve a top-of-the-line finish, similar to wood, without having to be concerned with applying finishes and/or layers of paint for maintenance, composite decks represent the perfect solution. They fare very well over time, are resistant to dust and do not discolour. I had a budget in mind, and we were able to stay in that budget while also ending up with a low maintenance deck. He used hidden fasteners by Camo, as well as G-tape on the joists to prevent early signs of mold.

You work hard for your money so save time and money by hiring a professional to do the work quickly and efficiently. I had to do some research on the best decking products to use, and in consultation with my contractor we were able to make the best choices for my deck. I didn’t want a quick fix in my backyard. I wanted a deck that would last, have zero to no maintenance, that would be safe and look great. Although I have been known to be a DIY guy, I was happy I chose a professional to work on my deck. A good contractor is an investment. With a great contractor by your side, you will never be left alone when making decisions about your project.

My local home building centre recommended this contractor and I was pleased with his company. After all, Home Building Centres is where contractors go to get their material. The relationship between the contractor and building centre is key.

The weather is warming up and we as Canadians are anxious to move to our outdoor living spaces. A quick look outside can reveal that your interlock patio may have a few stones that have moved with the frost, or a deck railing that needs sprucing up. I just removed the old 2×2 wooden balusters and replaced them with a round aluminum baluster powder coated black. The difference this made visually was astounding and makes me want to spend more time on the deck!

However, the interlock is a different story. This fix required some limestone screening, a rubber mallet, some polymeric sand and a little of my time. First, I needed to pry up the offending stones and place some of the screening underneath to level them. Tamp the screening with a 2×4 end, or you can use anything that you have that provides a flat surface. I tapped the stones back in place with a rubber mallet until seated nicely, and worked the polymeric sand back into the joints. To finish it off, I watered the area and let it dry. Now I can enjoy your outdoor spaces once again for the season, and you can too!

Last year, my wife and I wanted to redo our old pressure treated deck that had been an eye-sore for a long time. The wood had gone grey and was covered with splits. 2020 was going to be a stay cation year for us, so we wanted to enhance our outdoor living experience at home. Where to start? The Internet, of course!

We fell in love with Composite Decking from a North American Company called Deckorators that we found at a Home Building Centre. All the choices seemed overwhelming at first, but they were able to obtain Deckorators Decking for us through an Ontario based company called Liv Building Products. Within days, the decking arrived at the store and we could get started!

We love the low maintenance look of our new deck. The kids can play barefoot without any worries, and it’s easy to wash too, we just need soap and water! Deckorator’s Composite Decking comes with a great
warranty, and most importantly, no slivers! Our Real Estate buddy capped it off for us when she said that we have actually added value to our home! Wood decking doesn’t do that! Now, on to railings…

Bunkies are becoming increasingly popular in the world of cottaging. When done right, a bunkie can truly transform cottage life. Bunkies come in all shapes and sizes, and they can be a great way to add extra sleeping space, privacy, and functionality. If a bunkie is on your cottage To-Do list this Summer, here are a few things to make your bunkie serve in both functionality, and style.

First, a cottage bunkie generally serves the purpose of providing extra sleeping space for your family and friends. If you’re looking for somewhere to hold multiple guests, depending on your personal needs for the bunkie, a good tip is to make sure your bunkie has an option for privacy. Adding a privacy wall, or even by adding privacy curtains down the middle to separate the bunkie into sides, is a great way to make sure your guests can have the option for privacy while staying in close quarters!

Next, depending on the land you have to work with, it’s ideal for a bunkie to be close to the main cottage, or an outhouse. That way, your guests can be comfortable knowing there is a bathroom close by.

Now, let’s talk about the bunkie exterior. Adding a step or small porch around your bunkie can make it seem cozy and homey. Maybe even add some exterior planters and greenery to brighten up the space!

For the interior, be sure to add a solid fan and some blinds to your bunkie. That way, you can stay cool during hot Summer days by creating a cool and dark atmosphere. Blinds are also a great way to add privacy, as well as some darkness for those lazy mornings!

Next, let’s talk about the most important aspect of your cottage or bunkie—the view! Having a great view at the cottage is something everyone wants. Make sure your bunkie has lots of windows, which especially overlook the beautiful scenery! Adding some windows to your bunkie can brighten up the space and add some natural light, which makes the space feel much bigger than it is.

If your bunkie is slightly elevated or has a porch, be sure to add some chairs! It’s a great place to sit back, relax and enjoy the view. However, this view should remain uninterrupted. Wherever you are, make sure you can see the full potential that your view has to offer. By adding a glass railing system, the view can be fully enjoyed without any interruptions!

We have all been patiently awaiting the slow and gradual re-opening on the economy after the recent COVID-19 pandemic that has impacted life on a global scale. As society will begin to slowly recover, so will the economy. Along with this, will come the re-opening of small businesses and office spaces across Ontario. Although many will be thankful and eager to return back to work, we must not forget to continue to follow safety precautions and guidelines. This is where we can help. 

The InvisiRail glass railing system, specifically the new Invisi-Shield, can be a safe, and efficient way for small businesses and office spaces to create barriers between people, workspaces and desks. The Invisi-Shield is able to create a safe barrier in order to block any germs from spreading, which is crucial to keep both employees and customers safe, now more than ever.

Why use Invisi-Shield over plexiglass?

Although plexiglass is also a popular approach used to create barriers, many are unaware that plexiglass is a porous material, meaning that it will absorb material from the air, making it impossible to completely clean. However, by using a real glass barrier, you can ensure a deep clean surface, which will not fade under UV sun rays.

Contact InvisiRail at sales@invisirail.com, as we are offering discounted prices and fast production of all Invisi-Shield products.