What weight of canvas do you use?
We use two different weights. For floorcloths less than 7 feet wide, we use a heavyweight No. 8 canvas. This is 18 oz./sq.yd. It has a very tight weave and is extremely durable. For larger floorcloths we use No. 4 canvas which is a whopping 24 oz./sq.yd! Because we use the heavier weight canvas, our floorcloths are a little more expensive. You get what you pay for. Heavier canvas ensures a floorcloth which will lie flat for years and years (our 15 year old pieces are still going strong) and will withstand the toughest traffic- from dogs to furniture to foot-scuffers.
Email or call the studio (802-263-5410) to request painted canvas swatches of the two different weights.
Will my floorcloth withstand daily wear?
Yes. With five coats of polyurethane protecting the painted surface of very heavyweight canvas, your floorcloth will hold up to dogs, kids, food spills, cleaning and just about whatever else you can throw at it.
How do you finish the edges?
Every Canvasworks Floorcloth is prepared with a 1.5″ sewn hem with sewn, mitered corners. We use a heavyduty sail making sewing machine to make a stitched hem which is extremely durable.Take a look at the video to see how we do it.
The design I like the best isn’t the size I want. Can I get it in my size?
Every piece is made as it is ordered, so we can make just about any design work for any size floorcloth, and we’ll make it to within 1/2″ of accuracy. Lisa Curry Mair uses CAD software to rescale all of the designs so they fit beautifully.
Can I order a floorcloth in colors other than what I’m seeing in the Gallery?
Yes, definitely! We can match virtually ANY brand name paint color. Just send me the names and color numbers of what you want used and we can do it.
How many floorcloths have you made?
As of June 2009, there are 720 signed, numbered and recorded floorcloths with the “Canvasworks” stamp on the back. That doesn’t count the thousands of floorcloths we’ve made as blanks for individuals to paint for themselves.
Floorcloth Care Guide
1. Unroll and place on a hard surface (wood floors or linoleum/vinyl are best). Do not place on deep-pile carpet; heels may poke through. Any warping which may have occurred during shipping should flatten out on its own within 48 hours. If not, place a board along the warped edge and weight it for 24 hours.
2. Secure the floorcloth to the floor. It is imperative that the floorcloth not slide on the floor, and the edges should not be allowed to be bent up by foot-scuffers! Use double-sided carpet tape or poster adhesive to secure the floorcloth and to maintain a flat edge. Mounting putty holds well, is easily removed, and will not harm finished hardwood or vinyl floors.
3. Thin rubber non-skid mats are not recommended, unless the floorcloth is being used on a tiled floor, in which case the rubber mat should be cut to fit inside the hem and the edges of the floorcloth should still be adhered to the floor.
4. Clean with warm water to rinse thoroughly. A slight milky film will appear when the floorcloth is wet. This will dry clear and can be hastened by drying with a towel after cleaning. It is recommended that the floorcloth be cleaned in it’s spot on the floor. The less the piece is picked up and moved, the less it will crack. Tough spots can be cleaned with a spray kitchen cleaner.
5. If the floorcloth needs to be moved or mailed, roll it around a tube with the painted side out. DO NOT fold. Creases may cause the paint to crack.
6*. A revitalizing coat of clear finish is recommended annually. This will extend the wear of your floorcloth and will brighten the colors. Clean it thoroughly, allow to dry and apply water based polyurethane and allow it to cure for at least 48 hours.
* This service available through the studio.
Do I need to secure the floorcloth to the floor?
Yes. Your floorcloth needs to stay where it’s put. If the edges are turned up, or if it is allowed to slide over the floor and bump into the wall, the canvas will flex, which can cause cracking of the painted surface. Install your floorcloth with double-sided carpet tape or mounting adhesive.
Should I put a non-skid pad underneath?
Your floorcloth will last longest if you put it directly on a firm surface (wood, vinyl, concrete). Placing a pad underneath is only recommended if you are putting your floorcloth on a tile floor and you don’t want the grout lines to make indents in the floorcloth’s surface.
How often will I need to refurbish the floorcloth?
If you take good care of your floorcloth, a revitalizing coat of polyurethane will only be needed once every two or three years. This is a service I will do for you at the studio (and I can touch up any areas that may have been damaged).
Do you do historic reproductions for period homes and museums?
Yes. Email or call the studio for an up-to-date resume of museum and reproduction work. If you have any remnants of floorcloths that you’ve found, please let me know. I’m trying to compile a history of the craft. Photos would be greatly appreciated.
The floorcloth shown is 17.5′ X 25.5′ created for the Schuyler Mansion New York State Historic Site. January, 2007
Can I store my floorcloth?
Keep your original packing material if you think you’ll want to store your floorcloth from time to time. Cover the entire piece with plastic and roll it on a large cardboard tube to prevent it from being creased. NEVER fold your floorcloth!
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