The New Shower Wall Collection at ProSource Wholesale®: Fibo by Fleurco

In this episode, we chat with Nicole Krol, Vice President of Sales at Fleurco, to talk about Fibo by Fleurco™ shower walls. Fibo by Fleurco is now part of our new Shower Wall Collection at a ProSource Wholesale near you. The Shower Wall Collection is a curated display of 60+ shower wall samples across multiple shower wall suppliers and price points. Listen in as we discuss what makes Fibo by Fleurco a standout shower wall option, the benefits of choosing this brand, misconception of shower walls, and more.

 

Learn more about Fibo by Fleurco: https://bit.ly/4hUGaVC

 

Contact your local ProSource Wholesale showroom for all your home remodeling needs: 

http://bit.ly/3FqPjkw

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Hello, everybody.

Welcome back to The ProSource Podcast.

I am here today with an exciting topic
that I don't think we have discussed

on the podcast yet.

We're talking about shower walls.

And this is because ProSource
has a new collection that is launching

a new product category that we didn't

necessarily focus too much on before.

That is a very demanding category,
and a very exciting brand

that we have in
this category is Fibo by Fleurco.

And to welcome this category
into the showroom, we have Nicole Krol on.

She is Vice
President of Sales for Fleurco,

and I'm just excited to talk to her
a little bit today.

Get to know more about Fibo
what it's all about and just get to

get to know more about Shower Wall.

So thank you
Nicole for coming on to the podcast.

I. Molly.

My pleasure.
Thank you so much for inviting me.

I'm excited to share some product
knowledge and information

on one of the things
it's called Fibo is the correct Fibo.

Yes. So very popular misconception.

You want to say Fibo,
but the correct way is Fibo.

You know what's so interesting?

I was going back and forth with that
and I was looking up videos on YouTube

and I saw it pronounced
both ways from floor.

I saw a real some some.

I forget his name, but he he said fibo.

And then I found another video
and it was Fibo and I'm like, well,

I'll run with one.

I get a 50% chance
of getting this pronounced correctly.

Know what it's.

It's perfect.

We understand what you're
talking about with it. The

the product is actually produced
in Norway.

And so Fibo is the more
the pronunciation over in Europe,

Fibo definitely comes across in
the US will take either it works.

Yeah, I will move forward with saying Fibo
since I now know

that is the correct way.

But I know this isn't
your first time on the podcast.

We've had you on before,
we haven't talked about wall so can.

To start, can you introduce listeners
to Fibo by Fleurco

and share what inspired you to bring this
wall system collection to the market?

I did a little bit of research
and I think it launched in 2020.

Is that correct? Yep. That's correct.

So Fleurco is known for a premium
based solution.

So as as the group knows you know we offer
glass shower doors our freestanding tubs

LED mirrors shower bases vanities
and everything is

is built on design
and dependable craftsmanship.

And so there was a need in the market
for an alternative solution to tile.

And so when looking
at the different options,

Fibo seemed to make a lot of sense for us.

It's it's a waterproof shower wall system.

And what's unique with it,
which we'll go into more detail on.

But they have a patented aqua lock system.

And so it makes the entire panel system

completely waterproof, offers longevity,

and the key features of the product
is that it does deliver

the look of a tile, or natural stone,
or even wood.

With new of our one of our new finish
launches,

and it's really hard
to tell the difference.

So you get the beauty of that.

Without the maintenance burden burden,
it's easier labor, it's easier upkeep,

you know?

And we're excited to be a part of the Pro
Source shower wall collection.

So and look forward to getting out there

and educating people
on all the different options and benefits.

Yes, I have seen that.

That would look it's very interesting,
but I'm sure there is

a need for it out there.

There's a lot of interesting
different styles.

There's ones that are very common,
but then there's also like the would look

that you mentioned,
you talked already a little bit about

like how showers
have been traditionally dominated by tile.

What challenges, specific challenges
were you hearing

from trade professionals
that you were looking to solve with Fibo?

So the biggest thing for the trade
pros is the installation time.

So installation time and skilled labor.

So just from a perspective of grout
drying, your waterproof drying,

all of that on the walls,
it's multiple days for for installation.

So from that perspective Fibo is something
that can be installed in a day.

We've even done it
in smaller showers in half a day.

So you know, really depends
on the application.

But you're not waiting for that
long drying time.

So, you know, it's just more intensive
with the labor.

It's heavier.

All of that.

You know, if there's any issues
with cracked grout or something,

you know, not quite level.

It's more of an issue.

So that's from the pro side
but also from the homeowner side.

You know it does offer a benefit.

Grout lines do trap trap
the moisture residue mold.

They give way over time.

And so that's that's
where the shower fails essentially.

And you know needs to be replaced or,
you know, an action taken water behind

the walls with leaking grout creates
quite a headache for the homeowners.

You know.

Additionally
just it easier to clean perspective.

So all around on that.

So you know it's it's easy
to clean easy to install.

It's really a great solution. Absolutely.

And you did mention the aqua lock
click system that's in place with it.

It creates nearly invisible joints while
providing that waterproof insulation.

Can you talk a little bit more about the
specific technology behind that system,

and even any more thoughts you might have
on why it's such a game changer?

So the composition
of the actual Fibo panel.

So what you have is a reinforced vapor

barrier, back backing, seven layer marine

grade plywood, and then a high pressure
waterproof laminate.

So it's enclosed on the back side
and the front side, both

completely waterproof systems.

And so essentially the block
the way the panels are installed

is a screw set into each of the panels
on a tongue and groove.

And so you add the installation
with Fibo sealant,

which is very similar to a construction
adhesive or like a caulking type product.

The thing is, you want to stick
specifically with the Fibo installation,

and that does come with all of our kids,

so you won't need to go out
and get any of that stuff.

But that but that is included.

And so that's something that

a way to to

completely seal and waterproof
each of the panels.

And then looking
at the size of the shower,

it will dictate
how many panels you're putting in.

So you'll have a lot less seams anyway
than you would from a tile or grout.

You know, there are large panels.

There are 94.5 high by 24.75 wide.

So within that,
just doing the measurements

into the shower,
there's not that many scenes.

And as you mentioned,
virtually undetectable by by your IT.

They really do a nice job
of sealing the lines.

The panel lines.

And you mentioned the installation times.

I think all trade pro members.

That is one of the biggest concerns.

There's never enough time in the day.

And so if there's any way to shrink
that installation time that's a huge win.

Do you have any other thoughts on that or

like any more advantages
that Fibo offers from even

a planning perspective as well
when it comes to projects?

Well, it's standard tools,
so the panels trim easily.

We do have our offering.

We can do custom applications where
we just request the sizes to be sent in.

Our design team would provide you
with drawings

and cuttings and all of that,
but your standard every day

showers.

We do have pre-made kits,
so standard alcove we have two sided.

We have corner configurations.

So you know your 60 by 36 shower.

No problem. Just go ahead. You pick.

Even if you go on our website
you pick your your dimensions

and then it guides you through and drops
you down to pick. So.

So from a selection perspective to it
saves time.

It's very easy with the kits.

There's minimal scraps with that too.

So you're not ordering a bunch
of extra panels or you're unsure of

you know as I mentioned
you want to use the sealant.

All of the kids
come with a complete install kit.

So you have all the screws,
you have all the wipes,

you have all the spray, the adhesive,
everything needed within the kit.

So it's it's lightweight to

when you do compared to tile
and backer board.

So factoring all of that in I mean
I've seen had done is a one person job.

Ideally two
people would be nice to help things along.

But you know,

you don't need a whole crew or carrying
heavy boxes of tile or anything like that.

And, you know, going back to the ground
and your time,

it's really
people are in and out in a day.

You're hanging trim
by the time you know, they're waiting,

you know, just finishing up the grout

and they've got a wait
a day or two for that to dry.

So it really cuts down on the time frame.

That is amazing. That sounds great.

Let's talk
a little bit about the design options.

Some of the styles
that are included within Fibo.

Can you walk us through some of the
patterns and finishes that are available?

You can even

maybe call out some of your favorites
if you have any top of mind.

Absolutely.

So we have what has been around for a bit
since our 2020,

when we started with the bow
offering our core line.

So that includes the
crack cement, white marble,

shabby chic.

And so those options are panels
that do not have any grout lines.

So those are completely clean.

Just your standard clean wall panel
with no no etched lines in.

Then we offer what we call our tile
look panels.

We've got something that offers like
subway tile which is our Denver White.

We came out with polished stone,

beige down and pure oak

just later last year, and we plan on
bringing in some new offerings.

So there's a little bit I mean, there's
a mix of everything in between, from large

tile to small tile to no tile.

The most important point,
though, is the textures.

That's really where the items
separate themselves.

For the wood, it
looks just like a wood panel, so it does.

Oak is beautiful.

So you see the trends going,
you know, the spa like esthetic,

you know, the oasis in your bathroom.

That one has been really,
really popular for us.

You know, I'm surprised that

that that many people
are putting that in their bathrooms.

But you have a spa at home,
so it makes sense.

So between that
and then our shabby chic is my favorite.

It really goes well with your, your,
you know, matte black fixtures.

Just a really nice offering.

So a little bit of everything
depending on what you're looking for.

Yeah.

The wood I know I said this earlier,
the wood style is very interesting to me,

but I didn't even think about the spa
in your home type of feeling

that it would give.

And I think
with how much it looks like actual wood

could be cool to like show someone, hey,
here's my new bathroom.

And then they're like,
is that actual wood in your shower?

How is that holding up?

Could be just like a fun plug to
when you're showing off your new bathroom.

And I would say my favorite.

I think my favorite style that you guys
have is the ones that resemble like Stone.

Yes, that is my favorite.

And the textures on
that is really cool to it.

I mean, it really looks like stone,
like it's a stone wall,

and you're getting the look
and the feel of those natural materials

without the upkeep, right?

Can you imagine having oak in your shower?

No, no no how even the with the texture
and everything,

you know, much, much harder
upkeep with this.

So you know, to keep them clean.

It's warm
soapy water and wash the panels down.

It's it's a lifetime warranty on them.

So you certainly don't
have that with, with,

you know, when you're dealing
with the real raw materials on the wall.

Yeah for sure.

And you mentioned the upkeep
and just making sure

that all of FIBA's products
are easy to clean as well for homeowners.

How are different what are different ways
that Fibo addresses that durability,

moisture resistance and then long term
maintenance concerns that might arise?

So going back to the whole construction
of the panel is a big piece of it.

So as I mentioned
it's a vapor barrier backer marine grade

seven layer marine grade

plywood core and then the high pressure
HPL waterproof membrane.

And so that's going to resist the moisture
over the life of the product.

The finishes are all color fast.

So they're going to resist
any fading or staining.

And they do offer a limited lifetime
warranty on the residential install.

So you know with limited that that comes
with some pretty obvious things.

Don't take a scrub brush to it
and, you know, edge something into it.

You know, it should be a clean wipe
and everything like that.

But, you know,
they really stand behind the product.

It's excellent quality.

And, you know, it makes sense

when looking for the unique finishes
and easier to maintain.

So, you know,

it seems like there is a lot of thought
and even science that has went

into the construction of the shower walls,
which is very reassuring to hear

for any homeowners or trade pros
that might be listening.

We do have a lot of trade pro members
that listen to the podcast, so

if they are seeing or hearing Fibo
for the first time, what would you say

are some key selling points
that they should highlight when they're

presenting
the shower walls to their clients?

So the biggest thing is
the zero grout maintenance.

So you're not worrying about,
you know, even for longevity right?

Over time.

Again, that's the stuff that wears away
and needs to be replaced.

You know, it's a truly waterproof
installation

based on the Aqua Lock system.

It's backed by that.

We do have a fast turnaround,
so products are readily available.

Fleurco does have four warehouses
across us,

and then our corporate main warehouse
in Montreal, Canada,

and with our ProSource partners stationed
all across,

we have easy availability
and access to the product.

We do offer support.

We have installed training videos.

We have a team that, you know we can help
if you have questions for install

also the the different styles.

So as I mentioned
we launched a few new styles last year.

We'll be launching some coming up.

And so that's going to repeat
of course we're looking at design trends

and you know a little bit of Pantone
color launches and all of that

good stuff to to help guide us on on
what offerings that we have.

But it's a strong fit for your guest
bathroom

also a category aging in place
renovations.

That's another huge opportunity.

You know, rentals, multifamily projects
and new construction.

And so, you know, the feeble material

has been installed in
all those different types of applications.

And so, you know, very comfortable
with recommending it.

And in fact, even in Norway and in Europe,
where it is the primary wall system,

they install it
everywhere, kitchens, convenience stores,

you know, the entire portion of the,
the home.

So it's a it's a very strong offering.

one of the things we mentioned,
the seven layer marine grade plywood and

the misconception that a wood core doesn't
belong in a wet shower environment.

But the thing is, with the wood,
it's fully sealed on every side.

So that vapor barrier
backing that I had mentioned

and the high pressure
laminate provides 100% waterproof.

And so that combined with the Aqua
lock system and the click joint system,

you know, it makes sure
that the water never reaches the core.

So we have, you know, some samples
that our reps travel around with

that they've been in the water,
you know, years and years, you know, panel

samples dunked in water with no warping
or any degradation whatsoever.

So that's one thing.

You know, you boats are made of wood.

Yeah that's true.

That's a good thing to call out.

But you know, you really get even
from an acoustic perspective,

you know, and again the texture
and feel of

it really makes a difference
with the product.

Yeah.

You're getting that durability
from the wood,

but you're still having that protection
to make sure

that it's not seeping into
that would material.

I think yeah, people just probably get
scared when they hear wood with water.

It's like a

trigger
combination of words immediately like

fully waterproof warranty on it.

And if you do a little research, it's it's

very dominant wall
covering system in Europe.

So Norway, Finland, Sweden.

So most of those countries
that's what they're using on, on the walls

entirely exclusively.

Yeah.

And there people over there are way
cooler than us in my opinion.

So maybe we should follow suit.

They're the trendsetters, it seems like,
at least in some some cases.

Right.

But but So I know you guys have had

for now, 5 or 6 years.

What feedback have you received
so far from trade pro members

or homeowners
that have either like, influenced

how new product launches have rolled out,
or have you heard great feedback?

I'm interested to hear
what you've received.

from the installer piece
it's time savings.

It's like everything else though,
there's lots of upfront questions, right?

So it's something completely new.

And we know this industry is
very apprehensive with new new products.

So you know we try and eliminate that.

That's
why we do have our local manufacturer reps

to support the team
as well as your installers.

And we do have our regional sales

managers, myself,
our team design team in Montreal.

We've got all hands on deck
to help support.

So I would say that it's a learning curve
because it's a new product,

but like everything else, they do it once
and they're like, oh, that's really easy.

So you know, I've yet to see somebody that

after their install said,
oh, it's impossible.

Don't want to do it again.

You know, it's the new factor.

And so once they've gone through it, even
myself, I've done some installs right.

And so, you know, I figured out where
to streamline things and okay,

you know, maybe do this next time
and not put as much adhesive,

then you don't have to wipe it as much,
you know.

So you kind of you get better at things.

So I would say that, but but they
absolutely love just the install in a day.

I mean, you're in and out,
you know, from designers

they do like the large format
and fuze themes look.

And again
the texture of the actual material

that provides something
that, you know, just a real touch feel

that you know, is hard to find
in the wall system offering.

And, you know, for homeowners
easier to clean, less maintenance.

So it's a really nice all around
offering for each channel.

I imagine
that is a very common misconception

that it's going to take so long to do,

because maybe
this is a new way of installing.

Like I could see an installer.

They go decades putting tile in showers,
and then there's this new way of doing it.

So they think it's going to be super

complicated, but it's actually going
to make their job way easier.

So just do it once and you'll realize
how much of a piece of cake it is.

That's it.

Is there a

feeble pattern or finish
that has been selling like hotcakes?

Like what is the most.

What are some of the most popular styles
that you guys?

So are white marble and cracked cement.

Those are the smoother.

They're textured,
but no grout line offerings.

Those those tend to do well again with,
you know, my personal faith,

like the shabby chic is another one.

Those have been in the collection
the longest, so there are steady stream.

And then when we added the pure oak

and then the base stone
that's really caught on.

So we had a lot of cool tone offering
before we launched.

And so we really jumped into the warm,
warmer tones.

And so now we're seeing pure oak
taking over along with beige stone.

So and those do have the different root
lines too.

So it's interesting
to see the transition for that.

So it's the more of the tile
look esthetic.

For Pro sauce members.

They can go into their local Pro
Sauce wholesale showroom as well.

So we have that new shower wall
collection display

that has an assortment
of a ton of different styles.

However, if you're not finding
the specific Fibo style or look that

you're wanting in that collection,
just ask your account manager.

There's tons of more options
that go beyond just the collection.

So I wanted to make that clear to
what is shown in that collection is not

the only shower walls that we have access
to with Fibo before go.

if someone is on their phone right now
and they aren't necessarily near

a showroom, or they even want to like

get up and go to their car
and drive to a showroom,

where can they look at some of this
product online?

Absolutely.

So you can go to website

and and we

have the offering, the Fiber
by Wall systems.

And there's a section for the full pattern
and full finish line up.

If you do feel like hopping in the car,

you can pop into one of the ProSource
showrooms that are near,

and you can check out
actual physical samples of the product.

Some vignettes here and there
that we're working on, but you'll be able

to see actual samples
of all the different offerings.

Pick it up, touch it, feel it, understand

the texture, and look at the panel
that we're speaking about.

So a couple different options
to to track down the product.

Absolutely.

Yeah I think nothing beats
actually feeling the product in person.

So definitely make sure to go
check out the new shower wall collection

display at your local ProSource.

And you mentioned there's
going to be some new displays

as well, some actual
like shower vignettes.

And I think at least the one in Saint
Louis, we already have one up.

Or maybe there's one
that's going to be planning to be up.

I've heard some rumblings about it.

So yeah,
just check in with your local ProSource.

Well, at least have some of the individual
samples that nothing beats feeling Yeah.

Yeah, absolutely.

yeah.

No, I appreciate you coming on
and just sharing

just some being a subject matter expert
for this,

being able
to explain some of the more in-depth

knowledge that we have out there
for these shower wall systems as they are

being rolled out to all of our ProSource’s
around the country.

keep an eye on our social media

will be rolling out some more information
about the shower wall system,

and make sure to contact your local pro
source to get these samples in your hand.

And you can ask all of your questions
to our lovely account managers.

That's what they're there for.

Thank you. Nicole, for coming on today.

Awesome Molly, thank you so much.

Really appreciate it.

I.