A lot can happen in thirty-five years. Just ask Sylvain Brazeau, owner of OC Flooring:
“Over the past three and a half decades,” Sylvain explains, “the flooring industry and the Ottawa market have changed dramatically. What began as a small, single-location carpet business had to adapt to new products, new installation standards, and a growing customer base. As the company expanded, our identity needed to reflect that. Our rebranding in 2024 brought both locations and all service lines under one clear, unified brand. It simplifies how we present ourselves to customers and positions us for the future.”
OC Flooring, as the two-store operation is now known, was founded in 1987 by Sylvain’s hardworking father, Raymond. Back then, both he and the company were known as The Orléans Carpet Man. The self-made, enterprising Raymond handled everything himself: sales, installation, service, and follow-up—all of this while establishing relationships with suppliers, warding off competition from larger stores, and earning the trust of a growing community. But Raymond had distinct advantages: He offered personal, hands-on service, a commitment to the kinds of products that specifically fit his client’s needs, and a word-of-mouth reputation for doing the job better than anybody else.
He was the right talent in the right place at the right time. Orléans was expanding expeditiously. New homes were going up on an ongoing basis, creating a steady demand for flooring. As homeowners became more informed and selective, Raymond became the best choice within a home improvement culture that was increasingly accommodating national retailers.
Sylvain grew up in the business from a young age. When his father, Raymond, opened the original location, Sylvain was ten years old and quickly became an unofficial employee, taking on everything from janitorial and warehouse work to administrative tasks as he learned the operation from the ground up. Looking back over these years, it was meaningful time spent with his father.
“We had a great relationship,” he says of Raymond, who is now nearly retired and supports a key customer part-time from a distance. “My Dad built something real, and without knowing it, we learned from each other.”
That “something real” is now Sylvain’s responsibility entirely. “The foundation my dad set is still here, in how we treat customers, install floors, and run the company.”
In 2000, the then single-store business took a defining step, establishing a second location in Kanata. Operating at the time as Orléans Carpet, the expansion required considerable hands-on effort and careful judgment. In time, both Orléans Carpet and the new Eagleson Flooring location came to reflect the same standards Raymond had established and Sylvain continued to uphold.
When both companies came together in 2024 as OC Flooring, it was a natural evolution for the company. “And,” Sylvain notes, “the response was extremely positive. Today, customers understand who we are right away, suppliers view us as one strong organization, and the in-house team feels more connected across both locations.”
Each location is run according to the same foundational values—as Sylvain lists them, treating customers with respect, standing behind the quality of the work, remaining rooted in the community, staying loyal to long-time suppliers and installers, and providing the kind of guidance by which customers can make informed decisions.
“We don’t just sell flooring. We help customers choose what suits their home, lifestyle, and space. We make sure that it’s installed properly and finished well. Customers get a complete, start-to-finish experience.”
That experience begins in the showroom, the centrepiece of each location. There, shoppers are offered a wide selection of carpet, hardwood, tile, laminate, and luxury vinyl. Regularly updated displays and installed samples help visualize the prospective results, while an informed, approachable staff takes the time to explain each option. There’s even the opportunity to take samples home or to book an in-home consultation.
From there, OC Flooring carefully assesses the space. That’s followed by a custom installation, a point of pride built on preparation, attention to detail, and professionalism.
As a second-generation owner, Sylvain is clear about what comes next. “The showroom experience will always be a priority,” he says, “along with keeping our displays fresh and inspiring. We’re also focused on adding services and strengthening partnerships with designers, contractors, and builders.” If that suggests broader offerings and future growth, the interpretation is accurate. The rebrand to OC Flooring positions the company for future expansion, including the possibility of another location.
Whether you’re in Orleans, Kanata, or anywhere else that’s part of the company’s city-wide customer base, the team at OC Flooring is there to assist every step of the way.