About Us

Our Story & Mission

DirectCarpetRunners.ca is a Canadian stair runner company built by installers — and guided by a purpose beyond flooring.

The business began with Keith Shannon, a carpet installer with more than 30 years in the trade. After installing thousands of stair runners, one thing became clear: homeowners wanted runners that actually fit their staircase, looked intentional, and were safe for their families and pets — not a loose strip of carpet from a shelf.

Today, from our workshop in Hamilton, Ontario, our team measures, cuts, and prepares every runner before it ships. Nothing is drop-shipped. Each order is handled by people who work with stair runners every day.

Many customers come to us because of their dogs. Hardwood stairs can be slippery, and properly fitted runners help pets move safely through the home. That naturally became part of what we do — building stair runners designed for real use in real homes.

Back to the Main Stair Runner Page

Where the Mission Started

More than twenty years ago, Keith rescued a dog named Flacco from the streets of Puerto Rico.
That moment stayed with him long after returning home.

In January 2026, he returned — this time volunteering at the Save A Sato shelter. For several days, he worked alongside the staff cleaning kennels, feeding dogs, bathing them, and helping with daily care.

keith-from-direct-carpet-in-puerto-rico-helping-dogs-in-need

 

That trip wasn’t a one-time experience. It became a continuing commitment.

In January Direct Carpet made a $5,000 donation to the shelter, and we now contribute on an ongoing monthly basis to support food, medical care, and transportation for rescue dogs. Keith continues returning to assist the shelter and support improvements to their facilities.

direct-carpet-donation-to-help-dogs-in-need-save-a-sato

How Your Purchase Helps

We don’t treat donations as occasional promotions.
Supporting rescue work is built into how the company operates.

When you buy a stair runner from us, part of that purchase helps fund care for animals in need. Your order supports both your home and dogs that are still waiting for one.

Our goal is simple:

  • Help pets live safely in the homes they already have

  • Help rescue dogs find homes they don’t yet have

rescue-dog-flaco-saved-by-keith-shannon-direct-carpet

 

Our Team

Today, this is more than one person’s work.
Our small team prepares every order, answers customer questions, and handles each runner before it leaves the building.

Everyone here has animals at home, and everyone understands why the mission matters.

 

rob-manufacturing-stair-runners-at-direct-carpet

Our Companies

Our work operates in three connected parts:

  • DirectCarpetRunners.ca – DIY stair runners across Canada

  • DirectCarpet.com – service for customers in the United States

  • DirectCarpet.ca – professional installation services in Ontario

Together they allow us to serve different customers while supporting the same purpose.

We make stair runners well so the business can exist.
We run the business so it can help animals.

If you have questions about your staircase or your project, feel free to contact us anytime.