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Shaw Intros New “Green” Hard Surfaces

Friday, August 15, 2008

Dalton, GA, August 15, 2008- Shaw’s commitment to design, innovation and fashion leadership in hard surface is evident in the company’s summer introductions including two expansions within the successful Epic hardwood collection, two highly-demanded exotic looks added to laminate and a beautiful new green tile—and, no, we’re not talking the color green. Shaw is dedicated to growth and excellence within the hard surface category, and the company is working full-steam ahead to fill key niches in the marketplace.

“Shaw is determined to lead the industry in hard surface excellence,” said Scott Sandlin, Shaw’s vice president of hard surface business development. “The beautiful and high-quality new products introduced this summer reflect Shaw’s dedication to style, design and leadership—and sustainability. Introductions within the Epic line demonstrate the dedication our team has to make this successful and environmentally-friendly collection the best it can be. Our team is listening to retailers and working to deliver the best Shaw has to offer.”

Hardwood

Shaw introduces two new styles within the Epic Expressions Collection named Epic Jubilee and Epic Heartland. Epic Jubilee features four hickory colors with a naturally random variation providing a distinct visual range—from planks with extreme character, graining and color variation to those with a clean, consistent look. Epic Jubilee is available in 3/8” thickness and 3 ¼” and 5” widths. The product features microbeveled edges and ends. The colors are named Honey Spice, Antique Gold, Burnt Amber and Barnwood. Mixing planks from different boxes and installing randomly features a uniquely beautiful floor.

Epic Heartland showcases four distinctly beautiful oak colors and is available with the same specifications as Jubilee. The colors are named Rustic Natural, Caramel, Hazelnut and Coffee Bean.

Because Epic is temperature and humidity tolerant, seasonal gapping is dramatically reduced. Epic can be installed above, on or below grade—even in basements. Zero acclimation is required when site conditions are climate controlled prior to and during installation. Shaw’s DuraShield™ finish ensures that Epic will perform for decades.

All Shaw Epic products use up to one half less freshly harvested wood than alternative wood flooring options and come from managed forests. In fact, the products contain 50 percent recycled content. Epic’s dense inner layer, EnviroCore™, is composed of wood fibers generated in the manufacture of other products.

Laminate

Part of the Paradise laminate collection, King Mahogany and Malachi Koa are upscale exotic visuals that mimic some of the most beautiful species around. Both products are offered in a dramatic 2 strip, 8 inch width and 47 9/16 inch length. Malachi Koa is offered in two colors named Maui and Wailea. Both colors are glowing and rich, playing up the beauty of the interesting Koa grain patterns. King Mahogany is offered in colors Burnished Mahogany, Warm Mahogany and Rich Mahogany. The color names aptly suggest the look- burnished, warm and rich.

Shaw’s LocNPlace technology, Registered Embossed Touchable Texture and 25-limited warranty make these products truly stand out. Installation of LocNPlace products requires a simple single-action angle and drop. Ends of the laminate click vertically. Lifting of the previous piece of laminate during installation or the use of traditional installation tools such as a hammer and tapping block are unnecessary.

Shaw laminates use 98 percent less newly harvested wood than conventional engineered hardwood products and feature EnviroCore™, a high-density-fiber (HDF) core derived from recycled wood fiber, which means fewer trees are used with less waste.

Tile & Stone

Designed in Italy, made in the USA, Shaw introduces a collection of glazed porcelain tile named Brushstone. Distinguished by a rich earthy palette with subtle color and texture variations, the tile surfaces have a slightly raised-relief feel and a soft, fine, misty look with no obvious grain. One designer compared the tile to adobe walls. All pieces may be installed on floors or walls. And, best of all, Brushstone contains 40 percent recycled content. The modular design series includes 12”, 18”, 6” and 3”x6” tiles with multi-color borders, listellos, inserts and mosaic accent pieces. All are available in three colors– Camel, Adobe and Mohave.