The event, which took place on March 31 at New York’s historic Altman Building, provided attendees with a preview of the carpet, area rug, hardwood and laminate products that make up the HGTV HOME Flooring by Shaw collection, as well as the color collections and paint products in the HGTV Homeby Sherwin-Williams line.

Both collections are part of the HGTV Home program of branded products, which will include a wide array of home elements such as cabinetry, home accessories, furniture and lighting.

Approximately 40 editors and producers from 24 media outlets as well as representatives from HGTV, Sherwin-Williams and Shaw attended the event.

Thanks to Floor Daily for providing this news!

The company named Michael Kmetz as the U.S. national sales manager for its residential business.

Gerflor, the world’s third largest resilient flooring manufacturer, is already selling its commercial line in the U.S.

Kmetz will oversee U.S. expansion with the addition of the company’s residential products, which are already available internationally, according to Marc Dallamaggiore, the company’s world-wide activity director.

Kmetz was northeast regional sales manager for Armstrong World Industries and most recently its east region national builder/property management manager.

Thanks to Floor Daily for supplying this information!

As the flooring sponsor, the kitchen will feature Shaw’s Grand Canyon, a hardwood style made from 100% post-industrial wood byproducts.

The design reflects Tyler Florence’s vision of the kitchen as “the new American living room,” incorporating his concepts of family, cooking, entertaining, comfort, design and heritage.

This year’s Kitchen of the Year will be held in conjunction with “Tastes of Summer,” an outdoor food festival that features samples from Rockefeller Center’s most popular restaurants.

Thanks for FloorDaily.net for supplying this article!

About House Beautiful

House Beautiful (www.housebeautiful.com) is a leading authority on American home design and decoration, reaching more than seven million readers every month. Founded in 1896, House Beautiful is the oldest continuously published shelter magazine in the United States. Readers can also interact with the brand on the digital front, with House Beautiful mobile (m.housebeautiful.com). In addition to its U.S. flagship, House Beautiful publishes two editions around the world. Hearst Magazines is a unit of Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com), one of the nation’s largest diversified communications companies with interests in magazines, newspapers, digital media, business media and television.

About Shaw

Shaw Industries Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., is the world’s largest carpet manufacturer and a leading floor covering provider with more than $5 billion in annual sales and approximately 31,000 associates. Headquartered in Dalton, Ga., the company manufactures and distributes carpeting, rugs, hardwood, laminate and ceramic tile for residential and commercial applications worldwide. A recognized leader in environmental stewardship, Shaw has implemented hundreds of sustainability initiatives and cradle to cradle design solutions, collectively termed the Shaw Green Edge. For more information, visit www.shawfloors.com.

Mannington Mills is a fourth generation, family owned company that manufactures residential and commercial flooring in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, North Carolina and Texas. The company is deeply committed to its communities, and to domestic manufacturing – keeping people employed and creating quality American-made products.

Click here to see the short video and make some noise for Mannington Mills. It will give you goosebumps and make you proud for those manufacturers that fight to keep producing in the US. (Favorite part: seeing Made in the USA Salem, NJ printed on the side of the boxes!)

If you love this video – spread the word!

Mannington Mills is a fourth generation, family owned company that manufactures residential and commercial flooring in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, North Carolina and Texas. The company is deeply committed to its communities, and to domestic manufacturing – keeping people employed and creating quality American-made products.

Click here to see the short video and make some noise for Mannington Mills. It will give you goosebumps and make you proud for those manufacturers that fight to keep producing in the US. (Favorite part: seeing Made in the USA Salem, NJ printed on the side of the boxes!)

If you love this video – spread the word!

Daltile has extended its portfolio of stylish floor and wall tile options with the introduction of four new collections – Del Monoco, Spark, Palatina, Keystones(TM) Elements, Sandalo – and the enhancement of its Terrazzo line. These innovative lines are part of the brand’s growing palette of quality floor and wall products, created to inspire residential and commercial designs and applications.

“This new product launch represents Daltile’s dedicated focus on style, design and quality, and we’re pleased to be able to meet the diverse needs of residential and commercial audiences alike,” said Lori Kirk-Rolley, senior marketing director for Daltile. “Each new collection delivers an array of sophisticated design options, affording anyone the opportunity to design with confidence.”

As the industry leader in tile and stone products, Daltile continues to deliver a rich palette of stylish products that not only help create inspired design, but speak to emerging flooring trends. For example, the use of contemporary, monochromatic looks, minimal movement and varying shapes are three specific trends driving modern design. Additionally, all Daltile products are engineered to protect nature’s design with GreenWorks(TM), a Daltile corporate initiative that is reducing the company’s impact on the earth, while allowing the ability to design sustainable projects – without compromising artistic vision.

NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS:

Del Monoco(TM) – Glazed Porcelain

Del Monoco is a glazed porcelain collection that creates the stylish impression of natural stone through its sophisticated graphic visuals. Enriched with beautiful shade variations, Del Monoco is available in four warm colors (Carmina Beige, Adriana Rosso, Tatiana Noce and Leona Grigio). A classic, time-worn look and dramatic installation can be achieved with the slightly chiseled, pillowed edge treatment offered by Del Monoco tile.

The Del Monoco line delivers a sweeping array of high-quality design options for residential and commercial applications alike, featuring five modular floor tile sizes with rounded edges (13″ x 13″, 20″ x 20″, 13″ x 20″, 6-1/2″ x 6-1/2″, and 3-1/4″ x 6-1/2″), a 3″x 3″ mosaic that is mesh-mounted on a 13″ x 13″ sheet, as well as bullnose, cove base trim pieces and cove corner pieces. Additional decorative accents are available including a 3″x 3″ floor deco and two wall deco sizes (6-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ and 3-1/4″ x 6-1/2″).

Del Monoco is ideal for all residential and commercial applications, when proper installation methods are followed, except pool decks and commercial exterior floors/patios.

Spark(TM) – ColorBody(TM) Porcelain

Sophistication comes standard with the new Spark ColorBody(TM) porcelain series, Daltile’s answer to the continuing trend for more modern visuals. With its textured, fabric-like surface with a hint of shimmer, the Spark collection is the new wave when it comes to high-end ColorBody Porcelain. Give any room a modern upgrade with Spark tile, available in five rich colors (Firelight Flicker, Ember Flare, Toasted Luster, Smoky Glimmer and Midnight Glow) and made with pre-consumer recycled material content.

The line features three field tile sizes (12″ x 12″, 12″ x 24″ and 24 x 24″) and a 12″ x 24″ Wall Tile (Thin Tile)* that are Tru Edge(TM) rectified, as well as modular. Also included is a 1″ x 2″ mosaic that is mesh-mounted on a 12″ x 12″ sheet that is modular with the field tile, and offered in two color blends. Through Linear Options, Daltile’s linear cutting service, three additional sizes are also available (6″ x 24″, 4″ x 24″ and 2″ x 24″). The trim package includes a 3″ x 12″ bullnose, 6″ x 12″ cove base and 1″ x 6″ cove corner.

A (6″ x 24″) decorative accent, available in 3 color combinations and a (12″ x 24″) Wall Decorative Accent (Thin Tile) available in all five colors, are also in the collection.

* Thin Tile offering for the 12×24 wall tile and 12×24 Decorative Accent are tiles offered in 4.8 mm and are available on a special order basis.

Spark is ideal for all residential and commercial applications, when proper installation methods are followed, except pool decks and commercial exterior floors/patios.

Palatina(TM) – Glazed Porcelain

Palatina Glazed Porcelain floor tiles deliver the look and elegance of natural travertine with the ease of maintenance associated with quality ceramic tile. Available in 12″ x 12″ and 18″ x 18″ sizes, as well as a 3″ x 12″ bullnose, Palatina’s smooth surface and warm color palette with three colors (Corinth Cream, Temple Beige and Olympus Brown) adds elegant style through color variation within each tile and from piece to piece.

Additionally, Palatina is the first Daltile product line produced at Sanfi Ceramics, a leading manufacturer of ceramic tile in China, a true testament of superior quality and value as a global manufacturer in the flooring industry.

Palatina is ideal for all residential and commercial applications, when proper installation methods are followed, except pool decks and commercial exterior floors/patios.

Keystones(TM) Elements – Colorbody(TM) Porcelain Mosaics

Daltile introduces eight new porcelain mosaic tiles with its Keystones Elements line. Produced in America, the Keystone line is made from the highest recycled content percentage of any Daltile mosaic, providing more options for green building practices within the residential and commercial markets. The beautiful 1″ x 1″ “green” mosaic blends are offered in a cool gray color palette (Cloud, Smoke, Storm, Gravel, Ash and Charcoal) and are suitable for any indoor or outdoor application, enhancing the sustainability and vitality of Daltile’s Keystone collection.

Keystones Elements is suitable for all residential and commercial applications, including pool decks, when proper installation methods are followed.

Sandalo(TM) – Glazed Ceramic

The Sandalo ceramic tile line delivers a quality floor/wall/mosaic combination in four soft colors (Serene White, Acacia Beige, Castillian Gray, Raffia Noce) that emulate natural stone through clean, minimalist graphics. The line features two floor field tile sizes (12″ x 12″ and 18″ x 18″), two wall field tile sizes (9″ x 12″ and 6″ x 6″), as well as a universal 2″ x 2″ mosaic. An extensive trim package and 3″ x 12″ floor/wall border are also available, for wide-ranging design options.

Sandalo is ideal for all residential and commercial applications, when proper installation methods are followed, except pool decks and exterior floor/patios.

Terrazzo Atmosphere – Stone Tile and Slabs

Sixteen new, contemporary colors have been added to Daltile’s Terrazzo Atmosphere collection, now available in slabs and tiles. Six of these new color options are also available in both fine and large grain to meet varying aesthetic tastes.

All Terrazzo tiles and slabs are now delivered factory sealed with Daltile’s PROADVANCED Protection Sealer, ensuring the highest quality product prior to installation. In addition, there is a fifteen-year residential warranty and eight-year commercial warranty on slabs as well as a one-year limited warranty on tile.

The line features five field tile sizes (12″ x 12″, 16″ x 16″, 18″ x 18″, 24″ x 24″ and 96″ x 62″) as well as rectangular and thin tile offerings available on a special order basis. All slabs are available in standard format or cut to size for those who desire a more individualistic look using multiple sized tiles.

Terrazzo Atmosphere is suitable for most residential and commercial applications, when proper installation methods are followed.

This article was found on TalkFloor.com

Products approved to carry the Wool: Clean Air Certified label are tested by a certified independent laboratory and must pass stringent VOC emission testing for 13 contaminants. In addition, the products are required to meet scientifically established testing standards that verify reductions of VOCs, including formaldehyde, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, in the indoor environment.

Wool: Clean Air Certified is an Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) program managed by Wools of New Zealand.

“Wool has incredible attributes that deserve to be recognized,” says Connie Berry, director of marketing for Karastan. “As the largest manufacturer of wool carpets and rugs in America, we applaud Wools of New Zealand for giving wool a greater voice. Solid scientific backing and high testing standards give the Wool: Clean Air Certified label impressive credibility that we are proud to carry on our products.”

The buildup of indoor air contaminants is a growing concern in residential as well as commercial interiors. Although many materials, including carpet, pass tests for minimum VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions, wool goes a giant step further by removing contaminants from the air and improving the health of the indoor environment.

“Wool is proven to significantly reduce indoor air contaminants within seven hours of installation and to keep contaminants out of the air for 30 years,” says Elise Demboski, executive director of North America for Wools of New Zealand. “Unfortunately, this unique attribute is overlooked since wool only represents 2 percent of the market. Through the Wool: Clean Air Certified program, we are bringing wool to the forefront where it will be noticed.”

In addition to meeting the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED point requirements, the certification also meets the standards for California Section 01350 and Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS).

Carpets and rugs containing a minimum of 50 percent wool are eligible for Wool: Clean Air certification. Product samples are submitted by platform, which is dependent upon backing and latex type. Every platform is fully retested on an annual basis to maintain the integrity of the Wool: Clean Air certification.

Published on: Tuesday, January 04, 2011 on www.talkfloor.com

The November issue of the magazine features ratings of more than 80 upright and canister vacuums and highlights top picks that breeze through pet-hair pickup and other key cleaning chores for all homes.

Consumer Reports’ latest tests also uncovered some pricey vacuums that came up short on performance.

Sebo’s Automatic X5 upright, $820, touts “anti-allergy, hospital grade” filtering, but didn’t impress when it came to carpet cleaning and airflow.

Pricey canisters from Sebo and Aerus Lux, which cost $900 and up provided mediocre carpet cleaning.

And while Dyson has been tops in Consumer Reports’ brand-repair surveys, subpar carpet cleaning and pet-hair pick-up helped the compact DC22 Turbinehead, $700, land near the bottom of the ratings.

“Our tests show that some of the priciest canisters and uprights offered a slew of extra features but gave only a mediocre performance in carpet cleaning,” said Bob Markovich, home and yard editor at Consumer Reports.

“Shoppers should be wary of buying by price and instead prepare a list of must-have features that best suit their home — then check our ratings.”

Pet-hair pickup is especially challenging. Consumer Reports testers used a special rake with a series of rolling washers to push tufts of long, Maine Coon cat fur deeper into carpet so this test matched the cleanup pet owners face.

Kenmore’s Intuition 31100, a CR Best Buy at $250, is among the uprights that aced the new test without disappointing on regular carpet cleaning. Among canisters, Kenmore’s Progressive 27514, $300, was also impressive in pet-hair and carpet tests while Panasonic’s MC-CG902, $210, cleaned carpets comparably for less.

Thanks to www.floordaily.net for this news!

Did you know? A whisky cask, once it has reached the end of its natural life, normally ends up adorning a garden lawn or, worse, at the foot of a landfill.

Now however there is a new more worthy final destination for the humble cask once it has matured its last drop of whisky thanks to the efforts of a Glasgow-based flooring firm.

McKay flooring have engineered a method that enables the oak planks of barrels to be straightened out so that they be used as sheet flooring.

The flooring, according to  its makers, retains a mild aroma of vanilla with many of the barrels still displaying distillery markings.

The company has received orders from orders from the bar and restaurant trade with interest also coming from whisky enthusiasts from around the world.

For more information visit www.mckayflooring.co.uk. This news originated from TalkFloor.com

The August 28th anniversary event will commemorate the process of bringing families home to the Lower 9th Ward, one of the areas most devastated by Hurricane Katrina. In keeping with the foundation’s Cradle to Cradle design philosophy, Shaw has provided carpet featuring fully recyclable, Cradle to Cradle Silver certified Anso® nylon fiber for the first 50 homes, and is committed to providing carpet for all of the planned 150 homes.

As one of the earliest supporters of the Make It Right Foundation, Shaw’s contributions have played a vital role in the process of building affordable green homes for Lower 9th Ward residents, according to Make It Right Director of Development & Government Relations Steve Ragan. “Shaw and Make It Right share a fundamental commitment to Cradle to Cradle design and to sustainable construction. Shaw’s fully recyclable, environmentally responsible flooring products are a natural fit for the Make It Right homes.”

“We are proud to work with Make It Right to help make a difference in the lives of some of the many residents of New Orleans affected by Hurricane Katrina,” said David Wilkerson, Director of Sustainability and Environmental Affairs for Shaw’s residential division. “In addition to providing new, affordable homes for residents of the Lower 9th Ward, Make It Right also demonstrates the social, environmental and economic benefits of sustainable housing in a model that could potentially be replicated around the world.”

The Make It Right Cradle to Cradle design philosophy and its commitment to making green housing affordable is also in keeping with Shaw’s own commitment to Sustainability through Innovation – the Shaw Green Edge, Wilkerson noted. “Whether it’s pushing the boundaries of what affordable housing design, or creating flooring products that can be recycled back into themselves time and time again, we believe innovation is the true key to sustainability,” he said.

The 5th Anniversary Celebration will feature of “A Night of Treme,” a benefit show featuring the artists and music from the highly-acclaimed HBO series Treme. House of Blues in New Orleans will host the concert on the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Saturday, August 28th, and Make It Right will also a host a Community Celebration Event that same day.

Brad Pitt, Make It Right’s founder, hopes that this project will be a catalyst for recovery and redevelopment throughout the Lower 9th Ward and across the City of New Orleans. Make It Right is committed to building sustainable and affordable homes, incorporating high-quality design and construction while preserving the spirit of the community’s culture. Make It Right provides a potential model for other communities of its kind throughout the nation.

Shaw will provide the company’s stylish, recyclable Type 6 Anso nylon, for all 150 Make It Right homes. All Shaw carpets made of Type 6 nylon can be recycled back into new carpet repeatedly in a Cradle to Cradle, or Carpet to Carpet™, model at the company’s Evergreen Nylon Recycling Facility in Augusta, Ga.

For more information on the Make It Right Foundation, please visit www.MakeItRightnola.org. For more information on Shaw’s sustainability efforts, visit www.shawfloors.com/recycle.

(This article was found on TalkFloor.com)