Shaw's long reputation for carpeting has permitted it to successfully market other flooring products. It offers a broad line of laminate wood products in traditional and exotic wood species, and stone-like styles. A patented design secures the laminate flooring panels on all four sides without the use of glue or nails.
Shaw engineered floors are available in a wide variety of styles including bamboo, cherry, hickory, maple, oak, and pine, or in a stone-like design. The flooring is a four-layer laminated product that provides the beauty of wood or stone but is made of 98% recycled wood. The first layer is a backing that provides a moisture barrier and structural strength to the laminate panels. The second is the inner core constructed of recycled wood fiber, while the third is the layer that features the natural hardwood design. Finally, the fourth layer is the melamine finish against wear. The Shaw Luminere™ line of laminate flooring features a special finish they say offers brilliant clarity and a "mirror-like" shine.
Shaw provides homeowners with instructions for how to install its laminate flooring as well as to carry out maintenance and small repairs. The manuals provide step-by-step directions to deal with subfloor preparation, underlayment procedures, and the installation of the laminate panels. Tricky spots such as doorways, stairs, and around pipes and fixtures are also covered in the instructions.
The handy homeowner may be able to undertake minor repairs as well and, in light of this, Shaw provides flooring touch up and color-fill kits. These can be purchased to match the colors of the original floor.
Laminate flooring in general gains "green points" as it utilizes recycled wood rather than new wood and so does not lead to cutting of forests. Shaw Industries explains: "engineered to last, laminate offers a long life span that minimizes replacement. And while it simulates upscale look of a natural product like an exotic hardwood or ceramic tile, the actual material isn't used and the natural resource is preserved." The company's trademarked core uses 98% less harvested wood than their hardwood products.