Dalton—Going the distance in finding solutions that ease the demands on
designers, specifiers and end users, Durkan Patterned Carpet has developed
ColorShield, a “revolutionary” stain protection technology being incorporated
into the company’s full line of print carpets. “ColorShield represents a first
for print broadloom. The critical advantage of ColorShield is,” explained Steve
Hillis, Durkan’s senior vice president of sales and marketing, “it safeguards
the custom color and custom pattern, yielding similar properties of solution
dyed nylon. Essentially, this means that any ColorShield protected products,
particularly custom designs, can be specified with confidence because the color
will be locked in, assured of being stain resistant. There are no limitations on
color or pattern.”
The antidote for any spills or stains on a ColorShield product is water; just
a light blotting with a damp clean uncolored cloth will take the spill away and
leave the color and pattern intact, he noted. “In fact, just about all spills
will wick away easily with water. The exception is oil-based stains, which
should be allowed to dry, but will clean up easily with a mild detergent and
water.” Hillis cautioned, however, that consistent and proper ongoing
maintenance also is integral to the ultimate protection and longevity for any
broadloom. A steady regimen of vacuuming and cleanings is optimum. “ColorShield
represents the convergence of new 21st century technologies, including new fiber
technology plus advances in the chemical components involved in the production
of the carpet,” he said.
Moreover, Hillis credits Durkan Patterned Carpet’s use of Duralon attached
cushion backing with moisture barrier for contributing to the benefits of
ColorShield. “It helps trap the stain on the surface of the carpet, preventing
it from seeping through the backing. Duralon, which has been a vital feature of
Durkan Patterned products for 14 years, adds significantly to the comfort and
can double the life of the broadloom.” ColorShield, which is exclusive to Durkan
Patterned Carpet, is available in three base grades that cover the gamut of
products: cut, loop, and cut and loop texture. A lifetime warranty guarantees
protection against anionic stains (acid type including cof fee, fruit punch,
wine, tea, soda, food spills, etc.); color transfer (wet/dry); and, color or
water bleeding.
“ColorShield is not topical, it is part of the fiber,” explained Hillis. “It
is a new fiber technology we are launching which is built into the fiber. It is
available on three of our print bases. With this new technology we can do custom
color on print and, for the first time ever, have the same stain-resistance as
solution-dyed nylon. So, it is a real breakthrough in printed carpet technology.
“The warranty is guaranteed for the lifetime of the carpet,” he added. “Again,
it features stain protection and you can clean stains out with just clear water.
The process is patented, available only from Durkan and was developed in
conjunction with Solutia, through a partnership with the fiber company.” The
introduction of ColorShield comes only a few months after the brand’s woven and
tufted siblings in The Mohawk Group family have gained similar stain protection
benefits by use of the newly developed EverSet Fibers by Mohawk.
“We’ve entered a new era of performance and are redefining the life of
commercial carpeting,” said Sam Bracken, vice president of marketing for The
Mohawk Group. “It is our constant quest to keep improving and perfecting the
products, raising the bar. This truly has been a milestone year for us with the
development of EverSet and now ColorShield. Our end goal is always to help ease
the job of the designers, specifiers and end users, and with these innovations,
I think we’ve achieved this.” ColorShield will be unveiled at the 2004
International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show, Nov. 14 to 16, at the Jacob Javitz
Convention Center in New York in booth #3520. For more information on Durkan
Patterned Carpet featuring Color-Shield, visit www.durkan.com. —Louis Iannaco
