DIY Network

New Products at the Coverings Show in Chicago Dean and Derek visit a specialized trade show featuring innovative new materials and tools. Check out some of Dean and Derek's Rock Solid remodeling projects. From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-404

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Something Different

Dean and Derek have been impressed with the tools and technology but they also have a great appreciation for the one-of-a-kind items. There are craftspeople who customize products, making each tile by hand or engraving stone.

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	Figure F
	Figure G
	Figure H

• Stone Engraving
  What customizes a product more than engraving? The Vytek Company uses a laser system to burn custom images onto stone (figure F) . The laser is to engrave everything from travertine to black granite, and color can be added to the design it is engraved. This equipment allows tile shops to personalize many types of stone with nearly any image.
  Vytek Company
  Website: www.graniteart.com

• Hand Painted Tile
  A former surgeon creates C Nik Tiles using old medical tools. Each custom tile (figure G) is hand painted with details inspired by William Morris, botanical gardens, insects and nature.

• Fossil Art
  Dean ad Derek found one company that looks to the past for their product. The Green River Stone Company quarries stone with ancient fossils (figure H) . The calcium carbonate shale stone is quarried in Wyoming and the product line includes individual fossils, larger murals, and flooring and wall tile.
  The Green River Stone Company
  Website: www.greenriverstone.com

	Figure I
	Figure J

Special Materials

There was no limit to the products featured at the Coverings Show. Vendors went beyond stone, glass and tile. There were exhibits with metal and MDF coverings.

• Metals
  Tile isn't limited to ceramic and stone; metal is an option. Paloma Pewter has a wide selection of lead-free pewter tile, inlay and accent pieces for kitchen and bathroom applications (figure I) . The product line is inspired by natural designs and classical motifs.
  Paloma Pewter
  Website: www.palomapewter.com

• Flexible Stone Veneer
  If you are looking for a flexible or translucent material you might be interested in using Txtr-Lite (figure J) . Interlam, a Virginia based company has a stone veneer product with highly versatile installation options. The stone is four-millimeters thick sandwiched between two pieces of fiberglass so you can bend this product, and use it on any type of veneer application.
  Interlam, Inc.
  Website: www.interlam-design.com

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