Prism SureColor Grout from Custom to Set New Standards in Color Consistency and Performance

SEAL BEACH, Calif. -- August 15, 2007 - Long recognized as the industry leader in cement-based grout with its popular and reliable line of Polyblend grouts, Custom® Building Products announced today that its highly-anticipated line of Prism® SureColor® Grout will be available August 15, 2007. This new premium grout will set new standards in the tile and stone industry, promising consistent color regardless of substrate, ambient conditions or type of tile. Formulated with a proprietary blend of raw materials and Custom's exclusive CustomLite® Technology, Prism will resist shading, mottling, efflorescence and shrinking.

Prism SureColor Grout from Custom

"Prism represents the first significant advance in grout technology in years, and is destined to set a new industry standard for cement-based grout," said Jeremy Gorr, product manager for Custom Building Products. "Through extensive research and testing, our scientists have solved the problems typically associated with cement-based grout, such as shading, color variation and efflorescence. The result is what we call our Prism SureColor Promise, meaning that contractors, designers and specifiers can stake their reputation on Prism's remarkable color consistency, even under extreme conditions."

The Science Behind Prism SureColor Grout
The primary culprit behind color variation in finished installations is uneven hydration of the cement crystals in the grout. When grout is curing, the level of hydration is affected by a number of environmental conditions including temperature, humidity and the porosity of both the tile and the substrate. Properly hydrated crystals will grow as they cure, lightening in color. However, under-hydrated crystals do not expand fully, and therefore appear darker and cause shaded, uneven areas in a finished installation. Prism has a unique, premium formula that actually binds water in the grout during curing, forcing the crystals to hydrate evenly and achieve even color throughout, regardless of external conditions.

Prism cures quickly, developing high early strength and hard, dense joints that are stain resistant and easy to clean - all factors that allow faster installation time. Since Prism can be used on joints down to 1/16" there is no need to stock or purchase non-sanded grout, and a 17-pound bag of Prism provides the same coverage as a 25-pound bag of traditional cement grout. Prism is protected by Custom's exclusive MoldGard® Technology and contributes to LEED certification. Prism will be available in a palette of 18 popular, designer-inspired neutral colors borrowed from Custom's highly successful Polyblend® line.

About Custom Building Products
Custom® Building Products is widely recognized as a leading manufacturer of tile and stone installation systems for the North American market. The company's product brands, including WonderBoard® cement backerboard, Polyblend® colored grouts, TileLab® cleaners and sealers, and SuperiorBilt® tools are considered the most popular and most trusted by industry professionals. Custom Building Products continually raises the standards for the tile and stone industry through its commitment to innovation, performance and exceptional customer service.

Custom's Web site offers comprehensive resources including product and warranty information, installation specifications and technical support. For more information on the company's broad family of quality tile and stone installation products, please call (800) 272-8786 or visit www.custombuildingproducts.com.