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As indicated in the accompanying Report of Management On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include an assessment of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting of Duron, Inc. and Paint Sundry Brands Corporation (the companies). The companies were acquired September 1, 2004, and have been included in the consolidated financial statements of The Sherwin-Williams Company since that date. The companies constituted approximately five percent of total and net assets (excluding goodwill and intangible assets) as of December 31, 2004, and less than three percent and one percent of revenues and net income, respectively, for the year then ended. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of The Sherwin-Williams Company also did not include an evaluation of the internal controls over financial reporting of the companies. 

In our opinion, management’s assessment that The Sherwin-Williams Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the COSO criteria. Also, in our opinion, The Sherwin-Williams Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on the COSO criteria. 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of The Sherwin-Williams Company as of December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, and the related statements of consolidated income, cash flows and shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004, and our report dated February 10, 2005, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. 

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