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Q:
What
types of Tile are there?
A: There are several, however, the most common are the
ceramic glazed, and the porcelain. Porcelain tile
are extremely hard and impermeable making them more
durable to wear, temperatures and moisture.
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Q:
What are Mosaics?
A:
Mosaics are usually smaller tiles or marble that
may or may not vary in size. They are usually
mounted on paper, mesh or sheets for easy handling
and installation.
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Q:
Is
Tile priced by the square foot or by the piece?
A:
Tile is priced by the square foot. Accessories for
tile such as Bullnose (wall finished edge pieces),
Listellos and Decos (decorative pieces) are priced
by the piece. return to top |
Q:
What
should I use to clean my Tile?
A: All tile should be cleaned routinely with any
all-purpose, non oil-based cleaner. These should not
contain acids which can damage the grout and the
glazed surface of the tile.
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Q:
How do
I keep my Grout clean?
A:
For routine cleaning, use all
purpose cleaners, as with the tile. For Heavy,
periodic cleaning, a professional strength tile and
grout cleaner can be used to remove grease, soap
scum, mildew, etc.
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Q:
Is Marble a natural product?
A:
Marble is a natural stone, cut and honed
from large blocks that are mined from quarries. return to top
Q:
Is Marble color consistent?
A: Because marble is a natural product, each piece varies in
color and veining. This is why marble is such a
unique and elegant product. return to top
Q:
What should I use to clean Marble?
A:
Marble should be kept free of dirt, sand and dust,
as these particles can scratch the surface of the
stone. Vacuuming or dust mopping are highly
recommended for this purpose. Neutral, non-acid
cleaners should be used for routine cleaning. return to top |
Q:
Does Marble need to be sealed?
A:
Sealer is recommended especially for floor
installation. Sealer helps protect the stone from
staining, as marble is considered a porous material.
There are different types of sealers that provide
different finishes to the stone. Some give a glossy,
shiny finish, where others leave the stone with the
natural look but provide the protection needed. return to top |
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Q:
Can
I cut right on Granite, or do I need a cutting
board?
A:
You can cut directly on granite, however
routinely doing this will dull your cutlery.
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Q:
I've heard that Granite needs to be constantly
re-sealed. Is this true? How long does it take to
seal Granite countertops?
A: No, granite countertops do not require frequent sealing or
complicated maintenance. The manufacturers of
“engineered stone” often refer to natural stone as
being time consuming and difficult to maintain. The
truth is, a few stones may require re-sealing once
every 6-12 months, but most require sealer every
three years, and some stones may never need to be
re-sealed. Sealing is easy, you can do it yourself.
You can compare it to waxing your car. return to top |
Q:
How can I tell when my Granite needs to be
re-sealed?
A:
If you notice water absorption into the countertop,
or darker areas around the sink that is an indicator
that it is time to re-seal. return to top
Q:
Why are there frequently different names for the
same Granite Stone?
A:
Many stones have a proprietary name from a quarry.
However, many times there is more than one quarry of
the same stone and each quarry may refer to their
particular stone by a different name. Also, stone
markers may assign their own name to a stone for
marketing purposes. return to top |
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Q:
What is the difference between Hardwood and
Laminate?
A:
Laminate is a manufacture product,
available in many in colors and styles. It is
usually installed as a “floating floor”, meaning an
underlayment is used. It is considered very durable
and manufacturers usually give long life guarantees’
on their products. In hardwood, there is the
original hardwood and also what’s called engineered
hardwood, original hardwood is a beautiful product,
but requires more maintenance than engineered.
Engineered wood is composed of a hardwood “wear
layer” and plys assembled in a crossing pattern,
usually 3 to 5 plys. This construction adds to the
stability and resistance to climatic changes that
solid woods are prone to, such as expanding and
shrinking in warm and cold weather and warping in
dampness. return to top
Q:
Can
Engineered wood be stained or varnished?
A: Yes, just like original hardwood. return to top |
Q:
How
do I clean my wood floors?
A:
Keep floors free from dust, sand & dirt. Vacuuming
with a floor attachment is highly recommended. Use
cleaners recommended for your product. return to top
Q:
Is Bamboo flooring a good option?
A:
Bamboo is becoming more and more popular. It comes
in more than one color and is durable and strong. It
is a great deal stronger than oak, and more pliable
as well. Bamboo also resists moisture and the wear
and tear of insects.. Keep in mind, as with any wood
floors, proper maintenance is required to keep your
floor at its best. Bamboo also cannot be floated,
which means proper floor preparation is essential. return to top |
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Q:
What Carpet should I use?
A: There
are a wide variety of cuts, piles, textures, and
fibers in carpets. Carpet should be chosen by the
areas and usages of each area.
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Q:
Will my Carpet show traffic patterns?
A:
This depends on which carpet is chosen. A textured
plush is a good choice.
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Q:
Is Carpet hard to clean?
A:
Choosing a stain resistant carpet is definitely
helpful. But be sure to add life to your carpet by
properly caring for your carpet. Vacuum frequently.
Foot traffic and dirt particles get trampled deep
into the pile, and will have an abrasive effect of
fibers. Clean up spills promptly! Have your carpet
steam cleaned professionally once a year. return to top |
Q:
Will my Carpet get fuzzy?
A: Some
carpets will, but a good nylon carpet will not.
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Q:
Will my seams show?
A:
Low pile and Berber carpets are the carpets that
show the most even the most experienced installers
cannot completely hide seams in these carpets.
Depending on the size of your rooms, a wider carpet
width may eliminate this problem.
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