CUSTOMER RESOURCES

It’s Best to Have an Idea of Room Dimensions
Measurements of length, width, locations of doors, windows, closets, etc, the more the better.

For Vanity Renovations
What size is your current vanity or pedestal? How many sinks do you have? Do you have a medicine cabinet or mirror? If a cabinet, is it recessed or surface mounted?

For Bath/Whirlpool/Airbath Renovations
Length, Width and Depth, etc. When you are looking at your tub, is the drain on the right or the left?

For Toilet Renovations
Determine toilet “rough” (Measure from the back wall to the center of the bolts on the side of the toilet – standard is 12″).  Do you have any other size restraints in your toilet area? (poor door swings, tight space)

For Shower Renovations
Length, Width and Ceiling Height. Location of showerheads and faucet trim.

For Kitchen Renovations
What size is your sink base cabinet? Do you want a single or double bowl sink? What kind of conveniences would you like in your kitchen? (Some possibilities include instant hot, a water purifier, garbage disposal, pot filler, etc.)

For Tile Renovations
Where do you want to tile? What quantity will you need? (Your contractor or tile installer should give you quantities of tile that you will need to order.)

For Ceiling Renovations
How high will you be tiling? How much height do you have over your vanity for a mirror or medicine cabinet?

We have teamed up with the following vendors, who through their web site links and consumer call centers, can resolve your product issues in a very timely and professional manner. If the manufacturer of your product is not listed below, please call any of our showrooms for assistance.

TILE

Ceramic
Ceramic tiles are generally referred to as “wall tiles”. However, there are certain types of ceramic tiles that can be used on the floor as well. Ceramic tiles can be hand made or machine made and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.

Porcelain
Porcelain tiles are some of the strongest tiles on the market. They can be glazed or unglazed and can replicate stone, wood and many other materials. Porcelain has zero absorption, making it ideal for areas with heavy traffic, dirt and other things that can stain. There is very little maintenance with porcelain as compared to stone.

Glass
Glass tiles come in many different shapes, sizes and colors. The most commonly seen are mosaics, which are small tiles, generally under 2″, that come mounted on sheets for easy installation.

Metal
Metal tiles are steadily increasing in popularity. They can be used on both the floor and wall, depending on how they are made, and make wonderful accents in any tiled area.

STONE TYPES

* Stone can be used on both floors and walls.

Marble
Metamorphosed limestone, consisting chiefly of recrystallized calcite or dolomite, capable of taking a high polish, occurring in a wide range of colors. Marble is known to the eye by the presence of veins running through the tile, although there are some exceptions.

Limestone
A sedimentary rock consisting predominantly of calcium carbonate, varieties of which are formed from the skeletons of marine microorganisms and coral. Limestone is known for its color consistency and the presence of fossils.

Travertine
A form of limestone deposited by springs, especially hot springs. You can tell a stone is travertine by the presence of holes in the stone, caused by the bubbles produced in the springs. Many times you will see that the holes have been filled.

Slate
A fine-grained rock formed by the metamorphosis of clay, shale, etc., that tends to split along parallel cleavage planes. Slate, even after installed, may continue to split along the layers of shale.

Granite
A coarse-grained igneous rock composed chiefly of orthoclase and albite feldspars and of quartz, usually with lesser amounts of one or more other minerals, as mica, hornblende, or augite. Granite is the hardest and most dense natural stone, and is mostly used for countertops.

STONE FINISHES

Antique
Over the last couple of years, “Antiqued Stone” has become very popular. Antiqued Stone is a term that tends to cover a wide variety of finishes- tumbled, distressed, cobbled, bush hammered, leather and brushed. These finishes appear to be old and worn right out of the box giving the installation the “Old World Charm” that people have come to appreciate.

Cleft
Cleft finish is found primarily on slate. The cleft look is obtained by splitting the stone with a hammer and chisel, giving a layered look to the pieces. One side of the piece is then ground down on a machine similar to a planner, giving it a flat smooth finish.

Cobbled
A form of antiqued stone. These pieces will have the edges more evenly chipped than tumbles and the corners of the tile squarer. Example: chipped edge during mosaic.

Distressed
An antiquated look without the severe look of stone that had been tumbled. Distressed stone has slightly rounded edges and corners and may have fewer imperfections.

Honed
A honed finish is common in limestone and slates but can be applied to any type of stone. This finish will leave a stone looking as if it has been sanded, not polished.

Polished
Polished marble and granite will have a very high shine. Some will polish better than others. The harder the material, the higher the shine. Don’t be fooled, you still have to seal and maintain polished stone just like any other stone.

Tumbled
Tumbled marbles have quickly become one of the most popular sellers. Tumbled marble is made by slowly rolling the cut pieces in tumblers. This gives the pieces a very worn and antiqued look. Tumbled material is NOT of a “selected” nature. The customer will receive pieces that are chipped, scratched, different sizes and different shades. This adds to the “antiqued look.”

Air Bath
Bathtubs that have small holes and a pump that forces heated air through the system. These baths provide an overall body massage as opposed to specific targeted area massage.

Acrylic
A sheet of solid color acrylic plastic used for shower pans or bathtubs that is vacuum-formed and reinforced to produce a desired shape.

Anti-Scald
A method by which a valve controls the water temperature so the user doesn’t get burned.

Apron
The front extension of a bathtub that runs from the rim to the floor. May also be referred to as a “skirt”.

Body Spray
This is a mini-showerhead that delivers water from a vertical position in the shower. It often targets specific areas of the body and offers a precise therapeutic and invigorating massage.

Centerset Faucet
Sometimes called a four inch center set. This is a one-piece faucet with hot and cold valves set four inches apart, center to center.

Ceramic Discs
Two pieces of ceramic within the valve that open and close to allow volume control.

Chromatherapy
Also referred to as color therapy or light therapy, Chromatherapy uses colors and light to create specific frequencies around the body, through the eyes and retina, to help balance a person’s spiritual, mental, emotional and physical health.

Deck Mount Tub
Plate used to cover unused mounting holes on sinks.

Diverter Valve
This is a valve designed to direct, or re-direct, mixed water to a specific location. It can be used in tubs, showers, sinks and bidets.

Escutcheon Plate
Plate used to cover unused mounting holes on sinks.

Escutcheon Ring
The base of a faucet or accessory where the metal hits the wall or counter.

Farmhouse Sink
Has an exposed decorative front.

Free Standing Tub
This is a stand alone tub with separate feet or a base that rests on the floor.

GPM
Gallons per minute — The amount of water that flows through an outlet, such as a showerhead or a tub spout. Showerheads are regulated to 2.5 GPM.

Patina
A chemical change that causes metal to change color.

Pressure Balance Valve
These valves are designed to compensate for changes in water pressure, thus keeping the temperature constant.

Rough
Term used to refer to the valves that are installed behind the wall.

Self Rimming Sink
Has a finished lip that rests on top of the counter.

Thermostatic Valve
A type of anti-scald valve that controls the temperature in a shower. Separate volume controls are needed.

Undermount Sink
Mounted to the underside of the counter, eliminating the lip on top of the counter.

Valve
The actual device that mixes the hot and cold water and controls the flow of the water to its desired location. It controls the water temperature and/or volume.

Whirlpool
Bathtubs that are equipped with a motor and jets to move water and air that provides a therapeutic massage experience.

Wide Spread
Faucet Where the spout, hot and cold valves are separate pieces. Most can be installed anywhere between 6″ to 16″ center to center.