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APPEARANCE/USE
INSTALLATION
When I receive my shipment, what is the first thing to do when I am ready to install? Can granite tile be butted or do I need to leave a grout line? Does BuildDirect do granite tile installation?
QUANTITIES/SHIPPING
QUALITY
Is your granite real and why is it so inexpensive? Is your granite Kerosene cut? How do I know BuildDirect’s granite is high quality?
Q. What makes granite the hardest building stone?
A. Granite is formed by solidification of liquid magma (molten rock) under the pressure of earth's crust. It is composed of Feldspar, Quartz, Mica, and other minerals, making it one of the hardest stones in the world. It has been used for building and decorative purposes for centuries. Granite resists wear-and-tear applications remarkably well, making it ideal for interior or exterior flooring. When used outdoors, granite's mineralogical structure is not influenced by freeze-thaw cycles.
Q. What do the finished surfaces of granite look like?
A. Granite can have four main finishes: polished (shiny), honed (matte), flamed or brushed (textured). The polished and honed surfaces are flat and smooth. The flamed and brushed surfaces are flat and textured. The polished surface is shiniest, while the brushed surface reflects the least amount of light. The back and sides have a sawn finish.
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Q. What applications are recommended for these granite finishes?
A. Granite finishes are suitable for different applications. For example:
Q. Why is granite an excellent material for kitchen countertops?
A. Next to diamond, sapphire, and ruby, granite is the hardest natural product on earth. Once polished, natural granite will maintain its high gloss virtually forever. Normal use of kitchen knives, cutlery, and cookware leaves no scratches. Heat has almost no effect on natural granite, making it much safer than synthetic surfaces with polyesters and resins. Pots and pans heated to 900 degrees Fahrenheit will not dull natural granite's lustrous finish, but the use of trivets is recommended to keep your granite counter clean.
Q. Can granite get stained and do I need to seal it?
A. Granite is a highly dense material and relatively porous so it can get stained if a spill is not cleaned quickly. Sealing the surface with a water-based sealant is therefore recommended to protect the granite from water patches and stains. Sealing can be done once a year or once every two years depending on the usage of the surface.
Q. Can I use granite tile for bathroom flooring?
A. Like any other smooth surface floor, the polished surface of a granite bathroom floor can be slippery if it gets a lot of water and is walked on with improper footwear. A honed granite surface is therefore recommended for bathrooms.
Q. Can I use granite tile for counter tops?
A. Granite tiles can be used for a counter top surface. It is recommended to use a 3/4"sub-board with waterproof membrane to support the tiles. It is also essential to seal the tiles after installation to avoid staining.
Q. Can I use granite tiles on shower walls?
A. Granite tiles can be used on shower walls. It is recommended to use cement backer board or hardy board with a waterproof membrane to avoid transfer of moisture. It is also recommended to seal the granite after installation to avoid water absorption and mildew formation.
When I receive my shipment, what is the first thing to do when I am ready to install?
Be sure to check all contents of the pallets prior to installation. Any claim will be void if the natural stone has been installed.
With all natural stone applications, it is highly recommended that the installer avoid choosing tile for an installation on a “one pallet at a time” basis; the best method is to open boxes in all pallets from the start. Each tile from each box will be varied from pallet to pallet and an installation should incorporate the contents of all pallets evenly during an installation. This method will more effectively address the issue of color variation, which is a reality when working with any natural stone product. Please contact your sales rep with any questions.
Q. Can granite tile be butted or do I need to leave a grout line?
A. Granite tile floors appear the best when the tiles are butted. However, it is important to make sure the tiles are matched before setting on thinset.
Q. Does BuildDirect do granite tile installation?
A. We do not do tile installation. Please consult your local Yellow Pages for information on tile setters. BuildDirect recommends the services of an installation specialist for lasting satisfaction.
Q. I would like to see the pallets before I buy them. Is this possible?
A. Unfortunately, we are unable to show you the product at the warehouse. The warehouses we use are privately owned facilities and all products are in factory- sealed crates. We suggest ordering a sample and reviewing the graphics on the website.
Q. How does the customer obtain granite tile samples?
A. We can send you three samples for US$25.00 ($35.00 overnight delivery). This charge covers the actual costs of handling, packaging, and courier delivery. Any additional samples (in the same package) cost an extra $5.00 each. The sample pieces are approximately 4"x 4".
Q. How does buying granite from BuildDirect work?
A. BuildDirect is a wholesaler with proprietary Internet technology and toll-free customer service to provide incredibly low prices on top quality building products. We fill granite orders in two ways. The first is selling pallet multiples out of warehouses around North America. The second is shipping container orders directly from select manufacturers and delivered to your job site.
Q. What is BuildDirect's minimum pallet order for granite?
A. For shipments from warehouses in North America, we have a minimum order quantity of one pallet for 12"x 12" granite tiles (360 sq. ft. per pallet) and two pallets for 18"x 18" granite tiles (2 x 225 sq. ft. per pallet = 450 sq. ft.).
Q. I need a smaller amount of tile than your minimum – where do I go from here?
A. Please consult your local Yellow Pages for information on retailers that sell in smaller quantities. Look under "Stone Retailers" or "Ceramic Retailers."
Q. What granite does BuildDirect sell by the container?
A. BuildDirect sells a wide variety of granite by container from India, Brazil, and China. Our highly qualified logistics experts will oversee the ocean and ground shipment of your container order. Please take a look at the varieties of granite available by container on this Website.
Q. How much granite tile does a container hold?
A. Container quantities of granite range from 4,000 sq. ft. to 7,000 sq. ft. depending on the product and tile size.
Q. Am I restricted to getting just one product in a container?
A. Container orders can comprise any combination of the colors, sizes, finishes and shapes that a given factory produces. There is a minimum of one pallet per type.
Q. Do I have to be a contractor to purchase from BuildDirect?
A. The prices on our website are the prices we offer to anyone who can meet the minimum order requirements.
Q. Do you offer any further discounts for trades people?
A. The prices we show on our web site are our best prices up front. If you can reach our minimum purchase requirements, we will sell to you regardless of whether you are in business or a private home owner.
Q. Does BuildDirect ship to Europe?
A. At present, we ship container orders (5000 sq. ft. +) to Europe. Shipping single pallet orders from North America to Europe is not cost effective.
Q. Can you tell me an exact date that the container will arrive?
A. Unfortunately, we cannot offer guarantees on container shipment time lines. At this time, most containers take 8-12 weeks from date of order. There is a chance that it could take longer because of factors beyond our control. For example, security measures undertaken by U.S. Customs and Border Protection could possibly delay a shipment.
Q. How are residential deliveries made?
A. The product would be delivered on a truck equipped with a lift-gate. The pallets would be lowered to the ground and pulled onto your driveway with a pallet-jack. A residential delivery is considered completed once the product is placed on the driveway. Granite is heavy and will require proper equipment or labour to accept goods on delivery. Please check weight of goods before they are delivered so you are properly prepared.
Q. Which forms of payment do you accept?
A. We accept Visa, MasterCard, bank drafts (also referred to as cashier's checks or money orders) and wire transfers.
Q. What size of tiles are available from BuildDirect?
A. The following sizes of tiles are available as standard products.
Custom sizes available in container volumes on request
Q. What custom granite products can I order by container from BuildDirect?
A. Other than the standard products such as tiles, slabs, counter tops, and vanity tops, we take custom orders on granite products for your specific requirements. Custom orders can be made for products such as kitchen counter tops, vanity tops, stair treads and risers, fire place surrounds, and columns. A minimum container quantity/order value applies to all custom products. Please inquire with BuildDirect's product specialist. You will have to provide dimensional drawings and templates for manufacture.
Q. Where do you ship material from?
A. BuildDirect ships container orders from the product's country of origin. Pallet orders are shipped from nearest warehouse in the U.S.A.
Q. How much does granite weigh?
A. Granite tiles and slabs come in different thicknesses. The weight per square foot for each thickness is as follows:
Q. How are granite products packed?
A. Packing depends on the nature of the product as follows:
Q. Is your granite real and why is it so inexpensive?
A. All the granite products sold by BuildDirect are genuine granite, produced from the natural rock and are first quality. We are able to sell at such low prices because we ship directly from the production site, in addition to cost reductions owing to our huge volumes in shipping.
Q. Is your granite Kerosene cut?
A. No, it is not. BuildDirect ensures that all its granites are cut by using water as coolant and gives a lifetime guarantee of the quality. Some manufacturers use petroleum by-products in the coolant to aid the cutting process and reduce processing costs. The granite is later soaked in water and washed to remove the chemical smell, but the damage is done the moment the chemical comes into contact with the ferric content in the stone. Within a couple of years, rust marks will appear.
Q. How do I know BuildDirect's granite is high quality?
A. BuildDirect supplies only first quality material. The quality of the material is determined by measuring different parameters of a granite product through the entire production process: