WHAT IS AMERISTONE?
AmeriStone is an independent, locally owned company that produces a solid surface product that is called AmeriStone solid surface. AmeriStone now carries six national brands of solid surface material.
AmeriStone is a solid surface product that is manufactured in the Hixson - Lakesite area of Chattanooga. AmeriStone is manufactured by the standards recommended by the International Cast Polymers Association. All material is vacuumed mixed, then molded into sheets and then post-cured.

WHAT IS SOLID SURFACE?
Solid surface products are made from man-made and natural fillers, a blend of  polyester and acrylic resins. The resin is vacuum mixed with polyester and acrylic color chips then poured into molds to be formed into sheets and heat post-cured. The material starts out as a liquid then molded so it is the same material all the way through. This is how it gets the name solid surface.
There are different brands of solid surface products such as Gibraltar made by Wilsonart Corian by DuPont and many other brands.

WHAT IS VACUUM MIX?
Vacuum mix removes air while the material is mixing. This reduces the amount of air pockets in the mix. The material is then poured into a mold that vibrates air to the surface. Thus reducing air pockets in the material.

WHAT IS POST - CURING - This step in the manufacturing is what turns the material into a true solid surface product. This step is recommended by the International Cast Polymers Association NOT ALL MANUFACTURES  do this step because the cost of the post - curing oven and the added time to the manufacturing of the material. Most national brands and all brands sold by Ameristone is post-cured material.
The material is placed in a special post-curing oven and is brought to a consistent temperature for a set period of time. This process brings all of the polyester molecules up to the same temperature for the same amount of time so they are forming strong and long bonds within the material. The material does all of its shrinking during this step. It shrinks about 1” in length and 3/4” in width. This can be related to curing wood before building furniture from it or in ceramics the difference between a fired and unfired piece of green ware.
After this step we have a stable and hard product to build your kitchen or bath. 
This step is what gives the material its hardness, stain resistance and scratch resistance.

HOW THICK IS THE COUNTERTOP SURFACE?
It is recommended that counter top material be ½ inch thick to provide durability. Material that is sprayed or less than ½ inch does not provide the qualities of a true solid surface material.

WHAT TYPE OF MATERIAL DOES AMERISTONE SELL?
Most people think of DuPont Corian when they hear the term solid surface. DuPont was the first company to make solid surface. Now that their patent has ran out there are many manufactures and brand names that are the same material. The International Cast Polymer Association established the term solid surface to in campus all materials that are made from man-made and natural fillers and either a polyester or an acrylic blend of resin. With the popularity of other surface such as man-made quartz material and natural granite those industries have adopted the name solid surface.

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SOLID SURFACE?
Solid surface is a non-porous, scratch resistant, stain resistant, and heat resistant material.

The seams are referred to as inconspicuous seams. AmeriStone cannot guarantee that you will not see a seam, however, you should never feel a seam. It is a renewable, repairable surface. It has been referred to as the near perfect counter top. With some materials you can see where the material is cut and then put back together.

DO YOU HAVE A SEAM IN THE BACKSPLASH?
AmeriStone offers two different types of backsplash a standard and a coved splash.

Standard Backsplash is when you have 2 pieces of material and the backsplash is caulked to the counter top. This caulking may have to occasionally be replaced as with any caulking. The standard splash is included in the price of your counter top.

Cove Backsplash is when the material is part of the counter top. This process is done in the shop as part of the fabrication of the counter top. There is no caulking on the counter top and not any of this process takes place in your home.
Cove Backsplash is a 3 step process that takes additional time and labor therefore, this is considered an option. You are paying only for the time and labor because you have already paid for the material.

WHAT IS THE SIZE OF YOUR BACKSPLASH?
Standard size is 4” backsplash if it is standard or cove. The height of the splash can be customized to fit your needs.

CAN I USE DIFFERENT COLORS IN MY COUNTER TOP?
Yes. AmeriStone loves to build different styles and colors. AS will customize your counter top anyway that you wish.

HOW MANY COLORS DO YOU HAVE?
AmeriStone has well over 200 different granite colors.

WHAT IS A GRANITE COLOR?
Granite color is any color with particle.

DO YOU HAVE  NATURAL GRANITE?
We have colors that resemble granite.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF SOLID SURFACE OVER NATURAL GRANITE?
Solid Surface is a non-pours material that has been approved by the American Medical Association for any use in medicine including laboratories. So with a post- cured product you have no bacteria that can be absorbed into your counter top. With solid surface you have no open seams that are caulked and very little maintenance. You wipe your counters clean daily with a dishcloth and dishwashing soap.  If you get a stain such as food coloring you simply spray with the Clorox clean-up and wipe it off. There is no sealing the product.

WHAT IF I GET A STAIN ON THE SOLID SURFACE TOP AND CANNOT REMOVE IT?
Remember, Solid Surface is a renewable product. It is the same all the way through. It can be repaired. The stain can be removed and brought back to the original finish.

CAN I SET HOT POT ON SOLID SURFACE?
It is not recommend that you set a hot pot on the counter top and leave it there. It is not recommended that you set a hot pot in an area such as by the stove all the time.
This can cause discoloration of the material over a period of time. AmeriStone provides you with trivets to place in these areas to help prevent against any problems.
It is recommended that you use a trivet with feet for crock pots, electric skillet and George Forman Grills. However, remember that Solid Surface is renewable and any color changes can be buffed out.

CAN SOLID SURFACE BREAK?
Anything can happen. The product should not break under regular use. It can be repaired if it does break. Repairs are usually inconspicuous.

DO YOU OFFER A WARRANTY?
All AmeriStone countertops have a 10 year warranty. This covers damage that may occur from normal use of the product in the way that it is intended. Included is the manufacturing, fabrication and Installation of the product. This warranty is transferable with the sale of the home.

DO YOU INSTALL?
Yes. AmeriStone installs all the jobs that they fabricate.

DO YOU REMOVE OLD COUNTER TOPS?
Yes. AmeriStone is a full service company. We can arrange the removal of your old countertops as well as the disconnection of your plumbing , gas and  electricity. The old countertops will be taken away and after installation, plumbing, gas and electricity will be reconnected.

DO YOU MAKE TEMPLATES?
Yes. We make a template on every job that we make. This insures that the counter top will fit the cabinets. The old counter tops will need to be removed before we can make the template. You will be without countertops during this time. Normally the whole process will take 5-7 days, occasionally a little longer depending on size and special options.

WHAT ARE SINKS MADE OF?
They are also solid surface. They are made from solid colors.

CAN I GET THE SINK AND COUNTER TOP AS ONE PIECE?
In solid surface the sink and counter top appear as one piece but, the sink is a separate piece fabricated to look as one. All of  AmeriStones sinks are installed to look as one piece.

DO I HAVE TO GET A WHITE SINK?
No. We offer many shades of white and off-white. We can even color match a color for you.
If you would like to color coordinate your sinks with your counter tops we can do that.

CAN I HAVE A PORCELAIN SINK?
Yes. Porcelain sinks can be dropped - in or under mounted.
Drop - In  - An area is cut out of the counter top and the sink is dropped in and caulked.
Under mount - A stand is built and the sink is mounted to the stand then the counter top is set on top of the sink. With an under mount porcelain sink you do loose some cabinet space under your sink.

CAN I HAVE A STAINLESS STEEL SINK?
Yes. Stainless Steel Sinks can be dropped - in or under mounted.
Drop - In - An area is cut out and the sink dropped in and caulked.
Under mount - The sink is part of the fabrication of the counter top.
You will not loose cabinet space with an under mount SS.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PORCELAIN, STAINLESS STEEL AND SOLID SURFACE SINKS?
With Porcelain and stainless steel you will have about a 1/8 “ area between the counter top and the sink where there will be caulking. With solid surface there are no spaces between the sink and the counter tops.

CAN I GET DIFFERENT STYLES OF SINKS?
Yes. We have many different styles and colors of kitchen sinks that you may choose.

DO YOU HAVE BATHROOM SINKS?
Yes. We have many styles of bathroom sinks.

WILL THE SINKS STAIN?
Yes and No. The sinks will discolor from daily use of pouring coffee and teas down them.
Is this a permanent stain? No. This can easily be removed by spraying with Clorox clean -up which is a diluted product made by Clorox.

DO WE CHARGE FOR ESTIMATES?
No. If you have a drawing you can fax it to us and we will send you a quote.
This can be a hand drawing.
Then if you are interested we will come to your home and measure and give you a price.

HOW DO I MEASURE MY COUNTER TOP?
You measure along the backside of the existing counter top from end to corner and from corner to end. For islands and bar tops, you measure the length and the width.