Installation Guide

47
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What maintenance will be required down the road?
Because of the NextStone™ polyurethane formulation and its durable coating there
is virtually no maintenance required. NextStone™ offers a 20 year limited warran-
ty. (see page 57)
Q. How will NextStone™ handle the elements?
NextStone™ products have been tested equivalent to 20 years in an advanced
weather testing chamber with very little discoloration to the products.
Q. How does NextStone™ compare in price to the cultured stone type prod-
ucts currently available on the market?
NextStone™ products have been competitively priced and will generally cost less
than cast stone type products. The real savings for the contractor comes from the
cost of labor for installation by a carpenter vs. the cost of labor and material
provided by a mason. With the NextStone™ product the value is added and the
profit is retained by the contractor. For the do-it-yourselfer, the savings come to
those who can install NextStone™ products themselves.
Q. Who can install the NextStone™ panels?
Anyone with a basic understanding of carpentry can easily install NextStone™
products.
Q. Is NextStone™ flammable and what do all those fire test numbers mean?
First, Flame Spread Factor is the distance that the flame spreads across the
specimen piece during the test. This is calculated by measuring the distance across
the panel the flame spreads every 3 seconds during the test. They then compile the
total distance and come up with the Flame Spread Factor. Our product tested at an
average of 30.78.
Second is the Flame Spread Index. This is a mathematical calculation using
calculus and area under a curve to compute a number relative to two points:
Cement and Red Oak. In this index, Red Oak is 100 and cement is 0. There is
some confusion between the tests as our 162 Test now calls this number the
Radiant Panel Index. Ours is 191.13. In the vinyl siding wor ld, anything
under 200 can be placed on wall surfaces. Regardless of tests and numbers, we do
not recommend putting any NextStone™ product near open flames. Although it is
not flammable, it will combust in the presence of flame. We recommend that our
product be placed no closer than 12 inches from areas where an open flame may be
encountered. You may see similar products claiming to have passed the E-84
flame spread test. This is only a portion of E-84 testing and should not be
considered as meeting E-84 requirements. (see page 51)