What You Should Know About Purchasing Stone and Epoxy Flooring

Table of Contents

4 The NATURE STONE story

6 What Makes a NATURE STONE Floor So Superior

8 Be an educated buyer

10 NATURE STONE flooring facts

12 How much does NATURE STONE flooring cost?

14 The value of a true warranty

15 Beware of low prices

16 Reasons to schedule an appointment

18 How to schedule your appointment

19 Recognition

3

No Other Company Or Product Can MatchThe Features, Benefits

And Warranty OfAn Authentic

Nature Stone Floor.{ }Call 800-358-0583 for a FREE in-home estimate or visit NatureStone.com

After 24 years in business it is humbling that the name NATURE

STONE® has become synonymous with stone and epoxy flooring.

Our unique flooring system is designed to provide beauty, long-lasting

durability and add value to your home. In addition, our flooring solves

many of the common concrete flooring problems associated with ugly,

cracked concrete, and is perfect for use in basements where moisture

and repeat flooding is a problem.

NATURE STONE flooring is the best value in stone and epoxy flooring

given its beauty and incredible durability, because of our proprietary,

ultra-high strength epoxy, only available through NATURE STONE and

our network of authorized dealers throughout the United States and

Canada. Don’t be fooled, the specific formula of epoxy is the “heart

and soul” of a high quality stone and epoxy floor.

Today, authentic NATURE STONE flooring is the leader in the stone

and epoxy industry throughout the United States and Canada.

Over the years, we have seen many changes to our business and have

made many improvements to our stone and epoxy flooring. What has

not changed is the excitement of our customers as they experience the

magical transformation of an authentic NATURE STONE brand floor

and our commitment to unparalleled customer satisfaction.

4

A Message from the FounderI remain sincerely grateful at the overwhelming success and

popularity of NATURE STONE flooring, having installed more than 12

million square feet for more than 45,000 customers. NATURE STONE

flooring has proven to be especially popular for use in garages,

basements, rec rooms, laundry rooms, sun rooms, patios and pool

decks.

In addition, NATURE STONE flooring is also used extensively for

commercial applications, often being specified by architects, general

contractors, and building owners for areas such as showrooms, retail

areas, pool decks, office space, lobbies and entrances.

On a final note, we are proud of our 10-year unconditional material

warranty that comes with every NATURE STONE floor. You won’t find

that kind of a warranty anywhere because no one else can match the

incredible quality of an authentic NATURE STONE brand floor.

Thank you for your interest in NATURE STONE flooring.

Russell Masetta Owner/Founder

Specially formulated and manufactured epoxy by NATURE STONE

12 million sq. ft. of installed NATURE STONE flooring

45,000 customers across United States and Canada

What Makes a NATURE STONE Floor So Superior 1) The Proper Stone-to-Epoxy Ratio: The proper process of mixing

stone and epoxy together is a critical step. One size does not fit all. Some stones are larger and rounded; others are smaller and more compact, while still others are flat-cut with more surface to cover with epoxy. These differences dictate that the amount of epoxy used to properly bond the different types and sizes of stone together for maximum strength must vary accordingly. Improper mix ratios may cut costs but are a recipe for disaster. NATURE STONE has studied and perfected the optimal mix ratios to achieve unparalleled performance.

2) Proprietary, Researched, Tested and Manufactured Epoxy: Quality and performance of general purpose epoxy can vary dramatically. An inexpensive, off-the-shelf epoxy will help lower flooring costs but will result in a poor-performing floor with issues such as rapid loss of gloss, degrading of the epoxy, discoloring, stone shedding and most certainly costly, ongoing service and maintenance. To illustrate, you can buy a gallon of epoxy for as low as $20 or up to $100 or more. There are definitive reasons for the varying costs. Common sense dictates the cheaper the epoxy…the poorer the performance. NATURE STONE formulates and manufactures (in-house) its own proprietary, patent-pending epoxy specifically engineered for stone and epoxy flooring resulting in optimum performance.

6 7

3) Thickness Matters: For a strong, durable, long-lasting floor, the application should be a minimum of ½ to ¾ inch in thickness for optimum strength. Applying the stone and epoxy mixture too thin can gain more coverage and further reduce costs but can severely degrade the durability and expected longevity of your stone and epoxy floor. Make sure you know the thickness of the stone and epoxy floor you are buying.

4) The Necessity and Value of a Top Coat: A high-quality, non-yellowing and UV-resistant protective top coat is critical to long-term performance and should be applied immediately after the installation. The top coat reinforces the integrity of the top surface, which is typically weakened and diluted inherent in the installation process. Failure to apply a top coat allows for a cheaper initial cost but will result in costly ongoing service and maintenance. NATURE STONE recognized this issue years ago and, therefore, incorporated our high-quality protective top coat into our exclusive NATURE STONE flooring system.

Call 800-358-0583 for a FREE in-home estimate or visit NatureStone.com

Proprietary, specially formulated, patent-pending high-strength epoxy

On-going epoxy research and development

On-site, staff chemist for quality assurance

Epoxy formulated for specific applications and conditions (indoor vs, outdoor)

Become an Educated Buyer

8 9

We have seen more than 20 companies try and fail to imitate NATURE

STONE flooring over the past 15 years, leaving their customers with a

poor-performing product, costly service and empty warranty promises.

Unfortunately, because of unscrupulous competitors and their

practices, the stone and epoxy flooring industry has become

a “Buyer Beware” market. There is no building department

oversight, no permits, no standards, no approvals required, and

no inspections. So, it’s up to you to select the right company.

Many individuals who are struggling or have failed in their own business

(roofing, concrete, waterproofing, etc.) view the stone and epoxy business

as easy money and find few barriers to entry, with no experience required.

We have seen some companies use false claims by telling

their customers that they are NATURE STONE or that they use

NATURE STONE materials. Only NATURE STONE or their network

of authorized dealers can use NATURE STONE materials.

Don’t be fooled by other products that have been renamed or repackaged

such as polyurea and polyaspartic. These are thin, roll-down or spray-on

coating systems. Out of desperation, some companies who continually

fail at stone and epoxy installations turn to confusing the customer

by promoting these ineffective products just to sound technical and

knowledgeable. In fact, slight movement in your concrete, moisture or

even hot tires on your garage floor will often cause these products to fail.

It should be noted that NATURE STONE:

• Has installed over 12 million sq. ft. of authentic NATURE STONE brand flooring

• Served more than 45,000 customers since 1989

• Sells and installs over 2,000 new flooring projects annually

• Provides easy-to-use DIY products

• Offers warranty and non-warranty services such as free flooring inspections, cleaning, repairs and resealing

• NATURE STONE serves over 6,000 customers per year

When checking with agencies like the Better Business Bureau®

or Angie’s List®, remember to compare the total number of

customers a company has versus the number of complaints. For

example; a company with 30 resolved complaints but with tens

of thousands of customers reflects a much better record than a

company with few complaints but very few customers. The true

test of a quality company is how they respond to those complaints.

The owner and founder of NATURE STONE was a member of the Better

Business Bureau for more than 15 years, as well as having served as a

member of the Better Business Bureau Board of Trustees for 6 years.

Call 800-358-0583 for a FREE in-home estimate or visit NatureStone.com

11

• NATURE STONE flooring is the #1 stone and epoxy flooring company in the U.S. and Canada

• NATURE STONE founded the stone and epoxy flooring industry in Ohio in 1989

• NATURE STONE has installed more than 12 million square feet of flooring

• NATURE STONE has served more than 45,000 customers

• NATURE STONE employs trained, experienced and professional installers

• NATURE STONE maintains a fully staffed, qualified service department

• NATURE STONE is Ohio-based and employs more than 70 employees dedicated solely to our stone and epoxy flooring business…year-round

• NATURE STONE formulates and produces its own patent-pending epoxy...in-house at our Bedford, Ohio facility

• NATURE STONE flooring has been independently tested and meets or exceeds all appropriate ASTM standards

Nature Stone Flooring Facts.• NATURE STONE flooring’s

proprietary architectural specifications have been independently studied and written

• NATURE STONE flooring is environmentally friendly and uses FDA-approved materials

• NATURE STONE flooring products and services are proprietary and are only available through NATURESTONE or its network of authorized dealers

• NATURE STONE flooring is now available in 19 states and Canada through our network of trained, professional and authorized dealer network

• NATURE STONE provides a 10-year unconditional material warranty

• NATURE STONE is sincerely dedicated to the highest quality products and customer satisfaction

• NATURE STONE is singularly committed to the stone and epoxy flooring business and industry and to helping customers add beauty and value to their home or business

Call 800-358-0583 for a FREE in-home estimate or visit NatureStone.com10

12 13

How Much Does Nature Stone Flooring Cost?We wish we had a simple answer. It’s like calling a remodeler and asking how much it will cost to renovate your kitchen. Obviously, a cost estimate has to be given in person, when the many options can be considered and the existing kitchen conditions can be thoroughly examined.

The same holds true for NATURE STONE flooring because NATURE STONE flooring is not just a beautiful concrete floor covering, but in many cases is a perfect solution for ongoing, nagging concrete flooring problems.

As a general rule, the cost of a NATURE STONE floor is comparable to the installation of a good quality tile, but can vary (higher or lower). Pricing for basements, garages and outdoor areas can also be affected by the type and size of stone chosen, custom designs, patterns, borders or logos, the moving of appliances or furnishings and, most importantly, each customer’s unique concrete conditions… with critical factors such as:

• Required preparation of existing concrete• Removal of damp, mildewed carpet or moldy, peeling tile• Removal of failing or worn paints and other coatings• Surface deterioration, salt damage and cracking• Extra materials to level low or uneven areas• Condition and required treatment of expansion joints• Access to the area

With the numerous factors that can be involved… it is not only important but professionally responsible to physically inspect your area to determine a fair and accurate cost. Not doing so would be irresponsible and, quite simply, a wild guess...not a firm cost estimate that any reputable company could, or would, live up to.

In some cases we find that the concrete is unstable and not suitable for stone and epoxy flooring. In those cases, the concrete should not be covered but replaced.

We believe it is irresponsible to offer pricing without first knowing and understanding what is required to provide a proper, quality installation.

Call 800-358-0583 for a FREE in-home estimate or visit NatureStone.com

Warranties are important but are only as good as the company behind them. Many companies “talk” about their warranty but what they put in writing is often very different.

The old adage, “read the fine print,” could not be more appropriate here.

Most, if not every, competitor’s warranty I have seen are actually hidden, long-term service agreements that can cost a customer thousands of dollars over the years…especially those that offer or require an annual inspection. The purpose of that inspection is to SELL you service work. Some may actually require you to buy the service or lose your warranty.

Typically, “loss of gloss” is never covered and companies make a living charging customers for top coat applications year after year.

Because of our proven performance over 24 years, we have continually improved our warranty. In fact, only NATURE STONE offers a 10-Year Unconditional Warranty.

No Disclaimers…No Surprises.

The Value of a True Warranty

14 15

Beware of Low Prices

As the old saying goes, “If a price sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” There are companies who claim their product is the same as NATURE STONE flooring at “half the cost”. That statement couldn’t be further from the truth. Some companies may offer a cheaper upfront cost, but long-term it will most likely cost much more than the initial cost of authentic NATURE STONE flooring.

Half-price claims are not a “miracle.” Cutting costs is easy…start with a cheap epoxy, use less epoxy and more stones, spread the mixture as thin as possible, skip the top coat and provide a meaningless warranty with empty promises. Whether by ignorance, lack of experience or intentional, IT’S A RECIPE FOR DISASTER!

SNAP. CRACKLE. POP. Here is a simple comparison…if you were preparing Rice Krispies Treats®, what would happen if you reduced the amount of marshmallows that is called for in the recipe, added more Rice Krispies® and spread the batter thinner to get more? That’s right, they would fall apart.

While a cheap initial cost may be appealing, we have learned that most homeowners who are investing in and improving their home with NATURE STONE basement, garage or outdoor area flooring are not interested in using a cheap, short-term fix to cover up a problem and are usually sorry if they did.

When investing in your home, don’t sell yourself short and don’t be fooled…look for quality, value and a company you can trust. That’s why for more than 24 years more than 45,000 customers have chosen NATURE STONE.

Nature Stone’s Exclusive

10 -Year Unconditional Warranty

Unlike concrete, which offers no warranty,

Nature Stone’s exclusive warranty is

unparalleled in the industry.

NATURE STONE flooring is specifically formulated and

designed for application over existing concrete substrate.

The substrate condition is critical to a successful NATURE

STONE flooring application, so NATURE STONE flooring

should not be used in lieu of replacing severely damaged,

shifting, sinking, heaving concrete, and/or concrete that is

structurally unsound. A NATURE STONE representative

will physically inspect and make every effort to determine

that the existing concrete substrate is structurally

sound and in suitable condition to be resurfaced with

NATURE STONE flooring and upon acceptance will

provide the warranty listed below.

Any routine cleaning or necessary cleaning prior to any

repairs and/or top coating is not part of or covered by this

warranty and any cleaning cost is the responsibility of the

customer. Prior to any labor being performed by NATURE

STONE under this warranty, the NATURE STONE flooring

must be thoroughly clean (by deep extraction method)

and dry.

NATURE STONE flooring is specifically warranted against cracking,

adhesion failure, structural defects and loss of gloss as follows:

Buyer Beware: Many warranties for similar products are full of disclaimers and are often

nothing more than ongoing service contracts that can cost thousands of additional dollars.

Don’t be fooled...there is only one NATURE STONE flooring.

*This warranty applies to NATURE STONE’s corporately owned and operated locations. NATURE STONE dealers and franchisees

may offer a different warranty. Consult with your local dealer or franchisee for details.

The NATURE STONE Exclusive Warranty

Covering All Exterior Applications

10-Year Unconditional Warranty

On Material and One-Year Warranty On

Labor From Original Installation Date

Exterior Applications: The obligation of Ohio

Concrete Resurfacing Inc., under this warranty

shall be to provide the material only for the

necessary repairs, top coat or at the discretion of

Ohio Concrete Resurfacing, replacement due to

cracking, delamination or loss of gloss for a period

of 10 years from the original installation date of

the Nature Stone floor. Any required labor for the

necessary repairs, top coat, or at the discretion

of Ohio Concrete Resurfacing, replacement due

to cracking, delamination or loss of gloss shall be

covered for a period of one year from the original

installation date of the NATURE STONE floor.

No strings - No surprises

The NATURE STONE Exclusive Warranty

Covering All Interior Applications

10-Year Unconditional Warranty

On All Labor & Material From Original

Installation Date

Interior Applications: The obligation of Ohio

Concrete Resurfacing Inc., under this warranty

shall be to provide any required labor and

materials for the necessary repairs or top coat or

at the discretion of Ohio Concrete, replacement

due to cracking, delamination, or loss of gloss

for a period of 10 years from the original installa-

tion date of the NATURE STONE floor.

Call 800-358-0583 for a FREE in-home estimate or visit NatureStone.com

Reasons to Schedule an Appointment for a (Physical) Site Inspection1) The condition of your existing basement, garage or outdoor concrete

area concrete to be covered is critical to a successful application. Stone and epoxy can only be as good as the concrete it is going over and should not be used to cover concrete that is severely damaged, shifting, heaving or concrete that is structurally unstable. This should be disclosed at the time of the site inspection and cost estimate.

2) Many customers mistakenly believe that they can use stone and epoxy to build up sunken concrete and redirect water away from their home. Stone and epoxy flooring is a porous product that is designed to allow water to pass through it and will not redirect water. This should also be disclosed at the time of the site inspection and cost estimate.

3) Do not prime the concrete. Have you ever looked under your front door mat on a dry day and seen the moisture on the concrete, while the concrete around it is dry? That’s because concrete itself is porous and water migrates upward through concrete. That is commonly referred to as…hydrostatic pressure. Covering or sealing concrete with a primer, paint, tile, carpet or other coating will trap moisture between the surface of the concrete and the covering. This will create pressure and ultimately cause damage such as damp, mildewed carpet, peeling paints, tiles popping off and will most certainly breed mold and mildew and create that musty odor common in basements.

16

Authentic NATURE STONE flooring is specifically designed to create hydrostatic ports, which allow the flooring to breathe, releasing the moisture and pressure, eliminating the possibility of failure and the growth of mold and mildew, which is critical especially for basement and other indoor flooring applications. That’s why moisture, water and even flooding will not damage authentic NATURE STONE flooring.

4) Preparation of the existing concrete surface to accept the stone and epoxy such as a light grinding (dustless) of the concrete’s top surface, pressure washing (outdoors if necessary), removal of carpet, tile, paint or other coatings and sealers is critical to a proper installation. The proper bond to the concrete is the most important step. Cost-saving shortcuts should never be taken.

5) Expansion and control joints are in your concrete floor for a reason. That’s where the concrete movement and cracking is designed to take place especially with garage floors and outdoor areas. Covering those joints (especially outdoors) is risky. If the concrete is moving, as designed, then it’s logical that the same movement will crack the stone and epoxy covering the concrete. NATURE STONE recognized this issue many years ago and designed a special expansion strip that “bridges” over the existing joints and dramatically reduces the potential for cracking.

17Call 800-358-0583 for a FREE in-home estimate or visit NatureStone.com

18

How to Schedule Your AppointmentNATURE STONE is happy to schedule an appointment with one of our authorized NATURE STONE professionals who will provide you with a free, no obligation presentation, site inspection and accurate cost proposal. We are available days, evenings and weekends to accommodate your busy schedule.

There are 2 easy ways to schedule your appointment:

1. Visit NatureStone.com

2. Call 800-358-0583

We do ask, however, that all interested parties (spouse, adult children, significant other) be present for our representative’s scheduled appointment.

Having all interested parties attend helps:

• Simplify the education process

• Provides for a safe and comfortable experience for everyone

• Eliminates the possibility of feeling obligated or pressured to buy

• Ensures that all questions and concerns can be addressed at that time.

After a physical assessment of your existing concrete conditions and a discussion of your many options, we will provide you with a firm cost proposal and our 10-year unconditional warranty. You can be assured that your beautiful NATURE STONE floor will be a one-time investment in your home or business.

No other company or product can match the features, benefits and warranty of an authentic NATURE STONE floor.

Recognition

With generations of concrete flooring experience in his family, Mr. Masetta founded the company that created NATURE STONE in 1989. He has gone on to win the Weatherhead 100 award. He was also named a finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, and won the Weatherhead 100 award for Best Business Practices.

Mr. Masetta is passionately committed to his industry and the community. He has received numerous awards and quietly implements a charitable donation program which, to date, has contributed more than $700,000 to charities within the communities NATURE STONE serves.

Mr. Masetta has served as President of the National Association of Remodeling Industry, served as Chairman of Professional Remodelers of Ohio, is a past member and a Trustee of the Better Business Bureau and is proud to have served as a Grand Jury Foreman.

Call 800-358-0583 for a FREE in-home estimate or visit NatureStone.com 19

Call 800-358-0583 for a FREE in-home estimate or visit NatureStone.com

Cleveland: 15 North Park Street, Bedford, OH 44146 • 440-786-9100

Columbus: 5168 Sinclair Road, Columbus, OH 43229 • 614-840-9200

Youngstown: 1002 Fifth Street, Struthers, OH 44471 • 330-750-9350

Get Inspired!Visit a NATURE STONE showroom for ideas, inspiration and an on-the-spot

estimate (just bring photos of your floor and the room dimensions). Or, call for a FREE in-home estimate where an experienced NATURE STONE

consultant can assess the current condition of your concrete floor, discuss options, and then provide an accurate cost estimate.

© 2014 Nature Stone. Nature Stone is a Registered Trademark of O.C.R. Products, Inc. Patent Pending. All Rights Reserved.Lead paint certified

NS2374 7/14

“Like Us” even more on Facebook! Facebook.com/NatureStoneFlooring