Installation Guide

50
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What maintenance will be required down the road?
Because of the NextStone polyurethane formulation and its durable coating there is vir-
tually no maintenance required. NextStone offers a 20 year limited warranty. (see page
65)
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. (see page 59)
Q. How does NextStone compare in price to the cultured stone type products cur-
rently 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 la-
bor for installation by a carpenter vs. the cost of labor and material provided by a ma-
son. 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 be-
tween the tests as our 162 Test now calls this number the Radiant Panel Index. Ours is
191.13. In the vinyl siding world, 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 59)