Naturally occurring color variations and possible surface irregularities that are normal and customary in many products are often causes of concern to buyers who may view these variations as defects and causes for complaint. If you have additional questions about product characteristics, maintenance and/or installation procedures, please speak with your Designer and she/he will be glad to provide additional information whenever possible. We want you to be happy with your new home and your decorating choices, so please read the following information carefully so you will be familiar with the specific qualities of the products you are considering or have already selected for you new home. Having this information will assist you in making decorating decisions that fit your lifestyle.
DISPLAY SAMPLES: The samples provided by Chateau Interiors & Design are intended only to suggest the product to be delivered and are typical of the average color, texture, shading and marking. An exact match between our sample and the installed product is not implied or guaranteed. The manufacturer's samples in our showroom will not be from the actual dyelot/pallet that will be installed in your home and will vary in color and texture. If you have asked us to order samples of any material for your personal use with regard to blending fabrics, furnishings, etc., please do not use these samples as an exact representation of the material that will later be installed in your home. All products are subject to variations in color, texture, shading and markings.
CARPET: During the manufacturing process, carpet is dyed, dried, and rolled under extreme pressure. Showroom samples have had the benefit of being handled, rubbed and brushed. In so doing, the yarn expands and reaches its maximum loft. All newly installed carpet can only achieve that same degree of yarn expansion after being exposed to the environment and vacuumed for a few months. We recommend that newly installed carpet be vacuumed several times a week for the first few weeks of ownership to help separate, lift and expand the yarn. This should be done using an upright beater-bar vacuum. This grooming will soon bring the yarn density and surface texture more similar to that of the showroom sample. Some carpets "fluff" or "shed," neither of which affect the appearance or performance of the carpet.
Note: Some vacuum manufacturers have restrictions on use with certain styles of carpet and those restrictions may be found in the literature provided by the vacuum manufacturer. Base grade carpets will fuzz and shed indefinitely, and vacuum bags will need to be changed frequently or risk burning out the motor.
Standard or base grade carpet does not come with stain protection. Some carpet comes with stain protection. A detailed brochure will be provided to you with respect to the type of stain protection that was applied to your specific carpet. Spills should be blotted up immediately using a white paper towel or absorbent white cloth. No carpet is stain proof. Please refer to the manufacturer's specific warranty for limitations. Failure to follow the cleaning guidelines will void your limited stain resistance warranty. Staining and carpet soiling are not considered defects. Periodic re-stretching of the carpet may be necessary and is considered normal Homeowner maintenance. Carpet is subject to color changes due to UV exposure and pollutants in the air. Direct sunlight will cause carpet to fade over time. Carpet may become slightly discolored around the perimeter of a room and at staircases, due to air filtration. These are normal occurrences and are not covered under warranty. Some floor mats, particularly rubber-backed mats, contain chemicals that can cause the carpet to discolor and should not be used.
Your carpet will be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended guidelines. Seams and footprints show in ALL carpet, but particularly new carpeting installed in homes lacking window coverings and furnishings where large areas of carpet are exposed to bright light. Seams are especially visible in berber, patterned and low pile carpeting and this is to be expected due to the nature and texture of those types of carpeting. We do not guarantee invisible seams; however, we do guarantee well-constructed seams (no overlap or gap).
Because many of the carpets today are low profile patterned and/or looped styles, and due to the thickness of the hardsurface products that meet the carpet, carpet may need to be ramped up at the transition. A gradual slope up to the hardsurface will provide a more smooth transition and is an accepted method of installation.
Carpet measurements are determined by floor plan layout and room by room variations in color and patterns. Design layouts with multiple carpet styles, colors and/or patterns from room to room, will result in larger left over pieces of material. We do not guarantee the size and/or the availability of the left over pieces.
CERAMIC/PORCELAIN TILE & DECORATIVE ACCENTS: Due to variations in heat and moisture content of raw material during the manufacturing process, variations in shade, shape and surface texture will occur within each shipment. This is unavoidable. Our samples, therefore, are examples of the average or typical color ranges and texture, and are not meant to imply an exact match. Ceramic/Porcelain products manufactured to imitate stone will show an even greater variance in order to achieve the look of natural stone. Production homes are built in stages, therefore, it will not be possible to use material from the same shipment for both counters/walls and floors.
Because variations in color, size, shape and surface irregularities are naturally occurring within each shipment, the tile installer will determine the exact layout of the material at the time of installation. Grout widths will be adjusted to allow for these variations, and the use of "tight" or "butt" grout joints will not be possible. The tile size, shape, and the jobsite conditions will determine the finished grout width, and irregular edges will result in irregular grout widths.
Decorative liners, accents and trim finish pieces are not manufactured by the same source or at the same time as the field tiles, so the same naturally occurring variances will be found in these pieces as stated above. These pieces are often very irregular in shape, color and texture and this is not a basis for complaint. Decorative liners, accents and trims will not line up with field tiles and grout lines. If available, trim pieces such as v-cap edges, surface bullnose edges, corner pieces, and quarter round trims will be used to provide finished edges to the overall installation of counters and walls.
You will be given a visual guide of the design and the areas to be covered with your chosen wall, counter and floor tile. Jobsite conditions and naturally occurring variations in materials and design, will require irrevocable decisions about layout, blending, placement of grout joints and grout widths. The technician will make these decisions at the time of installation based on training and experience working with the selected materials. Electrical placement is determine by building code and will not be moved to accommodate decorative tiles/liners on the backsplash.
Industry standards allow for some height variation from tile to tile, and such "lippage" is not a basis for complaint.
Cracks in the tile grout joints on walls, counters, and floors, are a common occurrence due to the settling of the new home. Grout cracks due to settling do not indicate faulty workmanship and grout maintenance is considered normal homeowner responsibility. Hairline cracks that may appear in tile or stone are not structurally significant, and are not considered defects in installation or product.
NATURAL STONE FLOORS/WALLS/COUNTERS: Natural stone is a product of nature, formed within the Earth's crust. Limestone/slate, travertine, marble and granite are among these. All have varying degrees of hardness and therefore some have restrictions in use for practical reasons. No two pieces of stone will ever look exactly the same, and this is out of our control. No stone will be "hand picked" for installation. Minerals present during the formation of the stone result in variations including color, texture, shading, veining, pits, fissures, and other natural characteristics. These variations and imperfections are accepted, inherent qualities of stone and will not be a cause for replacement. Epoxy and/or grout will be used to fill the pits, fissures and other character markings in the surface of the stone, and will not be an exact match to the stone in terms of color and texture. Fill popping out of the stone is a normal occurrence and is considered normal Homeowner responsibility.
Because color, shading, fissures and other characteristics are the result of the natural process that cannot be controlled, and because stone varies from piece to piece, the stone installed in your home will look different from our showroom samples and the stone installed in the model homes.
Tumbled stones are very irregular in terms of shading, size, shape, and the amount of holes and fill that may occur from piece to piece. Most of the time, the variations and characteristic irregularities of tumbled stone cannot be properly represented in the showroom samples. When grouted, some or all of the holes may be filled in more or less than others. This is the nature of tumbled stone products. Normal use and exposure to chemicals in water and cleaners may necessitate the replacement of the filled areas that occur in this product and this would be considered normal homeowner maintenance. The characteristics mentioned here are not considered defects, nor will they be a basis for complaints or warranty claims.
Due to their porosity and inherently soft qualities, Chateau Interiors & Design does not offer tumbled stone, marble, and travertine on kitchen countertop decks.
The material layout is governed by the actual size and shape of the stone, jobsite conditions and the exact dimensions of the areas to be covered. The technician will determine this at the time of installation. Matching or lining up of veins is neither implied nor guaranteed. The grout width measurement is governed by jobsite conditions and material variances. Because allowances must be made for undulations in the concrete, subfloors and walls, and due to the variations in the material itself, actual grout widths will be determined by the installer. "Tight" or "butt" grout joint widths will not be possible. Tumbled and "chiseled edge" products will naturally result in wider grout joints than the square edge products.
Industry standards allow for some height variation from stone to stone, and such "lippage" will not be a basis for complaint.
Cracks in the tile grout joints on walls, counters, and floors, are a common occurrence due to the settling of the new home. Grout cracks due to settling do not indicate faulty workmanship and grout maintenance is considered normal homeowner responsibility. Hairline cracks that may appear in tile or stone are not structurally significant, and are not considered defects in installation or product.
NATURAL STONE SLABS: Some or all of the characteristics mentioned above will be found in stone slab material as well. Epoxy material will be used to fill character markings and an exact color match to the slab is not guaranteed. Seam placement is determined by the size of the slabs available and the area to be covered, and is at the discretion of the fabricator. Invisible seams are not possible and small fractures at the seams are unavoidable due to the mineral content of the stone. Lining up of veins at the seams is not guaranteed. Seam layout may vary in location from the what is shown in the model, due to field conditions and available material sizes at the time of selection. If a smooth, flat, seamless finish is desired, please reconsider using natural stone.
If you have elected to purchase an upgraded slab, you will be asked to view the material and sign off on it at the stone yard. Typically there will be one slab for viewing in each crate, and this slab will generally represent the material throughout that crate. Keep in mind, no two slabs are identical, and variations in character markings will occur within the slabs in that crate. Please resolve any issues prior to signing for the slab material in the crate. Once the slab has been signed for and picked up for fabrication, all purchases are final.
GROUT: Grout colors will vary from the plastic samples on display in the showroom. Grout is a cement based material and therefore subject to shading. Shade variation may be caused by sun, temperature, food or chemical reactions, jobsite conditions, finishing techniques, water and/or soap residue, or the natural aging process. If a repair is necessary, it may not be possible to match the original or changed color of the existing grout. It is not possible to match floor grout with wall and counter grout as they are installed at two different times by two different crews.Chateau Interiors & Design, it's Subcontractor and/or the Builder are not responsible for shade variations within the grout. Grout sealants are not included in our pricing and are the responsibility of the Homeowner.
HARDWOOD FLOORS: Hardwood is a product of nature and therefore is subject to natural shade variations in color, grain and imperfections consistent with natural materials. Your hardwood floors are manufactured and installed in accordance with accepted industry and manufacturer guidelines which permit variations and natural characteristic imperfections. The use of stain, wax, filler or putty during installation is accepted as a normal procedure within our industry.
The pre-finished wood product you have selected will not match the cabinets or staircase components in the home, and/or any custom built-ins that may have been purchased. Do not expect a tabletop finish on the wood floor. Wood is milled from a tree and will have grain and color variations consistent with the grade and species of flooring selected. In spite of the term "hardwood," your floor will show scratches and indentations as a part of the normal wear associated with everyday traffic in the home. The finish that is applied will not prevent scratches and dents from occurring. This wear will occur regardless of the claims of a manufacturer or other representative regarding the durability of the finish. High heel traffic and furniture legs can be very damaging to a wood floor. Furniture legs should be capped with protective pads to help minimize the amount indentations and scratches.
Medium to high-gloss finishes will accentuate the appearance of dents, scratches, swirl marks from buffing and every day wear and tear. Runners and throw rugs may be needed in traffic areas. Areas of wood covered by throw rugs and furniture will age differently than the areas that are exposed to light and air. Areas of direct sunlight from uncovered windows will also have this affect. This is a natural process that will cause the covered areas to be a different color than the exposed areas, and is not a defect in material or workmanship and will not be a basis for complaint. Use caution when choosing rubber backed rugs or pads, as a chemical reaction may occur on the surface of the wood, causing the color from the rug or pad to transfer to the wood.
Wood Flooring will naturally expand and contract as a result of the changes in moisture content in the air. This may result in gaps between boards but it is a natural process that will occur throughout the life of your floor. The gaps will appear more noticeable in periods of dry weather or increased heat usage. Gaps are not a basis for complaint.
Water will damage your wood floor. Special care must be taken to limit the amount of water that comes in contact with your floor. For this reason, Chateau Interiors & Design does not recommend putting wood in high moisture areas such as bathrooms and laundry rooms. Should you choose to install wood in those areas, this will not be a basis for warranty claim. All wood floors exhibit some degree of height variance from board to board. This is considered a normal product characteristic and is not a basis for a warranty claim.
"Distressed" wood floor products that are made to look antique are expected to have dents, scratches, nail marks, variations in the finish from board to board, and many uneven boards. They are generally not "machine made" products and have a greater degree of variation from the samples shown and within the pallets.
Some wood floor products are required to be installed using the "floating method." Floating floors are not actually adhered to the sub-floor or slab, but planks are slipped or glued together. A floated floor, in addition to sounding hollow, will be subject to flexing when walked on. There are also a number of trim pieces that may be necessary on a floated floor in terms of transitions to other flooring surfaces and extra expansion joints. These characteristics will not be a basis for warranty claim. If any of these characteristics concern you, please ask your Designer to show you a different product.
LAMINATE FLOORS: Although laminate floor products are considerably more durable than hardwood, they are not indestructible and should not be treated as such, regardless of the claims of the manufacturer. Laminate floors are more resistant to stains, burns, and dents than carpet, hardwood or vinyl, but can still be damaged. Laminate floors are not easily repaired once they are damaged.
Your laminate floors will be installed in accordance with the manufacturers recommended guidelines. They are installed using the "floating method," please see above for information and characteristics of floating floors. If any of the above characteristics are of concern to you, please discuss them with your Designer.
SHEET VINYL: Sheet vinyl can be easily dented, scratched or gouged. Movement of furniture or appliances over a vinyl floor can easily cause cuts, scuffs, scratches and dents. Vinyl floors may fade or discolor from overexposure to sunlight or improper use of throw rugs and rubber backed mats. Please refer to manufacturers guidelines for proper care and maintenance of your vinyl floor.
CABINET/STAIR RAILINGS/CUSTOM BUILT-INS: As with all handcrafted materials, the final product installed in your home will vary from the samples seen in the showroom and from the model homes. Noticeable variations in wood grain and color are normal and to be expected. Humidity, temperature, light and oxygen all contribute to changes in wood products. The above characteristics are not a basis for complaint.
EPOXY GARAGE FLOORING: Your garage coating will scratch and is slippery when wet. Garage floor coating does not prevent the concrete subfloor from cracking. These cracks will show through on the coated floor. This is not a basis for warranty claim and is not the responsibility of Chateau Interiors & Design.
MISCELLANEOUS: In general, keep your floors free of dirt and debris by sweeping or vacuuming on a regular basis. Place walk-off mats on your outer doorsteps and at inside entryways. Remember to be careful with rugs that have rubber or plastic coated backings.
Although there is a waste percentage factored into the square footage of materials needed for a particular layout, Chateau Interiors & Design do not guarantee there will be left over material. The waste factor is typically used for cuts
|
