FAQ

Porcelain tile is generally made by the dust pressed method from porcelain clays which result in a dense, impervious, fine grained and smooth tile with a sharply formed face. Porcelain tiles usually have a lower water absorption rate (less than 0.5%) than non-porcelain tiles making them frost resistant or frost-proof. This makes porcelain ideal for almost all applications including:Pool tile, Floor tile, wall tile and countertop applications.

Natural stone is a product of nature, meaning it is not manufactured. Blocks are removed from the stone quarry and cut into slabs. They are further fabricated into the installation material desired. Our store showcases ledgerstone panels, stone tiles, flagmats, and flagstone all of which are natural stones. The beauty of natural stone is that each block is unlike all others, making all jobs unique and original.

Travertine is a calcium-based stone. It is produced by the deposit of calcium carbonate resulting from water springs and streams running through the stone. Every time a drop in pressure or change of temperature occurs, the water releases carbon dioxide. When the CO2 releases it creates holes in the stone. The natural pores are still going to be present once the blocks are cut into tiles. The amount of holes depends by how compact each travertine type is and it varies greatly by the type of travertine. The pores present in the tiles can be filled with a paste made of cement and pigments. It is important to note that these void spaces are a uniquecharacteristic of travertine tiles and are always going to be present to a certain extent.

Slate is a metamorphic rock that can be split in thin sheets. Slate is formed in the water of rivers/ponds from clay accumulating in thin, flat layers at the bottom of these waterbeds. Slates are softer than granite and therefore vulnerable to scratching and abrasion. Sealing of all natural stone is highly recommended.

A honed finish simply is a velvety smooth surface with little or no gloss. The degree of honing depends on the stone, but may vary from light to heavy.

A weathered, aging finish achieved when the stone is tumbled by various materials including sand, pebbles, or steel bearings. Tumbled stone may present chipped edges and imperfections created by the tumbling process. These characteristics give the stone more of a worn, old look.

A mirror-like, high glossy surface that brings out the color and character of the stone to its fullest, because it optimally reflects the light.

It is important to consider the originality and shade variation within natural stone because it is a product of nature. We try our best to provide several images of current shades and multiple images to ensure an accurate depiction of what you will get. Please keep in mind the wide variation in natural stone.

Yes, in fact it is recommended. Because mineral surfaces are quite porous they absorb liquids, which may result in discoloring and staining. Although there are many commercial grade products available on the market, which may bring the stone to its original luster, taking simple precautions and regular maintenance can save a lot of trouble and cost. With course of time, depending on how heavily the tops are used, the sealer gets washed out. The clear indication of this happening would be the fact that the liquids are easily absorbed into the stone leaving temporary (if promptly wiped off) stains. You should seal your stone products every six months.

Never use anything you wouldn’t use on your hands. Never use powdered cleansers or abrasive pads to clean your stone. Even "soft scrub" type cleaners contain pumice, which is powdered volcanic stone, and might damage your stone countertops or floors. Never use any product which is acidic; this includes substances like ammonia or many common liquid cleaners such as Windex. You should always use sealers and cleaning products designed specifically for natural stone. Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral PH stone cleaner available at retail stores or available in our online store. Use a clean rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently.

Most stones are porous and readily absorb liquids and moisture. Materials like limestone and sandstone are extremely absorbent, whereas granites and serpentine (green marble) are denser, but will still absorb liquids that are allowed to remain in contact with them for extended periods of time. The use of a sealer will help prevent staining in most situations. Even a sealed surface can stain if left in contact with a staining agent for a long period of time. Therefore, all spills should be wiped up as soon as possible, and coasters or napkins should be set when serving food or drinks on a stone bar, table, or counter top. Soft drinks, coffee, tea, and fruit juices contain mild acids and can etch the polished surface of a stone and stain quite rapidly. These should be cleaned off immediately with mild soap and warm water.

A sealer cures as a film on the stone surface. Since the material is actually covering the stone, the appearance of the stone surface may be altered by the application of this type of product. This material will provide somewhat of a sacrificial layer over the stone, and will absorb most of the wear on the countertop. Since the sealer is softer than the stone, normal use of the countertop will result in abrasion of the sealer surface and dictate reapplication to maintain the original luster of the surface. A properly applied topical sealer will normally reduce, although not eliminate, the vulnerability of calcareous stones to attack from mildly acidic solutions. General Precautions. When any surface protection product is used, care must be taken to read and follow the Manufacturer's written instructions accurately. This will provide the greatest benefit from the application and will guarantee safe handling of the product.

You can either call or email our sales representatives and we can help you figure out exactly how much you need.

Our sample ordering feature is processed/purchased in the same fashion as the checkout for orders. We feel it is necessary and important to sample out one full square foot of tile/stone or one 18” tile depending on the product. This is due to wide shade variations in several glass tiles, porcelain tiles, stone tiles, ledgerstone panels, pavers, coping, and decking/patio materials. All extra samples ordered once returned would be credited toward the order being fulfilled.

For orders placed by a credit card, your card will get authorized at the time you place your order. We will only charge your credit card once the order status is upgraded to "processing". That is when we secure your product from our vendor, or prepare your order for shipping.

Shipping time will generally be between 5-10 business days, unless your product is backordered, in which case you will be notified by phone or email. Different products ship at different times, depending on where you are located and what tile you order. Some products ship out immediately, and some orders need to be verified, packed, and coordinated to ship from multiple locations, adding to your shipping time. Our customer support specialists can provide you with detailed shipping and tracking information. Some tiles are special order and can take longer. Clients will always be informed of lead times that exceed ten business days. If it is going to be longer, you will be notified by phone or email and will have the option to cancel. If you are concerned about timing please indicate your timing needs when placing your order via email.

• Step 1-place order (calculate freight charge)
• Step 2-wait for confirmation of order
• Step 3-process order and have ship date
• Step 4-notify when material has been shipped. Including tracking information and freight instructions for customer.

If the product is backordered we will notify you shortly after you receive your order confirmation. We will advise you of the approximated ship date and you will have the opportunity to cancel or modify your order at this time.

It is recommended that you order 8-10% above the square footage needed. This is important due to cutting, tiles breaking and extra tiles just in case tiles become obsolete.

If the order is delivered to your home or job site, we give the freight companies instructions to call you prior to delivery. This way you are able to set an appointment time when someone will be at the delivery site to inspect the shipment. Smaller orders may be sent via UPS or FedEx and are subject to their rules. They will normally not call you in advance of delivery.

Tiles do break frequently during manufacturing, transit, and installation. This is why it is highly recommended that you order 8-10% more tile than measured amount. This is true whether you are buying tile online or at our shop. Any material that you receive from us which arrives broken can be replaced at no cost if proof of damage is supplied. The same lead times apply to replacements as they do to original tile orders, this is why overages are very important as they can help you avoid expensive/frustrating delays in your project.

If you are not familiar with installing tile and stone products, we strongly suggest retaining the services of a professional installer. C Tile Plus online cannot recommend an installer to you, please consult your local listings. However, for the DYIer there are several educational and informative youtube videos that are very helpful. Please contact us for specific links.

We recommend you schedule your installation after you have received your complete order. Though we make every effort to get you your material on or before the ETA, shipping times are only our best approximations, and delays may occur. Once a shipping company is moving your material, we are able to give you an exact delivery date. C Tile Plus will not be held responsible for lost days of work, trip charges, and miscellaneous Installation charges due to arrival time of material.

If you decide to cancel your order, please let us know immediately. If your order has shipped and shipping expenses have been incurred, you will be obligated to pay for shipping and restocking fees (usually 15% depending on the product). Special order items may not be cancelled.

all sizes of tiles on our site are based on the best information available to us from our vendors. However, with different countries labeling their items differently, it is very possible that a tile that is labeled a certain size may be off with a fraction (i.e. a 12x12 tile may actually be a 11.75x11.75 or 12.25x12.25 and still be called a 12x12 tile)Therefore, if the exact size is important to you, please have our staff confirm the actual size prior to placing your order.

Yes, all of our materials come from trusted vendors that have been delivering top of the line natural stone, glass, porcelain, clay brick, and concrete materials to us the past 30 years.

Tile and stone is ordered by the square foot. Note that it is necessary to over order than underorder due to frequent discontinuing, tile chipping/breaking during installationand backorders on tile/stone. The rule of thumb is to order 8-10% more than the square footage needed.

Unfortunately we have only 1 location right now. We are located at 1039 w. la cadena dr. riverside, ca 92501