GENERAL QUESTIONS

• Q: Is Realstone natural stone?
• A: Yes. It is 100% natural stone.

• Q: Is Realstone more expensive than traditional stone?
• A: Realstone is lighter, installs quickly and easily, making the installed cost lower than traditional natural stone.

• Q: How much does the average Realstone product weigh?
• A: Average Realstone weight is 8 - 14 lbs/sq.ft.

• Q: What is the gauge ?
• A: Gauges vary between individual products, ranging between .5”-1.5”.

• Q: What colors, finishes and styles is Realstone available in?
• A: Realstone panel, mats and accessories come in a large variety of colors, finishes and styles. See your local dealer for samples or go to www.realstonesystems.com.

• Q: What is the stone composition of Realstone?
• A: Realstone is available in quartzite, slate and sandstone with inclusions of mica and other minerals.

• Q: Can Realstone be used for interior and exterior applications?
• A: Yes. Realstone is perfect for indoor and outdoor applications in a variety of climates.

• Q: Can Realstone be cut or modified?
• A: Yes. Unlike faux stone, Realstone can be cut, chiseled, and otherwise modified using appropriate masonry tools such as diamond tipped blades and masonry chisels.

• Q: I have a broken stone in my mat/panel. What should I do?
• A: If one of the pieces in your pre-installed RSS product is cracked or broken, you can use that mat/panel for an end piece , cutting the damaged stone off. Experienced stone masons also frequently enlarge the break between the stones to make it in to two pieces.

• Q: Does Realstone require any special maintenance?
• A: No, other than removing dust and dirt from daily use. Although not necessary, we do recommend sealing installations with extensive exposure to grease or soap for ease of cleanup.

USAGE QUESTIONS

• Q: Can Realstone be used on walkways and patios?
• A: Yes. Realstone mats are designed specifically for flooring applications both exterior and interior.

• Q: Can Realstone be used around fireplaces, fire pits and in outdoor kitchens?
• A: Yes. Realstone can be used on the exterior of wood burning, gas, electric and charcoal inserts following manufacturer instructions and local building codes.

• Q: Can Realstone be used in and around swimming pools and other water structures?
• A: Yes. Realstone will perform as any natural stone. Refer to our installation guide for instructions.

• Q: Can RSS mat products be installed indoor as well as outdoor?
• A: Yes

• Q: Can RSS mat products be installed on a vertical wall?
• A: Yes, vertical installation is fine . However Installer should be aware of extra weight of RSS mats compared to RSS wall panels. Installer may want to use durarock type screws to secure mats into thinset on the wall. When thinset is dry remove screws and reuse. If needed you can cut the mat in half and set a half at a time.

• Q: What kind of surface can Realstone be applied to?
• A: Realstone can be applied over most structurally sound surfaces such as wood, brick, stone, concrete block, concrete or cement board.

• Q: Can RSS mat products be installed outside on a sand base or gravel base?
• A: Exterior RSS mats are best installed over a concrete sub-base that is a minimum of 3.5” thick.

INSTALLATION QUESTIONS

• Q: Who can install Realstone?
• A: Find your local dealer at www.realstonesystems.com, for recommendations on cost and qualifications of local installers.

• Q: How do I install Realstone?
• A: Realstone is installed like tile however, it does not require grout joints. The panels and mats need to be installed with randomly staggered joints similar to hardwood flooring.

• Q: Where can I get a quote on Realstone installation?
• A: Find your local dealer at www.realstonesystems.com, for recommendations on cost and qualifications of local installers.

• Q: Whom can I contact with installation questions?
• A: Call or e-mail us at 1-866-698-5066 or at realstonesystems.com.

• Q: What substrates are required for Realstone installation?
• A: For interior walls only up to height of 10’, Realstone can be applied to exterior grade plywood. For interior walls over 10’ high, cement board is recommended. For Exterior applications, Realstone can be applied to brick , masonry block, cured cement, cement mortar or cement board.

• Q: How many vertical square feet of Realstone can be installed in one day?
• A: No more than 10’ vertical feet should be installed per day. However, any height of wall can ultimately be installed.

• Q: Are brick ties required for Realstone installation?
• A: No.

• Q: If pre installed RSS products get wet or soaked in water will it affect the glue to the point where they should not be used?
• A: Water will not damage the products or the glue used in the manufacturing process. However, the product should be completely dried out before any application.

• Q: How is Realstone applied to walls and floors?
• A: Due to its light weight, all that is necessary is the appropriate mortar for affixing Realstone to your surface. Please see installation instructions for specifics.

• Q: How are the seams covered up?
• A: Realstone products are designed for seamless installation. Following our basic installation instructions and using a skilled installer will ensure a seamless installation.

• Q: How long does it take to install Realstone products?
• A: Realstone is made for speedy installation allowing a faster install than traditional stone or faux stone depending on the skill of the install.

• Q: How long is the wait time on orders?
• A: Realstone maintains its own stocking facility in the US and Canada and order fulfillment centers filled with over $2M in inventory. We fill orders quickly and efficiently, with minimal wait times of 24 to 48 hours for stock orders and 8 to 10 weeks for custom product orders.