Connecting North America with exotic, exclusive, and exceptional materials.

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FAQ Categories

General

Are all your products in stock?

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Yes, we stock all of our products but the availability at each location varies. Please contact your nearest location for availability.

Can I buy directly from you?

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We do not sell select products to homeowners. However, we will happily help you select the slabs of your choice and work with a fabricator of your choice.

Can I buy my tile directly from you?

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Yes, you can buy tile and sinks directly from your nearest Cosmos SurfacesTM location.

Can I get a product sample?

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Yes, we are happy to provide you with samples when available to help you in the design process.

Can I select the slabs for my house?

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Absolutely! Natural stone varies from slab to slab so, we encourage every customer to come in and hand select the slabs for their home.

Natural Stone

Can we get a marble look in other materials?

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Yes! The closest to a natural marble would be manufactured quartz or porcelain. Click on Porcelain and Quartz to check our collections.

Do you have honed granite?

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Yes! We offer 3 finishes in natural stone – Polished, Honed and leathered. All products will not be available in all finishes, please contact the nearest location for availability.

How often do I need to seal my marble counters?

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The frequency depends on multiple factors like how often you use the counter, what products the counter is exposed to and how often. Marble counters will need to be sealed more often (every 6-9 months) compared to other stone types due to their porosity. There are no pre-defined timelines but, your fabricator/ builder will be able to guide you better or refer to the instructions provided by the sealer brand.

Should I be worried about Radon emissions from granite?

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No.  Studies have shown that the radon gas emission levels from granites are too low to bear a significant threat to the health and wellbeing of people. For more information, refer to these articles (https://www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/default/assets/File/consumers/graniteandradon1995.pdf) and (https://www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/consumers/radon/) published by the Marble Institute of America.

What are the advantages of using natural stone in my home?

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Natural stone products are one of kind and highly distinctive so, you would own something unique and very you. Natural stones are eco-friendly and release no harmful chemicals into nature during their lifecycle. They are low on maintenance, durable and awe-inspiring. Click Natural Stone to see our collection.

Quartz

Can I cut directly on Cosmos Quartz?

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No, you will ruin your knives. Quartz is much harder than steel and should not be used as a cutting surface. You must use a cutting board that is appropriate for your cutting tools.

Can I use hot pots directly on the surface?

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No, you must use a trivet or hot pad to ensure protection for any countertop surface from heated cookware. You cannot put hot pots directly on the surface. No countertop material is completely unaffected by direct heat.

Do I need to seal Cosmos Quartz counters?

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Cosmos Quartz counters do not require to be sealed.

Do I need to seal my Cosmos Quartz counters?

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Cosmos Quartz counters do not require to be sealed.

Does Cosmos Quartz come with a warranty?

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Yes, your Cosmos Quartz purchase is covered with an industry leading 10-year product warranty.

Tile

What is the COF rating on my tiles?

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The Coefficient of Friction or COF indicates the Slip Resistance of a tile. The higher the COF the more slip resistant the tile. This is the most important factor when selecting a floor tile for areas that get wet, such as your shower or bathroom floor.

  • For residential applications, a COF Rating higher than 0.50 is recommended
  • For commercial applications, a COF Rating higher than 0.60 is recommended and required to meet ADA compliance

The COF rating is usually listed on the carton of each tile product, on the product page or on the product tear sheet. You can find the tear sheet for your product in the resources section.

What is the PEI rating?

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The Porcelain Enamel Institute or PEI wear rating indicates the ceramic tile’s abrasion resistance or the overall durability of the tile against foot traffic. The rating scales goes from 1-5 and these 5 classes are explained below:

  • PEI 1: Lowest abrasion resistance. No foot traffic, wall applications only.
  • PEI 2: Low abrasion resistance. Light foot traffic like residential bathroom floors or wall applications.
  • PEI 3: Moderate abrasion resistance. Light to moderate foot traffic in residential applications like kitchens, bathrooms, dining rooms, family rooms and foyers.
  • PEI 4: High abrasion resistance. Moderate to heavy foot traffic applications like residential, medium commercial and light industrial floor and wall applications including shopping malls, offices, restaurant dining rooms, showrooms and hallways.
  • PEI 5: Very high abrasion resistance. These tiles can be used anywhere including airports, subways and grocery stores.

The PEI rating is usually listed on the carton of each tile product, on the product page or on the product tear sheet and is especially important in determining a product’s usability in a project. You can find the tear sheet for your product in the resources section.

What is the difference between Natural Stone tile and Ceramic / Porcelain tile?

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The major difference between the two products is that a ceramic/ porcelain tile is a manufactured product while natural stone tile is made from natural stone quarried from the earth. Ceramic/ Porcelain tiles are also easier to maintain than natural stone tiles.

What is the difference between glazed and through body tiles?

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  • The major difference between the two types of tiles is in their ability to hide/ cover wear over time.
  • In Glazed tiles, the glaze is baked into the top surface of the clay where the color of the glaze is usually different from the color of the clay. Due to this color difference, any chips or breakages to the top of the tile will stand out.
  • Through body tiles on the other hand, do not have a glaze and the same color runs through the body of the tile making it more resilient to wear over time.

What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic tiles?

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The major difference between Ceramic tiles and Porcelain tiles is in the way they are manufactured. Porcelain tiles are fired at temperatures higher than 1200 degrees Celsius resulting in a product that is superior in properties like chip and break resistance, stain resistance, and extremely low water absorption (less than 0.5%). Due to these enhanced properties, porcelain tiles and slabs can be used in showers, swimming pools, building facades and more.