FAQ

Here you can find some of the answers to the many Frequently Asked Questions, together with some useful advice about porcelain tile maintenance and cleaning as well as tile installation.
Please use the list of categories shown at your left to browse answers to many frequently asked questions.

Are GranitiFiandre materials “green”?

Yes. Our materials are made with 100% natural minerals, including:
- Quartz
- Clay
- Kaolin
- Feldspar
- Natural coloring agents
- Silica

They are also green because of what isn’t there.
- No sealants
- No waxes
- No epoxies or man-made binders
- No artificial coloring agents

Could a "green" building use GranitiFiandre materials?

Absolutely. Our materials contribute to a safe, healthy indoor environment. No man-made chemicals, epoxies, binders, or coatings are used that would release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into a building environment through off-gassing.

VOC – a chemical agent that can adversely affect the health of building occupants.

Off-gassing – the process of a gradual release of chemical compounds into the air by materials as the materials or coatings cure after installation. Collection of these compounds can have a negative effect on the health of building occupants.

What is the USGBC and is GranitiFiandre a member?

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) is an independent organization that is generally accepted as the leading source of green building standards for the US. They have established Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard practice guidelines.

We are a national member of the USGBC.

For LEED guidelines go to www.usgbc.org

Do GranitiFiandre materials contribute to LEED certification points?

Yes. Materials from our Tennessee production facility qualify for Materials & Resources Credit, 5.1 Regional Materials, if used in projects within 500 miles of Cumberland County, Tennessee.

Are GranitiFiandre materials LEED certified?

While LEED does not certify materials, our materials can help reduce the environmental impacts of building operation by delivering exceptional durability and low maintenance requirements.

Do GranitiFiandre materials have postindustrial waste content?

Yes. All of our materials contain a percentage of recycled post-industrial waste. (Some manufacturers segregate their raw material wastes to only one product in the company’s lineup.)

Post-industrial waste is any material left over after a production process. *

* Source: IIDA Perspective News magazine – Winter 2002

Do GranitiFiandre materials have post-consumer waste content?

No. However, since all of our materials are chemically inert, they can safely be used as stable fill for construction sites and ground material for road beds, which reduces the need for quarried gravel.

The durable nature of our materials makes it difficult to reclaim at a quality level necessary to be reused in production. To do so would actually require much more energy and natural resources than production of the original material.

Manufacturers of some materials, such as carpet, recycle post-consumer wastes back into a marketable product. But the environmental soundness of this process is questionable because of the high levels of chemicals, acids, and bonding agents required to reconstitute the reclaimed materials into a usable product.

Post-consumer waste is material that is reclaimed after consumer installation and use, then recycled back into new production. *

* Source: IIDA Perspective News magazine – Winter 2002

What does GranitiFiandre do with production wastes?

100% of our raw material and water wastes from our production process are recycled back into the production process.

How does GranitiFiandre monitor the environmental impact of its production?

Our Italian production facility operates under the strict guidelines of ISO 9001 product quality and ISO 14001 environmental production processes. (Our American and German facilities are currently seeking these designations.) We also hold the European Union Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) designation for exceeding minimum legal compliance and continuously improving environmental performance. Our environmental management system measures and manages:

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