Who is CCS Stone?
CCS (Continental Creative Sales) Stone is an importer, fabricator, and distributor of natural stone, engineered stone, and Glassos® products. It has been family owned and operated since 1963 when it was founded by Donald Mitnick in Paterson, New Jersey. He formed the company to pursue his passion for natural stone that was coming from Italy, Spain and Portugal at the time.
CCS Stone is dedicated to the highest standards of quality and dependability. It is the exclusive supplier of Glassos® Crystal White and Glassos® Nano White surfaces, the most recognized name in crystallized glass. *
The company inventories hundreds of materials including slabs, tiles and fabricates customprojects. The 40,000 square-foot facility has five overhead cranes - something's gotta lift those heavy slabs - and is equipped with a state of the art shop. It's an awesome experience to walk through the warehouse and see all the slab material in every color imaginable.What a treat for a designer!
What is Glassos®?
Glassos® is crystallized glass that mimics the process by which natural stone is formed. John Mitnick came up with the name after noticing the benefits of the product over the comparable marble stone, Thassos. The CCS factory in China supervises strict quality control needed to prepare crystallized glass to Glassos® standards. No company in America meets these standards.
Here are a few reasons why I chose Glassos® for my dream bathroom:
- It is less expensive than white marble and offers more durability. And who doesn't like a bargain that also outperforms the competitor?
- It's nonporous. So I don't have to worry about staining, scratching, or fading that other surfaces are susceptible to.
- It can even be used as an outdoor surface or kitchen countertop. It has ability to withstand extreme heat from a pan hot off the stove so it should handle my curling iron just fine.
Why CCS Stone?
Aside from being extremely well-versed in the world of stone, John and his team are dedicated to providing an excellent customer experience
- John took the time to look through my drawings thoroughly and even followed up to show his appreciation for the detailed measurements. This made for a seamless process of getting my order completed with precision.
- CCS stays up-to-date on the newest stone and fabricated materials. John keeps his pulse on current innovations and is a great resource for what materials might work for my clients' ever-changing needs.
- John invited me to visit the shop and was kind enough to pick me up from the train station. He welcomed me and made sure I enjoyed the tour. He is a great communicator and responds promptly to all of my emails which says a lot in this digital age.
What is your Stone IQ?
Let's test your knowledge on materials. Can you guess what each of the following is?
A. Carrera Marble
B. Porcelain
C. Indigenous Stone from Iceland
A, Thasos Marble
B. Glassos
C. Snow White Stone
A. Blue Bahia Granite
B. Blue Ocean Marble
C. None of the Above
Key to Successful Product Selection:
Research- Think about what you need in a surface and how it is to be used (kitchen or bathroom). Ask about the different material options and the pros and cons of each.
Hands On- visit showrooms with your designer to get samples. Get a big enough sample so that you can test the material for qualities like stain resistance.
Communication- Discuss your decisions and be open to suggestions. Make sure you have a professional/quality installer. It doesn't matter how great the material is if the installation is substandard.
Humor- keep a positive attitude despite the numerous mishaps and challenges. Enjoy a few laughs along the way...... remember that Rome - even with all of its quality stone - was not built in a day!
How did you do on the Stone IQ Challenge? Check your answers and let me know.
Answers to the Stone IQ Challenge:
B. Porcelain (new wave of great products, reasonably priced)
B. Glassos (amazing look and very very practical)
A Blue Bahia Granite (both beautiful and durable...but not as durable as glassos!)