FAQ

WHAT IS C.E.E. COUNTRIES? (CEECs)

Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) is an OECD term for the group of countries comprising Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and the three Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

WHAT IS MDF?  (Medium-density fibreboard)

Medium-density fibreboard is an engineered wood product made by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibers, combining it with wax and a resin binder, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure. MDF is generally denser than plywood.

WHAT IS WOOD VENEER?

In woodworking, veneer refers to thin slices of wood, usually thinner than 5 mm, that typically are glued onto core panels to produce flat wood panels such as doors, tops and panels for cabinets, and parts of furniture.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VENEER AND LAMINATE?

In short, veneer is a thin layer of real hardwood applied to a less expensive material such as plywood or MDF. Laminate is a printed surface made to look like real wood, but usually made of plastic and bonded to a composite base.

WHAT IS KD?  (knock-down furniture)

Ready-to-assemble furniture (RTA), also known as knock-down furniture (KD), flat pack furniture, or kit furniture, is a form of furniture that requires customer assembly. The separate components are packed in cartons which also contain assembly instructions.

WHAT IS MELAMINE?

Also called direct or low-pressure laminate. It’s what you get when thin paper is applied at 300-500 psi on a substrate board. Technically speaking, melamine is the glue used to saturate the layers of paper transformed into a solid, plastic surface through thermal fusion.    Melamine is a long lasting and durable. The durability of melamine makes it a favorite for everyday use furniture.

WHAT IS STAINLESS STEEL?

Because of the unique ability of stainless steel it offers many advantages include its high corrosion resistance allowing it to be used in rigorous environments. It is resistance to fire and heat allowing it to resist scaling and retain strength at high temperatures.

Brushed stainless steel is achieved by putting the material through a process where the metal is polished with a sandpaper-like device and then goes through another process where it is softened with a non-abrasive pad that creates a rather dull finish as opposed to shiny and reflective.

Polished stainless steel is achieved by putting the material through a process where the metal is polished with a non-abrasive pad that creates a shiny and reflective surface.

WHAT IS CHROME PLATED?

Chrome plating imparts a mirror-like finish to items such as metal or steel parts. Thicker deposits, called hard chrome, are used in industrial equipment to reduce friction and wear and to restore the dimensions of equipment that has experienced wear.

WHAT IS ECO, VEGAN or FAUX-LEATHER?

Items that qualify as eco, vegan or faux leather can be produced from materials as varied as cork, barkcloth, glazed cotton, waxed cotton, paper, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyurethane. It is those last two materials that are the most common materials used for synthetic leather.

WHAT IS LEATHER?

Leather is a natural durable and flexible material created by tanning animal rawhides and skins the most common raw material is cattle hide.

Full-grain leather contains the entire grain layer, without any removal of the surface. Rather than wearing out, it develops a patina during its useful lifetime. It is usually considered the highest quality leather.

Top-grain leather includes the outer layer of the hide, known as the grain, which features finer, more densely packed fibers, resulting in strength and durability.

Corrected grain leather has the surface subjected to finishing treatments to create a more uniform appearance. This usually involves buffing or sanding away flaws in the grain, then dyeing and embossing the surface.

Bonded leather , also called reconstituted leather, is a material that uses leather scraps that are shredded and bonded together with polyurethane or latex onto a fiber mesh. The amount of leather fibers in the mix varies from 10% to 90%.

WHAT IS FORMALDEHYDE?

Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas used in making building materials and many household products. It is used in pressed-wood products, such as particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard; glues and adhesives; permanent-press fabrics; paper product coatings; and certain insulation materials. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

Why am I being warned about potential exposure to formaldehyde in furniture products?

Formaldehyde (gas) is on the Proposition 65 list because it can cause cancer.

Exposure to formaldehyde can cause leukemia and cancers of the nose, throat, and sinuses.

WHAT IS TOLUENE?

This product can expose you to chemicals including Toluene, which is known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Why am I being warned about potential exposure to toluene in furniture products?

Toluene is on the Proposition 65 list because it can cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.

WHAT IS RECONSTITUTED STONE?

Reconstituted stone is made up of real stone crushed down and bound with an acrylic resin to create a workable surface. Reconstituted stone is a high performance and low maintenance product that is beautifully engineered for modern living.

WHAT IS PORCELAIN MARBLED?

Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic tile, though it is made from finer, denser clay and is fired at higher temperatures. Additionally, porcelain tile can be printed with designs to imitate stones like marbles, porcelain is tougher, more scratch resistant than other varieties, and more durable and resistant to stains with normal household use and spills.

PORCELAIN CARE: Reduce the risk of scratching porcelain tops by having protective layer like felt pads on decorative items, avoid dragging objects, using unfinished bottoms like clay pots, dinnerware should be used with proper placemats AND all hot pots must be placed in a hot pot stand and never directly on the porcelain top.

PORCELAIN WARNING: Never place any HOT items, like Pots, Pans, Alcohol lame cans or any type of heated element directly on the tabletop as the temperature change will cause irreparable damage always to use a hot pot plate holder.