By dealing directly with exporters in China, India, and Brazil, AlphaStone offers its consumers a wide range of natural stones including travertine tile and onyx.
The company originally supplied stone for commercial applications, but now it specializes in fabrication and installation of inlaid stonework flooring, becoming a one-stop shop for foyer floor designs.
"If the customer has enough lead time – eight to 10 weeks – we can order material specifically for their job. If we don't we'll have to see if we have it in local stock," says Jon Czyszczon, AlphaStone's director of operations.
AlphaStone designers create inlaid floor designs suited to the homeowners' foyers. Designers create rough sketches, then customers choose colors, styles and materials. Estimates are given for the proposed design, including labor costs.
Pricing is dependent upon material and overall design of the space, but common costs range from $15 to $50 per square foot.
Inlaid floors can withstand foot traffic, Czyszczon says, but he urges homeowners to use caution when cleaning: "The best thing you can use is warm soap and water and a very fine dust mop that won't scratch the surface."
For more information contact AlphaStone at 622-2068 or visit www.alphastone.us.