  TERE-STONE® is a cast filled polyester material with an ultra-high performance Terephthalic Resin combined with Dolomitic Limestone, whereas similarly cast products such as cultured marble utilize a standard inexpensive resin with a calcium carbonate filler. As a result, TERE-STONE® is significantly stronger and denser than cultured marble and over six (6) times more resistant to thermal shock cracking or crazing in the bowl area. Similar to solid surface products on the market, TERE-STONE® maintains consistent color throughout the base material, but also consists of an "NPG" Isophthalic Polyester Gel Coat specifically formulated for water, heat, chemical, stain and abrasion resistance, including cigarette burns, providing a high-luster finish that is easy to maintain. - Vanity Tops with integral bowls that
will not crack or craze
During the early years the entire cultured marble industry was plagued with tops that cracked or crazed around the drain area. The plumbers were and at times continue to be blamed for over tightening the drain assembly. We became suspicious of the cause when we realized that on double bowl sink tops cracking or crazing always occurred on the "man's" bowl. We suspected the failure was from stress imposed in the drain area due to the hot water used during shaving and the cold water from brushing teeth. We designed and built the original test stand that would alternate hot and cold water into the bowl. This proved our suspicions that the cracking was the result of thermal shock and not the actions of the plumber. As a result, we realized that the industry was in need of improved resins, a primary ingredient, that could withstand the stress imposed in the drain area of the bowl. We also realized that the marble manufacturers would need to strive for improved products or the name "cultured marble" would become known as a low grade product. Robert Taylor and other concerned manufacturers banded together and formed the CMI (Cultured Marble Institute). Bob was honored to be the second president of CMI and was instrumental in the CMI performance standard and its inclusion into the American National Standards for Plastic Lavatories, ANSI Z-124.3. The CMI influence on the resin manufacturers resulted in many new and improved resin systems enabling improved thermal shock performance. Today there are numerous grades of resins available, however, the vast majority of cultured marble manufacturers continue to use an inexpensive, marginal grade resin system resulting in products of questionable quality. When the test stand was originally developed 500 cycle seemed to be a reasonable base, however there is significant evidence that products manufactured to this standard are still susceptible to thermal shock failure in the home during normal use. We have certified test results from independent laboratories attesting to no product failure after 3,00 cycles on our products. We maintain IAPMO listing and have our products tested by independent laboratories to the ANSI Z124.3 STANDARD as well as maintain active membership on the ANSI Z-124 Standards Committee. We are one of the few manufacturers who have a thermal shock test stand and continually test our products in house to insure and maintain our high level of quality. By 1983 the emphasis of the CMI moved from product quality issues to market-oriented programs. For this and other policy differences we resigned our position in CMI and abandoned our association with the entire cultured marble industry. Through many years of testing and modifications to the raw materials used and manufacturing processes employed, we developed a product line that became exclusive to Taylor Industries. In 1994 we presented our concept and product line to the United States Patent and Trademark Office and having shown compliance with the requirements of the law and the regulations prescribed were certified with Registration No. 1,930,914 for TERE-STONE®. |
