J. Aaron. Tab 1. Tab 2. Tab 3. Tab 4. Tab 5. Table Of Contents. Custom Wood Countertops

Transcription

1 Table Of Contents Why J. Aaron & Using This Book Setting Expectations Re-Order Program Product Information Designing A Wood Countertop Care & Cleaning Receiving & Installing A Countertop Terms Of Sale Warranty Credit Card Authorization Form Sample Kit Order Form Retail Price List Tab 1 Tab 2 Tab 3 Tab 4 Tab 5

2 Why J. Aaron Technology The most sophisticated technologies available including CNC cutting, water proof wood glues and the most advanced sealers in the world go into producing our countertops. Customer Service We pride ourselves on product knowledge and timely customer service. If an issue pops up we won t leave you to deal with it on your own and if it s our doing we ll fix it fast. Quality Products Above all, we produce quality products that designers and homeowners can believe in. We ve done nothing but make countertops since 2001, giving us years to perfect the product and process. Use Of This Book Use this book alongside our website. The website has many great photographs and videos to help describe our products in a visual way.

3 Setting Expectations For Wood Color The biggest complaint/concern we get is the color of the wood when compared to a sample. Wood is a natural product and WILL vary, and in some cases it can very a good bit. To eliminate this a stain can be used which will create a much more consistent coloring. Ask about our custom staining option if this is a concern. Movement Most people are typically familiar with a wood surface in the form of a table top. Most of these, even very high end pieces, are made of laminated plywood and veneer. They do this because it is very structurally stable. A solid wood countertop is different. It is made up of large volume planks of wood that can expand and contract up to a ¼ throughout the year. This can causes glue joints to have texture and can cause a top to warp if it s not properly secured to its base. These are all natural movements and are by no means defects in the top. Checks Solid wood tops can do what s called checking. This is a crack in layman terms. It s not a separation of a glue joint but a crack in a board. These are rarely major issues and can be greatly reduced or eliminated with proper humidity controls in the home. It will be especially helpful in areas which experience cold winters or have naturally dry air like Arizona. Field Joints Wood, unlike stone, continues to move slightly forever. This can cause field joints to be uneven, when compared to a stone surface. Damage Wood tops will get damage during their lifetime. Even the hardest woods are not as hard as stone so expect some scratches, dents, etc. Knots Some woods have more knots than others. When we put together a top we remove as many of these as possible but most tops will still have a few. These are part of the wood s character and are not considered defects. These may sound like bad things but they re really not. They are simply aspects of the material that can not be changed. Along with these limitations wood comes with many great qualities. Share this page with your customers though and make sure the expectations of the product are understood.

4 Re-Order Program Here at J. Aaron we understand that accidents happen and a top can be ordered incorrectly. We also understand that as a whole wood countertops are a higher price point product reducing the ability of a dealership to have sufficient mark up to fully cover the cost of a mistake if a new top has to be ordered. With that understanding, we offer dealerships the ability to re-order a top at a multiplier of.20 of MSRP. There are a few rules to this which are outlined below but we sincerely hope this helps reduce the overall anxiety of ordering a wood countertop. Rules The wood species, thickness or construction style can not be modified. We do this so a 3/4 thick plank maple top can t be re-ordered in 2-1/2 thick end grain wenge. A countertop can not be re-ordered with extreme size changes. An example would be a top ordered at 50 x 30, can not be re-ordered at 85 x 48. Only reasonable changes can be made. An example of a reasonable change would be a situation where the cabinets measured 24 x 96 and the showroom forgot to add overhang and need to re-order the top at 25-1/2 x 99 to add a 1-1/2 overhang to three sides. The incorrect top must be returned to us at the dealerships expense. Any extra square footage not originally on the order will be billed at standard pricing. Examples A perfect example of how this program can help dealership is if a top ordered at 96 x 50 x 2.5 is a perfect fit but the center line of the sink is off by 1-1/2. This can happen if someone measures the cabinet base and sets a center line for the sink but forgets there is a 1-1/2 overhang added, thus throwing off the center line by the 1-1/2. A second example would be if a dealership simply ordered the top with the wrong sink or range cutout. Questions/Comments If there are questions concerning this program please call us at or us at sales@jaaronwoodcountertops.com.

5 Product Information - Q&A HOW DO I GET A QUOTE? The best way is by going to our website s Get A Quote page. It walks you through the options and allows you to attach drawings, pictures, etc. For a quick quote you can use the retail price list in the back of this book along with your multiplier. Please contact you local rep for that information. If you don t have a rep please call us at Alternatively you can fax your drawings and countertop specifications to at Please include your address so we can the quote to you. WHO MEASURES FOR THE COUNTERTOP? That task falls on the local contractor, cabinet shop, showroom or installer. For simple island tops length and width will do. For more complex situations templates may be required. We accept standard templates made from paper, wood, etc. but prefer digital templates. Many local stone fabricators have digital templating systems and can be contracted for this service. WHO INSTALLS THE TOP? Wood countertops are quite easy to install when compared to stone or other solid surface so a cabinet installer, handy man or general contractor can easily handle the task. WHAT S THE TYPICAL LEAD TIME? We try to keep it down to around 2-1/2 weeks but that can change according to how busy we are, the wood species being used and the construction style. Pre-ordering can save some time. We strongly recommend the final measurements be taken after the cabinets are installed. While the cabinets are being made we can fabricate the slab which will be cut to size after the final measurements are taken. WHERE DO THE TOPS SHIP FROM? All tops are made in and shipped from Scottdale, GA, just outside of Atlanta. ARE THE TOPS CRATED FOR SHIPMENT? Yes, they are fully protected for a safe voyage. ARE THEY INSURED DURING THE TRIP? Yes they are, but be sure to read how to receive a top to ensure this insurance remains valid. WILL THE COUNTERTOP ORDERED MATCH THE SAMPLE? Wood is a natural product and will vary in color & grain pattern from one piece to the next. The simple answer is no it will not.

6 Product Information - Q&A IS WOOD OK TO USE AROUND SINKS? Yes. We seal our tops to protect them from water damage as well as using water proof wood glues. HOW DURABLE ARE WOOD COUNTERTOPS? J. Aaron uses all hardwoods so the surfaces are dense enough to take common kitchen use. Damage such as light scratching and denting should be expected and in fact add to the character of the surface. DOES WOOD HARBOR BACTERIA? Wood does not harbor bacteria more than natural stone or even man made products like Corian. Most woods are even hostile environments for bacteria, not allowing them to be present in any measurable degree. CAN WOOD COUNTERTOPS BE USED AROUND A RANGE? Yes they can. All ranges are designed with the burners far enough away from the countertop surfaces to virtually eliminate the chance of fire damage. DO WOOD COUNTERTOPS CRACK? They can develop small cracks or checks toward the ends of the boards. These are not related to the glue joints and are not considered defects as solid wood will do this naturally. They rarely become structural problems and if desired can easily be repaired by the home owner. DO WOOD COUNTERTOPS EVER MOVE OR CHANGE SHAPE? Yes. During different times of the year they will move or change dimension. This is a natural occurrence of solid wood. CAN I CUT ON THE SURFACE? Cutting on the surface will damage the finish and potentially put cut marks into the wood itself. If the top is designed to be a cutting surface order it with a mineral oil finish which is great for this application. CAN I SET A HOT PAN ON MY COUNTERTOP? No. We recommend using a trivet instead. You can damage the finish and/or the wood if the pan is too hot. ARE J. AARON WOOD PRODUCTS FOOD SAFE? At this time we do not have food safe certification but due to the nature of the product it is as safe around food as natural stone.

7 Product Information Sample Requests Samples are made available at no charge to the trade, though we do ask our retail partners to cover the cost of S&H. This can be done via credit card or check. We are very aware of the need for samples to be provided in a timely fashion, but do to the large number of possible combinations of woods, profiles and finishes not all samples will be immediately available. Please allow up to four weeks for delivery in some cases. Staining Wood Countertops Stained countertops are available upon request. To make a color matched proof sample we need a physical wooden sample to work from. Photographs, tile, stone, cloth or paint chip will not work. A cabinet door/drawer or floor sample are ideal. Please mail your sample to: J. Aaron LLC 733 Glendale Rd. #A Scottdale, GA Please know that due to the nature of wood and wood stains exact matches should not be expected and that the final product may vary slightly from the proof sample. Guaranteed Fit Program Are you worried that your countertop may not fit? There s no reason for that. For a $75 flat fee we will send you a foam cutout of the proposed countertop before the actual countertop is cut so you can verify the fit. The foam is easy to cut if you need to remove areas and easy to write on if you need to make notes of where additions need to be made. If alterations are necessary just send the altered template back to us so we have actual job-site adjustments to work from. So stop worrying, we won t cut a thing until you re sure it s right.

8 J. Aaron Designing A Wood Countertop The design process can be overwhelming at first glance but when you see the big picture it becomes a lot more manageable. 1. Pick a wood species. Start with color then texture. If the texture of one is ideal but the color is not we can stain the top to get an agreeable color. 2. Pick a sealer or as we wood people call it, finish. For the most part this will be dictated by how the end user will use the top. Cutting surfaces will need a different finish than a countertop surface with a sink. 3. Pick an edge profile. 4. Decide if a thick or thin top is appropriate. We can do anything from 3/4 up to 4-1/2. 5. Pick a construction style. This is mostly determined by the desired look but plank style should not be used as a cutting surface. 6. Familiarize yourself with the extra options available like a drain board or distressing. These are purely optional but can add both utility and character. That s it, done in 6 steps. Plank style walnut with Arno edge profile and satin varnish sealer Fax:

9 Design Options - Finishes 1. Conversion varnish Penetrates deep into the wood fiber but also coats the wood to form a permanent barrier. Scratch resistant. Water resistant (works great on tops with sinks). Stain resistant. Little to no maintenance required. Available in matte, satin, semi-gloss and gloss sheen. Easy to repair using Howard Brand Restore A Finish. Safe for food contact. Can not cut on surface. Available in matte up to high gloss sheens. 2. Monocoat hand rubbed sealer 100% VOC free. Penetrating wood sealer that protects from the inside. No sheen other than the wood itself. Water resistant (works great on tops with sinks). Stain resistant. Needs re-applied once every 1-2 years depending on use. It s not recommended to cut on, but because it s a penetrating sealer there is no coating to damage and knife marks can be sanded out and a new coat of oil applied. Safe for food contact. 3. Mineral Oil / Butcher Block Wax 100% food safe certified. Preserves the wood s natural oils but provides little protection against water or other liquids. Ideal for counters designed to be cut on or butcher block tops. No sheen other than the wood itself. Not recommended for tops with sinks. Can not be used on plank style tops. Needs re-applied 5-6 times a year.

10 Design Options - Construction Styles Wide plank style is a design-driven construction that is chosen to show off the wood s grain and beauty. Plank style refers to a piece of wood that is laid flat. You ll see all the nuances of the wood and the wavy grain patterns contribute to make plank style the most visual choice of all the construction styles. It is usually chosen to complement warm, rustic and vintage decors. This construction style should not be used for countertops which will be used as food prep areas. Edge grain is historically the choice for butcherblock food prep areas. In this construction, the wood is laid on its edge, providing a very strong surface with a clean, linear appearance. The wood surface tends to have a uniform color without a lot of visible wood grain. Often homeowners will choose this style if they desire a contemporary, classic look. End grain is yet another construction style that is very popular for butcher blocks, chopping blocks or food preparation areas. Here, a piece of wood is stood on its end and many 1-3/4 x 1-3/4 ends become the surface, which gives the look of a checkerboard. Some end-grain construction countertops are subtle, using the same wood species to form a tone-on-tone offset checkerboard, while others are more dramatic and use contrasting dark and light woods to form a very visual checkerboard.

11 Design Options - Wood Species There are a number of wood species to choose from. Domestic and exotic wood species range in color from the palest beige to nearly black and everything in between. If you re price shopping, start at domestic hardwoods like red/white oak, hard maple or hickory. They will be the most affordable. A few of the favorites are: Walnut (Domestic Hard Wood) Hickory (Domestic Hard Wood) Hard Maple (Domestic Hard Wood) Cherry (Domestic Hard Wood) Jatoba (South American Hard Wood) Sapele Mahogany (African Hard Wood) These are 80-90% of what we sell but we also work with exotics like zebrawood, iroko, teak and wenge. There are other woods out there, in fact there are several more that we can source so if you have something specific please let us know. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CHOICES If you re concerned about the environment (and who isn t?), there are a number of green options available. You can choose domestic wood from a responsibly managed forest or reclaimed wood from homes, businesses, warehouses or barns and giving it new life as a countertop.

12 Design Options - Premium Edge Profiles J. Aaron Torino Edge (2-1/4 min thickness required) Nagra 1 Cove With Bead Arno Large French Baroque Chambers (2-1/4 min thickness required)

13 Design Options - Premium Edge Profiles J. Aaron Stepped Double Radius Rustic Step Down Design Options - Standard Ogee Edge Profiles Traditional Small French Baroque

14 Design Options - Standard Ogee Edge Profiles J. Aaron 3/8 Double Beaded Round Over Thumb Nail Monaco Alpine London

15 Design Options - Simple Edge Profiles Eased (FREE) 1/4 Round Over (FREE) 3/8 Round Over 1/2 Round Over 1/4 Bevel 1/2 Bevel

16 Design Options - Simple Edge Profiles 1/4 Single Beaded Round Over 3/8 Single Beaded Round Over

17 Design Options - Extra Options Distressing We offer distressing on all of our wood countertops. We do a very nice job of this but we are also able to modify our standard look. This would include something like a request to do light distressing or to have no worm holes or even extra worm holes. We stress that this process is an art form and subjective, so always expect variation in the end product. In-Counter Knife Slots In-counter knife slots are great for tops designed to be chopped on. It is a custom feature so we can do one long slot, three 12 slots or fifteen 2 slots. Whatever the customer prefers. Custom Color Staining We can color match anything you can provide. This being said we need an example to work off of. Many times this is a floor or cabinet door sample. It needs to be wood not stone or plastic. In-Counter Steel Support Bars Great for designs that work better with no external support like a corbel. It is a 2 x 1 piece of U channel steel under routed into the bottom of the counter. It offers all the support a bracket would with a cleaner look. Drain Channels and Drain Boards Drain channels and drain boards add extra functionality without taking away from usable countertop surface. Easy to clean and a great addition to any counter with an under-mount sink or farmhouse sink. Hand Planing Hand planing makes for a surface full of texture and charm. Though there is texture the countertop is easy to clean and care for. We highly recommend the satin polyurethane sealer on these tops as it helps smooth the surface. In-Counter Trivet Stainless steel set down rods act as a trivet by keeping hot pots and pans off the wood surface. They rest in grooves and easily lift out for cleaning. Perfect for areas next to a range or oven. Bread Board Ends Breadboard ends are boards attached to the end of a wood panel via tenons. It s an old fashion way of making table tops and works just as well for kitchen island tops too.

18 Care & Cleaning Daily Cleaning To clean your countertop finished with varnish or Monocoat we recommend using mild soap and water. As a natural disinfectant a mixture of one part white vinegar to three parts water. Do not use bleach or other harsh cleaner. Maintenance (MONOCOAT) Follow Monocoat s recommendations of yearly maintenance by visiting their website at us Maintenance (VARNISH) No ongoing maintenance is required. To cover small scratches use tung-oil or Howard Brand Restore A Finish in the appropriate color. Maintenance (BUTCHER BLOCK WAX) In the first 6 months apply a coat of butcher block wax or mineral oil monthly. The two products are interchangeable. After that re-apply 4-5 times a year depending on use. What Not To Do Do not apply wax of any kind to the top. (MONOCOAT ONLY) Do not scrub with harsh products like Comet or Scotch Bright pads. Do not set hot pans directly on the surface. Be careful taking lids off cooking pots and setting them on the surface. The hot steam can damage the finish. Do not place or use harsh chemicals on the surface. Do not use steel wood on the surface. Small pieces can get into the pores and rust. Use common sense when cutting on the surface. If you purchased the countertop as a food preparation area then use it as one with no fear of cut marks. If you did not purchase it for food preparation you may not want to chop directly on the surface as it will leave marks. Now that you re up to speed on your new wood countertop sit back and relax, your new kitchen or bathroom is probably just about done. Enjoy, you deserve it. It is recommended that a humidifier be used to increase humidity levels in the space where this countertop lives. For best results a humidity level of approximately 50-55% should be maintained. Please note that areas with naturally dry air like Arizona or climates that use extensive amounts of dry heated air like Wisconsin in the winter should take extra care.

19 Receiving & Installation All crates need to be inspected before signing for them. If damage is found but can be repaired, sign for it but note the damage on the delivery receipt. If the damage is too much, refuse the package. It will be returned to us for repair or replacement. NOTE: Failure to note damage voids the trip insurance. Carefully uncrate the countertop and inspect it to ensure everything is correct and there is no damage. Pre-drill 1/2 or larger holes into the cabinet s cross members at locations that will be accessible from the inside of the cabinet once the countertop is in place. In most cases the countertop will only need screwed down at the corners but for very long countertops, 120 or grater, include a hole somewhere in a middle cabinet. The cross members can be wood or plastic depending on the cabinets manufacturer. In some cases there will be small plastic corner tabs with a pre-drilled hole ready to accept a screw. This hole should be enlarged to 1/2 or larger. In other cases the cabinets will have a full top allowing you plenty of good screw down locations. NOTE: For cabinets with fully enclosed tops cut or drill many holes in the cabinet top to allow air circulation under the countertop. This is necessary to avoid potential warpage. Set the countertop in place making sure all the overhangs are correct. Pre-tap the countertop where the screws will be placed. This is important to ensure the wood will not slit. (NOTE: Only necessary when installing a top made in the end grain construction style.) Use a good quality cabinet screw with a 3/4 washer to secure the countertop to the cabinet. There is no need to go deeper than 1/2 into the wood. DO NOT over tighten. You want the top to be able to move horizontally on the cabinet if bumped. This is so the wood has room to expand and contract in different climates. Without that room to move it will damage itself or the cabinet as the season changes and the countertop changes dimension. To see a short video on measuring and installing a wood countertop please visit our website at www. jaaronwoodcountertops.com. If there are any questions please call us at THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO KNOW: A wood countertop must have room to expand and contract as the seasons change. Without this room it will tear itself apart. If your installation situation is different than the one described here you ll need to think outside the box so the same end goal is achieved. The top must be restricted vertically but not horizontally.

20 Terms Of Sale Purchases All sales require a 50% deposit with the balance due in full prior to shipment. Open accounts are available if requested. To qualify for an open account you must submit at least five references with a minimum of five years of excellent credit history. Open accounts are due by the 10th of each month with a 2% finance charge added to all late payments compounded monthly. Accounts that run past due by 90 days will be put on a Hold status with all current orders pulled out of production until the account is made current. Open accounts must be paid via check. NOTE: Payments made in full via check at the time of order will receive a 3% discount. Prices Prices are subject to change without notice. J. Aaron will only honor our estimates. Quotes are good for 30 days. We highly recommend you request a quote for all orders. Change Orders Orders may not be changed in any way once production has begun. If changes are absolutely necessary, they can be made at an additional expense. Shipments All shipments are FOB Scottdale, GA. Shipments are sent pre-paid and will be added to the invoice. Once the shipment is received by the freight company the product becomes the sole property of the customer who takes full risk for all loss or damage incurred during transportation. All claims of damage or loss must be made by the customer against the freight company. J. Aaron LLC is not responsible for any damage, visible or not. J. Aaron will quote the S&H prior to the order being placed. This is based on delivery to a commercial address with a dock high. This is only an estimate. The costs may exceed the estimate resulting in a higher cost to the buyer. J. Aaron is not responsible for these added fees.

21 Warranty J. Aaron LLC warrants our wood countertops and table tops for 5 years against water damage, warping and glue joint separation. All of our countertops and table tops are made by craftsmen with years of experience using the highest quality products and tools available. They are designed for a lifetime of use and we are very proud of them. We are required to outline the limitations of our warranty but we strive to never have to refer to them. Exclusions to this warranty: Installation All wood tops need to be installed correctly. They need to be screwed down in a fashion that allows them to expand and contract without resistance. To learn more about this visit our installation page. Incorrect installation or inadequate support will void the warranty. Monocoat Sealer This sealer is extremely water resistant but does need to be properly maintained in accordance with Rubio Monocoat s recommendations. If this is done they will offer a lifetime of excellent performance against water and most common household chemicals/liquids. Natural Movement Solid wood countertops are not table tops and will change when the climate or environment around them change. Table tops are, for the most part, made from laminate and are in many ways more stable than a solid wood surface. Typical things to expect from a solid top are expansion/contraction, joint texture (you ll be able to feel the glue joints at times) and checks. Checking Checking is when fine cracks appear in the top surface or on the board ends. It is a natural part of wood and will occur at some point in the life of all solid wood countertops, not just ours. It occurs in the boards themselves, not the glue joints. Most of the time this happens in the winter months due to dry air and will simply go away in the warmer months. They are not structural and will never become too large or cause the top to crack in half. This natural aspect of wood is not covered in our warranty but can be easily repaired/filled using a wax crayon. To reduce or eliminate checks put a humidifier in the room. This is a great idea for all your wood from trim work to solid wood doors. It s even good for your leather furniture. Replacement If a countertop has to be replaced we will provide the product and cover all S&H charges. J. Aaron LLC is not responsible for labor or installation charges, or any other expenses associated with the replacement. Continued

22 Warranty Unfinished Wood Surfaces Along with fully finished surfaces we also sell Do-It-Yourself products and unfinished products. Because correct finishing techniques are so important to the product as a whole we can not offer any warranty on unfinished or DIY products. Other Exclusions This warranty does not cover products installed in any outdoor application. This warranty does not cover use for any commercial purpose. This warranty does not cover improper use or abuse. Improper use or abuse includes, but is not limited to, damage from mishandling, damage from excessive heat or uneven exposure to weather conditions, physical or chemical abuse and damage from improper care and maintenance. This warranty does not cover scratches. This warranty does not cover any chemical damage. This warranty does not cover any failures due to inadequate support for the installation. This warranty does not cover the altering of any factory applied finish. This warranty does not cover countertops finished with mineral oil/butchers wax against water damage. This warranty does not cover products that have not been paid in full. This warranty is not transferable. Routine maintenance and minor conditions such as stains, checking, shallow warping, and water spots that are a function of proper care and maintenance and which may be corrected by following the techniques specified in the Care & Maintenance Guide are not covered. This warranty does not cover product installed with known or visible manufacturing defects at time of installation, including but not limited to color variance or flatness deviation beyond reasonable expectations. No Risk 30 Return Policy If any defect both in the workmanship or production specifications don t meet your expectations we will be happy to accept your returned J. Aaron countertop within 30 days of your receiving it. Upon receiving your returned J. Aaron countertop, we will issue a full refund of not only the purchase price, but the original outbound shipping that was paid at the time of your order as well. Unfortunately we are not Wal-Mart so there are some things that are not included in this policy. Color will vary when compared to a sample and is not a reason for a return. Grain will vary when compared to a sample and is not a reason for a return. Natural wood character will vary when compared to a sample and is not a reason for a return. Distressing will vary when compared to a sample and is not a reason for a return. These are all natural aspects of the material and no one way is the correct way.

23 Credit Card Payment Authorization Form Sign and complete this form to authorize J. Aaron LLC to make a one time debit to your credit card listed below. By signing this form you give us permission to debit your account for the amount indicated on or after the specified date. This is permission for a single transaction only, and does not provide authorization for any additional unrelated debits or credits to your account. I,, authorize J. Aaron LLC to charge my credit card for a total amount of. Invoice Number (Optional) Billing Address: Phone #: Note: We do not accept American Express Cardholder Name: Account Number: Expiration Date: CVV2 (3 Digit # on back of card): Signature Date I authorize the above named business to charge the credit card indicated in this authorization form according to the terms outlined above. This payment is for the goods/services described above, for the total amount indicated above only, & is valid for one time use only. I certify that I am an authorized user of this credit card & that I will not dispute the payment with my credit card company; so long as the transaction corresponds to the terms indicated in this form.

24 Sample Kit Order Form What s Included 1. Ten 5 x 7 wood samples. The samples are random in species, finish and edge profile. If there is a specific sample you would like included please list it here. 2. Product binder. 3. Brochures. 4. Wood box to store and display the samples in. Your Information Name: Company: Shipping Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: Fax: Website: address: Would you like to be listed as a dealer on our website: YES NO Cost Each kit is $90.00 plus the cost of S&H. Once you ve submitted your order an invoice will be sent you with a link to pay online using any major credit card. NOTE: For boxes with specific sample request there can be a lead time of up to 4 weeks.