Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, June 13, 2007
George Jones, smiling and tiling for happy clients
He may have a famous
name, but in this neck of the
woods, tile -- not singing -- is
his forte.
For the past 25 years,
George Jones, a tile contrac-
tor and owner of Jones Ce-
ramic Tile, has been doing
legendary tile and stone work
all across Southern Oregon.
From small floors and simple
remodels to million-dollar
houses and mega commercial
work, Jones has tiled it all.
“I started in 1982, and at
the time that was just what
came in my direction,” said
Jones. “I’ve been fortunate
enough to have been reared in
old school fundamentals.”
Jones, who has had
plenty of time to perfect his
trade, has seen many younger
tile setters come and go, be-
cause they lack critical ex-
perience: a knack for the lay-
out and design process.
And, Jones couldn’t
agree more with the adage
“You get what you pay for.”
His best advice: “Cheaper is
not always better.”
He adds, “There are
many procedures to follow. If
it’s not done in a professional
manner, the resale value of
the home is hurt. There’s lay-
out, design and many steps
even in a simple project that
are all important to follow. If
even one step is missed, it’ll
affect the entire job.”
“There are no short-
cuts,” he said. “Everybody
sees the tile.
“People may walk into a
George Jones working on a shower stall in a home
being remodeled in O’Brien. (Photo by Robert Bazen)
house and not even look
twice at linoleum, but they’ll
stop and pause to check out
the tile and stonework, so it
has to be done right.”
Besides the benefit of
aesthetics, Jones said that
there are other added benefits
of installing tile and stone.
“If it’s properly installed
and sealed, then tile and stone
is actually pretty easy mainte-
nance and it’ll last longer than
vinyl and linoleum,” he said.
“Initially, it may be more
expensive, but it’s cheaper in
the long run, and it gives you
a higher resale value.”
And, in today’s real es-
tate market, Jones said that
tile and stone can sometimes
be deciding factors that help
sell a house.
“These days of a flat
market, sellers need all the
help they can get,” he noted.
“Buyers are in control and
will look at the house that’s
been upgraded over one that
just has vinyl and plastic.”
And, according to Jones,
“the sky’s the limit,” when it
comes to the type of upgrades
that he can install: granite,
slate, marble, glass block,
ceramic tile and travertine are
popular choices these days,
he said.
“I’ve been through many
eras of styles,” Jones contin-
ued. “It used to be that 4¼-
inch ceramic tile was the hot
ticket; now everybody wants
the natural stones.”
However, he said that it’s
important to know what stone
works best for what area.
According to Jones, for kitch-
ens, granite is the best choice,
because it’s a more durable
and harder stone. Marble is a
softer stone and is often better
in bathrooms.
Slate works well for
floors and is frequently seen
as kitchen backsplashes and
in showers.
“It’s very rewarding for
me when remodeling or start-
ing from scratch and to see
the product before and after,”
said the veteran craftsman.
“It’s very gratifying for me
and my clients to see the fin-
ished product,” Jones said.
Much of his work can be
seen throughout hundreds of
homes spanning from the
coast into Eastern Oregon.
His commercial portfolio
includes various Taco Bell
restaurants and convenience
stores, plus truck stops, hotels
and restaurants.
But Jones added, “No job
is too big or too small.”
For more information or
to receive a complimentary
estimate, Jones can be con-
tacted at 660-3252.
Advertise ..?
Sponsors for the new sign were National Park Service,
U.S. Forest Service, Oregon Dept. of Transportation,
Dan Hertler, It’s A Burl, and I.V. Building Supply.
A NEW SIGN designating
the northern boundary of
Illinois Valley Soil & Wa-
ter Conservation District
was unveiled and chris-
tened Monday afternoon,
June 11, at the top of
Hay’s Hill. The sign was
built by an I.V. High
School landscape and
design class. Among
those recognized was
Dan Hertler, who served
as consulting mason;
and Amy Fogg, IVHS pro-
ject leader. Kevin
O’Brien, district man-
ager, also provided sup-
port, as did bus driver
Sandy Madden. (Photos
by Scott Jorgensen, IVN)
C ONCEALED H AND G UN
L ICENSE C LASSES
Learn to keep yourself safe. Classes in personal Protection. Become more
confident. Superior training from handgun expert Rex Umsted. NRA Certi-
fied. Group classes on demand. Cost $35 per person for basic instructions.
Time involved 6 hours. Advanced training available to Basic class graduates.
Live fire classes are held at Josephine County Sportsman Association Range,
$7 range fee for non JCSA members. Call Rex at 592-2588 to sign-up for a
class.
Make happy those who are near, and those who are far will come
- Chinese Proverb -
Happiness is not so much in having as in sharing.
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
- Norman MacEwan -
A man awakens in the
morning after sleeping on an
advertised bed with adver-
tised sheets, and he’s wearing
advertised pajamas
He bathes in an adver-
tised shower or tub, washes
with advertised soap, and
shaves with an advertised
razor. He eats a breakfast of
food, juice and coffee -- all of
it advertised. He uses an ad-
vertised toaster, an advertised
microwave oven, and an ad-
vertised coffee-maker.
The man puts on adver-
tised clothing, and checks his
advertised watch. He then
drives to work in an adver-
tised motor vehicle; sits at an
advertised desk using an ad-
vertised PC; and makes notes
with an advertised pen on
advertised paper.
Yet this man hesitates to
advertise. He says that adver-
tising doesn’t pay.
Finally, when his unad-
vertised business goes under,
he will advertise it for sale.
Illinois Valley News,
newsroom1@frontiernet.net,
592-2541
Page 9
Cutting cooling costs with caulk
Warm seasons can be the perfect time to start home- and
office-sealing projects that keep in air conditioning, the heat out,
and energy costs down.
Gaps and cracks around windows and doors let air condi-
tioning escape, accounting for 25 to 40 percent of the energy
used to cool homes and offices, according to the Environmental
Protection Agency.
Choosing the right silicon caulk is important, and following
the lead of professionals can help.
For more information, visit www.gehomesealing.com.
(NAPS)
Providing natural, alternative medical services:
~ Diagnosis & treatment
~ Preventative & school sports exams
~ Women’s health
~ Life style recommendations
~ Natural & conventional prescriptions
~ Homeopathic & craniosacral therapy
Margaret Philhower ND
9335 Takilma Road
(541) 415-1549
naturedoctor@frontiernet.net
Linda Sallman
128 S. Redwood Hwy.
Cave Junction OR 97523
541-592-4541
Across from the new Home Valley Bank on Redwood Hwy.
Open Mondays - Fridays, 9 to 5
Auto - Home - Life - Commercial
“M ORE
A LL
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~
THAN
J UST
FENCES ”
TYPES AND STYLES OF FENCING
Outstanding Outbuildings
Custom decking and foot-bridges
Rock work, pathways & tile
Complete house painting
Landscape project labor
Metal fabrication
Professional tree service
Handyman services
O NE - STOP
SHOPPING FOR MANY
QUALITY SERVICES
Phone: 592-6014
Licensed - Bonded - Insured
CCB#157224