Why Use Natural Stone?
• When using cast stone, special shapes require
custom molds to be made at additional cost and time.
Cut stone is created by cutting and sculpting a natural
piece of stone to reveal your design.
• Cast stone uses added pigment and does not
reflect the natural color of the product.
• A common problem for cast stone is crazing
– a surface condition of small cracking that
does not affect the structural properties of the stone,
but does affect the appearance of the finished product.
• Cast stone can have problems with efflorescence
which is caused by the combination of soluble salts
and moisture in the produced stone unit. This also
occurs in brick, masonry block and concrete and can
be very unsightly.
• Cast or simulated stone requires a cure time
which can add to the order lead time.
• Life and aging effects of certain manufactured
cast stone product is not yet determined. Breakdown,
crumbling and general deterioration are typical problems
of aged cast stone products.
• Natural Limestone is more suitable than cast
stone for Green Design projects for several reasons:
1. The amount of energy needed to produce and potentially
cure the product is less than cast stone
2. Limestone has greater durability and strength for
sustainable design
3. Limestone has a greater ease of maintenance and
has the recyclable qualities of a 100% natural product.
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