EH Smith

Cast Stone

Architectural Cast Stone has been used for many years as a cost effective alternative to Natural Stone.

When comparing manmade cast stone products to quarried stone, three factors need to be taken into consideration: Time, Cost and Durability.

When making cut stone parts with intricate design work, such as a Corinthian capital, the same amount of time is involved in reproducing each individual part. When using cast stone, once the original design work is complete on the first stone produced, the time is dramatically reduced on all following cast stones produced. Because of the speed and ease of producing additional pieces, the cost is substantially lower as well. The diagram below shows the extensive use of cast stone in house construction.

Cast stone is more durable than natural limestone due to the process by which it is produced. By hand-forging each part, cast stone gains strength and durability without the air pockets that are common in natural stone.

Architectural designs can be reproduced in cast stone to create a wide range of decorative features to enhance new buildings or match natural stonework for sympathetic restoration.

Freedom of design – as Cast stone products are made in a mould there are few constraints on the designs that can be created in this versatile material
Compliment/match natural stonework – because cast stone weathers in the same way as natural stone, there is no problem using new caststone alongside existing natural stone.
Replicating of existing units – moulds can be created to replicate existing natural stone features where an existing building is being restored or extended
Match existing colour – new caststone elements can be produced in a colour that will match existing stonework
Added value to buildings – by the addition of attractive caststone features the value of the building can be enhanced by many times the cost of these features
Cost effective – caststone is very cost effective when compared to natural stone
Quality consistency – because caststone is manufactured under closely controlled conditions, a very consistent quality of colour and finish is assured

If you require more techincal information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us on specifications@ehsmith.co.uk