Depending on the mix used, cast stone is often more durable than porous stones, such as granite, especially when exposed to freeze-thaw conditions,' she adds. Because these products are cast into molds, you can create multiples of the same piece at a lower price. Taller fountains are in demand too, with customers going for multi-tiered units 6 to 7 feet high,' she says.

'Two trends popular with our customers include Asian-themed designs and Art-Deco styles with plain, clean lines to go with modern architecture. 'Concrete is an ideal medium for creating themed gardenscapes,' says Janice Lucioni of Secret Garden Statuary, Seattle, one of a growing number of garden centers and specialty retailers sprouting up across the country to offer this addictive yard ornamentation.

While natural stone will always have a place in the garden, there are many reasons why concrete statuary is emerging as the newest outdoor art form. Plus, they can be reinforced with steel or with glass or plastic fibers to improve strengthen and inhibit cracking.Īdvantages of cast stone vs. Because the pieces are cast in molds under controlled manufacturing and curing conditions, they are more consistent in appearance and more predictable in performance than natural stone. Cast stone can be made from white or gray cement, and often mineral pigments or decorative aggregates are tossed into the mix to add color and variation.

Think of it as precast concrete taken to the ultimate level, with strength, weathering and aesthetic properties that often exceed those of quarried stone, depending on the quality of the mix design used. Concrete Statuary The Newest Art Form in the Garden By Anne Balogh, The Concrete NetworkĬast stone is a highly refined architectural precast concrete that can be manufactured to simulate nearly any type of natural cut stone including limestone, sandstone, granite, slate and travertine.

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