Artificial Molded Stone

Cast Stone or Precast Stone is an artificial product that simulates natural cut stone.  Cast stone can be made from cements, manufactured or natural sands, crushed stone or natural gravels.  A mixture of fine aggregates is consolidated into a mold.  They are colored with mineral coloring pigments.  Cast stone may replace natural cut limestone, brownstone, sandstone, bluestone, granite, slate, coral rock, travertine and other natural building stones.  Stucco stone is an example of an inexpensive substitute for real stone that is lightweight and can be easily applied as veneer on a wall.

Architectural cast stone materials are used to produce architectural structures and ornamental elements.  Precast moldings such as an Entry Door Molding or a Wall Trim Molding can look like Old World carved limestone.  Decorative molding such as baseboards and belly bands are used to cover transitions between surfaces or for decoration.  Horizontal decorative molding is used to crown a building such as the cornice over a door or window or the cornice around the top edge of a pedestal.

Precast Balustrades come in a wide variety of complex styles and shapes.  There are Fluted or Segmented Precast Columns in styles such as Tuscan or Corinthian.  There are fireplace Mantels of all shapes, sizes and finishes and styles.  There are Precast Pavers, Stair Treads, Wall caps, Planters and Pool Edge Coping.  There are Precast Gargoyles, Counters, Range Hoods, Table Bases, Lintels, Corbels and Finials.  Precast molds are also used for commercial buildings and for restoration work.

Precast molds are also made to duplicate natural cut stone. Artificial dimensional stone reproduces cut stone and is available in all dimensions from thick blocks to flat strips.  They may be long and narrow or square and they are formed to serve all requirements for building materials from walls to pavers to veneers.  For cladding purposes, the benefit of artificial dimensional stone is that it is very lightweight.  However, the “cut” edge cannot be shown because it reveals the artificial construction.