Natural stone, such as marble, slate and sandstone, has been a core construction material around the world for centuries; think the Taj Mahal, Palace of Westminster, the Palace of Versailles, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, for example. Weather-resistance, beauty, durability, and low maintenance contribute to the appeal of natural stone yet today, natural stone’s drawbacks are apparent. With sustainability at the heart of all modern building specifications and regulations, this material that requires time-consuming extraction methods, costly cutting and finishing processes, and where replenishment of stocks can be inefficient, is a great challenge.
Cast stone, first used to build a medieval fortification in Carcassone, France in 1138, is a versatile, cost-effective alternative which is also proven in some of the most iconic buildings of the world. It is a practical construction material which can be moulded into an array of intricate designs and, because each component, whether a coping, cornice or column, is created in moulds, it’s possible to create large quantities of each without compromising on quality and uniformity. Cast stone, which can be reinforced with steel and cast with lifting sockets, boasts a consistency which is ideal for high-end developments where a cohesive, luxury aesthetic is demanded.
Key to the imaginative designer is the fact that the versatile stone can be produced in a number of coloured finishes meaning that replacing existing features when preserving or extending historic buildings is easily accommodated. The material is strong with a good freeze and thaw resistance compared to natural stone and, whether the restoration is structural or cosmetic, high specification cast stonework can help bring historical architecture back to life.
Turning to the environment and sustainability, using limestone aggregates from local quarries over heavy natural stone imported from more distant regions, lessens the environmental disruption and carbon footprint caused by the intense excavation and transportation of natural stone.
For further information, call 01604 770711 or visit www.haddonstone.com