Cast stone is a man-made masonry product that resembles natural stone and is used for structural and ornamental purposes. It was first used in the 12th century and became popular in London in the early 20th century. Today, it is made with chemical additives and plasticizers for durability and comes in a variety of styles and designs. Cast stone adds aesthetic value and structural integrity to buildings and garden features.
Cast stone is an artificial masonry product, a specially mixed architectural concrete that is poured to resemble natural stone. The material is widely used for structural and ornamental purposes, such as fountains, sidewalks, benches, birdbaths, walls, windowsills, keystones and hearths. It is used as a worthy and stronger substitute for cut natural building stone – slate, granite, bluestone or travertine – because the cast stone can be reinforced with steel rods, precision made to the builder’s specifications and mixed into a variety of colors.
The first known use of cast stone dates back to the 12th century for the lintels of the medieval fortress walls in Carcassonne, France. The first recorded use of cast stone in England was the ‘artificial stone’ used by Henry VIII’s brewer for Sutton Place in Surrey. Originally engineered as a thrifty and versatile alternative to cut natural stone, cast stone became widely used in London in the early 20th century, where its popularity spread to the United States during the 1912s. Cast stone eliminated the need to transport large sections of natural stone because it was easily made on site. Masons no longer needed to work on blocks of natural stone with chisels and hammers, because the pieces of cast stone could be shaped into any shape or size.
Before the addition of chemical hardeners and pigments, casting stone was composed of finely crushed stone and Portland cement, molded into shape and placed in a silicate solution to harden for several weeks. The material held up poorly, however, and new technology was sought for better durability and finer detailing. Today, chemical additives and plasticizers are added to produce a dry concrete product that resembles the good looks and superior strength of natural rock. The mechanical processes of mixing and tamping produce an evenly smooth and textured stone and a longer life. Manufacturers often have their own special recipe of aggregates, pigments, hardeners and casting procedures, producing a veritable rainbow of cast stone styles and designs for any project.
Cast stone building materials add aesthetic value and provide structural integrity. Garden features such as stone sundials and decorated walls offer great beauty and exceptional weather resistance. Bearing keystones in doors and wall caps provide support and a detailed architectural appearance.
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