![]() Glass-fiber-reinforced concrete (GFRC) is a lightweight alternative to cast stone combining cement, sand, and glass fibers in place of coarse aggregate, resulting in a product that's only about a third of the weight of conventional precast concrete. ![]() With the inclusion of steel reinforcement in structural elements, such as columns, cast stone also possesses good tensile and flexural strength. It has a high compressive strength, excellent long-term durability, low water absorption, enduring freeze-thaw resistance, and good resistance to abrasion and dirt. As an architectural trim or ornament, high-quality cast stone is a time-tested alternative to natural cut stone. It's typically made of portland cement, fine and coarse aggregates (usually granite, quartz or limestone), natural or manufactured sands and high-performance chemical admixtures. That means special concrete mixes, such as cast stone and glass-fiber-reinforced concrete, are often used to achieve the best appearance without compromising performance.Ĭast stone is a type of architectural precast concrete that combines the strength and durability of reinforced concrete with the appearance of natural stone. ![]() Unlike concrete used solely for utilitarian purposes, the function of architectural precast concrete is primarily aesthetic. This unlimited design flexibility has made concrete a popular substitute for carved stone for all types of exterior and interior accents such as columns, balustrades, door and window surrounds, pool copings, wall caps, stair treads, sill caps, and more. Architectural precast concrete is also about as durable as natural stone, and is a much cheaper alternative.Īrchitectural elements cast in concrete offer all the beauty of natural cut limestone, granite or marble, but permit much greater versatility in color, finish and detailing. Through the years, concrete artisans have capitalized on Roman ingenuity by fine-tuning mix designs and moldmaking techniques, taking cast stone to a new level of quality and aesthetic perfection. This early artificial stone conceived by the Romans gave birth to modern-day architectural precast concrete. Classic Roman monuments such as the Coliseum and Pantheon were among the first structures to incorporate architectural elements cast in concrete. Not only were they the first to invent concrete, they also discovered-way back in first-century B.C.-that by pouring concrete into molds they could mimic the ornate architectural details of carved granite or stone-with much less time and effort. You've got to hand it to the ancient Romans. DreamCast Design and Production in Richmond, BC
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