LEADING UK CAST STONE SUPPLIERS

Click here for an easy-to-use listing of leading UK suppliers of cast stone, provided by Archbone.

The appearance of natural stones such as Bath, Cotswold, Portland and York can be recreated as cast stone using a mixture of stone dust and natural aggregates with cement. In certain cases, iron oxide pigments may also be added to the cast stone to match existing stonework as required. Many architectural components such as columns, capitals, balustrades and porticos are stock cast stone items. Custom made cast stone products are also available.

Cast stone may be homogenous, or may for economy have the facing material intimately bonded to a backing of concrete, in which case the facing material should be at least 20mm thick. Untreated and galvanised steel reinforcement for cast stone should have at least 40mm cover on exposed faces and corrosion resistant metals at least 10mm cover. Most cast stone masonry units are designed to be installed with 5mm or 6mm joints and locating holes for dowel joints should be completely filled. Mortars containing lime are recommended rather than standard sand and cement. Cast stone should weather in a similar manner to the equivalent natural stone.

Cast stone is manufactured by either the dry cast or wet cast process. Dry cast stone is formed from zero slump concrete which is densely compacted by vibration. The process is used the the repetitive casting of smaller cast stone components, which can be removed from the mould immediately after compaction, allowing many units to be made each day. The wet cast stone system is used for the manufacture of larger units, which remain in the mould for 24 hours, and may incorporate anchor fixings and more complex reinforcement.

Haddonstone is a leading supplier of decorative cast stone. For example its standard cast stone range of balustrades is available in six styles: Flat, Part-Weathered or Weathered. The balustrade height can be increased using further cast stone blocks underneath the plinth. Haddonstone's cast stone range is based classical designs, so that buildings can be constructed in the style of a Roman temple or pavilion. Normally, Haddonstone cast stone columns are not intended to support structural loads; however they can be reinforced with a central steel member to achieve the required structural strength.

Bradstone is a leading supplier of cast stone for walling. For example its Rough Dressed Walling is similar in appearance to roughly dressed quarried stone. The four standard colours are Southwold, Cotswold, Weathered Cotswold and Iron Hamstone. Bradstone cast stone can also be supplied, to special order, in Brecon and Limetson Buff colours. Bradstone Ashlar Walling is a smoothly finished block of cast stone, which is suitable for use indoors and outdoors. It can be used in refurbishment work on old buildings, as well as in new build projects.

Stonecrete, based in Scratby, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, supplies a range of balustrades, edging, pier caps, coping, benches, and water features. The products are made from a mix of high quality white concrete and dyes, to give the appearance of natural stone. All products are frost and weather proof. Products may be bought online at the Stonecrete website.

Other useful links relevant to cast stone and cast stone suppliers:

UK Cast Stone Association

DETAILED INFORMATION RESOURCES ON CAST STONE

We recommend the following websites, with building product information including manufacturers' specs, standard specifications, and CAD details: Barbour Compendium, RIBA Product Selector Plus, ASC Bricsnet, Building Products Index, British Board of Agrément, British Standards Online.

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