Product Comparison

Product Comparison

Product Materials Comparison

Basis Cast Stones Architectural Precast
Definition High quality masonry building material simulating limestone. Masonry building material produced in larger sizes; can be visually comparable to cast stone with special finishing, but without special finishing more like concrete.
Design Made from graded aggregates, white Portland Cement, additives and color pigments Consists of larger aggregates from 1-inch to fine sands, additives and Portland cement.
Production Method Usually produced by dry cast method with very little moisture; compacting mix densely into molds. Wet Method used; mix is poured into molds. Product sets up in mold overnight.
Structural/Non-Structural This product is self supporting but is not structural. This product can be conventionally reinforced or pre-stressed to be structural.
Weight 132 pounds per cubic foot 150 pounds per cubic foot
Specification Defined under Masonry Division – Section 4720 of the uniform building code. Defined under Masonry Division – Section 4720 of the uniform building code.
Speed of Manufacture Multiple pieces per day from mold; higher production output. Usually 1 piece per day per mold; limiting daily production output.
Size Usually less than 4-ft. in length; depends on depth or cubic value. Can be larger pieces up to 20-ft. and can be structural.
Cost Usually the most cost effective. More expensive due to finishing to create close visual to cast stone and daily production limitation.

Product Characteristics

Basis Cast Stones Architectural Precast
Definition High quality masonry building material simulating limestone. Masonry building material produced in larger sizes; can be visually comparable to cast stone with special finishing, but without special finishing more like concrete.
Design Made from graded aggregates, white Portland Cement, additives and color pigments Consists of larger aggregates from 1-inch to fine sands, additives and Portland cement.
Production Method Usually produced by dry cast method with very little moisture; compacting mix densely into molds. Wet Method used; mix is poured into molds. Product sets up in mold overnight.
Structural/Non-Structural This product is self supporting but is not structural. This product can be conventionally reinforced or pre-stressed to be structural.
Weight 132 pounds per cubic foot 150 pounds per cubic foot
Specification Defined under Masonry Division – Section 4720 of the uniform building code. Defined under Masonry Division – Section 4720 of the uniform building code.
Speed of Manufacture Multiple pieces per day from mold; higher production output. Usually 1 piece per day per mold; limiting daily production output.
Size Usually less than 4-ft. in length; depends on depth or cubic value. Can be larger pieces up to 20-ft. and can be structural.
Cost Usually the most cost effective. More expensive due to finishing to create close visual to cast stone and daily production limitation.

Physical Standards

Product ASTM PSI (Min) Air Content Range Absorption (Max) Freeze-thaw
Cast Stone (Dry) ASTM C 1364 6,500 N/A 6% 5% Loss of mass or less @ 300 cycles
Cast Stone (Wet) 6,500 4% - 6% 6% 5% Loss of mass or less @ 300 cycles
Architectural Precast CSI 3450 5,000 4% - 6% 6% Not required
GFRC CSU 3490 1,200 (Flexgard module of rupture) 8% - 10% Similar to Cast Stone/Precast Similar to Cast Stone/Precast
Limestone Gr II ASTM C 568 4,000 N/A 7.5% Not available
Calcium Silicate ASTM C 73-99A Grade: NW 3,500 SW 5,500 N/A NW 18% SW 15% Not available
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