When was Cast Stone Invented?
The history of cast stone effectively dates back to ancient Rome when pozzolanic cement was utilised. The use of this new cement with natural aggregates, and often natural stone, including lightweight pumice, and bricks from demolished buildings, allowed the Romans to form a structural material, also known as opus caementicium, for use where quarried stone would previously have been used such as in the vaulted arches and gateways of the Colosseum and for the large span dome of the Pantheon.
Cast stone was widely used in European countries and the earliest known extensive use of cast stone being used in a position where it was intended to be seen dates from around 1138 in the UNESCO World heritage listed fortified medieval walled city of Carcassonne in France. Lintels resembling natural stone were cast from natural aggregates and lime-pozzolan cement and used in the repair of the walls of the fortified city of Carcassonne.
What are the Benefits of Using Cast Stone?
Lightweight: Typically, cast stone is much lighter than natural cut stone
• Easy to manufacture
• Easy to install
• A vast range of shapes and sizes
• Available in a range of colors thanks to mineral coloring pigments
• Durable physical properties
• Superior in strength
• More cost-effective building material
• No variations or imperfections
• Improved thaw/freeze durability compared with natural building stones
• Requires minimal maintenance
• Steel components such as fixings and reinforcement can be included
as part of the manufacturing process
Three words sum up the popular use of cast stone compared to natural
cut building stones:
• Affordable
• Prestigious
• Versatile
Its popularity grew due to its ability to be versatile while maintaining
durable physical properties. It is often used to simulate natural cut stone
in many applications.
Cast Stone ages the same as Natural stone and handled correctly will
last a lifetime.
With the constant rises in materials such as marble and granite its
stopping the working person to afford, Cast Stone gives you the
chance, your words cast in stone to say goodbye or to celebrate your
loved ones life.
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