Cast Stone

is a unique form of cast limestone with a surface texture similar to Portland stone. In a number of important ways Haddonstone cast stone is markedly superior, one of its greatest advantages being price, which, piece for piece, is normally significantly less than that of quarried stone or natural stone.

Complementing the surface finish of our renowned dry-cast stone product is TecStone, a denser material with a smoother finish to meet demanding design and performance criteria. Haddonstone has identified the exacting requirements of its customers, both private and professional, and an ongoing research and development programme ensures that the highest standards are maintained. The illustrations, technical information and data contained on this website, to Haddonstone’s best knowledge, were correct at the time publication. The right to change specifications at any time, without notice, is reserved as part of a policy of continuous development and improvement.

Haddonstone is a founder member of the United Kingdom Cast Stone Association (UKCSA). The United Kingdom Cast Stone Association defines strict levels of cast stone technical performance, which are set out in the UKCSA Technical Manual, with which all UKCSA members comply.
Haddonstone’s minimum cast stone cube compressive strength at 28 days is greater than 35MPa, whilst TecStone’s is greater than 45 MPa ~ both cast stone materials therefore exceed the requirements of the UKCSA specification and comply with the requirements of BS1217: 2008, BS5642: 1983(2014) and BS EN 13198: 2003. In addition, TecStone — a denser material with a smoother finish to meet demanding design and performance criteria — also exceeds the requirements of ASTM C1364 Standard Specification for Architectural Cast Stone in the United States of America. As part of Haddonstone’s Quality Assurance procedures, the materials are regularly tested both in the company’s own laboratory and by recognised independent laboratories. Thus, customers may have every confidence that the quality and durability of Haddonstone, TecStone and TecLite materials will meet their needs.
With careful handling, the Haddonstone cast stone material itself needs no special maintenance as long as it is not exposed to extreme conditions. For example, it is recommended that in very hot weather a planted cast stone garden ornament should be watered only in the early morning or cool evening. Likewise, in freezing conditions, cast stone fountain bowls should be emptied. The cast stonework is less susceptible to the detrimental effects of weathering, which can damage the laminated structure of quarried stone or natural stone, and can be aesthetically more pleasing as it often matures and develops character much earlier. Like quarried stone or natural stone, Haddonstone can exhibit slight shade variations from piece to piece, reflecting the colour of the natural materials used in the cast stone production process. Customers should also be aware that natural dyes in composts containing coconut husk, coir and peat can produce a brown staining which is very difficult to remove.

When cast stone planters are used in interior settings, a liner should be used as planters are made with drainage holes and the material has natural porosity. When interior architectural stonework is used in public areas it is advisable to seal the surface of the stonework with a clear sealer. Efflorescence, also known as lime bloom, may appear as a white deposit on the surface of any product containing cement or limestone. This is temporary and will disappear as a result of normal weathering, or may be removed with a proprietary acid washing agent. Under certain exceptional conditions a hairline fissure may occur in the surface of the product, a characteristic of any material using a cementitious binder. In normal circumstances, this will have no effect on the structural integrity of the piece.

All cast-in fixings and reinforcement used by Haddonstone during the production process are non-ferrous, usually stainless steel.

Artificial stone, or cast stone as it is most commonly called today, has a long and illustrious history that intertwines with the great boom in classically inspired country house building from the eighteenth century onwards. There have been more imitations of stone than of any other natural building material. Artificial stone is referred to by many different names, including: art stone, simulated stone, substitute stone, faux stone, manufactured stone, reconstructed stone, reconstituted stone, composite stone, fabricated stone, patent stone, composition stone, cement fondue, cast stone, even terracotta and concrete. The history of cast stone, artificial stone, art stone, faux stone, manufactured stone, reconstituted stone, composite stone and concrete is detailed in Simon Scott’s book called “Artificial Stone: a successful substitute for natural stone?”`

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