Cast stone is a versatile and cost-effective alternative to natural stone. Judicious use of cast stone can transform a property's character and, because it is manmade, cast stone offers architects a level of design freedom that is not available from natural stone. The following are just ten of the many reasons to specify cast stone.

1 - Save money
Cast stone is extremely cost-effective in comparison with natural quarried stone, especially where repetitive work is concerned or where standard items are specified from a supplier's catalogue.

2 - Save time
Cast stone can be delivered to site on agreed schedules with relatively short lead times. In contrast, natural stone can have long and uncertain lead times.

3 - Reduce project risk
Provided a reputable supplier is used, cast stone is manufactured in a factory environment in accordance with strict quality assurance procedures. Such cast stone units are therefore of a known quality with highly reliable deliveries - all of which helps to reduce project risk and keep schedules on target.

4 - Design freedom
Almost any three-dimensional geometric form can be cast, allowing architects to

design elegant curves as well as straight-edged features. Additional details can also be incorporated into the surface, such as brick effects or channels, and the edges of units can be square, bevelled or radiused. Furthermore, a variety of surface finishes and textures can be achieved. Cast stone can complement brickwork, natural stone, or rendering.

5 - Add value to residential developments
Recent surveys have indicated that cast stone makes residential developments more attractive to prospective purchasers to the extent that they would be prepared to pay significantly more for a property with cast stone exterior features than they would for a comparable property without them. And because the cast stone features add almost nothing to the build cost, the opportunity for developers to increase profit margins is very attractive.

6 - Add style to prestigious developments
Cast stone is a very effective way to add style to prestigious developments. Features such as arches, balustrades, bullseyes, copings, cornices, porticos, steps, and window and door surrounds can be selected from a catalogue or manufactured to an architect's designs.

7 - Replicate existing features
Because cast stone weathers in the same way as natural stone, there is no problem with installing new cast stone units alongside existing natural stone. Cast stone can therefore be used during the refurbishment of older properties or for extensions or alterations.

8 - Colour matching
Standard colours are available to match natural stone such as York stone, Bathstone, Red Sandstone or Portland stone, while non-standard colours can also be produced to meet a client's specific requirements.

9 - Ease of handling
While a degree of care is required for site handling of cast stone units - and reputable suppliers will provide handling guidelines on request - larger cast stone units can have features cast in place to facilitate mechanised lifting. This simplifies site handling and minimises the risk of damage to the units and injury to the operatives.

10 - A free guide to cast stone
Procter Caststone manufactures and supplies high-quality bespoke and standard cast stone products for projects throughout the UK, and has built up a reputation for exceptional standards of customer service. The company's cast stone products are used for a very wide range of residential, retail, religious, self-build, ornamental and restoration applications. To assist in the process of specifying cast stone products, Procter has published an Architects' Guide to Cast Stone, is available as a PDF file free of charge on request or it can be downloaded from the company's website.

For more information about bespoke and standard cast stone products, please call 0113 286 3329, email news@proctergarforth.co.uk