Taller fountains are in demand too, with customers going for multi-tiered units 6 to 7 feet high," she says. "Two trends popular with our customers include Asian-themed designs and Art-Deco styles with plain, clean lines to go with modern architecture. "Concrete is an ideal medium for creating themed gardenscapes," says Janice Lucioni of Secret Garden Statuary, Seattle, one of a growing number of garden centers and specialty retailers sprouting up across the country to offer this addictive yard ornamentation. While natural stone will always have a place in the garden, there are many reasons why concrete statuary is emerging as the newest outdoor art form. Plus, they can be reinforced with steel or with glass or plastic fibers to improve strengthen and inhibit cracking.Īdvantages of cast stone vs. Because the pieces are cast in molds under controlled manufacturing and curing conditions, they are more consistent in appearance and more predictable in performance than natural stone. Cast stone can be made from white or gray cement, and often mineral pigments or decorative aggregates are tossed into the mix to add color and variation. Think of it as precast concrete taken to the ultimate level, with strength, weathering and aesthetic properties that often exceed those of quarried stone, depending on the quality of the mix design used. Kitchen and bath countertops in today's luxury homes must be more than beautiful.Concrete Statuary The Newest Art Form in the Garden By Anne Balogh, The Concrete NetworkĬast stone is a highly refined architectural precast concrete that can be manufactured to simulate nearly any type of natural cut stone including limestone, sandstone, granite, slate and travertine. They also need to be durable and easy to maintain. While many people have chosen limestone, marble, or granite countertops in years past, a better option is now available. Quartz countertops are elegant, durable, easier to maintain, and often less expensive. Quartz is a material that can closely resemble other types of natural stone. However, while marble, granite, and limestone make beautiful natural stone surfaces for counters, they also have some significant drawbacks.Ĭountertops made from these stones are costly, porous, and prone to staining if proper maintenance and care aren't given. These materials are also easily scratched, scuffed, and chipped. Quartz countertops for kitchens and baths that mimic those stones deliver the performance, beauty, durability, and style that today's multifunctional kitchens demand. If you're interested in using quartz countertops instead of granite, limestone, or marble, consider these products from MSI Surfaces. Granite-Look Quartz CountertopsĪlthough granite is a beautiful natural stone in its own right, as a countertop material, it has a few drawbacks that quartz doesn't. Although durable, granite countertops can be prone to chipping more than other materials. A poorly sealed granite counter can harbor bacteria and soak up wine, juice, and other staining liquids. One granite-look countertop material to consider is Chantilly Taupe Quartz. Just as granite has an overall warm aesthetic when used as a countertop, so does Chantilly Taupe. It features grey, taupe, and beige sweeps as dramatic as those found in granite. ![]() ![]() In addition to countertops, it's also often used for:Īnother granite-look countertop option is Pacific Salt Quartz. While Chantilly Taupe features dramatic movement, Pacific Salt is reminiscent of the high movement that natural stone offers. ![]() It features a soft creamy background that contrasts with its tan and dark gray swirls. Thanks to the inviting blend of quartz colors in Pacific Salt, this granite look-alike material is one of the most versatile and works with any design style. It's available in 2cm and 3cm slabs and prefabricated options, giving you ultimate flexibility in design choices. Limestone, although gorgeous, is a sensitive material that requires more maintenance and upkeep than granite and marble. It can scratch easily and stain if it's not properly cared for.Ĭoncerto Quartz may be just what you have in mind if you're looking for a stunning alternative to limestone.
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