cultured or cast stone

Cultured stone is a concrete masonry product simulating natural cut stone, it is used in architectural applications. Cultured stone is used for architectural features: trim, or ornament, for facing buildings or other structures, and for garden ornaments. Cultured stone can be made from white and/or grey cements, manufactured or natural sands, crushed stone or natural gravels, and colored with mineral coloring pigments. Cultured stone may replace natural cut limestone, brownstone, sandstone, bluestone, granite, slate, coral rock, travertine and other natural building stones.

Cultured stone has been used as a building material for hundreds of years. The earliest known use of cultured stone dates about to the year 1138 at Carcassonne, France, the city which contains the finest remains of medieval fortification in Europe.

Cultures stone can be a more afforable alternative to natural stone, but there are a few important factors that must be considered before choosing cultured stone.  Most importantly exposure to certain elements will reduce the aesthetic appearance of stone veneer. Such things as harsh chemicals, paint thinners, de-icing salts, and cleaning solvents can scar and stain the surface or result in discoloration.