MOST COMMON QUESTIONS REGARDING CULTURED STONE
Is it real (or natural) stone?
No. It's man-made, however, it's molded from natural products such as Portland cement and pumice (lightweight aggregates).
What are the stones made of?
C.S. are made of Portland cement, pumice (lightweight natural aggregate), and synthetic mineral oxide (colorants). Each color and texture uses its own blend of Portland cement, lightweight natural aggregates, and iron oxide pigments. Even on close examination, these manufactured stones look and feel just like the originals.
How do you compare the price of Cultured Stone to the price of natural stone?
The completed installed price of Cultured Stone should come about 2/3 of the price of natural stone. You will save significantly in the installation cost because C.S. is already cut and ready to be installed. Thus, it can be installed much quicker and therefore cheaper than natural stone. To install C.S. you don't need any footing or wall tides as you do with natural stones.
Cultured Stone comes ready to be installed, thus, there is very minimal cutting or trimming during the installation job (occasionally cutting is needed to fit a stone in a corner). Therefore, with C.S. there is minimal waste left over. On the other hand, you need approximately a ton of natural stones in order to get 35 square feet.
How are Cultured Stone products sold?
Flat pieces are sold by the square foot, corner pieces by the linear foot. Hearhstones, sills, and trim stones are sold by the piece.
How are Cultured Stone products packaged?
Flat Cultured Stone products are available in various package types. For example flat stone comes in Big Boxes on a pallet that cover 90 square feet or Handi-Pack cartons covering 11.25 square feet of wall area. The coverage for most of the profiles is based on ½” joints. If you wish to have a tight fitted joint (drystack) installation, an additional 15% material must be order. Other packaging varies for corners, specific profiles, and accessories.
How much a square foot of Cultured Stone weights?
Depending on the model, it could weight anywhere between 11 to 16 pounds per sq.ft.
Do Cultured Stone loose the color when exposed to the weather?
It fades like the natural stone. During the manufacturing process, the color becomes an integral part of the stone. Thus, the change in color over the years is minimal and when and if it changes, it changes evenly. Keep in mind that the change in color is not undesirable. On the contrary, it enhances the stone's rustic look. Existing applications that date back to the origins of Cultured Stone in 1962 show no undesirable change in color after years of weathering in various climatic conditions.
Does the color go all the way through?
Base color is blended throughout the entire product. Color overtones are applied and integrated into the product during the casting process.
Do the same stone appear repeatedly in a typical application?
Cultured Stone products are cast from thousands of individual molds essentially eliminating repetition. In addition, to further eliminate the possibility of repletion, no two stone are ever reproduced with the exact same coloring.
Do fungus and/or efflorescence adhere to the stones over the years?
Just like any cement product. If you wish to avoid it (some people like the natural look that comes with the fungus) you should seal the stone with any sealant that has 10% siloxaine. Keep in mind though that sealants may darken the color of the stone and in some cases may make it look glossy.
How long will Cultured Stone products last and are they warranted?
Cultured Stone has been in business since 1962, that is, over 40 years and the stones made and sold our first year are standing excellent conditions. Cultured Stone products are lightweight concrete material; they will last as long as any quality concrete or masonry material such as concrete blocks, bricks, etc. The Cultured Stone products carry a 50-year limited warranty.
Do they meet Building Code requirements?
Yes. Cultured Stone products comply with applicable building code requirements. In 2005, Cultured Stone was approved by the Florida Building Commission.
Can Cultured Stone be used over any type of surface?
Cultured Stone products may be applied over any properly prepared, clean, untreated, structurally sound wall surfaces such as fiber cement, drywall, wood, wallboard, concrete block, brick, stucco, or metal. It is not recommend installing Cultured Stone in areas that are exposed to abrasive chemicals such as the chlorine in pools.
Can Cultured Stone products be used on both exterior and interior applications?
Yes. Cultured Stone products are suitable for both and allow you to bring the outdoor inside.
Can Cultured Stone products be cut?
Yes. Cultured Stone products are easily cut and trimmed using a hatchet, the back of a masonry hammer, and/or with a masonry blade used with a circular or masonry saw.
Can Cultured Stone products be used on fireplace facings or the wall behind a free-standing stove?
Yes. Cultured Stone products have been tested and classified by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. As non-combustible material (UL Classification # 209 T). Test results showed zero flame spread and zero smoke developed. Always refer to fireplace or stove manufacturers installation instructions.
Will Cultured Stone products stain if my fireplace smokes?
Possibly. Just as natural stone or brick will. Sealing the Cultured Stone products facing of a fireplace installation will assist in the removal of smoke stains should they occur.
How are Cultured Stone products adhered to wall surfaces?
For exterior applications, Cultured Stone products are installed using regular type N or S Portland cement mortar over properly prepared substrate. For interior applications, ceramic tile adhesive may be used on two profiles: European Castle and/or Pro-fit Ledgestone. Any other profile must be installed using mortar.
Can Cultured Stone be used as pavers?
No. Cultured Stone products are not suitable for foot traffic.
Can Cultured Stone products be installed in adjacent walls to the pools?
From a durability standpoint, Cultured Stone products will perform the same as any quality lightweight concrete material. However, it should be noted that as with any concrete or natural material, continued exposure to chlorine and other chemicals may eventually affect coloration. When frequently exposed to water, we recommend protection with a non-film forming breather-type masonry sealer. It is not recommended to install Cultured Stone bellow the surface of the water of a pool. It voids the warranty.
Can the mortar be colored?
Yes. Cultured Stone product applications are enhanced when mortar is tinted to complement or match the stone color using iron oxide mortar colors. A color chart could be downloaded from the Lambert Corporation web site: www.lambertusa.com.
Do Cultured Stone products need any type of maintenance?
No. Cultured Stone products are virtually maintenance-free. However, if you wish to remove the dust and/or any dirt that may accumulate over the years, you could use a damp rag or cloth.
How many different stone profiles and colors do Cultured Stone carry?
Cultured Stone products provide the largest variety of colors and profiles available in any manufactured stone line. There are 21 profiles available and each profile comes in different colors.
Are there any installations in my area that I may visit and examine?
Yes. Please contact us and we will you job locations where Cultured Stone has been installed near you.
What is the average thickness of Cultured Stone products?
1 ¾” average (from 1” to 3” depending on the profile).