Product Comparison

Basis	Cast Stones	Architectural Precast
Definition	High quality masonry building material simulating limestone.	Masonry building material produced in larger sizes; can be visually comparable to cast stone with special finishing, but without special finishing more like concrete.
Design	Made from graded aggregates, white Portland Cement, additives and color pigments	Consists of larger aggregates from 1-inch to fine sands, additives and Portland cement.
Production Method	Usually produced by dry cast method with very little moisture; compacting mix densely into molds.	Wet Method used; mix is poured into molds. Product sets up in mold overnight.
Structural/Non-Structural	This product is self supporting but is not structural.	This product can be conventionally reinforced or pre-stressed to be structural.
Weight	132 pounds per cubic foot	150 pounds per cubic foot
Specification	Defined under Masonry Division – Section 4720 of the uniform building code.	Defined under Masonry Division – Section 4720 of the uniform building code.
Speed of Manufacture	Multiple pieces per day from mold; higher production output.	Usually 1 piece per day per mold; limiting daily production output.
Size	Usually less than 4-ft. in length; depends on depth or cubic value.	Can be larger pieces up to 20-ft. and can be structural.
Cost	Usually the most cost effective.	More expensive due to finishing to create close visual to cast stone and daily production limitation.

Basis	Cast Stones	Architectural Precast
Definition	High quality masonry building material simulating limestone.	Masonry building material produced in larger sizes; can be visually comparable to cast stone with special finishing, but without special finishing more like concrete.
Design	Made from graded aggregates, white Portland Cement, additives and color pigments	Consists of larger aggregates from 1-inch to fine sands, additives and Portland cement.
Production Method	Usually produced by dry cast method with very little moisture; compacting mix densely into molds.	Wet Method used; mix is poured into molds. Product sets up in mold overnight.
Structural/Non-Structural	This product is self supporting but is not structural.	This product can be conventionally reinforced or pre-stressed to be structural.
Weight	132 pounds per cubic foot	150 pounds per cubic foot
Specification	Defined under Masonry Division – Section 4720 of the uniform building code.	Defined under Masonry Division – Section 4720 of the uniform building code.
Speed of Manufacture	Multiple pieces per day from mold; higher production output.	Usually 1 piece per day per mold; limiting daily production output.
Size	Usually less than 4-ft. in length; depends on depth or cubic value.	Can be larger pieces up to 20-ft. and can be structural.
Cost	Usually the most cost effective.	More expensive due to finishing to create close visual to cast stone and daily production limitation.

Product	ASTM	PSI (Min)	Air Content Range	Absorption (Max)	Freeze-thaw
Cast Stone (Dry)	ASTM C 1364	6,500	N/A	6%	5% Loss of mass or less @ 300 cycles
Cast Stone (Wet)		6,500	4% - 6%	6%	5% Loss of mass or less @ 300 cycles
Architectural Precast	CSI 3450	5,000	4% - 6%	6%	Not required
GFRC	CSU 3490	1,200 (Flexgard module of rupture)	8% - 10%	Similar to Cast Stone/Precast	Similar to Cast Stone/Precast
Limestone Gr II	ASTM C 568	4,000	N/A	7.5%	Not available
Calcium Silicate	ASTM C 73-99A	Grade: NW 3,500 SW 5,500	N/A	NW 18% SW 15%	Not available