Concrete StatuaryThe Newest Art Form in the Garden
Concrete statues have been an important part of landscaping for centuries, dating back to ancient Roman times in elaborate gardens and even as interior decor. Landscapers have recognized the importance of balancing the lush floral beauty of a garden with concrete statuary, fountains and other ornamentation that provide structure, contrast anddecorative interest—even after the blooms fade. Stone has long served that ornamental purpose because of its natural weathering qualities and its ability to be carved into intricateforms and shapes. But today there's growing interest in a concrete alternative to stone that offers even greater aesthetic value at a fraction of the cost. Statues, fountains, benches, pond blocks and a vast array of other decorative pieces made of cast stone—a fancy term for sturdy, reliable precast concrete—are showing up in gardens everywhere in every form imaginable, from quaint patio retreats accented with cast stone urns to palatial courtyards with water cascading from towering cast stone fountains. "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. "Two trends popular with our customers include Asian-themed designs and Art-Deco styles with plain, clean lines to go with modern architecture. Taller fountains are in demand too, with customers going for multi-tiered units 6 to 7 feet high," she says. 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. "It boils down to versatility and cost," says Lucioni. "Because these products are cast into molds, you can create multiples of the same piece at a lower price. Depending on the mix used, cast stone is often more durable than porous stones, such as granite, especially when exposed to freeze-thaw conditions," she adds. Cast 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. 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. Cast stone can be made from white or gray cement, and often mineral pigments or decorative aggregates are tossed into the mix to add colorand variation. Because the pieces are cast in molds under controlled manufacturing and curing conditions, they are more consistent inappearance and more predictable in performance than natural stone. Plus, they can be reinforced with steel or with glass or plastic fibers toimprove strengthen and inhibit cracking.
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