Tips for Buying Concrete Statuary

Janice Lucioni of Secret Garden Statuary, Seattle, recommends going to a local specialty shop or garden center for your cast stone products, rather than a big-box retailer. "A good retailer will know the manufacturer and be able to educate you on how to care for your purchase," she says. "You may pay more, but you'll get better quality and customer service."

Statuary
Avila's Garden Art

Be sure to find out where the product comes from and the reputation and experience of the manufacturer. Many manufacturers also have websites where they provide details about their casting process, display a full catalog of products and finish options, and offer advice on care and maintenance. Reputable manufacturers will often provide warranties for their pieces.

Some other useful buying tips:

- Ask if your statuary will stand up to the climate conditions in your area. "Nationwide distributors are really into quality control because their products are exposed to all types of conditions," says Lucioni. "Local manufacturers tend to make products that stand up well to the weather conditions in their market. What works well in Arizona might not work well in Seattle."

- Keep convenience and maintenance in mind, especially with fountains. Does the fountain come as a complete ready-to-work unit with all the plumbing fittings and electrical components required for operation, or must the components be purchased and installed separately? In case of malfunction, are the pump parts easily accessible and replaceable?

- Seam lines and small bug holes are common in the casting process and do not necessarily mean bad quality or workmanship. In many cases, these minor flaws add character to the piece.

- Weight is good because it usually means a denser concrete mix was used and will be less susceptible to water penetration. "A lot of people are looking for a lightweight product, but lightweight usually means fewer rock components and more plastic or lightweight aggregates have been used says Lucioni, noting that many plastics do not stand up to prolonged exposure to sunlight, and can get brittle and crack with age. Pieces made with lightweight aggregates rather than old-fashioned mixes also have a tendency to crack more readily. Then there's the wind factor: "If a rather large bush or tree is planted in a lightweight pot, a good wind can take it over because there is not enough weight on the bottom," warns Lucioni.

- While nearly any large cast stone container can be used as the vessel for a water garden, containers that are glazed on the inside are best suited for this purpose because they will retain water better.

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