Concrete Columns vs Synthetic Columns

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Below we are listing some of the advantages in using synthetic columns as opposed to real concrete columns, to better inform you of alternative column for the use in your new or existing home.

1. Concrete Columns: Hollow concrete columns are not structural; they have to be sent in vertical & horizontal sections and placed around a steel support column. This application leaves you with a column with three to four horizontal & two vertical mortar joints.

Synthetic Stone Columns: Our columns are structural and can bear tremendous loads, eliminating the need for an interior steel column for support. Our columns are seamless and require no mortar joints on the column.

2. Concrete Column: When preparing to install a concrete column, you will need to pour a footing that is below the frost line. The columns are sent in three to four foot sections and are stacked with spacers and mortar joints between seams. If these concrete columns move in the slightest it will crack these mortar joints.

Synthetic Stone Columns: Our Stone columns are sent to you in one piece, being that the column is hollow and lightweight they require no mortar joints, leaving you with a stone column that looks like a solid stone column.

3. Concrete Columns: It will typically take a three man mason crew one full day to install a concrete column, it is a time consuming process. They have to use spacers between each section and carefully stack these sections, then mortar each column seam.

Synthetic Stone Columns: Our Stone Columns are installed by carpenters; our stone columns are one piece and lightweight and can be installed by a two man crew in about 30 minutes, it is the same installation procedure as a fiberglass column. These stone columns can be cut with a circular saw and we send color matched caulking for use on the caps and bases of the stone column.

4. Concrete Column: When installing a concrete column it is common for the masons while handling the column to chip some of the sharp edges. Once the edges have been chipped, it is almost impossible to patch this stone column without it being noticeable.

Synthetic Stone Columns: Since our stone column is delivered in one piece there are no edges to be handled. If by chance the stone column were to be damaged, we can send a patch kit that is made out of the same material as the stone column itself, the bond will be permanent, and there will be a very slight difference in color.

5. Concrete Column: Being that a concrete column is very porous it allows water to penetrate into the column; this in turn promotes the growth of mold on the column. This mold is a constant maintenance issue.

Synthetic Stone Column: Our stone columns are water resistant; therefore mold will not grow on our stone columns.

6. Limestone Columns: Real limestone columns will have a stone sparkle in the column, this sparkle is the stone itself, and this is the first indictor that it is a real limestone column.

Synthetic Stone Column: Our stone columns are a mix of polyester resins & real limestone. Once our stone columns are installed you can actually see the real limestone sparkle in our stone column as well, imitating a real limestone column.

7. Concrete Columns: Once a concrete columns start to weather nothing can be done to return the column to its original look.

Synthetic Stone Columns: If in 10 years our column would begin to show signs of weathering, since the color is throughout the column the owner can use a portable sandblaster on the stone column removing the top 32nd of an inch of weathered material leavening you with a like new surface.

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