Concrete Balustrade versus Synthetic Balustrade

With all the advancements in building materials, builders and homeowners are looking for new alternative building products that are maintenance free. Listed below are some of the differences between concrete balustrade and synthetic balustrade.

Concrete: The weight of concrete balustrade is extreme; a 7" balustrade system will weigh approximately 200 lbs per foot, meaning a 10' section weighs 2000 lbs, or 1 ton.
Synthetic: The weight of our 7" balustrade is 80 lbs per foot, a 10' section weighs 800 lbs

Concrete: When building a deck that has concrete balustrade you have to pour footings and use steel beams to carry the weight of the balustrade, it is extremely expensive to the homeowner.
Synthetic: In using synthetic balustrade you eliminate the need for steel at all, you can place our system on conventional framing.

Concrete: Most concrete manufactures like to see their balustrade sent in 10' sections due to installation problems with the weight. Therefore, you have mortar joints every 10' that will eventually crack and possibly fall out.
Synthetic: Our balustrade system comes in 18' lengths, eliminating any mortar joints.

Concrete: Because concrete balustrade is porous it allows water to soak into the product which in turn allows mold to grow on the top rails of the system.
Synthetic: Our balustrade system is not porous, water will not penetrate into it, making it mold resistant.

Concrete: Builders have to use masons to install most concrete balustrade, due to the cutting and mortar joints that are required with concrete balustrade. It is about triple the labor cost to install this system.
Synthetic: Local trim carpenters can cut and install our balustrade with standard wood working tools, saving the need for masons.

Concrete: Once concrete weathers there is nothing that can be done to return it to its original beauty, it will continue to weather as time goes on.
Synthetic: If in 10 years our product starts to appear weathered, you can simply hire any local sandblasting crew that removes paint from old buildings. Using a portable sandblaster on our balustrade will remove the top 32nd of an inch leaving a like new surface.