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Limestone vs Synthetic
1. Limestone Balustrade: A limestone balustrade system has to be installed by a masons; this will require a lift because of the weight of the balustrade to be on site the entire time it takes to install.
*Synthetic Balustrade: Our synthetic balustrade is typically installed by trim carpenters with their tools, because our balustrade is ¼ the weight and can be cut and installed without expensive lifts or masons.
2. Limestone Balustrade: Because of the weight of limestone balustrade, the rails are sent to the job site in approximate 6’ lengths. This balustrade requires that at the seams you will need to epoxy steel rebar in this balustrade to connect the seams.
*Synthetic Balustrade: We can send our C-balustrade in up to 18’ lengths, which eliminates the need for any seams, leaving you with a beautiful balustrade.
3. Limestone Balustrade: The weight of a 5” balustrade system is approximately 200lbs per lineal foot, meaning an 8’ section of limestone balustrade is 1600lbs.
*Synthetic Balustrade: Because our rails are hollow we eliminate a lot of the weight of our 5” balustrade system. Our balustrade system weighs 58lbs per lineal foot, meaning an 8’ section of our balustrade weighs 464lbs.
4. Limestone Balustrade: Once this balustrade system becomes aged, nothing can be done to return it.
*Synthetic Balustrade: In our balustrade system the color is throughout, so years later if it weathers you can sandblast our balustrade system and return it to its original appearance.
5. Limestone balustrade: This balustrade is made of a stone that is cut from limestone; this limestone balustrade is porous; it allows water to soak into the balustrade, in turn mold grows on the top rail of the balustrade system.
*Synthetic Balustrade: Synthetic balustrade is not porous; water will not penetrate into our balustrade, eliminating mold.
6. Limestone Balustrade: When building a structure that will have a limestone balustrade you have to reinforce the deck with steel to support the weight of the balustrade system.
*Synthetic Balustrade: The weight of our synthetic balustrade system is approximately ¼ that of limestone balustrade. Eliminating the steel, our balustrade system can be installed on sized lumber.