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Limestone Balusters versus Synthetic Balusters
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In the past when someone wanted the look a feel of a real stone baluster, they only had two baluster options, concrete balusters or limestone balusters. With synthetic balusters you can get the look and feel of a real stone baluster at a fraction of the cost. Our baluster has real limestone mixed into the matrix; this gives the baluster the look and feel of a real limestone baluster.
1. Limestone Balusters: Real limestone balusters are cut from the earth, they are cut into smaller cubes of stone. They are then placed unto a lathe and turned to meet certain baluster specifications, this process is very time consuming.
*Synthetic Balusters: Making molds for our synthetic balusters is a very time consuming process as well, but once they are completed, those baluster molds will last a very long time. The production time to make a synthetic baluster is a fraction of the time it takes to make a limestone baluster. This in turn allows us to produce our balusters at a very competitive price compared to real limestone balusters.
2. Limestone Balusters: When installing limestone balusters on a stairway, it requires a mason to cut each baluster and drill the top & bottom of each baluster; after this is completed you will need to epoxy a steel pin into each baluster top & bottom. This baluster process is extremely costly.
*Synthetic Balusters: Our balusters are lightweight and easy to install, you can cut our balusters with a 12” miter saw. Once the baluster is cut you will insert a ½” cvpc pipe into our baluster, this process in done in a fraction of the time a limestone baluster takes.
3. Limestone Baluster: The weight of a limestone baluster is approximately 50lbs each, this weight of the balusters combined with the weight of the rails give you a finished balustrade weight of 225lbs per lineal foot.
*Synthetic Balusters: Since our balusters are hollow as well as the rails we eliminate ¾ of the weight of our balusters & balustrade. Just the weight of the baluster makes it a system that is easy to install, and requires no steel reinforcements.
4. Limestone Balusters: Real limestone balusters are very porous, which in turn promotes the growth of mold on the baluster. This is a constant job to keep this baluster & balustrade clean.
*Synthetic Balusters: Our balusters are mold resistant, theses balusters will not allow water to soak into them, which in turns makes them easy to keep clean.
5. Limestone Balusters: When a limestone baluster becomes weathered there is nothing that can be done to return the baluster to its original look.
*Synthetic Balusters: The color is throughout the baluster, if the baluster starts to look weathered, you can use a portable sandblaster and remove the top 32nd of an inch of material on the baluster, leaving you with a baluster that looks like it did the day we delivered it.