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Limestone Balustrade versus Synthetic Balustrade
Builders and homeowners in the past have not had many options if they wanted the look and feel of real stone balustrade. They either had to use concrete or real limestone balustrade. With our synthetic balustrade you now have an option that has not been available in the past, now you can have the look & feel of a real limestone balustrade at a fraction of the cost. We are listing below some of the differences between a limestone balustrade & a synthetic balustrade.
1. Limestone Balustrade: The weight of a 5”1/4 balustrade system is approximately 210lbs per lineal foot, meaning a 12’ section of limestone balustrade is 2400lbs.
*Synthetic Balustrade: Because our top and bottom rails are hollow we eliminate most of the weight of our 5”1/4 balustrade system. Our balustrade system weighs 57lbs per lineal foot, meaning a 12’ section of our balustrade weighs 696lbs.
2. Limestone balustrade: This balustrade is made of a stone that is cut from the earth; stone balustrade is very porous; therefore it allows water to penetrate into the balustrade, promoting the growth of mold on the top rail of the balustrade system, it is a constant maintenance issue.
*Synthetic Balustrade: Our synthetic balustrade is not porous; therefore water will not soak into our balustrade system, eliminating the growth of mold.
3. Limestone Balustrade: Once this balustrade system becomes weathered, nothing can be done to restore it to its original look.
*Synthetic Balustrade: In our balustrade system the color is throughout, so 20 years later if it starts to become weathered, you can sandblast our balustrade system and return it to its original look.
4. Limestone Balustrade: Because of the weight of limestone balustrade, the rails are sent to the job site in 4 to 6’ lengths. This balustrade requires that at every joint you will need to drill and epoxy steel pins in this balustrade to connect the joints, it is a very time consuming process.
*Synthetic Balustrade: We can send our B-balustrade in up to 24’ lengths, which in turn eliminates the need for any mortar joints, leaving you with a seamless & beautiful balustrade.
5. Limestone Balustrade: When building a deck that will have a limestone balustrade system installed you have to reinforce the deck with steel beams and columns along with footings to support the weight of the balustrade system, this is very expensive.
*Synthetic Balustrade: The weight of our synthetic balustrade system is approximately ¼ less than a limestone balustrade. Eliminating the need for steel, our balustrade system can be placed on sized conventional lumber.
6. Limestone Balustrade: A limestone balustrade system has to be installed by a mason crew; this will require a lift to be on site the entire time of installation.
*Synthetic Balustrade: Our synthetic balustrade is typically installed by carpenters with wood working tools, because our balustrade is ¼ the weight no lift is required.