New definitive information on cast stone

'Buyer's Guide for Cast Stone' from The UK Cast Stone Association (UKCSA) contains everything you need to know about getting the best from cast stone - and it's free.

A string of high profile developments has shown how cast stone can pay off for building professionals.

It adds class and value, without breaking the bank.

But there's a lot more that cast stone can offer.

Here's your chance to discover what it can do for you.

The UK Cast Stone Association (UKCSA) has produced a comprehensive new line-up of product information.

There's a 'Buyer's Guide for Cast Stone'.

This contains everything you need to know about getting the best from cast stone - and it's free.

What's more, on RIBA's website, the UKCSA is offering a top-drawer CPD presentation - a vital online resource for anyone seeking a better understanding of cast stone and its specification.

Though cast stone has a pedigree that stretches back centuries, it's very much a 21st century building material.

It has caught the imagination of architects such as Terry Farrell, and housebuilders such as George Wimpey, Laing Homes and David McLean.

Cast stone is ideal for any architectural purpose that calls for fine detail at an affordable price.

For housebuilders, cast stone details such as string courses, window heads and cills, porticos and quoins are a tried and tested solution for adding kerb appeal.

They can transform something plain into something truly special and cost far less than worked natural stone.

The 'Buyer's Guide for Cast Stone' is your key to tapping into this success.

It's the new one-stop reference for the industry.

The guide comprises a revised and updated technical manual, with all the information building professionals need to understand the manufacture, design, detailing, specification and installation of cast stone.

The manual is easy to follow and generously illustrated.

The guide also provides user-friendly information about the UKCSA and its member companies, the UK's leading cast stone manufacturers.

The UKCSA is the guardian of quality: its logo and Customer Charter are your guarantee that you're getting the best.

The trade body is dedicated to excellence.

It sets high performance standards and members have to go though a strict vetting process.

Their levels of quality controlled production ensure the strongest cast stone available - at least 40% stronger than the basic British Standard requirement.

This means outstanding durability, better site handling and better buildability.

UKCSA members also take service seriously: design and technical advice, proper packaging and reliable delivery, often tailored to individual building programmes.

And they listen to their customers.

Right now they are developing lightweight alternatives to traditional cast stone, for both in-situ housing construction and off-site prefabrication.

Their innovation is a direct response to market need.

Similarly, demand from architects has prompted the UKCSA to produce the online CPD presentation 'Back to the Future in Cast Stone'.

The CPD is a concise yet detailed briefing on cast stone, from the basic 'What is it?' through to the design context in which it's used and technical specifications.

To access this useful online resource, simply click the Online CPD section of the RIBA website www.riba.org.

The manufacturing members of UKCSA are: Bradstone, Broadmead Renaissance Cast Stone, CEMEX Masonry, Derwent Cast Stone, Elegant Stone, Forticrete, Haddonstone, Legmore Concrete, Meadowstone, Norman Rhead Precast, PD Edenhall, Plean Precast, Vobster Cast Stone, and Woodside Precast.

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