What is reconstituted stone?
Reconstituted stone or cast stone is a long-lasting natural stone that is both hard-wearing and tough. It is widely used in the landscaping industry as it is easy to clean and versatile.
As the UK's leading hard landscaping manufacturer, we have compiled this informative guide detailing the pros and cons of using reconstituted stone walling for your domestic project.
What is reconstituted stone, and how can it be used?
Reconstituted stone is a substance made from fragments of natural stone that are compressed and topped off with a resin binder (most commonly concrete) and shaped by pouring the mixture into moulds.
Often referred to as “cast stone” or “engineered stone”, reconstituted stone can be used as a cheaper alternative to natural stone walling whilst still providing a contemporary feel to any garden walling project.
Reconstituted stone comes in various colours such as browns, buffs, and greys. This material is a tough substance; some even say it is more rigid than granite.
This stone is aesthetically pleasing, mirrors the unique textures of raw natural materials and complements a wide range of other landscaping products such as garden paving slabs and driveway paving.
We recommend that you always use a cutting board when working on a reconstructed stone surface to ensure you don't damage the top seal.
Engineered stone is a material that is non-porous, which means that bacteria cannot get into the cracks. Reconstituted stone tops are waterproof as they don't absorb liquid, making cleaning them a breeze. So, it saves time and money and can dress up a beautiful feature in the home.
List of reconstituted stone products
Marshalls reconstituted stone walling is ideal for any domestic garden or driveway walling project. This versatile material can be used to spruce up any garden or driveway wall.
We offer our customers a variety of high-quality products constructed from this durable material.
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Argent Walling - Perfect for that contemporary garden look, with clean lines and cool colours, the attractive granite texture is ideal for any modern look
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Tegula Walling - Provides instant character to any property with a quality, rustic appearance that looks great with many other Marshalls products
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Marshalite Pitched Walling - An authentic-looking stone wall product that’s both durable and manufactured to a high quality. Available in a range of colours and sizes, and complements any of our garden paving products
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Marshalite Rustic Walling - A durable and reliable cost-effective alternative to natural stone, available in rustic buff or ash and available in a choice of colours
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Marshalite Split Walling - Gives the appearance of a high-quality stone wall at a fraction of the cost
Natural stones versus reconstituted stone
Below are the key differences between natural stone and reconstituted stone.
Natural stone
Natural stone refers to any stone that has been quarried from the ground. It is usually strong and incredibly long-lasting. Granite, marble, limestone, travertine, slate, and sandstone are all natural stones mined from the earth.
This material has been used for thousands of years to build historical structures, icon monuments and construct timeless pieces of art.
Natural stone changes over time, meaning it has a unique colour and grain pattern that needs little upkeep, cutting and finishing. It can be one to avoid if you’re working on a tight budget though, and as many natural stones are imported from overseas, it’s important to do your background research.
All of Marshalls natural stone products are ethically sourced ensuring no child labour, fair wages, and safe working conditions are maintained.
Reconstituted stone
Cast stone enables the designer to stick entirely to the design brief as this building material is adaptable.
The material is cast using solid timber, steel, fibreglass, or polyurethane which helps to create a beautiful design.
It retains its natural colour during the casting process, and it can have better freezing and thawing capabilities than natural stone.
You can also add steel components to the wet or dry cast. This helps to keep the stone sturdy, leaving out the need for additional support beams when building. This saves both time and money in the long run.
Reconstituted stone is beautifully engineered in the UK, which means less transportation and lower emissions.
Is reconstituted stone the same as engineered stone?
Yes, it is. Reconstituted stone is made up of stone aggregate pieces such as quartz, marble, granite, or basalt. During the manufacturing process, it is combined with mineral filler and an acrylic resin binder, and later pigments and additives are added.
Is engineered stone eco-friendly?
Reconstituted stone is a type of artificial stone that does not contain any toxic substances, making it eco-friendly and a low carbon footprint building material, especially if it is made in Britain.
What is reconstituted stone used for?
Reconstituted stone is primarily used in domestic walling projects like garden walls and driveway walls. This is generally seen as a cheaper alternative to natural stone.
Reconstituted stone can also be used as an alternative to masonry bricks for domestic and commercial buildings.
