The Advantages of Natural Stone vs. Sculpted Concrete for Landscaping in Las Vegas
When you plan for landscaping in Las Vegas, you need to choose a suitable style and the material to use. The material you choose should encourage drainage and protect your property and prevent erosion. For walls, slabs, and pavers, the choice of material comes down to sculpted concrete or natural stone.
Stone has been used for building for a long time. From the ancient pyramids of Egypt to the Colosseum in Rome, stone is well known for its longevity, beauty, and durability. Natural stone is quarried from the earth, and it is millions of old years old. Sculpted concrete is a type of precast concrete that is designed to replicate the different types of natural stone. Thanks to quality control techniques and advanced manufacturing, sculpted concretes have achieved the same quality as natural stone in terms of longevity and durability.
Natural stones come in various colors, which gives them a unique appearance. Classic stones such as travertine, granite, and marble have a wide range of colors that you can use for your Las Vegas landscape design. Sculpted concretes are constructed using aggregates and iron oxides that are made in textures mold to resemble stone. Here are the advantages of natural stone vs. sculpted concrete.
Appearance
Sculpted concrete often appears realistic aesthetic, which is made possible through advancements in technology. You can find a wide range of patterns, styles, and colors to choose from that will match the appearance of natural stone.
Natural stone has a rich and texture that cannot be matched by sculpted concrete. These features give natural stone an unrivaled and unique appearance. Adding natural stone to your landscape designs Las Vegas will give it a personal touch and organic beauty. It is timeless and does well in contemporary designs, and its rich earthly tones match the surrounding area with a more rustic aesthetic.
Sculpted concrete may look like natural stone, but it does not match the authenticity of natural stone. Although some sculpted concrete designs have a hand-painted finish, they do not achieve the unique appearance of natural stone.
Cost for Landscaping in Las Vegas
There is no significant difference between the cost of natural stone and sculpted concrete. Due to the advanced technology used in making sculpted concrete resemble natural stone in terms of appearance and quality, the cost has been reduced significantly. Sculpted concretes are relatively cheaper per m2 than natural stone. When it comes to premium options, you can find sculpted concrete options that are more expensive than natural stone. It is advisable that you compare prices when choosing the type of stone to use in your landscape design Las Vegas.
The transportation cost for both cast and natural stone is relatively the same, even though sculpted concrete is more lightweight. The cost of installation usually depends on the type of cladding you choose. Typically, installing sculpted concrete is slightly cheaper as it uses a repetitive method of installation. A Las Vegas landscaper may prefer this method since it is considered an easier option and best for people looking for a DIY project.
In terms of maintenance costs, natural stone is generally less expensive to maintain than sculpted concrete. Unlike sculpted concrete which cannot withstand manual scrubbing or high pressure, you can easily pressure wash natural stone. Sculpted concrete is more labor-intensive, which makes it more expensive to maintain.
Durability for Landscaping in Las Vegas
Durability is one of the main considerations when choosing between natural and sculpted concrete for Vegas landscaping. Both stones are considered to be durable, although natural stone is more durable. They perform differently in the long term.
Since natural stone is less porous than sculpted concrete, it is more durable. When exposed to natural elements like sunlight, rain, dirt, and wind, sculpted concrete can deteriorate over time. The real test of durability between natural and sculpted concrete is their performance under sunlight.
Sculpted concrete is usually not ideal for building purposes since it is considered structurally weak. It is also not generally used in flooring since it cannot be stacked. You can use natural stone structurally since it can be stacked authentically. However, some natural stones like slate are too weak to be used for structural uses.
Sculpted concrete is usually tinted with paint which means that the colors will fade after being exposed to sunlight for an extended amount of time. However, premium options are made using UV-resistant coloring pigment that can withstand chemicals and temperature changes.
If color is your driving factor for your landscaping in Las Vegas project, then natural stone is the best choice since it does not fade over time. It will resist natural elements and last longer.
Sculpted concrete is about half the weight of natural stone of the same size. Sculpted concretes can measure anywhere between 2 inches and increase to about 8 inches thick. The faces can measure up to 14 inches. Natural stone comes in two sizes, including full-size blocks that offer full-dimension coverage. Natural stone can also be cut into pieces that measure about ¾ inch to 1¾ inch thick.
Convenience for Landscaping in Las Vegas
The installation process of both tines is almost similar. Natural stone lacks uniformity, and it is not easy to find matching slabs, tiles, and architectural elements. Since natural stone is quarried underground, natural causes affect its coloration and graining. They include temperature, mineral deposits, seismic shifts, and underground springs.
It is easier to install sculpted concrete than natural stone since it is lightweight and porous. Another advantage of sculpted concrete is that it can be installed on a variety of substrates. It is also available in a wide range of patterns, styles, and colors to choose from.
There are both advantages and disadvantages of natural and sculpted concrete depending on your requirements and priorities. Advancements in technology are leading to better-quality and more durable cat stone. However, the authentic nature of natural stone remains uncompromised and unmatched.