Frequently Asked Questions
Cast stone is a concrete masonry product designed to simulate natural stone. Made from white or grey cements, our particular design is a wet pour mix that also includes natural sands, crushed stone, strengthening fibers, and integral mineral color pigments.
We offer 2 finish types, natural and smooth. The natural finish is just that, a lightly sanded surface with some occasional minor pitting and air bubbles. Intended to celebrate the natural raw look of stone, natural is our preferred finish. For those wanting a more refined look, the smooth finish is offered at an upcharge. We patch any air bubbles and blend the surface area to produce a smooth finish.
We proudly offer 8 colors. Our bestselling, and standard base color is grey. All other colors are considered integral colors and are available at varying upcharge levels.
While we may occasionally have limited stock available in grey, all castings are made per the order, including the client’s choices of color, finish and sealer.
A typical lead time is 6-8 weeks. There are many factors that can affect lead times. We recommend contacting us directly to discuss the timeliness of your order. We understand the nature of project timelines and will always do our best to meet your needs.
All orders will be shipped as freight. While it is possible that some orders may occasionally be shipped on a Jackson Pottery truck, we ship most orders LTL or full truckload. Products will arrive on pallets. No FedEx or UPS shipments. No white glove or product placement.
Yes, freight charges do apply in most cases. Due to the many shipping/ freight related variables, we will provide you with a freight quote after we know all the shipping and order details. You may also Request a Quote and indicate in the notes that you would like a freight quote.
We strongly recommend using extreme care when moving and handling the products. As many pieces are very large and heavy, it is recommended to use appropriate machinery such as pallet jacks, forklifts or cranes. Upon delivery, it is the sole responsibility of the purchaser or client to set up and handle all aspects of product placement. Even though the products are very strong and durable, damage can easily occur from improper handling.
Our products are designed and intended for use as planters. We have seen some beautiful installations of fire pits and fountains with our products. Any use of our products as these would void the warranty and is the sole decision of the purchaser or client.
Manufacturing a strong, quality product is very important. Tested at 28 days, our typical mix design has an average compressive strength of 6,000 psi. For some perspective, the average home foundation is 4,000 psi.
Yes, our mixture is fiber reinforced (FRC). To increase strength and structural integrity, we include a mixture of synthetic strengthening fibers into our mix.
There are many benefits of adding sealer to your cast stone planter. Sealers can both enhance color and protect the surface from stains, abrasions, dirt, and dust. For a minimal charge, we offer 2 types of penetrating sealers, gloss and matte.
Depending on location and environmental factors, you can expect typical buildup of dirt and dust. On darker colors, efflorescence may occur. For these reasons, we recommend protecting the surface with sealer.
Efflorescence is the white substance that may build up on the surfaces of unsealed concrete. It is caused by migrating moisture that brings soluble salts to the surface. Efflorescence is very normal, but is noticed more on darker colors like Graphite and Cocoa. To best minimize any chance of efflorescence, we recommend adding either of our penetrating, breathable sealers. Efflorescence is not a manufacturer’s defect and as such, is not covered under Jackson Cast Stone’s product warranty.
In this case, a seam, or seam mark, refers to the area of the mold where it is opened. Most all planters have some type of seam. Depending on multiple factors such as age of mold, type of mold, chosen surface finish, and planter shape, seam marks may be visible on the casting. We do our best to limit the number of seams per product and to repair the seam marks so as not to interfere with the natural look of the product. Please contact us for more information on seams.
Yes, for a minimal charge, color samples are available upon request. Please contact us for sample requests.
Yes, please make your requests at time of ordering. At no additional cost, we can accommodate most requests. If no specific requests are made, the product will be cast with the standard size drain hole for that particular item. Each mold is created with specific sized drain holes ranging from 1-3 inches.
This depends on your definition of heavy. Some smaller items are not much heavier than the same product made from ceramics. Inherently, most all large cast stone items are heavy. In many cases such as commercial applications and perimeter protection use, a heavy planter is desirable. It is very important that the purchaser or client recognizes the weight of their product selection and understands what will be needed to move and place the product.
Jackson Cast Stone offers a 2-year limited warranty.
Yes, most all products have CAD drawing and/or PDF cut sheets. See the Description section under each product listing.