Porticos first originated from ancient Greece and has influenced many cultures. Traditionally seen in the western world as a sign of wealth and grandeur, modern stone porticos can completely transform the look of the property, and even increase its market value!
We have designed our porticos in such a way that they can be built into your design, you can add them after your build is complete or even years down the line.
Amber Valley Stone have several options for your portico, each portico design allows width and height adjustment to suit your requirements.
We also offer the option of 2 or more columns, half columns, even balustrading on top and a wet cast paving / flooring if required!
- Semi Dry Portico (Non-Structural) – This portico design is non-structural and will require a secondary support by the way of a steel frame. AVS can supply this within our package or supply detailed drawings for your fabricator to supply.
- Semi Dry Portico (D Lug Option) – This portico design comes with non-structural architrave components, a concrete ring beam is to be cast behind to secure units in place. Columns are load bearing and do not need any additional support.
- Wet Cast Portico (Structural) – With this option there are less pieces to fit, our architrave beams are reinforced coupled with solid and load-bearing columns there is no need for secondary support.
- Wet Cast Portico (D Lug Option) – This portico design comes with non-structural architrave components, a concrete ring beam is to be cast behind to secure units in place. Columns are load bearing and do not need any additional support.
All porticos are supply only, packaged, and wrapped for safe transport to site. If you require assistance with the installation, please contact us. We will be more than happy to provide you with some installation company contact details.
Not sure which specification you require? or would like to discuss your portico requirements? get in touch with Amber Valley Stone today, and find out how our team of experts can assist with your project.
For further information or to forward your enquiry please contact us on 01773 540707 or info@ambervalleystone.co.uk
Amber Valley Stone manufacture a wide range of standard and bespoke Semi-dry cast stone products – vapour-cured for high quality, long-lasting and durable. Each piece we manufacture is carefully crafted to the highest standards.
How do we create each piece so carefully? Watch a time-lapse of the manufacture of a Semi-dry Cast Stone Cill by clicking on the video below:
If you’re looking for experienced UK cast stone suppliers, get in touch with Amber Valley Stone today, and find out how our team of experts can assist with your project. Contact us on 01773 540707 or info@ambervalleystone.co.uk
Amber Valley Stone Ltd is one of very few UK companies to supply Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete products, with over 25 years’ experience in manufacturing GRC. It’s growing in popularity with many of our customers due to its unique combination of high strength, low weight and environmental benefits. But what exactly is GRC, and what is it useful for?
GRC is a type of fibre-reinforced concrete. The production process involves incorporating glass fibre reinforcement into a high-water-content concrete mix, which can then be poured or sprayed into moulds, and de-moulded the following day.
GRC cast stone is lighter than traditional cast stone, using a lightweight core to reduce the overall unit weight.
It’s ideal for products where weight could be an issue such as door surrounds, and can be formed into virtually any size, shape, or finish. Because of its versatility, AVS can easily produce bespoke items that are tailor-made to your requirements, such as window surrounds, canopies, and heads.
See HERE for our Printable GRC Product Focus.
Key Features of GRC:
- GRC has the appearance of Cast Stone, yet as it’s reinforced with glass fibres and with its lightweight core it’s typically only 30% of the weight, resulting in lower transportation costs and ease of installation.
- GRC can be post fit, meaning that it doesn’t impact on your critical path. Our GRC surrounds and canopies even comes with stainless steel fixings as standard.
- Unlike timber, GRC requires no painting, treating or maintenance. We can even match the colour of your existing stonework.
Amber Valley Stone support specifiers, architects, builders, contractors, and their clients, helping to maximise the benefits of cast stone in their projects. Whatever your scheme, we can work closely with your team to help you find the best cast stone product for your project. With our mass-scale manufacturing process capable of a multitude of casts in a day, lead times are lower than that of other specifications available!
If you’re looking for experienced UK cast stone manufacturers, get in touch with Amber Valley Stone today, and find out how our team of experts can assist with your project.
For further information or to forward your enquiry please contact us on 01773 540707 or info@ambervalleystone.co.uk
Northfield Manor House was the former residence of the Cadbury family but sadly it was subjected to an arson attack. At its height, up to 100 firefighters were tackling the blaze, and the flames and smoke could be seen from about three miles away.
The building has been described as part of Birmingham’s heritage and architecturally significant. At the time, structural engineers said there was only a “slight possibility” it could be saved from demolition.
Two years later, in 2016, Amber Valley Stone met with HGP Architects as requested by Crest Nicholson to help develop the stonework specification and details for this unusual project. Crest agreed to develop the land around this manor and reinstate the building to as close as its previous form from photos and archive information.
Trying to match detailing from old photos made this project difficult in many ways, but during our visits with HGP and Crest we came up with a solution that really does this historic building justice.
Specification: Wet Cast
Customer: Crest Nicholson (Midlands)
Architects: HGP Architects
Completion: 2021
If you’re looking for experienced UK precast stone suppliers, get in touch with Amber Valley Stone today, and find out how our team of experts can assist with your project.
Contact AVS Today To Discuss Your Next Project:
01773 540707
Since 1991, UKCSA has worked tirelessly to increase awareness and confidence in cast stone, and to establish and maintain the highest standard of product quality and usage.
As part of our continual improvement program, as well as our firm dedication to manufacturing quality products to the construction industry, AVS feel it is appropriate to become members of such a select organisation.
What is UKSCA?
The UK Cast Stone Association (UKCSA) is the ‘Guardian of Quality for Cast Stone and represents the UK’s leading manufacturers.
Setting high performance standards and supported by rigorous testing and quality control, members of UKCSA must demonstrate their continuing adhesion to the UKCSA Standard.
Belonging to UKCSA assures our customers that the quality of our products and services conform to the highest standards.
UKCSA Standards are used by architects and contractors alike when specifying and using cast stone to complete projects.
As a company, we continue to place great emphasis on producing long lasting, quality units across our cast stone, precast and GRC ranges.
Recently completed, this project in Cheltenham was supplied with over 665 tonnes of Wet Cast, Vapour Cured Semi Dry and GRC products.
With work starting in 2018, this high profile redevelopment of the former Police Headquarters into a series of townhouses and apartments required strict adherence to planning specifications and has resulted in a stunning development in this sought after area.
For complete peace of mind, when choosing your next cast stone, precast or GRC supplier, choose Amber Valley Stone for assured quality and service.
For further information or to forward your enquiry please contact us on 01773 540707 or info@ambervalleystone.co.uk
King’s Cross is one of the largest and most exciting redevelopments in London. The 67-acre site has a rich history and a unique setting. What was an underused industrial wasteland is being transformed into a new part of the city with homes, shops, offices and much more.
Amber Valley Stone was approached by Willerby Landscapes to produce 654 no. bespoke walkway planks in an Architectural Precast specification. The client also requested a bespoke colour to compliment other hardscaping.
Jack Hunn – Contracts Manager at Willerby said, “Amber Valley Stone have been fantastic from start to finish. Communication from their project management team has been excellent throughout. When we requested a site visit, they were quick to react to our request. We are pleased with the product and overall look.”
Client: Willerby Landscapes
Sector: Residential Development Rooftop Garden
Materials: Architectural Precast
Completion: 2021
If you’re looking for experienced UK precast stone suppliers, get in touch with Amber Valley Stone today, and find out how our team of experts can assist with your project.
Contact AVS Today To Discuss Your Next Project:
01773 540707
Back in 2018 work started on the site of one of Cheltenhams landmark buildings, the former Police Headquarters on Princess Elizabeth Way on outskirts of the city. Amber Valley Stone was selected by Cala Homes to supply over 19,200 cast stone units for the project.
This was a significant development for Amber Valley Stone, CALA and locals, bringing quality villas and apartments to this highly regarding area of Cheltenham.
With the Constabulary moving to Holland House, construction was able to start on the three vacant buildings, transforming them into 67 new homes.
The planning specification for this project was natural stone, with the cost of this product making the development a non-starter Cala engaged with AVS who tirelessly along side Cala’s planning team to show the Planning officer that reconstituted cast stone is a cost effective yet complementary to the surrounding buildings.
Contact AVS Today To Discuss Your Next Project:
01773 540707
To achieve a natual look with variance across the elevations three colours of ashlar block were supplied.
A range of products were supplied:
- Wet Cast: 195 units – 14 Tonnes
- Vapour Cured Semi Dry: Units 17,954 – 608 Tonnes
- GRC: Units 1,092 – 43 Tonnes
Sabrina Hassell, from Cala Homes said “With such a complex project such as Cheltenham we really had to plan every aspect of the stone deliveries, we started planning almost a year before site start with Amber and after countless meetings and deliberation on how to manage this project we agreed on a strategy.
“Amber worked with our payment system to ensure that the process was as smooth as possible and the schedules matched our purchase orders and with such complex deliveries this was not a small task. We had our own project manager who knew every aspect of the project and was always able to answer any questions we had alongside Joe who kept very close to the project.
With dedicated Project Managers, in-house teams of CAD technicians, joiners and casting operatives, Amber Valley Stone produced, deliver and install over 665 tonnes of precast stone, which met the designs down to the last detail.
Sabrina continues “The best part of using Amber was they completely owned the project and managed the whole package from the start, nothing was ever too much trouble.”.
Client: CALA Homes (Midlands)
Sector: Commercial Development
Materials: Wet Cast, Vapour Cured Semi Dry & GRC
Completion: 2020
We were recently awarded ‘Highly Commended’ for this project in the UK Cast Stone Association 30th Anniversary Awards.
If you’re looking for experienced UK cast stone suppliers, get in touch with Amber Valley Stone today, and find out how our team of experts can assist with your project.
Cast stone products are suitable for a wide range of applications. New developments, refurbishment, renovation, private or public sector – no matter what your project involves, precast stone is a cost effective way of bring the beauty of natural stone to the finished product.
Standard and bespoke moulds are used to form everything, from cills and pier caps to balcony screens and porticos. Have you ever wondered how we do this? Please watch the time-lapse video below to see how…
If you’re looking for experienced UK cast stone suppliers, get in touch with Amber Valley Stone today, and find out how our team of experts can assist with your project. For further information or to forward your enquiry please contact us on 01773 540707 or info@ambervalleystone.co.uk
Its well known that cast stone products are suitable for a wide range of applications, and that for a longer lasting finish, vapour cured cast stone is the way to go – however, how the finished product comes about is not so clear.
AVS Vapour Cured Semi Dry cast stone moulds are produced in either standard or bespoke sizing, with the standard moulds sometimes forming the basis for these bespoke moulds.
As the name suggests, bespoke moulds are created for each job, with the final customers specifications guiding the dimensions. We keep 1000s of standard moulds in our indoor mould library, catering for a wide range of products shapes and sizes.
With so many standard moulds in stock, along with our mass-scale manufacturing process capable of a multitude of casts in a day, lead times are lower than that of other specifications available!
Supporting specifiers, architects, builders, contractors and their clients, our sales and technical teams will help to maximise the benefits of cast stone in your construction projects. Whatever your scheme, Amber Valley Stone have the perfect mould for creating or reproducing the beautiful cast stonework you need.
If you’re looking for experienced UK cast stone suppliers, get in touch with Amber Valley Stone today, and find out how our team of experts can assist with your project. For further information or to forward your enquiry please contact us on 01773 540707 or info@ambervalleystone.co.uk
Cast stone products are suitable for a wide range of applications, ranging from pier caps and copings to window surrounds and porticos. For an even longer lasting, consistent finish, however, vapour cured cast stone is the answer. Due to the specialised manufacturing process, not all cast stone companies practice vapour curing.
Here at Amber Valley Stone we offer standard and bespoke cast stone products, with the option for vapour cured semi dry cast stone.
What is the difference? Put simply, the vapour curing process is where a semi dry cast stone unit is placed in a chamber overnight or for a set period of time, and is exposed to set curing conditions involving heat and moisture content.
This not only speeds the curing process up compared to standard air curing but also makes the stone components consistent in their finish
Units that are not vapour cured are reliant upon external, variable weather and temperature conditions that cannot be controlled. This can have an adverse effect on the quality, finish and performance of the final stone units.
The correct curing of cast stone is essential to resist damage during transportation and construction, as well as for its long-term durability and appearance.
Amber Valley Stone Semi Dry cast stone is manufactured in accordance to BS1217:2008 achieving a 28 day cube strength well in excess of 35MPa with the help of our premium vapour curing technology.
Our Semi Dry product are therefore over 40% stronger that is asked by British Standard, which only requires a strength of 25Mpa.
Amber Valley Stone support specifiers, architects, builders, contractors and their clients, helping to maximise the benefits of cast stone in their projects. Whatever your scheme, our premium vapour cured semi dry cast stone is perfect for creating or reproducing beautiful cast stonework.
With our mass-scale manufacturing process capable of a multitude of casts in a day, lead times are lower than that of other specifications available!
If you’re looking for experienced UK cast stone suppliers, get in touch with Amber Valley Stone today, and find out how our team of experts can assist with your project. For further information or to forward your enquiry please contact us on 01773 540707 or info@ambervalleystone.co.uk
