We get asked this on an almost daily basis and wanted to publish some helpful information to assist buyers and specifiers make an informed decision.
Both Semi Dry and Wet Cast stone are a durable masonry product that emulates that appearance of natural stone while bringing much more flexibility to the design and production – and reducing costs.
Semi Dry Cast Stone
Vapour Cured Semi Dry is the most popular cast stone specification we sell equating to 70% of our annual production.
Vapour Cured Semi Dry cast stone is manufactured using a low water content and a blend of high quality sourced aggregates, colour pigments and additives.
The manufacturing process is faster than its Wet Cast counterpart due to its multicast production method, put simply multiple units can be cast from the same mould across a working day, making it ideal for casting repetitive units in large numbers giving a speedy delivery time too.
For a longer lasting, robust product, we vapour cure our Semi Dry units to give them early compressive strength.
AVS Vapour Cured Semi Dry cast stone is a non-structural dressing where a secondary support will be required when spanning across openings.
Wet Cast Stone
Wet Cast in comparison has a longer manufacture process due to its one cast per mould, per day production method with its casts requiring a surface treatment post cast by the way of acid etching.
Due to this labour intensive process Wet Cast can be considerably more expensive than Semi Dry and with longer lead times too.
Wet Cast is highly durable and lends itself to larger units and intricate detailing. It also can be reinforced to make its units structural saving the need for a secondary support or just to give a better detail than seeing exposed steel lintels.
Its units can also be cast in larger components compared to Semi Dry resulting in less joints.
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
Correct care of Amber Valley cast stone products prior to installation is vital for best results. When it comes to transporting, storing & opening your delivery, Amber Valley Stone want to ensure the safety of your products and most importantly, yourself.
To that end, we’ve compiled a short do’s and don’ts video on the safest ways to handle our products post delivery. Click on the video to find out more.
For more details of how to care for your cast stone products, storage and installation, please see the pdf documents below.
For Site Handling & Practice, click HERE
For Do’s & Don’ts, click HERE
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.
In 2014 Amber Valley Stone was appointed by Esh Build to design and deliver exposed architectural precast concrete cladding panels for the exterior of the state-of-the-art Northshore Innovation Centre in Stockton on Tees, a 36,000 ft² building for SMEs and new business starts-ups in the digital, scientific and creative sectors.
Amber helped in developing the detailing and fixing methods of the panels to achieve the overall design intent, whilst maintaining a buildable solution for the site team.
The design, which reflects the centre’s modernity and innovation, required a material that was both durable and visually appealing. We produced a clean, contemporary finish using a pigmented precast concrete to achieve a stunning finish. The acid-etched cladding was produced with Spanish Dolomite fine aggregate to create sparkle when light catches the surface.
Contact AVS Today To Discuss Your Next Project:
01773 540707
The project required 160 panels consisting of plinth units, spandrels, mullions and large gable end panels ranging from 1.5T to 5T with the largest panels being 6m x 2.5m; all manufactured over a 13 week period.
Client: Teesside University
Contractor: Esh Build
Sector: Commercial Development
Materials: Acid Etched Precast Concrete
Completion: August 2014
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.
Amber Valley Stone was selected to supply a number of precast items for John Jones, the prestigious picture framing company which also specialises in fine art and conservation.
In summer 2014, the John Jones Art Building opened in Finsbury Park. The 57,000 ft² New York-style warehouse provides a home to design and photographic studios, a conservation room and several art workshops.
Given the international reputation of John Jones, careful consideration was given to the design of the building, proposed by David Gallagher Associates.
Watkins Jones who managed the build, appointed Amber to supply stone of 3 different types: a polished granite plinth, exposed Cornish granite banding panels and Portland Spandrel Panels. Working closely with Gallagher Associates ensured that their concepts were brought to life and to the highest of standards.
Our in-house teams of CAD technicians, joiners and casting operatives enabled us to produce, deliver and install bespoke items which met the designs down to the last detail.
Client: John Jones / David Gallagher Associates
Contractor: Watkins Group
Sector: Commercial Development
Materials: Precast Concrete
Completion: Summer 2014
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
As part of Bournemouth Council’s Seafront Development and Regeneration Programme, Amber Valley Stone was appointed by Willmott Dixon to supply precast landscaping features for the Bournemouth pier approach.
We supplied precast planters and island features, designed in keeping with the history and geology of the pier approach. Using white, acid-etched stone, the project featured 54 planters, typically 700mm high and 500mm wide weighing around 1 tonne each. Six feature islands were also manufactured, some weighing around 7 tonnes, and incorporated embossed marine patterns which were formed when the stone was cast by using RECKLI artico® components within the moulds.
The hard landscaping features, produced with Spanish Dolomite aggregates to give the surface a sparkling finish, can now be seen at the Pier Approach, bringing a new lease of life to the area.
“On this challenging project Amber provided a committed and proactive service in design, delivery and aftercare services. The finished project is a significant addition to the seafront.”
Alex Manning, Building Director, Willmott Dixon
Client: Bournemouth Council
Contractor: Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd
Architect: CEC Limited & MeiLoci
Sector: Hard Landscaping
Materials: Precast Concrete
Completion: Spring 2015
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
In 2015, Amber Valley Stone assisted The Environment Agency on the design and production of flood defence walls for the banks of the River Mersey in Warrington.
The walls, manufactured with our signature architectural precast concrete, provide protection for the surrounding communities from extreme weather and rising sea levels.
Precast concrete is an ideal flood defence material due to its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions and numerous freeze-thaw cycles. It requires minimal support and is also easy to create complex shapes, ideal for adapting to the irregularity of the country’s unique river and costal formations.
The project compromised of 560 metres of architectural precast walling with surface finishes such as acid etching and exposed aggregate, created using a retarding agent.
Numerous wall panels with recessed lettering and artwork were crafted using inset coloured tiles.
Precast cladding, piers and copings were secured to driven steel sheet piling supplied by leading civil engineering company, and our partner for the project, VolkerStevin.
Client: VolkerStevin for The Environment Agency
Sector: Flood Defence
Materials: Precast Concrete
Completion Date: June 2015
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
Amber Valley Stone have completed the Façade for Main contractor Eric Wright Construction on the new 54,500 ft² headquarters on Edward Street in Stockport which will house around 400 employees over four storeys, with all staff expected to complete the move by the end of the summer.
The new facility combines Stockport Homes’ existing services, which centre on managing social housing stock, local communities, preventing homelessness and helping to transform lives for local residents. The new central location will improve accessibility for customers, maximise joined up working and technology.
Designed by AEW architects, the Grade A facility comprises a basement car park with 61 spaces, along with meeting and community rooms and coffee shop that are also for use by local residents.
Contact AVS Today To Discuss Your Next Project:
01773 540707
The Architectural Façade incorporates Spanish dolomite aggregates along that gives the building a ‘Wow’ factor when the sun casts its eye over the elevations to create a true sparkle over the former Lamborghini factory site.
Client: Eric Wright Construction
Architects: AEW Architects
Sector: Facade
Materials: Portland White Spanish Dolomite
Completion Date: September 2017
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.
Yardleys extends to some 985m2 GEA on a level 2, 100m2 plot backing onto the ancient Bulstrode Camp – a protected 100,000m2 grassland. This elegant home follows classic Arts and Crafts design, incorporating the most up-to-date construction materials and technology.
For a project of this scale and grandeur, Amber Valley Stone supplied an array of vapour cured semi dry cast cills, lintels and copings as well as a bespoke wet cast structural arch. Our products were applied to the main entrance so that visitors can see the stone on all three sides.
The installation of stone components is often critical for any site’s programme so that our clients are assured that their deliveries will be received on the dates agreed and that there won’t be any missing or damaged components. And with, Amber Valley Stone, you’re guaranteed excellent communication and efficiency throughout every stage of your project.
Our client on this particular project, Heywood Real Estate, said that our involvement during the design process was invaluable, providing cost certainty from the outset to ensure the best value was achieved.
Client: Heywood Real Estate
Site: Yardleys, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire
Products: Vapour Cured Semi-Dry Cast Cills, Lintels and Copings & Wet Cast Structural Arch.
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 AVS Today To Discuss Your Next Project:
01773 540707
Simpson York Ltd appointed Amber Valley Stone to supply the cast stone components for their first new build, the St Thérèse of Lisieux Church for the Diocese of Middlesbrough.
Since 1994, the Church’s services have been held in schools and other venues and in 2016, the project was finally completed.
Amber Valley Stone was delighted to be asked to provide materials for this project. Alongside parishioners, the diocese, architects and builders, we were all able to create not only a beautiful building, but a special place of worship for many years to come in a thriving community.
We supplied a variety of cast stone, including:
- Curved entrance feature copings
- Window and door surrounds
- Column casings
- Straight and curved on plan ashlar walling
- Straight and curved on plan cills and string course
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 AVS Today To Discuss Your Next Project:
01773 540707
“Amber Valley Stone provided an excellent and very personable service throughout the Kings Crescent project.”
“The site sits in the heart of the Strutt’s Park Conservation Area, within Derby City, and ‘stone’ was specified at planning. The quality and aesthetic of their cast stone was such that it was selected by the City Council Conservation Officer for the project which offered much more versatility in design and better value for the project.”
Stuart Bennett – Director at Grace Construction Management
Specification of product used for this project was Vapour Cured Semi-Dry Cast Stone
Types of units supplied:
- Plinth
- Cills
- Keystone Heads
- Standard and bespoke string courses
- Quoins
- Copings
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.
