The Cast Stone Institute® (CSI) is the recognized industry authority for architectural cast stone, providing expert counsel to the architectural, engineering, and mason communities. Cast stone is defined as a refined architectural concrete building unit that is manufactured to simulate natural cut stone, used in unit masonry applications, and that meet the requirements of Section 04-72-00 of the Cast Stone Institute Specifications. Used as an architectural feature, trim, ornament, or facing for buildings or other structures, it is created with a fine-grain texture to simulate all types of natural cut stone such as limestone, granite, slate, travertine, or marble. In the CSI Specifications, the definition of cast stone is specified per ASTM C1364, the Standard Specification for Architectural Cast Stone.
Properly manufactured, designed, and installed, cast stone can result in an architectural project of enduring beauty to be enjoyed for decades. When specifying cast stone on a project, be sure to call out for a Cast Stone Institute Producer Member. All parties need to hold to that specification. Certified Producer Members of the Cast Stone Institute are engaged in the relentless pursuit of excellence in manufacturing. This provides the owner with the quality cast stone the project deserves. All certified Cast Stone Institute Producer Members provide a 10-year limited product warranty for the cast stone they supply on projects. This warranty demonstrates that CSI Producer Members embrace sustainability and durability, and produce products that will stand the test of time.
