By Emma Peterson. 

Artificial stone is growing in popularity, and rightfully so! From versatility to durability and affordability, this is a great option for your next project. 

For many homeowners, a rock is something that gets in their way when doing routine yard work, like replanting flowers. But the right rocks can actually be incredible design elements. In an article for the International Pool and Spa Service Association (IPSSA), Zayvian Camacho (a member of the design/fabrication team at Rico Rock) discusses artificial rocks and how they can turn the “mundane into something magical.” 

Artificial rocks are a growing trend in the outdoor industry. The Stone Center of Texas, which provides manufactured stone to their customers, explains, “Made from a combination of cement, aggregates and pigments, manufactured stone is designed to mimic the look and feel of natural stone, while offering a more affordable, durable and versatile option for professional landscapers and landscapers alike.” These are the same points that Zayvian highlighted in their article for IPSSA.  

Affordability 

As clients look for affordable ways to upgrade their outdoor spaces, pool professionals are seeing a doubling of requests for renovations. Artificial rocks are an affordable way to deliver on those requests. Zayvian described the cost comparison, saying, “[Not only are artificial stone] steel or fiber reinforced and structurally superior to using natural stone, [they] are also half the cost of natural stone. “ 

Versatility 

In the context of building pool and water features, versatility is a powerful benefit. Zayvian explained, “One of the easiest ways to create a magical backyard escape is to use artificial rock to add water features. Luckily for pool pros, artificial rock suppliers now offer a wide range of component water features pre-designed into kits to create grottos, caves and cascading waterfalls that provide a guaranteed finished look to integrate seamlessly with the client's home and backyard.” 

Durability 

As for durability, the argument for artificial rock is twofold. One, as Stone Center of Texas put it, artificial rock is often stronger than its natural counterpart, without sacrificing the aesthetics. Two, in the context of something like a water feature, using artificial rock allows pool professionals to have more control over the systems. Zayvian explained, “The best part of the design of these component kits, from the perspective of pool professionals, is they have been designed to ensure proper water flow and weight distribution and, therefore, are structurally stronger than natural rock systems.”