Instead of using actual rocks for yard landscaping, which are heavy, difficult to move and often expensive, it is often preferable to use artificial rocks. There are many benefits to using artificial rocks as opposed to their real counterparts.

Advantages of Artificial Rock

One of the main benefits of artificial rock is its much lighter weight. As opposed to real rocks and boulders which often weigh several hundred or even a thousand pounds, even large artificial rocks can weigh as little as little as fifty or sixty pounds, especially if they are hollow. Hollow artificial rocks can be easily moved around the yard as landscaping accents, or they can even be used to hide unsightly mechanical elements in the yard, such as tanks, pumps or electrical boxes. They are also good for creating landscaping features such as rock gardens, waterfalls, or as an easy care groundcover for sloping areas which are difficult to mow and maintain. Although real rocks could also be used for these types of features, the light weight and durability of artificial rock make them easier to work with. Solid artificial rocks are also available, which are preferable for certain types of applications, such as creating retaining walls. However, although they are strong and durable, even solid artificial rocks weigh less than real rocks, so they are much easier to work with.

Durability of Artificial Rocks

Artificial rocks are also more resistant to temperature extremes, such as freezing and thawing, which can eventually crack real rock. Artificial rock is designed to withstand these extremes, being made from materials which are weather resistant and durable. Real rocks can also erode over time, especially when used in areas such as waterfalls and fountains, which could cause crumbling, shifting and breaking to occur. Real rocks can also be more difficult to care for and keep clean, due to the fact that using a power washer could cause crumbling and shifting of the rock. They can also shift and settle which can cause water landscaping features to leak over time, or become unstable. The sheer weight of real rock can make structures such as walls or waterfalls more dangerous, especially if the rocks shift over time.

Realistic Appearance

Artificial rocks can look just as realistic as real rocks. They are often created from molds which are made from real rocks and boulders, and coloration pigments can be used to create very realistic effects. They can actually look better than real rocks in some types of applications, because they can be molded into taller formations such as walls and cliffs without the “stacked rock” look that often occurs when these types of structures are built using individual real rocks. The uniform sizing of artificial rocks is also helpful when building many types of structures.

Cost Advantages

There are also cost advantages to using artificial rocks as opposed to real rocks. Real rocks can be quite expensive to purchase, and can require additional costs just to ship and move. Artificial rocks can be purchased much more inexpensively, and the shipping costs are much less. There are also companies which can build the rocks directly on site, eliminating the need for shipping altogether. The lower cost of artificial rocks makes it economically feasible to create large landscaping structures such as walls, waterfalls and rock gardens which would be too expensive for the average homeowner when real rocks are used.

Mr. Peter Heiss and Mr. Mark MacIsaac – are the preeminent designers in the Pacific Northwest and have spent a lifetime studying and emulating all of nature’s beauty. We can create pools, hot tubs, waterfalls and every other feature out of any rock you choose. At Raincity Rock & Waterscapes