FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ESTATE BOULDERS:
Below are answers to questions that are commonly asked about our Estate Boulders which
are 300-400-lb. reproductions of natural rocks weighing up to 2 1/2 tons.
These unique and practical landscape accents are quickly becoming the
preferred way to showcase large, architectural-sized plaques for memorials,
dedications or special recognition purposes at public parks, universities,
resorts and golf courses, museums, private residences corporate offices,
historical buildings, libraries, zoos and other locations. They are the common-sense alternative to the
cost and difficulty of acquiring, moving and installing a real boulder weighing
up to 2 1/2 tons before attempting to professionally mount a plaque or sign on
it.
How are the Estate Boulders manufactured and
shipped?
The rugged castings are hollow, approx. one-inch thick, and open at the bottom.
They weigh between 300-400 lbs. (but are exact replicas of rocks that would
normally weigh up to 2 1/2 tons) and are manufactured from construction-grade
GFRC cast stone to last for decades in a variety of climates. They are crated on
pallets and shipped via nationally-recognized common carriers such as FedEx
Freight.
How many years will they last?
Due to modern high-performance polymers and other scientifically-developed,
construction-grade admixtures, our boulders are designed to last for decades (in
a variety of climates, high winds and in the face of mowers, watering and
trimming using plastic-line weed eaters) and typically wear in the same manner
as, or superior to, natural stone.
Do the boulders require special care?
The only special care required is in climates with freeze-thaw conditions. Our
cast stone formula includes moisture-proof admixtures and an industrial sealer
has been applied to all surfaces. However, we strongly recommend purchasing from
your local hardware or home improvement store a penetrating concrete sealer and
applying it to the boulder (after gently washing it with mild, soapy water to
remove dust) every 5-6 years for best protection against moisture intrusion and
freeze-thaw cycles.
No chemicals or cleaning solvents should ever be used to clean the products.
Care should be taken when unpacking, moving and installing the boulder(s), but
if one should be accidentally scratched or chipped, the mark will likely
disappear from view as natural weathering takes place over several months,
similar to natural stone. However, easy-to-use scratch "kits" are available upon
request.
Is there a manufacturer's product guarantee?
A 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is offered for the lifetime of each boulder if the
craftsmanship is found to be defective in any way (with the exception of
naturally-occurring adjustments in color). Customers with a valid defective
craftsmanship claim will receive an immediate replacement with an identical
product once the claim is confirmed.
How are the Estate Boulders colored?
Since detailed latex molds for the boulders are tediously taken from actual
rocks found in nature, the color process used for them
match the realism of the replica castings.
Skilled craftsmen enhance the GFRC
cast stone with permanent natural shades using a proprietary coloring process
which requires no special maintenance in the future (as previously mentioned,
our customers are usually pleased to learn the three basic colors of the
boulders will actually appear more lifelike over the years with the helpful
affects of the natural elements such as the sun, snow and rain).
What choice of natural colors are available?
There are three natural colors to choose: Slate Gray (popular in the Midwest and
East Coast areas of the United States), Sandstone and Red Rock.
How is the plaque installed on the Estate
Boulder?
It is installed in a
custom hand-chiseled recess in the chosen boulder with your choice of industrial
epoxy adhesive or hardware that can be screwed into the "bosses and studs" on
the reverse side of a plaque or sign after you drill holes into the boulder to
accept it.
Customers who want the flexibility of being able to remove the plaque or sign
in the future for whatever reason normally choose installation with hardware
(the most popular method) whereas the industrial epoxy adhesive is a popular
choice with those who want a permanent mounting.
How many days before we receive our order? How
will it be shipped?
Once we have discussed with you (via email or phone) regarding the type of
boulder and plaque size, we will provide you with the estimated delivery based on the length of time it takes to complete
your plaque before it is delivered to the Estate Boulders' manufacturer where it
will be installed in the rock, crated on a pallet and shipped to its final
destination.
Should we worry about possible theft of our
Estate Boulder?
The 300-400 lb. rock reproductions are so realistic that it's unlikely anyone is going to bother with what appears to be a
two-ton natural rock that would require incredible effort and a crane to move.
However, if you feel it's necessary in your area, we suggest the use of the
heavy-duty rebar hook manufactured underneath each boulder for anti-theft
purposes.
To use this feature, you should purchase a length of chain of which
one end is locked onto the rebar hook (with an inexpensive combination or key
lock) while the remainder of the chain is pushed into a cement-filled hole
underneath the boulder where it can be left to dry to form a pillar for extra
anchor security.
