Portland Cast Stone Colour – Is It Right For Your Luxury Home?
In this blog, we’ll take a look at how and when to choose Portland cast stone colour for your luxury home and building project.
What is Portland Cast Stone?
Named after and echoing the natural stone found on the Isle of Portland in Dorset, UK, this timeless appealing stone has been used in architecture for many years and offers a lot of versatility. This is emphasised by the fact that the stone first started forming during the Jurassic period.
At Acanthus, we’ve always had a Portland colour but about 4 to 5 years ago, we decided to change the shade to get a closer match to natural Portland Stone. The old Portland resembled our current Ivory more closely. After testing several sands, we finally found the right shade to achieve the ‘off-white’ hue that is our closest shade to white, with a hint of very light grey.
Since then, Portland coloured cast stone has become one of our most popular colours, helped in part by its natural look and versatility.
How can Portland Cast Stone enhance the curb appeal of my property?
Portland cast stone can help to enhance the curb appeal of your property. Its classic and elegant appearance makes it a popular choice for a wide range of projects, from restoring historic buildings to constructing new properties.
When Should I Use Portland Cast Stone?
Portland coloured cast stone can be a beautiful addition to any property, but using it effectively is the key. There are several factors to consider when deciding if Portland is the right choice for your project:
1) Location
The location of your property can have a significant impact on the choice of colour that would work best. Portland cast stone is commonly associated with high-end properties in London; major public buildings such as St. Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace both use it. This makes it an excellent choice if your property is located in the capital. This also means it may be more likely to be approved in a planning meeting, if this is the case.
However, we recommend checking with your local authority to ensure you are meeting building and planning regulations.
Portland cast stone can and does work, no matter where your property is located; it very much depends on your personal preference.
2) The Type of Surroundings
When it comes to enhancing the beauty of your property, the surroundings are key and choosing the right colour is vital. Portland coloured cast stone products, such as our Portland Balustrades, have a unique ability to make a statement in settings against the backdrop of green trees and nature. The contrast of the rich coloured cast stone against natural elements can elevate the appeal and add to the ‘wow factor’ of the property.
Likewise, Portland cast stone products can also work well in more high-end residential areas. This means that Portland cast stone can used in a multitude of surroundings.
3) Type of Property
Consider the style and architecture of your property when thinking about using Portland cast stone. The flexibility and timeless appeal of Portland make it suitable for various types of properties, from contemporary buildings to traditional residences.
4) Your Own Style
Ultimately, when it comes to selecting the perfect cast stone colour for your property, your personal preference and unique style should take priority. Your individual taste and aesthetic vision are the driving forces behind the decision to choose a particular colour scheme.
If you appreciate the natural beauty and elegance of cast stone, then Portland is the ideal colour option for you. It successfully emulates the appearance of natural stone at a fraction of the cost. Not only does it provide a striking resemblance to natural stone, but it can also add value to your luxury property.
How To Colour Match / Contrast
Choosing the right colour scheme for your luxury property can drastically impact its overall appearance. The right colour choice can either help your property to blend in, or alternatively can make your property stand out.
In terms of Portland cast stone, a common question that arises is, ‘Do people usually put the Portland colour with white render to blend in, or with red bricks to contrast?’ We believe that Portland is a highly versatile colour which works exceptionally well in both scenarios.
As the lightest colour in our range, Portland offers a bright and fresh look that can create a stunning contrast when paired with other building materials. Achieving a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing exterior involves careful consideration of colour matching.
The right colour choice has the power to make your home stand out or seamlessly blend into its natural surroundings as desired. Both effects will enhance the curb appeal and overall design of your home, and the choice largely depends on your own unique style.
Colour Matching Cast Stone Products
Colour matching with other cast stone features is a simple yet effective way to create a cohesive and luxurious outdoor space that seamlessly blends with your home’s style.
When it comes to enhancing the look of your luxury home and garden, colour matching plays a key role in creating a cohesive and visually appealing exterior. In addition to selecting the right colour scheme for your property, we recommend matching the colour with other key cast stone landscape products such as Pier Caps, Gate Pillars, and Treads & Risers.
How to Choose the Right Colour for You
When it comes to selecting the ideal colour for your project, there are some key steps you can take to ensure you make the right choice:
- Create a Mood Board: To further refine your selection process, consider creating a mood board. This visual tool can help you gather inspiration, explore different colour palettes, textures, and styles, and ensure that your colour aligns with the overall aesthetic you want to achieve.
- Bring a Sample of Your Colour to Site: Another helpful tip is to take a sample of your chosen colour to your project site. By seeing the sample in the actual location where it will be used, you can better visualise how it will fit in with the surroundings and other elements.
- Bring Your Sample to Planning Meetings: We recommend taking a sample of your colour to any planning meetings related to your project. Having the sample physically present can greatly enhance discussions and decisions, increasing the chances of it being approved if required. Quite often, planning officers ask for a colour sample before giving their approval to ensure it is similar to the local stonework or colour palette.
By following these steps, you can confidently choose the right colour for your project, ensuring that it complements your vision and meets your design goals, and achieves approval from the relevant planning department.
You can request your Portland sample here: Acanthus Cast Stone – Portland Sample Request.
Our Other Cast Stone Colours:
In addition to Portland coloured cast stone, we also offer a range of other colours to choose from, including Ivory, Bathstone, Cotswold, Yorkstone, Natural Grey, Charcoal, and Terracotta. Each of these options will complement various locations, cater to different personal styles, and can impart a distinct style to your luxury home.
You can request a free sample of any of our cast stone colours to take to your local planning meeting.
At Acanthus, we are also looking to add more cast stone colours to our range, so keep an eye out for updates from us. In fact, you can join our email newsletter here for the latest news.
Why Acanthus
We have extensive experience of working with Portland coloured cast stone. One case study we are particularly proud of is detailed below.
GPF Lewis Case Study
Our GPF Lewis case study is a great example of using Portland coloured cast stone:
Location: Cheyne Place, London, SW3.
Project Type: Residential – Luxury Apartments.
Services Used: CAD draftsmen, estimators, project managers and of course our joinery department.
Products Delivered: Bay Window Surrounds, Coping Stones, Panel Façade, and C-Section Columns.
Overall Project Price: £50k
The use of Portland cast stone in this project resulted in a seamless integration with the iconic London architecture, providing a modern and sophisticated look to the luxury apartments being developed. The versatility of Portland cast stone allowed us to create bespoke pieces that enhance the overall appeal and blend harmoniously with the surroundings.
The success of the GPF Lewis case study is a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional quality and craftsmanship in every project we undertake. To learn more about this project and how we helped to transform luxury apartments with Portland cast stone, read the full case study here.
Conclusion
Portland cast stone stands out as a versatile and highly sought-after option that not only enhances the curb appeal of your property but also adds elegance to any architectural design. We would highly recommend using it on your next luxury project.
“Portland Cast Stone is the colour I love the most, it’s a timeless classic that really adds the wow factor to your build. We have a team of experienced staff on hand to support you through the ordering and installation process.” – Liz Thornton, General Manager at Acanthus Cast Stone Ltd.
If you require any further information or wish to discuss our bespoke cast stone products or colours, contact one of our friendly Acanthus team or call us on 01773 447042.
