Faux Rocks! Artificial Rocks and Concrete Rock Features

The world's great deposits of synthetic rock were once concentrated in zoos, theme parks and the occasional museum exhibit. But times have changed, and these days, faux rock is cropping up all over, from backyard pools and spas to shopping-mall waterfalls.

"The demand for artificial rock is booming just about everywhere," says Bruce Riley, managing director of RicoRock LLC, which uses fiber-reinforced concrete to manufacture modular rock waterfall kits. "Only in parts of Southern California has it peaked in popularity."

But if someone wants to put in a sandstone waterfall, a lava-rock barbeque, or a granite grotto, why not use real rock? There are a number of reasons why faux is so popular.

• Cost is one big factor. For the same money your customer might spend on a modest real-rock feature, they could have a mini Grand Canyon made with synthetic rock.
• Weight is another consideration. Pool decks or other structures that would fail beneath the crushing weight of rock generally easily support faux.
• When it comes to water features, which go hand in hand with rockwork, faux rock has no mortared joints to leak and seep like real rock features do.
• Environmentally, faux eliminates the need to tear up to the earth to mine real rock.
• It also offers versatility and ease of use that real rock can't touch. You don't need to bore holes through solid rock to hide the plumbing and electrical guts of a waterfall or hire a crane to hoist boulders into place.