Exterior Portfolio by Crane Introduces New BellaStone Architectural Column for Fencing, Landscaping, Porch Railing and Home Architectural Accents

March, 2008 -- Featuring all the detail, shadowing and texture of fine, quarried stone, but without needing installation by a professional stonemason or ongoing maintenance, the new BellaStone® Architectural Column provides homeowners with beautiful stone accents for homes, landscaping, fencing and porch railings. Available in Spring 2008, the BellaStone Architectural Column is the latest product innovation in the popular BellaStone product family.

Launched in 2007, BellaStone has been recognized by many trade and consumer magazines as one of the most innovative new products in years. The new BellaStone Architectural Column capitalizes on years of research and development and pushes this exciting new technology into a new category – fencing. The new system utilizes Crane's exclusive, dimensional non-masonry stone technology in a long- lasting, durable column design. Unlike competitive column accents that require painting and ongoing attention, the BellaStone Architectural Column offers true maintenance freedom. The long-lasting surface will not weather regardless of environmental conditions and ultra-violet rays.

While the BellaStone Architectural Column's dramatic, chiseled stone appearance provides excellent curb appeal and aesthetics, the real benefit is the mix-and-match program that allows homeowners and builders to customize each column with complementary caps. Each BellaStone Architectural Column is 20 inches square and available in two sizes: 16 or 38 inches tall. Each is also available in two colors – Tuscan (Earth-tone shade) and Torino (gray-tone shade).

The BellaStone Architectural Column can be used with or without a cap depending on preference or application. There are two BellaStone Cap options – Traditional and Classic. The Traditional BellaStone Cap features a defined overhang and a slight angle leading to a flat top. This cap can be combined with light kits for outdoor lighting. The Classic BellaStone Cap features an elegant, angled pyramid design. Both options have hand chiseled edges and provide users yet another option to customize the look for their project.

The BellaStone Architectural Column marries the timeless beauty of stone with true installation ease. No professional stonemasonry skills are required and the system can be customized and installed in minutes. For fence and rail installations, the BellaStone Architectural Column is specially engineered and can be mounted using a variety of popular post sizes ranging from 15/8"- 2" galvanized pole to a 6" x 6" treated wood post. Once mounted, the BellaStone Architectural Column nicely accents a variety of popular fence and railing styles.

All BellaStone products offer a 50-year limited warranty. For more information on the new BellaStone Architectural Column or other BellaStone and Exterior Portfolio™ by Crane products, call 800-366-8472 or visit www.exteriorportfolio.com.

Exterior Portfolio™ by Crane is focused on exterior design options for architects, builders, contractors, and homeowners. Exterior Portfolio offers an extensive collection of cladding products and accents including BellaStone®, CraneBoard® and Architectural Essentials™, to demonstrate textures, colors and styles. The first of its kind in the building products industry, Exterior Portfolio is a design group of products, branded by Crane Performance Siding®, located in Columbus, Ohio.