- Stock: In Stock
- Model: S-03
- Diameter: 45.00 cm
- Net weight: 9.00 kg
- Dimensions: 63.00 cm × 50.00 cm × 45.00 cm
Available Options
- Description
- Problem & Solution
- How It Works
- Material & Warranty
- Use Cases
- In the Range
- Environment
- FAQ
The GARTENDEK S-03 is a hollow artificial stone with a tall, dome-shaped profile — the highest and most voluminous model in the GARTENDEK S-series. Designed to resemble a large natural field boulder, it conceals medium-sized garden equipment — pumps, pond filters, septic risers, manhole covers, transformer housings, tall valve assemblies — while adding a substantial stone accent to the landscape.
At 9 kg, the S-03 can be placed and repositioned by one person in under a minute, on any surface: lawn, gravel, soil, or paving. No tools, no foundations, no permanent changes to your garden. Beneath its rounded, organic silhouette lies a hollow interior with a coverage diameter of approximately 45 cm and a peak height of 46 cm — enough vertical clearance to shelter taller equipment that low-profile models cannot accommodate.
The surface is formed from natural marble chips embedded in a marine-grade gelcoat, producing the color variation and texture of a real field boulder. Available in two natural tones — Red and Gray — the S-03 is the tall-profile choice in the GARTENDEK range: substantial, realistic, and designed for long-term outdoor placement without maintenance.
Many gardens contain utility elements that stand upright or extend above ground level. A pond pump sits vertically near a water feature. A filter housing rises beside a pool. A septic riser protrudes from the lawn. A tall valve assembly or transformer box stands exposed near the terrace.
These elements are not only visually disruptive — they are too tall for low-profile covers. Standard compact stones (S-01 at 23 cm, S-02 at 25 cm) cannot contain them. The equipment remains visible, and the problem unsolved.
Traditional alternatives are limited. A natural boulder of comparable size weighs 80–150 kg, requires mechanical handling, and cannot be hollowed. Budget plastic covers are lightweight but degrade quickly — painted surfaces fade, crack, or chalk within two to three outdoor seasons.
The S-03 fills a gap that no other model in the S-series can reach: a tall, dome-shaped, realistic stone with 46 cm of height clearance — enough to conceal vertically oriented equipment, septic risers, and bulky utility installations, while remaining light enough for one person to handle.
The S-03 is a hollow shell with a tall dome-shaped profile — approximately 46 cm at center height, tapering to roughly 30 cm at the edges. The interior provides a usable coverage diameter of ~45 cm.
Installation is immediate. Place the stone directly over the target object on any surface. No anchoring, no foundation, no tools. Total setup time: under one minute. To access the equipment underneath, simply lift the stone and set it aside.
Stability comes from the stone's own weight (9 kg) and its broad base footprint (~63 × 50 cm). On sloped terrain, a small gravel bed improves contact, but is not required.
Seasonal behavior is neutral. The fiberglass composite structure does not absorb water, does not expand or contract meaningfully with temperature changes, and tolerates a continuous operating range from −30 °C to +60 °C. The stone performs identically in summer heat, autumn rain, and winter frost. It does not need to be removed, covered, or stored during any season.
Base contact — the stone has a non-sealed base and rests directly on the ground surface. It is not hermetically sealed; natural micro air exchange between the interior cavity and the surrounding environment is possible through the ground contact zone. The generous internal volume of the S-03 provides more air space than any other S-series model.
Safety and load limitations — the product supports 100+ kg of static load under normal conditions. It is not a load-bearing structure, is not designed for impact loads, and is not intended for jumping or active play without prior structural adaptation of the product. Use in children's and public zones is possible with a pre-agreed usage scenario, engineering adaptation of the structure, and coordination of safety requirements.
The S-03 is constructed from a multi-layer fiberglass composite — the same class of material used in boat hull construction, chosen for its strength-to-weight ratio and long-term weather resistance.
The outer surface is a marble chip and marble powder gelcoat of the ISO/NPG class. The color is not painted, printed, or applied as a film. Instead, natural stone chips and stone dust of different colors are mixed directly into the gelcoat compound during manufacturing. This means the color and grain are embedded in the material itself, producing a surface that ages gracefully rather than peeling, flaking, or fading.
Compared with typical alternatives:
| Criterion | GARTENDEK S-03 | Natural field stone | Concrete cover | Budget plastic (HDPE / polyresin) |
| Weight (comparable size) | 9 kg | 80–150 kg | 40–70 kg | 2–5 kg |
| Hollow interior | ✅ Conceals equipment | ❌ Solid | ❌ Typically solid | ✅ Hollow |
| Visual realism | Marble chips in gelcoat | Natural stone | Industrial appearance | Paint / print — fades in 2–3 seasons |
| Height clearance | 46 cm — tallest in S-series | Varies | Fixed / limited | Typically ≤25 cm |
| Installation | One person, <1 min | Crane or mechanical lift | Heavy manual work | One person |
| Access to concealed element | ✅ Lift and replace instantly | ❌ Must remove entirely | ❌ Fixed installation | ✅ Lift |
| UV / frost resistance | ✅ Engineered (−30 °C to +60 °C) | Variable (natural variation) | ⚠️ Can crack in freeze-thaw cycles | ⚠️ Surface degrades under UV |
| Load capacity | 100+ kg | Unlimited | High | Not rated |
| Service life | 10+ years | Indefinite | Variable (cracking risk) | 2–4 years |
| Price range | From €255 | €500–2,000+ | €40–150 | €30–110 |
| Production | EU (Italy / Slovenia) | Natural quarrying | Local / industrial | Predominantly China |
The S-03 occupies a deliberate position: lighter than stone or concrete, far more durable and realistic than budget plastic, and uniquely offering the tallest profile in the S-series — 46 cm of height clearance that no other compact model can match.
Maintenance is minimal. Clean occasionally with water and a soft brush. No sealing, repainting, or chemical treatment is ever required.
Concealing a tall garden or pond pump
The S-03's 46 cm height accommodates vertically oriented pump bodies that do not fit under flatter S-series models. The non-sealed base allows natural micro air exchange.
Hiding a pond filter or sand filter system
Most residential filter units stand 30–45 cm tall. The S-03 covers them completely while allowing easy access for maintenance — simply lift the stone.
Covering a septic tank riser or cleanout pipe
Protruding septic elements are among the most visually disruptive objects in a garden. The S-03's dome profile conceals risers up to 45 cm in diameter and 46 cm in height.
Disguising a manhole cover or inspection hatch
When the manhole has a protruding rim or raised frame, the S-03 provides enough vertical clearance — unlike low-profile covers that require a perfectly flush surface.
Equipment concealment near a terrace
Transformer housings, tall irrigation valve assemblies, backflow preventers, and cable junction boxes near a terrace are replaced by a calm, natural boulder form.
Decorative landscaping
Many buyers place the S-03 purely as a large decorative stone accent — near a water feature, at the corner of a planted zone, or as a visual anchor in a garden bed. No equipment concealment needed.
The S-03 is the tall-profile model of the GARTENDEK S-series — the tallest (46 cm), heaviest (9 kg), and largest-coverage unit (ø 45 cm) in the entry size category (€254.88 including delivery).
Its dome-shaped silhouette gives it the maximum internal volume of any S-series stone. This makes it the natural choice for concealing taller, bulkier installations that low-profile models cannot accommodate.
Choose the S-03 when:
- The object to conceal is tall or bulky (up to ø 45 cm, up to 46 cm height)
- Maximum internal volume within the S-series is needed
- A substantial, large-boulder aesthetic is desired
- The target is a pump, filter, septic riser, or tall utility element
Consider a different model when:
- The target is wider than ø 45 cm — look at S-05 (ø 49 cm, flat profile) or M-series
- The target is small and height is not needed — S-01 (ø 39 cm, 23 cm tall) or S-04 (ø 33 cm)
- Same ø 45 cm coverage is needed but at lower weight and price — S-07 (5.70 kg, 23 cm tall, €186.35)
- Greater coverage diameter is required — M-01 (ø 73 cm), M-02 (ø 55 cm), or L-series
The S-03 works well as a standalone landscape element or as the tallest piece in a multi-stone arrangement using different GARTENDEK models.
Environment — Artificial Stones (GARTENDEK)
1. Carbon Footprint (Production & Logistics)
The carbon footprint of GARTENDEK artificial stones is determined by three factors: material composition, production location, and logistics distance.
Materials: The composite structure (gelcoat, polyester resins, marble chips, fiberglass) uses industrially processed but chemically stable components. Marble chips are a by-product of natural stone processing, not virgin mined material.
Production: Manufacturing takes place in Italy and Slovenia (EU). European production significantly reduces transport distance compared to non-EU alternatives.
Logistics: Each stone is shipped in an individual wooden crate. Product weight ranges from 5 kg (S size) to over 50 kg (XXXL size). The shipping crate adds approximately 2–12 kg of wood packaging depending on size. Courier delivery within the EU generates 15–120 kg CO₂e per shipment depending on size and distance.
Numerical estimate (category average): For a medium-sized stone (M/L), the estimated carbon footprint from production and delivery within Central Europe is approximately 30–60 kg CO₂e per unit.
2. Zero Plastic Packaging
GARTENDEK artificial stones are shipped without single-use plastic packaging.
Primary packaging: The stone is secured inside a wooden crate using:
- Wooden battens and screws (marked removal points)
- Black or transparent stretch film (perforated for handholds) — this is the only plastic component
Secondary packaging: The crate is wrapped in the same stretch film for weather protection during transit.
Customer action: After receiving the stone, the user removes 2–3 screws at marked locations and cuts the PVC ties with a knife or scissors. The stretch film and PVC ties are recyclable as plastic waste (PP/PVC).
Wooden crate disposal: The crate can be:
- Dismantled and used as firewood
- Disposed of as non‑hazardous waste
- Recycled as clean wood (untreated, no chemical impregnation)
Plastic content per shipment: Less than 1% of total packaging weight.
3. Water Conservation
The product itself does not consume water during use. However, water conservation is relevant at two stages:
Production: Composite manufacturing uses water only for cooling and cleaning. No water is incorporated into the final product.
Use phase (landscaping): Stones can be placed in rain‑fed landscapes without irrigation requirements. When used to conceal utility infrastructure (septic hatches, well casings, junction boxes), the stone does not alter the site's water balance.
Comparison to natural stone: Natural stone quarrying often requires water for cutting and polishing. GARTENDEK stones are moulded, not cut — no process water is consumed during shaping.
Verdict: The product has negligible direct water impact. Indirect savings come from replacing water‑intensive natural stone extraction.
4. Food Waste Reduction
GARTENDEK artificial stones are not directly involved in food production or storage. However, they contribute indirectly through:
Edible landscaping: Stones can be placed adjacent to vegetable beds, herb gardens, or fruit bushes — creating visually coherent edible landscapes without soil contamination risks (the material is chemically inert, see Section 8).
No leaching into soil: Because the material does not interact with soil or groundwater, it does not compromise food safety for plants grown nearby.
No direct effect on food waste: The product's contribution to food waste reduction is neutral to positive (by enabling edible landscaping without restrictions).
5. Product Lifecycle
Declared service life: 10+ years of outdoor use under normal conditions (temperature range −30 °C to +60 °C, UV exposure, rain, snow, wind).
Design philosophy: The stone is engineered as a permanent landscape element — not a disposable seasonal item. The multi‑layer composite structure (gelcoat + fiberglass + marble surface) is designed to remain visually and structurally stable for a decade or more.
Maintenance requirements: None. No seasonal treatment, no repainting, no sealing, no waterproofing.
Failure modes (end of life): The stone may eventually develop surface wear (chalking, fading) or structural damage from extreme impact. It does not rot, warp, or biodegrade prematurely.
Obsolescence: The stone does not become functionally obsolete. It can be repositioned, relocated, or reassigned to a different landscape use at any time.
6. Transport Packaging
Primary shipping crate: Individual wooden crate (softwood, typically spruce or pine). Crate dimensions range from 70×50×30 cm (S size) to 170×90×55 cm (XXXL size) (custom‑fitted to each stone).
Crate weight: Wooden structure adds approximately 2–12 kg to the shipment depending on size.
Crate materials:
- Wooden battens and boards (untreated, no chemical impregnation)
- Screws (metal, recyclable)
- PVC ties (plastic, recyclable)
- Stretch film (LDPE, recyclable)
Logistics class:
- S / M sizes — standard courier (DPD, GLS, national postal services)
- L sizes — standard pallet shipment
- XL / XXXL sizes — custom non‑standard pallet, special freight services
Space efficiency: The wooden crate is form‑fitted to each stone. Void space is minimal (typically less than 10% of crate volume). Flat‑packing is not applicable due to the stone's rigid shape.
7. End‑of‑Life & Recyclability
Material composition (by function):
- Gelcoat (ISO/NPG) — thermoset polymer, not melt‑recyclable
- Polyester resins — thermoset polymer, not melt‑recyclable
- Fiberglass (glass fibre reinforcement) — non‑recyclable in mixed composite form
- Marble chips and sand — inert mineral filler
- Internal moisture barrier — additional polymer layer
Current recyclability status: The multi‑layer composite structure is not recyclable through standard municipal waste streams. Thermoset polymers cannot be remelted. Separation of layers is not economically feasible at scale.
Responsible disposal options:
- Landfill (non‑hazardous) — the material is chemically inert and does not leach toxins
- Energy recovery (incineration with power generation) — the polymer fraction has calorific value
- Downcycling (crushing as mineral aggregate) — marble chips and sand can be recovered as filler material
Comparison to alternatives:
- Natural stone — not recyclable either, but can be crushed as aggregate
- Concrete — crushable as aggregate, but significantly heavier (15–20×) and less resource‑efficient during use
Future improvements: GARTENDEK is monitoring developments in thermoset polymer recycling (solvolysis, pyrolysis) but does not currently offer closed‑loop recycling.
8. Summary Table (Category Ranges)
| Parameter | Range / Value |
|---|---|
| Product name | GARTENDEK Artificial Stone (S, M, L, XL, XXXL) |
| Declared service life | 10+ years |
| Weight (product only) | 5–50+ kg (depending on model) |
| Weight with wooden crate | 7–65 kg |
| Shipping crate dimensions | 70×50×30 cm (S) to 170×90×55 cm (XXXL) |
| Carbon footprint estimate | 15–120 kg CO₂e |
| Plastic packaging | less than 1% of total packaging weight |
| Water consumption during use | 0 L (no irrigation required) |
| Recyclability (current) | Not recyclable — landfill or energy recovery |
| Material leaching into soil | None — chemically inert |
| Food‑safe for adjacent planting | Yes — no soil interaction |
9. EU Environmental Frameworks
REACH (EC 1907/2006): All materials used (gelcoat, polyester resins, fiberglass, marble chips) are REACH‑registered substances. No SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) are intentionally added.
CE marking (Construction Products Regulation CPR — EU 305/2011): Artificial stones are not classified as construction products under CPR. They are landscape elements and do not require CE marking for structural use.
EU Ecolabel (optional): The product does not carry EU Ecolabel certification. The composite structure does not meet current criteria for "easy recyclability" (a requirement for Ecolabel in some categories).
Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC): The wooden crate is classified as non‑hazardous waste (EWC 15 01 03 — wooden packaging). The stone itself, at end of life, is classified as non‑hazardous industrial waste (EWC 10 11 03 — waste from composite materials).
Single‑Use Plastics Directive (SUP — EU 2019/904): The stretch film and PVC ties are within scope, but quantities are minimal (less than 1% of packaging weight). GARTENDEK continues to explore plastic‑free alternatives.
EU Green Deal / Circular Economy Action Plan: The product aligns with durability and repairability principles (long service life, no planned obsolescence) but does not yet meet circularity targets for polymer composites.
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