Water tables and belt courses are projecting trim elements that do real work: they shed water away from the wall and organize a facade into readable bands. Because they project, they take heavy water exposure — which is exactly why dense cast stone is the right material for them.
What a water table does
A water table is a projecting course near the base of a wall. It directs rainwater running down the facade away from the foundation and the vulnerable lower wall. Historically it also marked the transition from a thicker base wall to a thinner upper wall.
What a belt course does
A belt course (or string course) is a horizontal band of projecting trim, usually aligned with floor levels. It serves two purposes: it visually organizes the facade into stories, and — like a water table — it sheds water away from the wall below.
Why these need to be done right
Any projecting element collects and channels water. Without proper slope and a drip edge, that water runs back onto the wall and into joints. In NYC's freeze-thaw climate, that is how spalling and staining begin. Deteriorated projecting trim is a common Local Law 11 finding.
Why cast stone
- Dense, low-permeability material resists heavy water exposure
- Cast with proper wash and drip details from custom molds
- Color-matched to limestone, brownstone, or the existing facade
Specify projecting trim
Water tables, belt courses, and cornices are all part of a complete facade program. Request a quote from Mohan's Precast to spec your projecting trim.
