Concrete and Cements

About Concrete and Cement

Cement and concrete are some of the most important construction equipment & supplies available on the market. After all, their use is integral for many projects.  

Cement is a mixture of many ingredients, including silica, limestone, magnesia, alumina, alkaline, calcium sulfate, iron oxide, and sulfur trioxide. Cement is primarily used as an ingredient for making concrete — a mixture of cement and other aggregates and pastes. Concrete is what is actually used to adhere building materials together.

In addition to large-scale construction projects, these products can also be used to lay tile work along with other grouts and surface treatments. While cement is useful for finishing the exteriors of homes and buildings, plasters are a better fit for interior finishes.

Advantages of Concrete and Cement

The real benefit of using cement and concrete is that they hold building materials more securely in place than any other adhesive substance. Plus, they're the only solution when working with heavy materials such as stone, brick, or masonry. Unlike other adhesives and sealants primarily recommended for indoor use, concrete and cement can handle any kind of large or heavy construction components. 

Concrete is also very useful for quickly and easily constructing large surfaces, such as driveways and concrete floors. One only needs to mix the substance properly, correctly prepare the surface, and then pour the concrete mixture into the prepared space and wait for it to dry. It's much simpler than laying bricks or pieces of wood individually. 

Product Varieties

These products come in many forms for different purposes. Here are some of the most widely used varieties.

Ready Mix Concrete

This product is already fully mixed and ready to go at the point of purchase, as opposed to other types of concrete, which must be mixed on location.

Rapid Set Concrete

For those looking to save time during their construction projects, rapid set concrete is the ideal solution. It hardens considerably faster than other varieties, allowing for greater efficiency and speed.

Post Set Concrete

This mixture is specially formulated to assist with fixing posts and poles into the ground. Thanks to its special ingredients and unique consistency, it is better suited to this task than other variants.

Hydraulic Cement

This product is designed to protect against water leakage and excessive moisture, so it's perfect for masonry projects in moist areas or where water damage is a particular concern. 

Materials Used

All the distinct varieties of these products have their own formula with a range of different ingredients involved. Here are some of the primary distinctions.

Portland Cement

This is the most common garden variety form of cement. It consists primarily of limestone and is used as the main ingredient in concrete and mortar mix.

White Cement

This option is perfect for projects aiming for a bright, colourful result. The white colour of the cement mix is much more amicable to dyes and paints than its more traditional grey counterpart.

Cement With Sand

More commonly known as mortar mix, this product is ideal for making small repairs to bricks, stones, pillars, and other fixtures. Many concretes are formed by mixing this substance with an aggregate such as gravel.

How It's Used

Unless one is working with ready mix concrete, the first step is to mix the cement and other ingredients together on the job site so that the concrete is ready to be applied. Once the concrete is ready, the next steps all depend on what sort of construction work is being done.

If the task at hand is to lay bricks, the substance can be spread in between layers of bricks with a paddle and set together with pressure. For larger projects, like filling in a driveway, space will have to be dug out and prepared for the mixture to go into ahead of time. Then the substance must only be filled in and given time to dry.

Factors to Consider

When selecting which concrete or cement varieties are right for a specific project, there are a few factors to keep in mind.

Convenience:

If the construction team has the ability to mix concrete on the job site, ready mix concrete would certainly be convenient but by no means necessary. However, it would be required if the ability to mix on location were not present.

Aesthetics:

Additionally, for projects looking to incorporate distinct colours into the concrete, white cement would be a preferable choice over Portland cement due to its reduced pigmentation.

Care and Maintenance

The two main things that must be done to keep concrete surfaces in good condition are to protect them from moisture and grime. The first can be accomplished by the use of a sealant applied to the finished product. This can help form a barrier to guard against water damage and stains. The second task is taken care of easily enough with regular cleanings. This can be done with a mixture of water and vinegar or with a pressure washing device.

If you need assistance to find the right concrete and cement for your home or office, ArchiPro provides a connection to the various professionals, ready to assist with all requirements and questions. Simply click "Contact supplier" on the product's page, or visit the supplier's website directly from the product's page.