If you are looking to choose a durable material for either an indoor or outdoor project, concrete is a good option to go for. When it comes to selecting concrete though, there are times when it can be mistakenly interchanged with concrete. While there can be similar visual aspects between the two materials, each one offers there own features and benefits for different projects. By discerning between the two, you can better know how to best apply either of them.
How Are Concrete and Cement Different
Concrete and cement are two different types of materials that offer their pros and cons. When it comes to differentiating between the two, there are different properties that you can look out for.
What Discerns Concrete
The first thing to know about concrete is that is generally made with a mixture of cement, stone, sand, and water. The less water that is added to a concrete mixture, the stronger that mixture will be. In the mixture, the aggregates such as sand, stone, and gravel make up about 75% of concrete. During its initial installation process, concrete is like clay, wet and able to take different forms. After it dries over time, it hardens, it can be a sturdy feature for either residential or commercial spaces.
Other than this, concrete offers the option of different styles and textures with the right stain or another type of finish. Whether you are looking to have a concrete patio installed or want durable commercial flooring, concrete provides a versatile and sturdy option.
What Discerns Cement
This type of material is defined as a binder that is a very thin powder built out of crushed minerals. The powder is formed from a mixture of iron, aluminium, silicon, calcium, and other substances that are found in limestone, shells, chalk, clay, iron ore, and silica sand. Once this mixture is heated up at a high temperature, it creates a rock-like substance that is ground into an extremely fine powder.
When this is mixed with water, it can be used as grout or paste. Otherwise, it can be combined with plaster and water and applied to masonry surfaces to create a smooth surface. What makes cement so different from concrete is that it cannot be used by itself and is mainly identified as a type of binding agent.
When to Use One Over the Other
While cement is generally a type of material that cannot be used by itself most often than not, it can be used as a grout option or an alternative solution to crack damage. Concrete on the other hand is a generally recommended option if you are looking for a versatile and sturdy material for any project. If this is not enough for you, you can consult with a professional service group on the best ways to have the materials applied.
Why Choose Rockhampton Concreters For Assistance
When it comes to working with either cement or concrete, there are different options that you will want to consider and a good way to determine what would work for your choice of project is with a professional service group. By choosing to have Rockhampton Concreters as your choice of a professional service group, you can be assured of an experienced group of professionals that can provide quality results. Whether you want to work on either concrete or cement, Rockhampton Concreters can help you with it.
Conclusion
Concrete and cement are two types of materials that have a tendency to be interchanged but each holds its properties. What makes them so different is that cement is a binding agent that is part of the concrete mixture and is generally something that cannot be used by itself outside of being a paste or grout. When discerning the two, it can help in discerning quality materials for any construction project involving concrete or otherwise.
