Is there anything more important than the foundation your house rests on? The key to a strong foundation is to pick the right material, in the right place and at the right time. When it comes to a driveway, the strength of the material is the most important factor. The material that a driveway is made from must be able to hold up to the weight of the car you will be driving on it as well as to the weight of snow, rain, and dirt that will fall from it.
Concrete or Cement? What’s the Difference?
Many people often refer to cement and concrete interchangeably. However, they are not the same thing. Cement is a powdery substance used to make concrete. Concrete is a mixture of cement, aggregate (sand, gravel, recycled cement, etc.), and water.
When aggregate and water are mixed to form a concrete material, the cement, and water work together to form a rock-like material. This may account for concrete being one of the world’s most widely used building materials.
Some of the top benefits of concrete for commercial and residential construction projects are that it can be easily provided and is extremely durable:
Economical
Concrete is a much more affordable construction material than any of the others. Its requirements are readily available, and it’s a relatively cheap material.
Durability
Concrete remains strong much longer than other materials due to its long lifespan. It can remain strong for decades. So even though age can accelerate the deterioration of other objects, concrete remains resilient and enduring with age.
Castability
Concrete can pour in nearly any shape and size. From concrete foundations and driveways to concrete-reinforced walls and support beams, concrete will retain its original shape and dimensions once poured and cast.
Little-to-No Maintenance
Unlike materials like wood or steel, concrete does not require:
- Annual repainting
- Resealing
- Recoating
If it cracks or chips, you simply fill the void with concrete. When used for outdoor services, concrete must release every three to five years.
Cost-Effectiveness
Concrete is a construction expense that will more than pay off every year. It is because concrete lowers ongoing expenses. Although costs appear to be higher upfront, you must think about the long-term return on your investment. In most cases, concrete always provides the greatest ROI.
Natural Insulating Material
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The naturally insulating properties of concrete help in the reduction of energy consumption in buildings composed of concrete. Concrete can increase the amount of saved energy to as much as 25%, making it an optimal insulation material when combined.
Natural Water Resistance
Concrete is the most practical choice whenever a project entails material that’s likely to be kept underwater. For swimming pools and koi ponds, this is usually concrete. For planters and underground pipelines, concrete works better than anything else.
Recyclability
Concrete can reuse endlessly. Old concrete can crush, blend with water and concrete, and use to make new concrete. As such, concrete is a remarkably eco-friendly building material.
Energy Efficient
If you compare the energy costs of concrete to other sustainable building materials, you will see that the construction costs to produce concrete are far lower. Compared with lumber and steel, the energy cost for concrete production is anywhere from three to ten times lower, and for asphalt production, it ranges anywhere from 75% to 75 times less.
To Conclude
The use of concrete has been increasing year on year. This increase attribute to its unique properties. Concrete is a reliable and durable material for driveway Melbourne, which is easy to work with and repair. It is a strong and versatile material that can shape in many ways and has a wide range of applications.
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