Concrete

Concrete

FACTS ABOUT CONCRETE

  1. A concrete mixture comprises 60-75% aggregate, 15% cement and water, and 5-8% air.
  2. Unlike asphalt, a concrete driveway can last for up to 50 years.
  3. One key ingredient in concrete is cement. More than 4 billion tons of cement are produced annually.
  4. Around 4.4 billion tons of concrete are produced annually around the globe. By 2050, the figure is anticipated to rise to more than 5.5 billion tons.
  5. Concrete is one of the most commonly used materials for underwater structures.



The most common thing used to design and shape flatwork are forms. Typically they’re made out of wood. For example, most sidewalks and patios are built using simple 2×4 wood forms. They create the mold you pour wet concrete into. When concrete hardens into the shape of the mold the forms can be removed. Flexible plywood can be curved to create curved concrete patios and sidewalks.


Color can be added to the concrete in a few different ways.

Pigment can be added into the wet mix which changes the color of all the concrete equally. Color can be thrown on top of the concrete as it dries. This is just a surface coat. Dyes or paints can be applied to the concrete after it’s dried and fully cured. Colors can be added into sealants or epoxy coats.

Stamped concrete patios are a very popular type of concrete flatwork design. When the concrete is poured and hardening, stamps are pressed into the slab to create an impression. Colors can be used along with the stamps to create all sorts of designs

Concrete flatwork jobs can include multiple methods to create the finished design. This can even include other materials for decorative features like the edge trim. It’s very common to build a concrete patio with stone or brick edging.

Driveways

Concrete is a very popular driveway material. Generally it’s poured 6″ thick to support the weight of cars and trucks.

Sidewalks

Simple sidewalk slabs are almost always made from concrete. They’re meant for pedestrian use which is light weight so 4″ thick is the standard.

Patios

The most common patio material is concrete. 4″ – 6″ thick is the standard.

Pool Decks

Concrete is a great material to use around a pool because it can have a textured finish which doesn’t get slippery when wet.

Garages

The floor in almost every garage is made from concrete. We pour ours at 6 inches to support the weight of vehicles.

Basement

A basement floor is made from concrete too. These are typically 4 inch for a basement.

Shed Floor

A great floor and foundation for a shed is a concrete slab. Vary the thickness depending on what you plan on storing in the shed. Simple shed are usually 4 inch. But if your using large and heavy machinery you may want to go thicker.

Interior

Many interior floors are made from concrete. If the house is built on a slab the concrete can double as a foundation and finished flooring. This is very common in Modern style homes.

Commercial

Most commercial store like a Home Depot or Walmart use polished concrete floors.

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