Popular Uses for Ready-mix Concrete

 Concrete is a material we are all familiar with. It’s used for countless building projects and is incredibly versatile. But, have you ever stopped to think about some of the many popular ways it can be used everyday? Concrete is highly adaptable due to its durability and strength as a material. These factors enable concrete to be a suitable and long-lasting building material. These factors also make it perfect for a range of applications in both domestic and commercial settings.

So, taking this into consideration, in this blog we explore some of the various uses for concrete, some of which you may be familiar with and some of which you might be surprised by. Read on to discover more!

Why use concrete?

Before we get started, you may be wondering - why should I use concrete for a project in the first place? Well, there are several reasons for this. Any professional construction professional will tell you that the success of a construction project very much depends on the quality of the materials used for it. With that in mind, whatever the nature of a project being carried out, the likelihood is you are going to need a strong and sturdy foundation to build on.

The formula and ingredients of concrete are important and as we mentioned will impact the outcome of a project. What’s more, investing in high-quality materials, including concrete is absolutely essential. It goes without saying that the use of concrete is a simple requirement whether it’s a commercial project or a personal DIY project. In turn, the kind of concrete used varies on the nature of construction work but concrete is still one of the most widely used materials for building and construction projects.

Patios or driveway

It's highly common for lots of homeowners who have a driveway, to have one made of concrete. Not only is it a highly cost-effective option but investing in a concrete drive or patio is something that will increase the resale value of your property - it may sound simple but it does make such a difference. Concrete driveways are commonly known to have more durability than asphalt. Moreover, you can put your own personal touch on your patio or drive as concrete can actually be coloured or stamped for a unique look.

Pavements

Perhaps we take for granted the fact that most of us probably walk on pavements every day to get to work, walk the dog, go for a bike ride; but we would not be able to do these simple things without pavements - which are often made from concrete. Concrete is one of the strongest building materials and used for pavements as concrete is built to withstand the test of time and substantial foot-traffic. In addition to this, they are also very low maintenance - definitely an added bonus!

Car parks

Where would we be without car parks? It would make doing your weekly shop a lot more tricky and that’s for sure! Sounds strange but concrete is actually lighter in colour than its various alternatives, for example, asphalt. This is another factor that makes it ideal for car parks and that is because it reduces lighting costs in the evenings - also providing concrete with an environmental perk as it saves energy for lighting too! 

Roads and motorways

A lot of our roads are constructed from concrete. This is because concrete as a material is extremely strong, highly safe, and provides stronger reflectivity during the night. As well as this, concrete can hold substantial weights, this makes it essential for areas that receive high traffic.

House foundations

Concrete is commonly used as a foundation for lots of homes due to its substantial benefits as a material. Concrete is not going to burn or rot away, and you will be able to rest assured that the foundation of your property is strong and durable. Moreover, having a concrete basement can give you additional protection throughout extreme weather such as flooding or storms.

A front porch

Concrete porches are growing in popularity and this is because by using polymer modified cement you can easily create an attractive porch leading to your home without causing any harm to your home’s current façade, and it will give your entrance a simple and elegant appearance.

A fire pit

Concrete is an ideal material to be used for making a fire pit, it can be used as a part of a patio set up or on its own as a stand-alone feature of your garden’s outdoor living space. When you have one put in place, you’ll be expanding your space for entertaining and hosting with fire pits being great for general usage all year round. A fire pit is perfect for warmth during cooler evenings and great for spending time relaxing with loved ones.

A garden water feature

Lots of homeowners see their garden as an additional part of the home. In keeping with this logic, lots of people love to add a decorative water feature or pond to their garden. This is very popular and concrete is a perfect material for either of these features. Once you’ve had a feature of a pond put in place, you can kick back and relax, having a place to go after a busy day at work where you can unwind.

Planters

You can use concrete for planters in your garden. The great thing about using concrete is that it will not rot like planters made from wood have a tendency to do. As well as this they are made with decorative borders or other decorations to flatter the overall style of your garden. 

The bottom line

As you can see, concrete can be used for a broad range of things that you wouldn’t necessarily immediately link to the building material. People are becoming incredibly creative with ways for using concrete in order to really make the most of this fantastically versatile material.   

W M Thompson & Sons - Ready-Mix Concrete Suppliers Operating in Lanarkshire

Thompson Concrete Products Ltd are experienced in supplying concrete to customers across the region, whether for large commercial enterprises or for smaller DIY jobs. Our fleet of concrete trucks allows us to efficiently and competitively provide anywhere between 1 and 10 cubic metres of wet concrete and screed.

We offer you the opportunity to be specific with regard to the exact type of concrete you wish for. This allows you to monitor the specific components of the type of concrete you need, putting you in control of the ratio of components required for your individual project.

Ready-mix concrete is ideal for a variety of projects where a set ratio of ingredients is required which are not subject to change. If you require the pouring of multiple concrete slabs that require a specific concrete mix, our ready mix concrete capabilities will ensure that there is no deviation and that the quality of the concrete you receive is consistent throughout. To find out more about our concrete products or any of our other services, contact us today, we’d be delighted to hear from you.