Are you wanting to learn everything you need to know about concrete? Then you’ve come to the right place.
At Everlast Services, we use concrete almost daily for a wide range of projects. We use it to create elegant driveways, sophisticated courtyards and for beautiful raised garden beds. There are many benefits that concrete offers, but we particularly love it for its versatility and durability. What’s more, it’s also an incredibly cost-effective material—both up-front and long-term.
Here’s everything you need to know about concrete.
What is Concrete?
Concrete is essentially a combination of cement (powdered limestone and clay) and water, sand, and crushed stone or gavel. However, the exact ingredients vary depending upon the type of concrete.
It is one of the most common examples of a composite material – where two very different materials are combined to enhanced their properties. The combination of aggregate and cement creates a chemical reaction that hardens into an incredibly strong material.
When making concrete, it’s important to achieve the correct ratio of water to concrete. Similarly, it’s vital to pour the concrete correctly to ensure its durability. Incorrectly mixed or poured concrete often results in cracks or chips when put under pressure or exposed to harsh climates.
The History of Concrete
The early beginnings of the history of concrete are contested, mostly because the definitions of what constitutes as concrete vary.
Some say that concrete was used as far back as 5000BC when the Ancient Egyptians used a crude form of the material (a mixture of mud and straw) to create bricks. Others argue that the first real example of concrete was when the Romans used it for various architectural wonders between 300BC and 476AD. Concrete was used to construct a variety of now-iconic structures, including the Colosseum and the Pantheon.
However, it wasn’t until 1824 that Englishman Joseph Aspdin invented modern concrete – known as Portland concrete. In a testament to its ingeniousness, concrete is very similar now to what Joseph Aspdin created nearly 200 years ago.
Nowadays, concrete is one of the most popular building materials in the world. Its usage is twice that of steel, wood, plastic and aluminium combined. In fact, the ready-mix concrete industry is projected to generate more than USD$600 billion in revenue by 2025.
Types of Concrete for Your Home
When it comes to your home, concrete has a wide variety of uses. Additionally, there are many different types of concrete to choose from in order to suit your individual taste and needs. The types of concrete offered by Everlast Services are outlined below.
Plain Concrete
When people envision concrete, it’s usually plain concrete. One of the main reasons people like plain concrete is that it provides a blank canvas. This blank canvas complements almost any aesthetic. Beautiful garden beds, hedges and flourishing flowers can surround concrete, or its surrounds can be left bare for a minimalist industrial look. Basically, when it comes to plain concrete, the possibilities are endless.
Exposed Aggregate Concrete
Exposed aggregate concrete is known for its ability to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any environment. It’s a simple and cost-effective way of taking your home to the next level. Plus, its anti-slip properties make it ideal for pool areas, sloped driveways or any other area that could pose a slipping hazard.
Stencil and Stamped Concrete
The magical versatility of concrete is truly demonstrated when it comes to stencil and stamped concrete. Stamped concrete enables concrete to mimic other materials, including slate, stone, brick, tile and even timber. The best part is, you get to enjoy their aesthetic, while benefiting from the durability, strength and affordability of concrete.
Coloured Concrete
Whether you’re wanting your concrete driveway or path to add a pop of colour to your home or to complement a monochromatic colour scheme, coloured concrete is the way to go. The best part is that you don’t have to worry about the colour fading or warping over time.
Need Help?
If you want to experience all the benefits that concrete has to offer your home, then Everlast Services can help. We’ve spent years perfecting the art of pouring concrete. This means that you can trust our concrete to last you a lifetime.
From plain concrete to coloured stencil concrete, Everlast Services can do it all. We can help make sure you have everything you need to know about concrete. Simply contact us today and we can provide you with a free measure and quote.
