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What Concrete Should Be Used for Different Construction Projects

Are you planning to construct your new dream house? Or perhaps you want to renovate your existing home? Be it a small scale project or large-scale, choosing the right concrete material is the key to any successful project. People in the past used mortar and steel from steel suppliers Brisbane, but nowadays concrete has become the primary construction element. It is almost everywhere; roads, buildings, bridges, driveways, pools and much more.

What Concrete is Best for My Project?

This post will help you understand which concrete to select for which type of construction project.

1. Concrete Pools

Three following types of concrete can be used for constructing a pool – Shotcrete, Gunite or Cast-in-place. Shotcrete and Gunite concrete can be moulded into any shape with the use of a specialised spray, while cast-in-place concrete is a little harder to mould into a desired shape.

2. Driveways/Pathways

While using concrete for driveways and patios is obviously very common, the primary factors to consider are regarding thickness, the concrete mix, thickness of the sub-base and slope of the concrete.

3. Domestic Homes

Concrete can be used as more than infrastructure to build modern and sleek homes. Polished floors, bathrooms, concrete benchtops are some of the areas where concrete can be used to create a breathtaking structure.

Types of concrete

There are broadly the following 9 types of concrete:

1) Plain Concrete:

This type of concrete is the simplest and doesn’t require any kind of reinforcement. Usually, this concrete is ideal for use in buildings, footpaths, pavements, and those areas which don’t require high strength. Concrete prices in Brisbane vary according to the application.

2) Rapid Strength Concrete:

It acquires strength just after a few hours of its preparation which ensures quick construction of buildings and roads.

3) High-performance Concrete:

As the name suggests, high-performance concrete displays a high level of performance possessing rapid strength gain, easy placement, high permeability, high durability, and life-term mechanical properties.

4) Roller Compacted Concrete:

This type of concrete in Brisbane is placed and then road rollers are used to compact it. It provides higher density and requires less cement.

5) Reinforced Concrete:

Reinforcement basically means mixing steel rods, bars, or mesh into the concrete to improve the overall strength. Reinforced concrete finds application in the construction of columns, bridges, ceilings and any other structures like these which require a high level of strength.

6) Ready-mix Concrete:

It is ready to use obviously, but one should take care of the time required for its transportation. If there is an unexpected delay, then the concrete may harden making it pretty much useless.

7) Stamped Concrete:

Generally, interior floors and patios use stamped concrete in order to give that aesthetic look and feel. This type of concrete is used to create many realistic patterns like natural stones, granites, and tiles.

8) Vacuum Concrete:

This type of concrete contains a high proportion of water and its preparation involves suction of any excess water using a pump. This concrete achieves strength in just ten days.

9) Glass Concrete:

This is a type of modern concrete that uses recycled glass as aggregate. It is used to give an aesthetic feel to any structure for which it is used.

Reocrete is one of the best concrete suppliers in Brisbane who deliver the right grade and consistency of concrete to your worksite. The above points might confuse you slightly, but that’s okay, for any additional information, just chat with the experts at Reocrete!

How to Decide Which Concrete is Right for Your Home

Building your dream home requires making a number of calculative decisions along with considering numerous expenses which are crucial and unfortunately unavoidable. Concrete selection is one such decision which needs to be carefully considered. That is why it is important to know which type of concrete you must employ for your construction.

Concrete comes in different kinds of mixes, consistencies, and types. It is better to be aware of all the types before making a purchase. Read about these various concrete Brisbane mixes down below:

1. Dry Ready Mix:

The first and the most heavily used concrete mix is dry mix which can be procured in large quantities. This concrete is easy to create by using a mixture of water (added in directed quantity) and dry concrete. This mixture will take minutes to be ready. Dry Ready Mix can be used for various projects. It is usually made use of in small work projects.

2. Ready Mix:

As the name suggests, ready mix concrete comes with a premix concrete Brisbane with water. The ready mix comes with proper consistency and has to be used up right away. This type of concrete usually arrives with the help of a cement company who also assist in pouring the mixture. Ready mix is suitable for medium as well as small projects.

3. Transit Mix Concrete:

Transit mix concrete involves advantages of “ready mix concrete” but for a larger quantity. In transit mix concrete, a large truck arrives with the concrete mixture which has to be used instantly. This type of concrete works perfectly for very large surfaces, which need a simple one-pour concrete action. Concrete prices Brisbane have suggested that transit mix concrete is more on the pricey side however, matches the requirement of large cement slabs.

4. Bulk Dry Materials:

Bulk Dry material concrete is generally used by those who can mix concrete on their own and have bulky equipment to support the whole process of mixing and pouring.

Decorative Concrete:

Apart from the basic concrete mixes which suffice the construction needs, there are decorative concretes which create more of an aesthetic option while designing a space.

1. Etching Pre-Designed Concrete

Etching pre-designed concrete type has several designs etched to the surface of the concrete. This concrete type fares well on walls. Etchings come in several different designs. For instance, some slabs feature contemporary designs while some have a classical design. Concrete suppliers Brisbane also houses a wide range of designs depending upon the style of the homeowner.

2. Stamping Concrete:

This type of concrete also has a design but it generally showcases a pattern, also called as ‘stamp.’ Stamping concrete works great as designer concrete floors. It adds a very chic décor without being heavy on the wallet. Concrete Brisbane showcases several stamps on their stamping concrete.

3. Sandblasting Concrete:

In sandblasting concrete, the surface depicts a sand-like textured surface. The whole process of creating a sandblasting concrete is expensive and time-consuming but the end result is very classy.

With all these options at hand, you can select any type of concrete depending upon your requirement, budget, project-scale, etc.

Types of Welded Wire Mesh and Its Various Applications

Wire mesh reinforcement is one of the most common construction elements for industrial as well as commercial applications. In layman’s terms, it refers to the horizontal distance, also known as length, of intertwined wires that form a barrier. It forms an integral part of the construction and is used as a popular and effective tool for construction purposes. Mesh reinforcement in Brisbane is one of the most important aspects of using a wire mesh. It is the key factor which determines whether or not a piece of welded wire mesh would be able to withstand a powerful impact.

Plus, reinforcing mesh in Brisbane also has a close link with the construction pattern in the city. Most buildings involve steel bar in Brisbane and so the supporting materials should be such that it should complement the steel bars. This is the reason why steel reinforcing mesh in Brisbane matters.

Types of Welded Wire Mesh
The process of welding determines which type of welded wire mesh is suitable for a particular construction and which can be used effectively. Here is a list of the classification of different kinds of welded wire mesh based on their construction:

1. PVC Welded Wire Mesh:
For protection from corrosion, manufacturers of PVC welded wire mesh apply protective PVC powder coatings on the surface of this type of wire mesh. Not only does it protect the metal part in the internal surface, but also adds colour to the product.

2. Galvanised Wire Mesh:
Galvanisation is a process which involves the use of zinc for the coating of a surface. The same holds true for galvanised wire mesh. Manufacturers use two distinct processes to execute this task: electro process and hot dipped process. While the former makes for a shiny surface, the latter takes away the shine from the surface.

3. Welded Stainless Steel Wire Mesh:
Wire mesh made of welded stainless steel consists of uniform steel barrier at the intersections. Owing to its ease of use and high reliability, most industries use this steel reinforcing mesh Brisbane for barbed fencing.

Applications of Welded Wire Mesh
Reinforcing mesh finds a commonplace in various sectors. Although construction companies generally use it for fencing, it also has a number of other uses. For instance, construction companies also use it for wire cloth, screen doors and in the reinforcement of concrete. One of the major advantages of using welded wire mesh is that one can use it to make nets with small or fine openings. Thus, it is the ideal material for different kinds of screens.

Final Thoughts:
From the above, it becomes clear why construction companies are keen on reinforcing mesh in Brisbane these days. Among other things, mesh reinforcement determines the use of the other materials for a particular construction.

Aggregate or coloured concrete? Choosing a finish

Exposed aggregate concrete is one of the options you can choose for your renovation needs. Concrete isn’t a “one type fits all” material. Some customers ask for a smooth grey type. Others go slightly outside the box. Here’s a list of finishes that might help you decide what’s best for you.

Exposed aggregate

Concrete is a mix of cement and aggregate. These are larger stones that make up the bulk of the mix. Older concrete pathways and plenty of driveways have this type of finish. The look is accomplished by blasting away part of the surface cement so that the larger stones are revealed underneath.

Coloured

Sometimes grey is, well, grey. Concrete is a part of the home, whether it’s a pathway leading to the front door or a slab that makes up the kitchen floor. You have the option to colour the concrete the same way you’d choose the colour for the walls.

Popular colour schemes include warm tones like reds and oranges on the outside. In comparison, interior coloured concrete is softer. Tones include greys, whites and even light blues. Ask your contractor what colours are available.

Stamped

This type of finish mimics the effect of pavers. The concrete is poured and a pattern stamp is placed on the surface before it fully dries. Common patterns make the concrete look like tiles and there’s even some that give a “wood” appearance.

Polished

This is ideal for interior concrete. Exposed aggregate is a surface that customers choose to polish most often. Nobody wants to cut their feet on small, sharp stones.

Warehouse interiors that were renovated to make living space have existing concrete floors already, but these are rarely polished. Contractors are brought in to clean up the floors, polish them and add a coat of sealant. Concrete is a porous material and stains easily, so this step is necessary to prevent cosmetic messes.